UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F

(Mark One)

[ ]
REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
     
 
OR
 
     
[X]
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
     
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018
     
 
OR
 
     
[ ]
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
     
For the transition period from _________________ to _________________
 
     
 
OR
 
     
[ ]
SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
     
Date of event requiring this shell company report _________________
 
     
   
Commission file number 001-37889

TOP SHIPS INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
(Translation of Registrant's name into English)
 
 
Republic of the Marshall Islands
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
 
1 Vasilisis Sofias and Megalou Alexandrou Str, 15124 Maroussi, Greece
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
 
Alexandros Tsirikos, (Tel) +30 210 812 8180, atsirikos@topships.org, (Fax) +30 210 614 1273,
1 Vasilisis Sofias and Megalou Alexandrou Str, 15124 Maroussi, Greece
 (Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
 



Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.

 
Title of each class
 
Name of each exchange
on which registered
     
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
 
Nasdaq Capital Market
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
 
Nasdaq Capital Market

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.

NONE
(Title of class)
 
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.

NONE
(Title of class)
 
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer's classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.

As of December 31, 2018, 23,017,467 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, were outstanding.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes
 
No
X
 
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes
 
No
X
 

Note – Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under those Sections.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes
X
No
   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Sec.232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes
X
No
   



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

       Large accelerated filer 
Accelerated filer 
 
       Non-accelerated filer 
 
Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
† The term "new or revised financial accounting standard" refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

X
    U.S. GAAP
 
    International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board
 
    Other
If "Other" has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow:

 
________  Item 17
 
________  Item 18
         
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes
 
No
X
 

(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.

Yes
 
No
X
 


TABLE OF CONTENTS


   
Page
PART I
 
3
ITEM 1
IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
3
ITEM 2.
OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
3
ITEM 3.
KEY INFORMATION
3
ITEM 4.
INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
34
ITEM 4A.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
57
ITEM 5.
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
57
ITEM 6.
DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
83
ITEM 7.
MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
87
ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION.
89
ITEM 9.
THE OFFER AND LISTING.
90
ITEM 10.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
90
ITEM 11.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
109
ITEM 12.
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
110
PART II
 
110
ITEM 13.
DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
110
ITEM 14.
MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
110
ITEM 15.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
111
ITEM 16A.
AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
112
ITEM 16B.
CODE OF ETHICS
113
ITEM 16C.
PRINCIPAL AUDITOR FEES AND SERVICES
113
ITEM 16D.
EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
113
ITEM 16E.
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
113
ITEM 16F.
CHANGE IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
113
ITEM 16G.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
113
ITEM 16H.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
114
PART III
 
114
ITEM 17.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
114
ITEM 18.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
114
ITEM 19.
EXHIBITS
114



i

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Matters discussed in this report may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, or the PSLRA, provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts.
TOP Ships Inc. desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the PSLRA and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. This annual report and any other written or oral statements made by us or on our behalf may include forward-looking statements, which reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. When used in this annual report, the words "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "plan," "potential," "may," "should," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements in this annual report are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although we believe that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies that are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections.

·
In addition to these assumptions and matters discussed elsewhere herein and in the documents incorporated by reference herein, important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the following:

·
our ability to maintain or develop new and existing customer relationships with major refined product importers and exporters, major crude oil companies and major commodity traders, including our ability to enter into long-term charters for our vessels;

·
our future operating and financial results ;

·
oil and chemical tanker industry trends, including charter rates and vessel values and factors affecting vessel supply and demand;

·
our ability to take delivery of, integrate into our fleet, and employ any newbuildings we may order in the future and the ability of shipyards to deliver vessels on a timely basis;

·
the aging of our vessels and resultant increases in operation and dry-docking costs;

·
the ability of our vessels to pass classification inspections and vetting inspections by oil majors and big chemical corporations;

·
significant changes in vessel performance, including increased vessel breakdowns;

·
the creditworthiness of our charterers and the ability of our contract counterparties to fulfill their obligations to us;

·
our ability to repay outstanding indebtedness, to obtain additional financing and to obtain replacement charters for our vessels, in each case, at commercially acceptable rates or at all;

·
changes to governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities and the expected costs thereof;
1




·
potential liability from litigation and our vessel operations, including discharge of pollutants;

·
changes in general economic and business conditions;

·
general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents, political events or acts by terrorists;

·
changes in production of or demand for oil and petroleum products and chemicals, either globally or in particular regions;

·
the strength of world economies and currencies, including fluctuations in charterhire rates and vessel values; and

·
and other important factors described from time to time in the reports filed by us with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC .
Any forward-looking statements contained herein are made only as of the date of this annual report, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all or any of these factors. Further, we cannot assess the impact of each such factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to be materially different from those contained in any forward-looking statement.
2


PART I
ITEM 1   IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
Not Applicable.
ITEM 2.   OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Not Applicable.
ITEM 3.   KEY INFORMATION
Unless the context otherwise requires, as used in this annual report, the terms "Company," "we," "us," and "our" refer to TOP Ships Inc. and all of its subsidiaries, and "TOP Ships Inc." refers only to TOP Ships Inc. and not to its subsidiaries. We use the term deadweight ton, or dwt, in describing the size of vessels. 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. Throughout this annual report, the conversion from Euros, or €, to U.S. dollars, or $, is based on the U.S. dollar/Euro exchange rate of 1.143 as of December 31, 2018, unless otherwise specified.
A.   Selected Financial Data
The following table sets forth our selected historical consolidated financial information and other operating data as of and for the periods indicated. Our selected historical consolidated financial information as of December 31, 2017 and 2018 and for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018 is derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included in "Item 18. Financial Statements" herein. The selected historical consolidated financial information as of December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 and for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015 is derived from our audited consolidated financial statements that are not included in this annual report. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP.
The information provided below should be read in conjunction with "Item 4. Information on the Company" and "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects" and the consolidated financial statements, related notes and other financial information included herein.
Following the one-for-ten reverse stock split of our issued and outstanding common shares effective on February 22, 2016, a one-for-twenty reverse stock split of our issued and outstanding common shares effective on May 11, 2017, a one-for-fifteen reverse stock split of our issued and outstanding common shares effective on June 23, 2017, a one-for-thirty reverse stock split of our issued and outstanding common shares effective on August 3, 2017, a one-for-two reverse stock split of our issued and outstanding common shares effective on October 6, 2017 and a one-for-ten reverse stock split of our issued and outstanding common shares effective on March 26, 2018, all share and per share amounts disclosed throughout this annual report, in the table below and in our consolidated financial statements have been retroactively updated to reflect this change in capital structure, unless otherwise indicated. Please see "Item 4. Information on the Company—History and Development of the Company".
3




U.S. Dollars in thousands, except per share data
                             
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS)/INCOME
 
2014
   
2015
   
2016
   
2017
   
2018
 
Time charter revenues
   
3,602
     
13,075
     
28,433
     
39,363
     
39,442
 
Time charter revenues from related parties
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
1,606
 
Total time charter revenue
    3,602
      13,075
      28,433
      39,363
      41,048
 
 
                                       
Voyage expenses
   
113
     
370
     
736
     
999
     
1,020
 
Bareboat charter hire expense
   
-
     
5,274
     
6,299
     
6,282
     
6,282
 
Amortization of prepaid bareboat charter hire
   
-
     
1,431
     
1,577
     
1,657
     
1,657
 
Vessel operating expenses
   
1,143
     
4,789
     
9,913
     
13,444
     
14,826
 
Management fees-related parties
   
703
     
1,621
     
1,824
     
4,730
     
7,765
 
General and administrative expenses
   
2,335
     
2,983
     
2,906
     
5,805
     
6,997
 
Other operating (income)/loss
   
(861
)
   
274
     
(3,137
)
   
(914
)
   
-
 
Vessel depreciation
   
757
     
668
     
3,467
     
5,744
     
6,390
 
Impairment on vessels
   
-
     
3,081
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
 
                                       
Operating (loss)/income
   
(588
)
   
(7,416
)
   
4,848
     
1,616
     
(3, 889
)
 
                                       
Interest and finance costs
   
(450
)
   
(719
)
   
(3,093
)
   
(15,793
)
   
(9,662
)
(Loss)/gain on derivative financial instruments
   
3,866
     
(392
)
   
(698
)
   
(301
)
   
1,821
 
Interest income
   
74
     
-
     
-
     
13
     
130
 
Other (expense)/income, net
   
(6
)
   
20
     
(5
)
   
1,120
     
180
 
 
                                       
Net (loss)/income and comprehensive (loss)/income
   
2,896
     
(8,507
)
   
1,052
     
(13,345
)
   
(11,420
)
Deemed dividend for beneficial conversion feature of Series B convertible preferred stock
   
-
     
-
     
(1, 403
)
   
-
     
-
 
Equity (losses)/gains on investments
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(27
)
   
291
 
Net (loss)/income attributable to common shareholders
   
2,896
     
(8,507
)
   
(351
)
   
(13,372
)
   
(11,129
)
Attributable to:
                                       
Common stock holders
   
2,896
     
(8,507
)
   
(351
)
   
(13,404
)
   
(11,134
)
Non-controlling interests
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
32
     
5
 
 
                                       
Earnings/(Loss) per share, basic
 
$
413,714
   
$
(773,364
)
 
$
(15,955
)
 
$
(12.57
)
 
$
(0.61
)
Earnings/(Loss) per share, diluted
 
$
362,000
   
$
(773,364
)
 
$
(15,955
)
 
$
(12.57
)
 
$
(0.61
)
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic
   
7
     
11
     
22
     
1,063,381
     
18,181,456
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted
   
8
     
11
     
22
     
1,063,381
     
18,181,456
 


U.S. dollars in thousands, unless otherwise stated
 
2014
   
2015
   
2016
   
2017
   
2018
 
BALANCE SHEET DATA
                             
Current assets
   
1,227
     
5,269
     
4,541
     
29,055
     
5,288
 
Total assets
   
75,575
     
74,006
     
143,317
     
220,448
     
258,488
 
Current liabilities, including current portion of long-term debt
   
9,334
     
17,577
     
20,033
     
25,581
     
36,819
 
Non-current liabilities
   
23,712
     
22,276
     
76,022
     
87,593
     
117,388
 
Total debt
   
19,419
     
24,226
     
84,539
     
103,949
     
140,655
 
Stockholders' equity
     42,529        34,153        45,521        107,274        104,281  
Preferred stock
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
1
     
1
 
Common stock
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
89
     
230
 

4




OTHER FINANCIAL DATA
   
2014
   
2015
   
2016
   
2017
   
2018
 
FLEET DATA
                             
Total number of vessels at end of period (including leased vessels)
   
1.0
     
3.0
     
6.0
     
7.0
     
8.0
 
Average number of vessels (1)
   
0.5
     
2.2
     
5.0
     
6.8
     
7.3
 
Total calendar days for fleet (2)
   
195
     
810
     
1,812
     
2,496
     
2,670
 
Total available days for fleet (3)
   
195
     
805
     
1,812
     
2,495
     
2,668
 
Total operating days for fleet (4)
   
195
     
796
     
1,799
     
2,491
     
2,663
 
Total time charter days for fleet
   
195
     
796
     
1,799
     
2,491
     
2,663
 
Fleet utilization (5)
   
100.00
%
   
98.91
%
   
99.28
%
   
99.81
%
   
99.81
%


 
2014
 
2015
 
2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
AVERAGE DAILY RESULTS
                   
Time charter equivalent (6)
 
$
17,892
   
$
15,961
   
$
15,396
   
$
15,403
   
$
15,031
 
Vessel operating expenses (7)
 
$
5,862
   
$
5,914
   
$
5,470
   
$
5,386
   
$
5,552
 
General and administrative expenses (8)
 
$
11,974
   
$
3,684
   
$
1,604
   
$
2,323
   
$
2,620
 


U.S. dollars in thousands
2014
 
2015
 
2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
Adjusted EBITDA (9)
 
$
163
   
$
3,058
   
$
16,186
   
$
16,405
   
$
10,910
 

(1)
Average number of vessels is the number of vessels that constituted our fleet (including chartered in vessels) for the relevant period, as measured by the sum of the number of days each vessel was a part of our fleet during the period divided by the number of calendar days in that period.
(2)
Calendar days are the total days the vessels were in our possession for the relevant period. Calendar days are an indicator of the size of our fleet over the relevant period and affect both the amount of revenues and expenses that we record during that period.
(3)
Available days are the number of calendar days less the aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to scheduled repairs or scheduled guarantee inspections in the case of newbuildings, vessel upgrades or special or intermediate surveys and the aggregate amount of time that we spend positioning our vessels. Companies in the shipping industry generally use available days to measure the number of days in a period during which vessels should be capable of generating revenues.
(4)
Operating days are the number of available days in a period less the aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to unforeseen technical circumstances. The shipping industry uses operating days to measure the aggregate number of days in a period that our vessels actually generate revenue.
(5)
Fleet utilization is calculated by dividing the number of operating days during a period by the number of available days during that period. The shipping industry uses fleet utilization to measure a company's efficiency in finding suitable employment for its vessels and minimizing the number of days that its vessels are off-hire for reasons other than scheduled repairs or scheduled guarantee inspections in the case of newbuildings, vessel upgrades, special or intermediate surveys and vessel positioning.
(6)
Time charter equivalent rate, or TCE rate, is a measure of the average daily revenue performance of a vessel on a per voyage basis. Our method of calculating TCE rate is determined by dividing TCE revenues by operating days for the relevant time period. TCE revenues are revenues minus voyage expenses. Voyage expenses primarily consist of port, canal and fuel costs that are unique to a particular voyage, which would otherwise be paid by the charterer under a time charter contract, as well as commissions. TCE revenues and TCE rate, which are non-U.S. GAAP measures, provide additional supplemental information in conjunction with shipping revenues, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure. We use TCE rates and TCE revenues to compare period-to-period changes in our performance and it assists investors and our management in evaluating our financial performance. The following table below reflects the reconciliation of TCE revenues to revenues as reflected in the consolidated statements of operations and our calculation of TCE rates for the periods presented.
5




U.S. dollars in thousands, except average daily time charter equivalent and total operating days
 
2014
   
2015
   
2016
   
2017
   
2018
 
On a consolidated basis
                             
Revenues*
 
$
3,602
   
$
13,075
   
$
28,433
   
$
39,363
   
$
41,048
 
Less:
                                       
Voyage expenses
   
(113
))
   
(370
)
   
(736
)
   
(999
)
   
(1,020
)
 Time charter equivalent revenues
 
$
3,489
   
$
12,705
   
$
27,697
   
$
38,364
   
$
40,028
 
Total operating days
   
195
     
796
     
1,799
     
2,491
     
2,663
 
                                         
Average Daily Time Charter Equivalent (TCE)
 
$
17,892
   
$
15,961
   
$
15,396
   
$
15,403
   
$
15,031
 
*Represents the aggregate of Time charter revenues from third parties and Time charter revenues from Related Parties

(7)
Daily vessel operating expenses, which include crew costs, provisions, deck and engine stores, lubricating oil, insurance, maintenance and repairs are calculated by dividing vessel operating expenses by fleet calendar days for the relevant time period.
(8)
Daily general and administrative expenses are calculated by dividing general and administrative expenses by fleet calendar days for the relevant time period.
(9)
Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization (Adjusted EBITDA), is not a measure prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We define Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, vessel bareboat charter hire expenses (including amortization of prepaid hire), vessel impairments, gains on sale of vessels, gains on disposal of subsidiaries and gains/losses on derivative financial instruments. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure that is used as a supplemental financial measure by management and external users of financial statements, such as investors, to assess our financial and operating performance. We believe that this non-GAAP financial measure assists our management and investors by increasing the comparability of our performance from period to period. This is achieved by excluding the potentially disparate effects between periods of interest, gain/loss on financial instruments,  depreciation and amortization, vessel bareboat charter hire expenses (including amortization of prepaid hire), vessel impairments and which items are affected by various and possibly changing financing methods, capital structure and historical cost basis and which items may significantly affect results of operations between periods. This non-U.S. GAAP measure should not be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or superior to financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.  In evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses that are the same as or similar to some of the adjustments in this presentation. Our definition of Adjusted EBITDA may not be the same as reported by other companies in the shipping industry or other industries. Adjusted EBITDA does not represent and should not be considered as an alternative to operating income or cash flow from operations, as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP.


U.S. dollars in thousands
 
2014
   
2015
   
2016
   
2017
   
2018
 
Net income/(loss) and comprehensive  income/(loss)
   
2,896
     
(8,507
)
   
1,052
     
(13,372
)
   
(11,129
)
                                         
Add: Bareboat charter hire expenses
   
-
     
5,274
     
6,299
     
6,282
     
6,282
 
Add: Amortization of prepaid bareboat charter hire
   
-
     
1,431
     
1,577
     
1,657
     
1,657
 
Add: Vessel depreciation
   
757
     
668
     
3,467
     
5,744
     
6,389
 
Add: Impairment on vessel
   
-
     
3,081
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Add: Interest and finance costs
   
450
     
719
     
3,093
     
15,793
     
9,662
 
Add: Loss/(gain) on derivative financial instruments
   
(3,866
)
   
392
     
698
     
301
     
(1,821
)
Less: Interest income
   
(74
)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(130
)
                                         
Adjusted EBITDA
   
163
     
3,058
     
16,186
     
16,405
     
10,910
 



6



B.   Capitalization and Indebtedness
Not Applicable.
C.   Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Not Applicable.
D.   Risk Factors
The following risks relate principally to the industry in which we operate and our business in general. Any of these risk factors could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results and the trading price of our common shares.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR INDUSTRY
The international tanker industry has historically been both cyclical and volatile and this may lead to reductions and volatility in our charter rates, our vessel values, our revenues, earnings and cash flow results.
The international tanker industry in which we operate is cyclical, with attendant volatility in charter hire rates, vessel values and industry profitability. For tanker vessels, the degree of charter rate volatility has varied widely. Please see "— The international oil tanker industry has experienced volatile charter rates and vessel values and there can be no assurance that these charter rates and vessel values will not decrease in the near future." Currently, all of our vessels are employed on time charters. However, changes in spot rates and time charter rates can affect the revenues we will receive from operations   in the event our charterers default or seek to renegotiate the charter hire, and can affect the value of our vessels, even if they are employed under long-term time charters. Our ability to re-charter our vessels on the expiration or termination of their time or bareboat charters and the charter rates payable under any renewal or replacement charters will depend upon, among other things, economic conditions in the tanker markets and several other factors outside of our control.   If we enter into a charter when charter rates are low, our revenues and earnings will be adversely affected. A decline in charter hire rates will also likely cause the value of our vessels to decline.
Fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values result from changes in the supply and demand for vessels and changes in the supply and demand for oil, chemicals and other liquids our vessels carry. Factors affecting the supply and demand for our vessels are outside of our control and are unpredictable. The nature, timing, direction and degree of changes in the tanker industry conditions are also unpredictable.
Factors that influence demand for tanker vessel capacity include:

·
supply and demand for petroleum products and chemicals carried;

·
changes in oil production and refining capacity resulting in shifts in trade flows for oil products;

·
the distance petroleum products and chemicals are to be moved by sea;

·
global and regional economic and political conditions, including developments in international trade, national oil reserves policies, fluctuations in industrial and agricultural production, armed conflicts and work stoppages;

·
increases in the production of oil in areas linked by pipelines to consuming areas, the extension of existing, or the development of new pipeline systems in markets we may serve, or the conversion of existing non-oil pipelines to oil pipelines in those markets;

·
environmental and other legal and regulatory developments;
7




·
currency exchange rates;

·
weather, natural disasters and other acts of God;

·
competition from alternative sources of energy, other shipping companies and other modes of transportation; and

·
international sanctions, embargoes, import and export restrictions, nationalizations, piracy and wars.
The factors that influence the supply of tanker capacity include:

·
the number of newbuilding deliveries;

·
current and expected newbuilding orders for vessels;

·
the scrapping rate of older vessels;

·
vessel freight rates, which are affected by factors that may affect the rate of newbuilding, swapping and laying up of vessels;

·
the price of steel and vessel equipment;

·
technological advances in the design and capacity of vessels;

·
potential conversion of vessels for alternative use;

·
changes in environmental and other regulations that may limit the useful lives of vessels;

·
port or canal congestion;

·
the number of vessels that are out of service at a given time; and

·
changes in global petroleum and chemical production.
The factors affecting the supply and demand for tankers have been volatile and are outside of our control, and the nature, timing and degree of changes in industry conditions are unpredictable. Market conditions were volatile in 2018 and continued volatility may reduce demand for transportation of oil, petroleum products and chemicals over longer distances and increase the supply of tankers, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, ability to pay dividends and existing contractual obligations.
The international oil tanker industry has experienced volatile charter rates and vessel values and there can be no assurance that these charter rates and vessel values will not decrease in the near future.
The Baltic Dirty Tanker Index, or the BDTI, a U.S. dollar daily average of charter rates issued by the Baltic Exchange that takes into account input from brokers around the world regarding crude oil fixtures for various routes and oil tanker vessel sizes, has been volatile. For example, in 2018, the BDTI reached a high of 1,266 and a low of 628. The Baltic Clean Tanker Index, or BCTI, a comparable index to the BDTI, has similarly been volatile. In 2018, the BCTI reached a high of 919 and a low of 476. Although the BDTI and BCTI were 700 and 650, respectively, as of March 21, 2019, there can be no assurance that the crude oil and petroleum products charter market will increase, and the market could again decline. This volatility in charter rates depends, among other factors, on (i) the demand for crude oil and petroleum products, (ii) the inventories of crude oil and petroleum products in the United States and in other industrialized nations, (iii) oil refining volumes, (iv) oil prices, and (v) any restrictions on crude oil production imposed by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC, and non-OPEC oil producing countries.
8



If the charter rates in the oil tanker market decline from their current levels, our future earnings may be adversely affected, we may have to record impairment adjustments to the carrying values of our fleet and we may not be able to comply with the financial covenants in our loan agreements.
Volatile economic conditions throughout the world could have an adverse impact on our operations and financial results.
Among other factors, we face risks attendant to changes in economic environments, changes in interest rates, and instability in the banking and securities markets around the world.
The world economy continues to face a number of challenges . Concerns persist regarding the debt burden of certain European countries and their ability to meet future financial obligations and the overall stability of the euro. A renewed period of adverse development in the outlook for the financial stability of European countries, or market perceptions concerning these and related issues, could reduce the overall demand for oil and chemicals, and thus for shipping and our services, and thereby could affect our financial position, results of operations and cash available for distribution. In addition, turmoil and hostilities in the Middle East and other geographic areas and countries may negatively impact the world economy.
A general deterioration in the global economy may also cause a decrease in worldwide demand for certain goods and, thus, shipping. In the past, economic and governmental factors, together with concurrent declines in charter rates and vessel values, have had a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, causing the price of our common shares to decline.
Further, the economic slowdown in China has and may continue to exacerbate the effect on us of any slowdown in the rest of the world. Specifically, China currently has one of the world's fastest growing economies in terms of gross domestic product, or GDP, which had a significant impact on shipping demand. The growth rate of China's GDP for the year ended December 31, 2018 was estimated to be around 6.5%. China and other countries in the Asia Pacific region may continue to experience slow or even negative economic growth in the future. Our financial condition and results of operations, as well as our future prospects, would likely be impeded by a continuing or worsening economic downturn in any of these countries.
European countries have likewise experienced relatively slow growth. Over the past several years, the credit markets in Europe have experienced significant contraction, deleveraging and reduced liquidity, and European authorities continue to implement a broad variety of governmental action and/or new regulation of the financial markets. Worldwide economic conditions have in the past impacted, and could in the future impact, lenders' willingness to provide credit to us and our customers. In addition, a portion of the credit under our credit facilities is provided by European banking institutions. If economic conditions in Europe preclude or limit financing from these banking institutions, we may not be able to obtain financing from other institutions on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all, even if conditions outside Europe remain favorable for lending.
The current state of the global financial markets and current economic conditions may adversely impact our ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms and may otherwise negatively impact our business.
Global financial markets and economic conditions have been volatile. This volatility has negatively affected the general willingness of banks and other financial institutions to extend credit, particularly to the shipping industry, due to the historically volatile values of vessels. The shipping industry, which is highly dependent on the availability of credit to finance and expand operations, has been negatively affected by this decline.
9



As a result of concerns about the stability of financial markets generally and the solvency of counterparties specifically, the cost of obtaining money from the credit markets has increased as many lenders have increased interest rates, enacted tighter lending standards, refused to refinance existing debt on terms similar to current debt and reduced, and in some cases ceased, to provide funding to borrowers. Due to these factors, we cannot be certain that financing will be available if needed and to the extent required, on acceptable terms. If financing is not available when needed, or is available only on unfavorable terms, we may be unable to meet our obligations as they come due or we may be unable to enhance our existing business, complete additional vessel acquisitions or otherwise take advantage of business opportunities as they arise.
Uncertainty regarding the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) may adversely impact our indebtedness under our credit and loan facilities, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
In July 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority announced that it would phase out LIBOR as a benchmark by the end of 2021. It is unclear whether new methods of calculating LIBOR will be established such that it continues to exist after 2021. Proposed alternative reference interest rates so far are based on overnight tenors only, while the most frequently used LIBOR rates are for one, three and six month tenors. Most of our credit and loan facilities are linked to LIBOR. When LIBOR ceases to exist, we may need to amend our credit and loan facilities based on a new standard that is established, if any. The basis of calculation of such standard is not yet agreed upon amongst market participants and as a result the cost of our borrowings may increase. In addition, any resulting differences in interest rate standards among our assets and our financing arrangements may result in interest rate mismatches between our assets and the borrowings used to fund such assets. There is no guarantee that a transition from LIBOR to an alternative reference interest rate will not result in financial market disruptions or significant increases in benchmark rates, or borrowing costs to borrowers, any of which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are subject to complex laws and regulations, including environmental regulations that can adversely affect the cost, manner or feasibility of doing business.
Our operations are subject to numerous laws and regulations in the form of international conventions and treaties, national, state and local laws and national and international regulations in force in the jurisdictions in which our vessels will operate or are registered, which can significantly affect the operation of our vessels. These regulations include, but are not limited to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships of 1973, as from time to time amended and generally referred to as MARPOL, including the designation of Emission Control Areas, or ECAs, thereunder, the International Convention on Load Lines of 1966, the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage of 1969, generally referred to as CLC, the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, or Bunker Convention, the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea of 1974, or SOLAS, the International Safety Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention, or ISM Code, the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, or the BWM Convention, the U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990, or OPA, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, or CERCLA, the U.S. Clean Water Act, the U.S. Clean Air Act, the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, the U.S. Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, or the MTSA, and European Union regulations. Compliance with such laws, regulations and standards, where applicable, may require installation of costly equipment or operational changes and may affect the resale value or useful lives of our vessels. We may also incur additional costs in order to comply with other existing and future regulatory obligations, including, but not limited to, costs relating to air emissions, the management of ballast waters, maintenance and inspection, development and implementation of emergency procedures and insurance coverage or other financial assurance of our ability to address pollution incidents. These costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. A failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations may result in administrative and civil penalties, criminal sanctions or the suspension or termination of our operations.
10



Environmental laws often impose strict liability for remediation of spills and releases of oil and hazardous substances, which could subject us to liability without regard to whether we were negligent or at fault. Under OPA, for example, owners, operators and bareboat charterers are jointly and severally strictly liable for the discharge of oil within the 200-mile exclusive economic zone around the United States. Events such as the 2010 explosion of the Deepwater Horizon and the subsequent release of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, or other events, may result in further regulation of the shipping industry, and modifications to statutory liability schemes, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. An oil spill could result in significant liability, including fines, penalties and criminal liability and remediation costs for natural resource damages under other federal, state and local laws, as well as third-party damages. We are required to satisfy insurance and financial responsibility requirements for potential oil (including marine fuel) spills and other pollution incidents. Although insurance covers certain environmental risks, there can be no assurance that such insurance will be sufficient to cover all such risks or that any claims will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition and our ability to pay dividends, if any, in the future.
We are subject to international safety regulations and requirements imposed by classification societies and the failure to comply with these regulations may subject us to increased liability, may adversely affect our insurance coverage and may result in a denial of access to, or detention in, certain ports.
The operation of our vessels is affected by the requirements set forth in the United Nations' International Maritime Organization's International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and Pollution Prevention, or ISM Code. The ISM Code requires ship owners, ship managers 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. We expect that any vessels that we acquire in the future will be ISM Code-certified when delivered to us. The failure of a shipowner or bareboat charterer to comply with the ISM Code may subject it to increased liability, may invalidate existing insurance or decrease available insurance coverage for the affected vessels and may result in a denial of access to, or detention in, certain ports, including United States and European Union ports.
In addition, 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 International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea. If a vessel does not maintain its class and/or fails any annual survey, intermediate survey or special survey, the vessel will be unable to trade between ports and will be unemployable, which will negatively impact our revenues and results from operations.
Climate change and greenhouse gas restrictions may adversely impact our operations and markets.
Due to concern over the risk of climate change, a number of countries and the IMO have adopted regulatory frameworks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These regulatory measures may include, among others, adoption of cap and trade regimes, carbon taxes, increased efficiency standards, and incentives or mandates for renewable energy. In addition, although the emissions of greenhouse gases from international shipping currently are not subject to the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change or the Paris Agreement, a new treaty may be adopted in the future that includes restrictions on shipping emissions. Compliance with changes in laws, regulations and obligations relating to climate change could increase our costs related to operating and maintaining our vessels and require us to install new emission controls, acquire allowances or pay taxes related to our greenhouse gas emissions, or administer and manage a greenhouse gas emissions program. Revenue generation and strategic growth opportunities may also be adversely affected.
Adverse effects upon the oil and gas industry relating to climate change, including growing public concern about the environmental impact of climate change, may also adversely affect demand for our services. For example, increased regulation of greenhouse gases or other concerns relating to climate change may reduce the demand for oil and gas in the future or create greater incentives for use of alternative energy sources. Any long-term material adverse effect on the oil and gas industry could have a significant adverse financial and operational impact on our business that we cannot predict with certainty at this time.
11



Regulations relating to ballast water discharge coming into effect during September 2019 may adversely affect our revenues and profitability.
The IMO has imposed updated guidelines for ballast water management systems specifying the maximum amount of viable organisms allowed to be discharged from a vessel's ballast water.  Depending on the date of the International Oil Pollution Prevention (“IOPP”) renewal survey, existing vessels constructed before September 8, 2017 must comply with the updated D-2 standard on or after September 8, 2019.  For most vessels, compliance with the D-2 standard will involve installing on-board systems to treat ballast water and eliminate unwanted organisms.  Ships constructed on or after September 8, 2017 are to comply with the D-2 standards.  Currently all our vessels comply with the updated guideline.
Furthermore, United States regulations are currently changing.   Although the 2013 Vessel General Permit ("VGP") program and U.S. National Invasive Species Act ("NISA") are currently in effect to regulate ballast discharge, exchange and installation, the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act ("VIDA"), which was signed into law on December 4, 2018, requires that the U.S. Coast Guard develop implementation, compliance, and enforcement regulations regarding ballast water within two years.   The new regulations could require the installation of new equipment, which may cause us to incur substantial costs.
Our vessels may suffer damage due to the inherent operational risks of the tanker industry and we may experience unexpected dry-docking costs, which may adversely affect our business and financial condition.
The operation of an ocean-going vessel carries inherent risks. Our vessels and their cargoes are at risk of being damaged or lost because of events such as marine disasters, bad weather and other acts of God, business interruptions caused by mechanical failures, grounding, fire, explosions and collisions, human error, war, terrorism, piracy and other circumstances or events. These hazards may result in death or injury to persons, loss of revenues or property, the payment of ransoms, environmental damage, higher insurance rates, damage to our customer relationships or delay or re-routing, which may also subject us to litigation. In addition, the operation of tankers has unique operational risks associated with the transportation of oil or chemicals. An oil or chemical spill may cause significant environmental damage, and the costs associated with a catastrophic spill could exceed the insurance coverage available to us. Compared to other types of vessels, tankers are exposed to a higher risk of damage and loss by fire, whether ignited by a terrorist attack, collision, or other cause, due to the high flammability and high volume of the oil and chemicals transported in such tankers.
If our vessels suffer damage, they may need to be repaired at a dry-docking facility. The costs of dry-dock repairs are unpredictable and may be substantial. We may have to pay dry-docking costs that our insurance does not cover in full. The loss of earnings while these vessels are being repaired and repositioned, as well as the actual cost of these repairs, would decrease our earnings. In addition, space at dry-docking facilities is sometimes limited and not all dry-docking facilities are conveniently located. We may be unable to find space at a suitable dry-docking facility or our vessels may be forced to travel to a dry-docking facility that is not conveniently located to our vessels' positions. The loss of earnings while these vessels are forced to wait for space or to steam to more distant dry-docking facilities would decrease our earnings.
In the case of bareboat chartered-out vessels, dry-docking risks, expenses and loss of hire or freight revenue affect the bareboat charterer and not the shipowner, for the duration of the bareboat charter. In the case of our bareboat chartered-in vessels, dry-docking risks, expenses and loss of hire or freight revenue affect us. Currently we do not employ any of our vessels on bareboat charters.
The market value of our vessels, and those we may acquire in the future, may fluctuate significantly, which could cause us to incur losses if we decide to sell them following a decline in their market values or we may be required to write down their carrying value, which will adversely affect our earnings.
The fair market value of our vessels may increase and decrease depending on the following factors:

·
general economic and market conditions affecting the shipping industry;

·
prevailing level of charter rates;

·
competition from other shipping companies;

·
types, sizes and ages of vessels;
12




·
the availability of other modes of transportation;

·
supply and demand for vessels;

·
shipyard capacity;

·
cost of newbuildings;

·
price of steel;

·
governmental or other regulations; and

·
technological advances.
If we sell any vessel at a time when vessel prices have fallen, the sale price may be less than the vessel's carrying amount in our financial statements, in which case we will realize a loss. Vessel prices can fluctuate significantly, and in the case where the market value falls below the carrying amount, we will evaluate the vessel for a potential impairment adjustment.  If the estimate of undiscounted cash flows, excluding interest charges, expected to be generated by the use of the vessel is less than its carrying amount, we may be required to write down the carrying amount of the vessel to its fair value in our financial statements and incur a loss and a reduction in earnings. See "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—A. Operating Results—Critical Accounting Policies—Impairment of Vessels."
An over-supply of tanker capacity may lead to reductions in charter hire rates and profitability.
The market supply of tankers is affected by a number of factors such as demand for energy resources, crude oil, petroleum products and chemicals, as well as strong overall economic growth of the world economy. If the capacity of new   tankers delivered exceeds the capacity of such tankers being scrapped and lost, vessel   capacity will increase, which could lead to reductions in charter rates. As of March 26, 2019, newbuilding orders have been placed for an aggregate of approximately 10.5 % of the existing global tanker fleet with the bulk of deliveries expected during 2019.
An over-supply of oil tankers has already resulted in an increase in oil tanker charter hire rate volatility. If this volatility persists, we may not be able to find profitable charters for our vessels, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends.
Our vessels may call on ports located in countries that are subject to restrictions imposed by the U.S. or other governments, which could adversely affect our business, reputation and the market for our common stock.
While none of our vessels called on ports located in countries subject to U.S. sanctions during 2018, and we intend to comply with all applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations, our vessels may call on ports in these countries from time to time on charterers' instructions in the future, and there can be no assurance that we will maintain such compliance, particularly as the scope of certain laws may be unclear and may be subject to changing interpretations. The U.S. sanctions and embargo laws and regulations vary in their application, as they do not all apply to the same covered persons or proscribe the same activities, and such sanctions and embargo laws and regulations may be amended or strengthened over time.
Current or future counterparties of ours may be affiliated with persons or entities that are or may be in the future the subject of sanctions imposed by the Trump administration, the European Union, and/or other international bodies as a result of the annexation of Crimea by Russia in March 2014. If we determine that such sanctions require us to terminate existing or future contracts to which we or our subsidiaries are party or if we are found to be in violation of such applicable sanctions, our results of operations may be adversely affected or we may suffer reputational harm. Currently, we do not believe that any of our existing counterparties are affiliated with persons or entities that are subject to such sanctions.
13



Although we believe that we have been in compliance with all applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations, and intend to maintain such compliance, there can be no assurance that we will be in compliance in the future, particularly as the scope of certain laws may be unclear and may be subject to changing interpretations. Any such violation could result in fines, penalties or other sanctions that could severely impact our ability to access U.S. capital markets and conduct our business, and could result in some investors deciding, or being required, to divest their interest, or not to invest, in us. In addition, certain institutional investors may have investment policies or restrictions that prevent them from holding securities of companies that have contracts with countries identified by the U.S. government as state sponsors of terrorism. The determination by these investors not to invest in, or to divest from, our common stock may adversely affect the price at which our common stock trades. Moreover, our charterers may violate applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations as a result of actions that do not involve us or our vessels, and those violations could in turn negatively affect our reputation. In addition, our reputation and the market for our securities may be adversely affected if we engage in certain other activities, such as entering into charters with individuals or entities in countries subject to U.S. sanctions and embargo laws that are not controlled by the governments of those countries, or engaging in operations associated with those countries pursuant to contracts with third parties that are unrelated to those countries or entities controlled by their governments. Investor perception of the value of our common stock may be adversely affected by the consequences of war, the effects of terrorism, civil unrest and governmental actions in these and surrounding countries.
Political instability, terrorist or other attacks, war or international hostilities can affect the tanker industry, which may adversely affect our business.

We conduct most of our operations outside of the United States, and our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and available cash may be adversely affected by changing economic, political and government conditions in the countries and regions where our vessels are employed or registered. Moreover, we operate in a sector of the economy that is likely to be adversely impacted by the effects of political conflicts, including the current political instability in the Middle East and the South China Sea region and other geographic countries and areas, geopolitical events such as the withdrawal of the U.K. from the European Union, or "Brexit," terrorist or other attacks, and war (or threatened war) or international hostilities, such as those between the United States and North Korea.

Any of these occurrences could have a material adverse impact on our operating results, revenues and costs. Additionally, Brexit, or similar events in other jurisdictions, could impact global markets, including foreign exchange and securities markets; any resulting changes in currency exchange rates, tariffs, treaties and other regulatory matters could in turn adversely impact our business and operations.
Further, governments may turn to trade barriers to protect their domestic industries against foreign imports, thereby depressing shipping demand. In particular, leaders in the United States have indicated the United States may seek to implement more protective trade measures. President Trump was elected on a platform promoting trade protectionism. The results of the presidential election have thus created significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the United States, China and other exporting countries, including with respect to trade policies, treaties, government regulations and tariffs. For example, on January 23, 2017, President Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a global trade agreement intended to include the United States, Canada, Mexico, Peru and a number of Asian countries. In March 2018, President Trump announced tariffs on imported steel and aluminum into the United States that could have a negative impact on international trade generally. Most recently, in January 2019, the United States announced expanded sanctions against Venezuela, which may have an effect on its oil output and in turn affect global oil supply. Protectionist developments, or the perception they may occur, may have a material adverse effect on global economic conditions, and may significantly reduce global trade. Moreover, increasing trade protectionism may cause an increase in (a) the cost of goods exported from regions globally, (b) the length of time required to transport goods and (c) the risks associated with exporting goods. Such increases may significantly affect the quantity of goods to be shipped, shipping time schedules, voyage costs and other associated costs, which could have an adverse impact on our charterers' business, operating results and financial condition and could thereby affect their ability to make timely charter hire payments to us and to renew and increase the number of their time charters with us. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and our ability to pay any cash distributions to our stockholders.
Continuing conflicts and recent developments in North Korea, Russia and the Middle East, including Iran, Syria, Egypt and North Africa, including Libya, and the presence of the United States and other armed forces in these regions may lead to additional acts of terrorism and armed conflict around the world, which may contribute to further world economic instability and uncertainty in global financial markets. As a result of the above, insurers have increased premiums and reduced restricted coverage for losses caused by terrorist acts generally. Future terrorist attacks could result in increased volatility of the financial markets and negatively impact the U.S. and global economy. These uncertainties could also adversely affect our ability to obtain additional financing on terms acceptable to us or at all.
In the past, political instability has also resulted in attacks on vessels, mining of waterways and other efforts to disrupt international shipping, particularly in the Arabian Gulf region. Acts of terrorism and piracy have also affected vessels trading in regions such as the South China Sea, the Gulf of Guinea off the coast of West Africa, and the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia. Any of these occurrences could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and available cash.

14


Acts of piracy on ocean-going vessels could adversely affect our business.
Acts of piracy have historically affected ocean-going vessels trading in regions of the world such as the South China Sea, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia, the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Guinea. Sea piracy incidents continue to occur. Acts of piracy could result in harm or danger to the crews that man our vessels.  If insurers or the Joint War Committee characterize the regions in which our vessels are deployed as "war risk" zones or "war and strikes" listed areas," respectively, premiums payable for insurance coverage could increase significantly and such coverage may be more difficult to obtain if available at all. In addition, crew costs, including costs that may be incurred to the extent we employ onboard security guards, could increase in such circumstances. We may not be adequately insured to cover losses from these incidents, least of all for bearing the cost of the applicable deductible(s) or unforeseen charges/costs, which could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, hijacking as a result of an act of piracy against our vessels, or an increase in cost or unavailability of insurance for our vessels, could have a material   adverse impact on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends and may   result in loss of revenues, increased costs and decreased cash flows to our customers, which could impair their ability to   make payments to us under our charters.
Changes in the economic and political environment in China and policies adopted by the Chinese 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 respects such 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 plans, or 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. If the Chinese government does not continue to pursue a policy of economic reform, the level of imports to and exports from China could be adversely affected and could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
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 can result in the seizure of, delay in the loading, off-loading or delivery of, the contents of our vessels or 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.
We rely on our information systems to conduct our business, and failure to protect these systems against security breaches could adversely affect our business and results of operations. Additionally, if these systems fail or become unavailable for any significant period of time, our business could be harmed.
The efficient operation of our business is dependent on computer hardware and software systems. Information systems are vulnerable to security breaches by computer hackers and cyber terrorists. We rely on industry-accepted security measures and technology to securely maintain confidential and proprietary information kept on our information systems. However, these measures and technology may not adequately prevent cybersecurity breaches, the access, capture or alteration of information by criminals, the exposure or exploitation of potential security vulnerabilities, the installation of malware or ransomware, acts of vandalism, computer viruses, misplaced data or data loss. In addition, the unavailability of the information systems or the failure of these systems to perform as anticipated for any reason could disrupt our business and could result in decreased performance and increased operating costs, causing our business and results of operations to suffer. Any significant interruption or failure of our information systems or any significant breach of security could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition, as well as our cash flows, including cash available for dividends to our stockholders.
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RISKS RELATED TO OUR COMPANY
We may not be able to continue as a going concern.

Our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018 have been prepared on the basis that we will continue as a going concern. As at December 31, 2018, we had a working capital deficit of $31.5 million and cash and cash equivalents of $0.06 million. As at December 31, 2018 we had remaining contractual commitments for the acquisition of our fleet totaling $147.6 million. Of this amount, $66.3 million is payable in the first quarter of 2019 and $81.3 million in the second quarter of 2019. Of the amount payable in 2019, an amount of $66.3 million has been settled as of the date of this annual report.
As of December 31, 2018 we have undrawn facilities amounting to $152.2 million. Please see "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources." We are considering options to raise capital to avoid there being substantial doubt about our ability to fund future operations and meet our obligations as they become due for at least a year, and continue as a going concern. If we are unable to refinance or raise capital, we may cease to continue as a going concern and we would be required to restate our assets and liabilities on a liquidation basis, which could differ significantly from the going concern basis.
We are currently subject to litigation and we may be subject to similar or other litigation in the future.
We and certain of our current executive officers are defendants in purported class-action lawsuits pending in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern Districts of New York, brought on behalf of our shareholders. The lawsuits allege violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. In connection with these lawsuits, certain co-defendants requested that the Company indemnify and hold them harmless against all losses, including reasonable costs of defense, arising from the litigation, pursuant to the provisions of the Common Stock Purchase Agreement between the Company and Kalani.
While we believe these claims to be without merit and intend to continue to defend these lawsuits vigorously, we cannot predict their outcome. Furthermore, we may, from time to time, be a party to other litigation in the normal course of business. Monitoring and defending against legal actions, whether or not meritorious, is time-consuming for our management and detracts from our ability to fully focus our internal resources on our business activities. In addition, our legal fees and costs incurred in connection with such activities and any legal fees of co-defendants for which we are deemed responsible may be significant and we could, in the future, be subject to judgments or enter into settlements of claims for significant monetary damages. A decision adverse to our interests could result in the payment of substantial damages and could have a material adverse effect on our cash flow, results of operations and financial position.
With respect to any litigation, our insurance may not reimburse us or may not be sufficient to reimburse us for the expenses or losses we may suffer in contesting and concluding such lawsuit. Furthermore, our insurance does not cover legal fees associated with co-defendants. Substantial litigation costs, including the substantial self-insured retention that we are required to satisfy before any insurance applied to the claim, or an adverse result in any litigation may adversely impact our business, operating results or financial condition.
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Our operating, joint venture and chartered-in fleet consists of twelve MR product tankers. Any limitation in the availability or operation of these vessels could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
As of the date of this annual report, our operating fleet consists of two chartered-in 50,000 dwt product/chemical tankers vessels, the M/T Stenaweco Energy and the M/T Stenaweco Evolution, two 39,000 dwt product/chemical tankers vessels, the M/T Eco Fleet and the M/T Eco Revolution, and six 50,000 dwt product/chemical tankers, the M/T Stenaweco Excellence, M/T Nord Valiant, M/T Stenaweco Elegance, M/T Eco Palm Desert, M/T Eco California and M/T Eco Marina Del Ray. Furthermore we have a 50% interest in two 50 ,000 dwt product/chemical tanker vessels, the M/T Eco Holmby Hills and  the M/T Palm Springs.   If these vessels are unable to generate revenue as a result of off hire time, early termination of the applicable time charter or otherwise, our business, results of operations, financial condition and ability to pay dividends on our common shares could be materially adversely affected.
We expect to be dependent on a limited number of customers for a large part of our revenues, and failure of such counterparties to meet their obligations could cause us to suffer losses or negatively impact our results of operations and cash flows.
Currently all of our revenues are currently derived from five charterers, Stena Weco A/S, BP Shipping Limited, Clearlake Shipping Pte Ltd, Central Tanker Chartering Inc and Dampskibsselskabet NORDEN A/S (“DS Norden A/S”). Such agreements subject us to counterparty risks. The ability of each of our counterparties to perform its obligations under a contract with us will depend on a number of factors that are beyond our control and may include, among other things, general economic conditions, the condition of the maritime industry, the overall financial condition of the counterparty, charter rates received for specific types of vessels, and various expenses. The combination of a reduction of cash flow resulting from declines in world trade, a reduction in borrowing bases under reserve-based credit facilities and the lack of availability of debt or equity financing may result in a significant reduction in the ability of charterers to make charter payments to us. In addition, in depressed market conditions, charterers and customers may no longer need a vessel that is then under charter or contract or may be able to obtain a comparable vessel at lower rates. As a result, charterers and customers may seek to renegotiate the terms of their existing charter agreements or avoid their obligations under those contracts. Should one of our counterparties fail to honor its obligations under agreements with us, we could sustain significant losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The bareboat charters in connection with our sale and leaseback agreements contain restrictive covenants that may limit our liquidity and corporate activities, and could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
The bareboat charters in connection with the sale and leaseback agreements for the M/T Stenaweco Energy, M/T Stenaweco Evolution, M/T Nord Valiant, M/T Eco California and M/T Eco Marina Del Ray contain, and any future sale and leaseback agreements we may enter into are expected to contain, customary covenants and event of default clauses, including cross-default provisions and restrictive covenants and performance requirements that may affect our operational and financial flexibility. Such restrictions could affect, and in many respects limit or prohibit, among other things, our ability to incur additional indebtedness, create liens, sell assets, or engage in mergers or acquisitions. These restrictions could also limit our ability to plan for or react to market conditions or meet extraordinary capital needs or otherwise restrict corporate activities. There can be no assurance that such restrictions will not adversely affect our ability to finance our future operations or capital needs.
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Our bareboat charters in connection with the sale and leaseback agreements require us to maintain specified financial ratios, satisfy financial covenants and contain cross-default clauses, including the following:

·
maintain a consolidated leverage ratio of not more than 75%; and

·
maintain minimum free liquidity of $0.75 million per owned vessel and $0.5 million per bareboated chartered-in vessel.
As of December 31, 2018, we are in compliance with the consolidated leverage ratio and the minimum free liquidity covenants in our sale and leaseback agreements.
As a result of the restrictions in our bareboat charters in connection with our sale and leaseback agreements, or similar restrictions in our future sale and leaseback agreements, we may need to seek permission from the owners of our leased vessels in order to engage in certain corporate actions. Their interests may be different from ours and we may not be able to obtain their permission when needed. This may prevent us from taking actions that we believe are in our best interest, which may adversely impact our revenues, results of operations and financial condition.
A failure by us to meet our payment and other obligations, including our financial covenant requirements, could lead to defaults under our bareboat charters in connection with our sale and leaseback agreement or any future sale and leaseback agreements. If we are not in compliance with our covenants and we are not able to obtain covenant waivers or modifications, the current or future owners of our leased vessels, as appropriate, could retake possession of our vessels or require us to pay down our indebtedness to a level where we are in compliance with our covenants or sell vessels in our fleet. We could lose our vessels if we default on our bareboat charters in connection with the sale and leaseback agreements, which would negatively affect our revenues, results of operations and financial condition.
Newbuilding projects are subject to risks that could cause delays.
As of the date of this annual report, we own 100% interests in two corporations that are party to shipbuilding contracts for two newbuilding vessels scheduled to be delivered in the second quarter of 2019. Newbuilding construction projects are subject to risks of delay inherent in any large construction project caused by numerous factors, including shortages of equipment, materials or skilled labor, unscheduled delays in the delivery of ordered materials and equipment or shipyard construction, failure of equipment to meet quality and/or performance standards, financial or operating difficulties experienced by equipment vendors or the shipyard, unanticipated actual or purported change orders, inability to obtain required permits or approvals, design or engineering changes and work stoppages and other labor disputes, adverse weather conditions, bankruptcy or other financial crisis of the shipyard, a backlog of orders at the shipyard, or any other events of force majeure. A shipyard's failure to complete the project on time may result in the delay of revenue from the vessel. Any such failure or delay could have a material adverse effect on our operating results as we will continue to incur other costs to operate our business.
Furthermore, we may need to incur additional borrowings or raise capital through the sale of additional equity or debt securities to complete our newbuilding program or acquire any additional vessels in the future. Our ability to obtain bank financing or to access the capital markets for future offerings may be limited by our financial condition at the time of any such financing or 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. If we are not able to borrow additional funds, raise other capital or utilize available cash on hand, we may not be able to complete our newbuilding program or acquire other newbuilding or secondhand vessels, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
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Our strategic relationships subject us to risks that could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We own 50% of City of Athens Inc., a Marshal Islands corporation that owns the M/T Eco Holmby Hills and another 50% of ECO Nine Inc., a Marshall Islands corporation that owns the M/T Eco Palm Springs, two 50,000 dwt product tankers. Fly Free Company and Maxima International Co. own the other 50% of City of Athens Inc. and ECO Nine Inc., respectively. Fly Free Company and Maxima International Co. are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Gunvor S.A., or Gunvor, a non-affiliated company with which we have entered into a joint venture agreement on July 7, 2017.
These strategic relationships are subject to various risks that could adversely affect the value of our investments and our results of operations and financial condition. These risks include, but are not limited to, the following:

·
our interests could diverge from our partners' interests or we may not agree with our strategic partners on ongoing activities or on the amount, timing or nature of further investments in the relationship;

·
we do not  control the operations of City of Athens Inc. and ECO Nine Inc. as we have joint control;

·
due to financial constraints, our strategic partners may be unable to meet their commitments to us;

·
due to differing long-term business goals, our partners may decide not to join us in funding capital investment by our business ventures, which may result in higher levels of cash expenditures by us;

·
we may experience difficulties or delays in collecting amounts due to us from our strategic partners;

·
the terms of our arrangements may turn out to be unfavorable; and

·
changes in tax, legal or regulatory requirements may necessitate changes in the agreements with our strategic partners.
Further, in spite of performing customary due diligence prior to entering into the aforementioned strategic relationships, we cannot guarantee full disclosure of prior acts or omissions of the sellers or those with whom we enter into strategic arrangements. If our strategic relationships are unsuccessful or there are unanticipated changes in, or termination of, our strategic relationships, our business, results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.
Our credit facilities contain restrictive covenants that limit our business and financing activities.
The operating and financial restrictions and covenants in our ABN Senior Credit Facility, or the ABN Facility, Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale Bank of Germany Facility, or the NORD/LB Facility, Amsterdam Trade Bank Facility, or the AT Bank Facility, Alpha Bank of Greece Facility, or the Alpha Bank Facility, and any new or amended credit facility we enter into in the future could adversely affect our ability to finance future operations or capital needs or to engage, expand or pursue our business activities.
For example, our ABN Facility, NORD/LB Facility, AT Bank Facility and Alpha Bank Facility require the consent of our lenders to, among other things:

·
incur or guarantee indebtedness outside of our ordinary course of business;

·
provide guarantees other than for financing of new vessels;

·
pay any dividends or distribute any of our capital or redeem any class of our shares;
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·
charge, pledge or encumber our vessels;

·
change the flag, class, management or ownership of our vessels;

·
change the commercial and technical management of our vessels; and

·
sell or change the beneficial ownership or control of our vessels.
Furthermore some of our facilities also contain restrictions in the use of proceeds of future issuances of capital and incurrence of unsecured debt. Finally, our credit facilities require us to satisfy certain financial and other covenants. Please see "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources." In general, these financial covenants require us to maintain, among other things, a minimum ratio of total net debt to the aggregate market value of our fleet, minimum free consolidated liquidity per collateralized vessel and to maintain a ratio of EBITDA (as defined in each credit facility) to net interest expense. In addition, our credit facilities require that we maintain a minimum security coverage ratio, usually defined as the ratio of the market value of the collateralized vessels or vessel and net realizable value of additional acceptable security to our outstanding loans. A breach of any of these, or other, covenants in our credit facilities would prevent us from borrowing additional money under our credit facilities and could constitute an event of default under our credit facilities, which, unless cured within the grace period set forth under the credit facility, if applicable, or waived or modified by our lenders, may provide our lenders with the right to, among other things, require us to post additional collateral, enhance our equity and liquidity, increase our interest payments, pay down our indebtedness to a level where we are in compliance with our loan covenants, sell vessels in our fleet and accelerate our indebtedness and foreclose their liens on our vessels and the other assets securing the credit facilities, which would impair our ability to continue to conduct our business.
Our ability to comply with the covenants and restrictions contained in our current or future credit facilities may be affected by events beyond our control, including prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions, interest rate developments, changes in the funding costs of our banks and changes in vessel earnings and asset valuations. If market or other economic conditions deteriorate, our ability to comply with these covenants may be impaired. If we are in breach of any of the restrictions, covenants, ratios or tests in our current or future credit facilities, or if we trigger a cross-default contained in our current or future credit facilities, a significant portion of our obligations may become immediately due and payable. We may not have, or be able to obtain, sufficient funds to make these accelerated payments. In addition, obligations under our current and future credit facilities are and are expected to be secured by our vessels, and if we are unable to repay debt under our current or future credit facilities, the lenders could seek to foreclose on those assets.
Furthermore, if the estimated asset values of the vessels in our fleet decrease, such decreases may limit the amounts we can draw down under our future credit facilities to purchase additional vessels and our ability to expand our fleet. In addition, we may be obligated to prepay part of our outstanding debt in order to remain in compliance with the relevant covenants in our current or future credit facilities. If funds under our current or future credit facilities become unavailable as a result of a breach of our covenants or otherwise, we may not be able to perform our business strategy which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to pay dividends.
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Servicing current and future debt will limit funds available for other purposes and impair our ability to react to changes in our business.
We must dedicate a portion of our cash flow from operations to pay the principal and interest on our indebtedness. These payments limit funds otherwise available for working capital, capital expenditures and other purposes. As of December 31, 2018, we had a total indebtedness of $152.3 million, excluding deferred finance fees and debt discounts. Our current or future debt could have other significant consequences on our operations. For example, it could:

·
increase our vulnerability to general economic downturns and adverse competitive and industry conditions;

·
require us to dedicate a substantial portion, if not all, of our cash flow from operations to payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes;

·
limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;

·
place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to competitors that have less debt or better access to capital;

·
limit our ability to raise additional financing on satisfactory terms or at all; and

·
adversely impact our ability to comply with the financial and other restrictive covenants of our current or future financing arrangements, which could result in an event of default under such agreements.
Furthermore, our current or future interest expense could increase if interest rates increase. If we do not have sufficient earnings, we may be required to refinance all or part of our current or future debt, sell assets, borrow more money or sell more securities, and we cannot guarantee that the resulting proceeds therefrom, if any, will be sufficient to meet our ongoing capital and operating needs.
The adoption of a new accounting standard can pose a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, ("ASC 842") which requires lessees to recognize leases on-balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. The new standard establishes a right-of-use model ("ROU") that requires a lessee to recognize a ROU asset and lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with a term longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern and classification of expense recognition in the income statement. The new standard is effective for us on January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted.  We will adopt the standard for our first interim reporting period commencing of January 1, 2019 and all of our operating lease commitments relating to bareboat chartered-in vessels recognized as operating lease liabilities and right-of-use assets upon adoption, increasing our total assets and total liabilities that we report relative to such amounts prior to adoption. The Company is in the final process of implementing a new lease accounting policy and updating its controls and procedures for maintaining and accounting for its leases under the new guidance in order to be able to quantify the effect. The Company expects the adoption of the new standard to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements. Please see "Item 18. Financial Statements—Note 2—Significant Accounting Policies." We do not expect a significant change in our leasing activity between now and adoption.
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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 in the future. Our future growth will primarily depend on our ability to:

·
generate excess cash flow for investment without jeopardizing our ability to cover current and foreseeable working capital needs (including debt service);

·
raise equity and obtain required financing for our existing and new operations;

·
locate and acquire suitable vessels;

·
identify and consummate acquisitions or joint ventures;

·
integrate any acquired business successfully with our existing operations;

·
hire, train and retain qualified personnel and crew to manage and operate our growing business and fleet;

·
enhance our customer base; and

·
manage expansion.
Growing any business by acquisition presents numerous risks such as undisclosed liabilities and obligations, difficulty in obtaining additional qualified personnel, managing relationships with customers and suppliers and integrating newly acquired operations into existing infrastructures. We may not be successful in executing our growth plans and we may incur significant additional expenses and losses in connection therewith.
Our ability to obtain additional debt financing may be dependent on our ability to charter our vessels, the performance of our charters and the creditworthiness of our charterers.
Our inability to re-charter our vessels and the actual or perceived credit quality of our charterers, and any defaults by them, may materially affect our ability to obtain the additional capital resources that we will require to purchase additional vessels or may significantly increase our costs of obtaining such capital. Our inability to obtain financing, or receiving financing at a higher than anticipated cost, may materially affect our results of operation and our ability to implement our business strategy.
The industry for the operation of tanker vessels and the transportation of oil, petroleum products and chemicals is highly competitive and we may not be able to compete for charters with new entrants or established companies with greater resources.
We will employ our tankers and any additional vessels we may acquire in a highly competitive market that is capital intensive and highly fragmented. The operation of tanker vessels and the transportation of cargoes shipped in these vessels, as well as the shipping industry in general, is extremely competitive. Competition arises primarily from other vessel owners, including major oil companies as well as independent tanker shipping companies, some of whom have substantially greater resources than we do. Competition for the transportation of oil, petroleum products and chemicals can be intense and depends on price, location, size, age, condition and the acceptability of the vessel and its operators to the charterers. Due in part to the highly fragmented market, competitors with greater resources could enter and operate larger fleets through consolidations or acquisitions that may be able to offer better prices and fleets than us.
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A limited number of financial institutions hold our cash.
A limited number of financial institutions, including institutions located in Greece, hold all of our cash. Our cash balances have been deposited from time to time with banks in Monaco, Germany, Holland, United Kingdom, Greece and Switzerland amongst others. Our cash balances are not covered by insurance in the event of default by these financial institutions. The occurrence of such a default could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, and we may lose part or all of our cash that we deposit with such banks.
Uncertainty related to the Greek sovereign debt crisis may adversely affect our operating results.
Uncertainty related to the Greek sovereign debt crisis may adversely affect our operating results. Greece experienced a macroeconomic downturn in recent years, including as a result of the sovereign debt crisis and the related austerity measures implemented by the Greek government. As a result, our operations in Greece may be subjected to new regulations or regulatory action that may require us to incur new or additional compliance or other administrative costs and may require that we or Central Shipping Monaco SAM, which we refer to as our Fleet Manager or CSM, a related party affiliated with the family of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis, our President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, pay to the Greek government new taxes or other fees. We and our Fleet Manager also face the risk that strikes, work stoppages, civil unrest and violence within Greece may disrupt our and our Fleet Manager's shore side operations located in Greece. The Greek government's taxation authorities have increased their scrutinization of individuals and companies to secure tax law compliance. If economic and financial market conditions remain uncertain or deteriorate further, the Greek government may impose further changes to tax and other laws to which we and our Fleet Manager may be subject or change the ways they are enforced, which may adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition.
Our President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, who may be deemed to beneficially own, directly or indirectly, 100% of our Series D Preferred Shares has control over us.
As of March 12, 2019, Lax Trust, which is an irrevocable trust established for the benefit of certain family members of our President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Mr. Evangelos Pistiolis, may be deemed to beneficially own, directly or indirectly, all of the 100,000 outstanding shares of our Series D Preferred Stock. Each Series D Preferred Share carries 1,000 votes. By its ownership of 100% of our Series D Preferred Shares, Lax Trust has control over our actions.

As of March 12, 2019, the Lax Trust may be deemed to own all of the outstanding shares of Family Trading Inc., Sovereign Holdings Inc., Epsilon Holdings Inc., Race Navigation Inc., and Tankers Family Inc., which in aggregate and on an as-if converted basis own approximately 65.0% of our outstanding common shares, including 5,187,500 common shares issuable upon the exercise of 1,250,000 of the 2014 Warrants held by Race Navigation and 41,240,000 Common Shares issuable upon the conversion of $24.7 million of outstanding debt held by Family Trading Inc. under the Amended and Restated Family Trading Credit Facility. See also under "Item 7—Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—A. Major Shareholders." Due to the number of shares that the Lax Trust may be deemed to own, it has the power to exert considerable influence over our actions and to effectively control the outcome of matters on which our shareholders are entitled to vote, including the election of our directors and other significant corporate actions. The interests of the Lax Trust or the family of Mr. Pistiolis may be different from your interests.
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We may be unable to attract and retain key management personnel and other employees in the international tanker shipping industry, which may negatively impact 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. All of our executive officers are employees of Central Mare Inc., or Central Mare, a related party affiliated with the family of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis, our President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, and we have entered into agreements with Central Mare for the compensation of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis; Alexandros Tsirikos, our Chief Financial Officer and Director; Vangelis G. Ikonomou our Chief Operating Officer and Konstantinos Patis, our Chief Technical Officer. 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 maintain "key man" life insurance on any of our officers.
If labor interruptions are not resolved in a timely manner, they could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and available cash.
Central Shipping Monaco SAM, which we refer to as our Fleet Manager, is responsible for recruiting, mainly through a crewing agent, the senior officers and all other crew members for our vessels and all other vessels we may acquire. 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 as we expect and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and available cash.
If we expand our business, we will need to improve our operations and financial systems and staff; if we cannot improve these systems or recruit suitable employees, our performance may be adversely affected.
Our current operating and financial systems may not be adequate if we implement a plan to expand the size of our fleet, and our attempts to improve those systems may be ineffective. If we are unable to operate our financial and operations systems effectively or to recruit suitable employees as we expand our fleet, our performance may be adversely affected.
A drop in spot charter rates may provide an incentive for some charterers to default on their charters, which could affect our cash flow and financial condition.
When we enter into a time charter or bareboat charter, rates under that charter are fixed throughout the term of the charter. If the spot charter rates in the tanker shipping industry become significantly lower than the time charter equivalent rates that some of our charterers are obligated to pay us under our then existing charters, the charterers may have incentive to default under that charter or attempt to renegotiate the charter. If our charterers fail to pay their obligations, we would have to attempt to re-charter our vessels at lower charter rates, and as a result we could sustain significant losses which could have a material adverse effect on our cash flow and financial condition, which would affect our ability to meet our current or future loans or current leaseback obligations. If our current or future lenders choose to accelerate our indebtedness and foreclose their liens, or if the owners of our leased vessels choose to repossess vessels in our fleet as a result of a default under the sale and leaseback agreements, our ability to continue to conduct our business would be impaired.
An increase in operating costs could decrease earnings and available cash.
Vessel operating costs include the costs of crew, fuel (for spot chartered vessels), provisions, deck and engine stores, insurance and maintenance and repairs, which depend on a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. Some of these costs, primarily relating to insurance and enhanced security measures, have been increasing. If any vessels we have or will acquire suffer damage, they may need to be repaired at a dry-docking facility. The costs of dry-docking repairs are unpredictable and can be substantial. Increases in any of these expenses could decrease our earnings and available cash.
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The aging of our fleet may result in increased operating costs in the future, which could adversely affect our earnings.
In general, the cost of maintaining a vessel in good operating condition increases with the age of the vessel. As our fleet ages, operating and other costs will increase. In the case of bareboat charters, operating costs are borne by the bareboat charterer. Cargo insurance rates also increase with the age of a vessel, making older vessels less desirable to charterers. Governmental regulations, including environmental 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 our vessels may engage. As our fleet ages, market conditions might not justify those expenditures or enable us to operate our vessels profitably during the remainder of their useful lives.
Unless we set aside reserves or are able to borrow funds for vessel replacement, our revenue will decline at the end of a vessel's useful life, which would adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Unless we maintain reserves or are able to borrow or raise funds for vessel replacement, we will be unable to replace the vessels in our fleet upon the expiration of their remaining useful lives, which we estimate to be 25 years from the date of initial delivery from the shipyard. Our cash flows and income are dependent on the revenues earned by the chartering of our vessels to customers. If we are unable to replace the vessels in our fleet upon the expiration of their useful lives, our business, results of operations and financial condition will be materially and adversely affected.
Purchasing and operating secondhand vessels may result in increased operating costs and vessels off-hire, which could adversely affect our earnings.
We may expand our fleet through the acquisition of secondhand vessels. While we rigorously inspect previously owned or secondhand vessels prior to purchase, this does not normally provide us with the same knowledge about their condition and cost of any required (or anticipated) repairs that we would have had if these vessels had been built for and operated exclusively by us. Accordingly, we may not discover defects or other problems with such vessels prior to purchase. Any such hidden defects or problems, when detected, may be expensive to repair, and if not detected, may result in accidents or other incidents for which we may become liable to third parties. Also, when purchasing previously owned vessels, we do not receive the benefit of warranties from the builders if the vessels we buy are older than one year. In general, the costs to maintain a vessel in good operating condition increase with the age and type of the vessel. In the case of chartered-in vessels, we run the same risks.
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.
We may not have adequate insurance to compensate us if we lose any vessels that we acquire.
We carry insurance for all vessels we acquire against those types of risks commonly insured against by vessel owners and operators. These insurances include hull and machinery insurance, protection and indemnity insurance (which includes environmental damage and pollution insurance coverage), freight demurrage and defense and war risk insurance. Reasonable insurance rates can best be obtained when the size and the age/trading profile of the fleet is attractive. As a result, rates become less competitive as a fleet downsizes.
In the future, we may not be able to obtain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable rates for the vessels we acquire. The insurers may not pay particular claims. Our insurance policies also contain deductibles for which we will be responsible as well as limitations and exclusions that may increase our costs or lower our revenue.
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We may be subject to increased premium payments, or calls, as we obtain some of our insurance through protection and indemnity associations.
We may be subject to increased premium payments, or calls, in amounts based on our claim records and the claim records of our Fleet Manager as well as 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. In addition, our protection and indemnity associations may not have enough resources to cover claims made against them. 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 and financial condition.
The smuggling of drugs or other contraband onto our vessels may lead to governmental claims against us.
Our vessels may call in ports where smugglers may attempt to hide drugs and other contraband on vessels, with or without the knowledge of crew members. To the extent our vessels are found with contraband, whether inside or attached to the hull of our vessel and whether with or without the knowledge of any of our crew, we may face governmental or other regulatory claims that could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends.
Maritime claimants could arrest vessels we acquire, 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" or "attaching" a vessel through foreclosure proceedings. The arrest or attachment of one or more vessels we acquire could result in a significant loss of earnings for the related off-hired period. In addition, in jurisdictions where the "sister ship" theory of liability applies, a claimant may arrest 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. In countries with "sister ship" liability laws, claims might be asserted against us or any of our vessels for liabilities of other vessels that we own.
Governments could requisition vessels we acquire during a period of war or emergency, resulting in loss of earnings.
A government could requisition vessels for title or hire. Requisition for title occurs when a government takes control of a vessel and becomes the owner. 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 any vessels we acquire could negatively impact our revenues should we not receive adequate compensation.
U.S. federal tax authorities could treat us as a "passive foreign investment company," which could have adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. shareholders.
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, 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. Income derived from the performance of services does not constitute "passive income" for this purpose. 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.
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In general, income derived from the bareboat charter of a vessel should be treated as "passive income" for purposes of determining whether a foreign corporation is a PFIC, and such vessel should be treated as an asset which produces or is held for the production of "passive income."  On the other hand, income derived from the time charter of a vessel should not be treated as "passive income" for such purpose, but rather should be treated as services income; likewise, a time chartered vessel should generally not be treated as an asset which produces or is held for the production of "passive income."
We believe that we were not a PFIC for our 2014 through 2018 taxable years and do not expect to be treated as a PFIC in subsequent taxable years. In this regard, we intend to 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.
There is, however, no direct legal authority under the PFIC rules addressing our proposed method of operation. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the United States Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, or a court of law will accept our position, and there is a risk that the IRS or a court of law could determine that we are a PFIC. Moreover, no assurance can be given that we would not constitute a PFIC for any future taxable year if there were to be changes in the nature and extent of our operations.
Our U.S. shareholders may face adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences and certain information reporting obligations as a result of us being treated as a PFIC.  Under the PFIC rules, unless those shareholders make an election available under the Code (which election could itself have adverse consequences for such shareholders, as discussed below under "Taxation– U.S. Federal Income Consequences—U.S. 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 their common shares, as if the excess distribution or gain had been recognized ratably over the shareholder's holding period of the common shares.  See "Taxation —U.S. Federal Income Consequences—U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders" for a more comprehensive discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. shareholders as a result of our status as a PFIC.
We may have to pay tax on U.S. source income, which would reduce our earnings.
Under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or 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 begin and end, in the United States is characterized as U.S. source shipping income and such income is subject to a 4% U.S. federal income tax without allowance for deduction, unless that corporation qualifies for exemption from tax under Section 883 of the Code. Although we have qualified for this statutory exemption in previous taxable years and have taken this position for U.S. federal income tax return reporting purposes in such taxable year, there are factual circumstances beyond our control that could cause us to lose the benefit of the exemption and thereby become subject to U.S. federal income tax on our U.S. source shipping income. For example, we would fail to qualify for exemption under Section 883 of the Code for a particular tax year if shareholders, each of whom owned, actually or under applicable constructive ownership rules, a 5% or greater interest in the vote and value of our common stock, owned in the aggregate 50% or more of the vote and value of such stock, and "qualified shareholders" as defined by the Treasury regulation under Section 883 of the Code did not own, directly or under applicable constructive ownership rules, sufficient shares in our closely-held block of common stock to preclude the shares in that closely-held block that are not so owned from representing 50% or more of the value of our common stock for more than half of the number of days during the taxable year. Establishing such ownership by qualified shareholders will depend upon the status of certain of our direct or indirect shareholders as residents of qualifying jurisdictions and whether those shareholders own their shares through bearer share arrangements. In addition, such shareholders will also be required to comply with ownership certification procedures attesting that they are residents of qualifying jurisdictions, and each intermediary or other person in the chain of ownership between us and such shareholders must undertake similar compliance procedures. Due to the factual nature of the issues involved, we may not qualify for exemption under Section 883 of the Code for any future taxable year. We intend to take the position for U.S. federal income tax reporting purposes that we are not subject to U.S. federal income taxation for the 2018 taxable year because more than 50% of our stock was not owned by non-qualified shareholders that each held 5% or more of our stock.
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We are a "foreign private issuer," which could make our common stock less attractive to some investors or otherwise harm our stock price.
We are a "foreign private issuer," as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act. As a "foreign private issuer" the rules governing the information that we disclose differ from those governing U.S. corporations pursuant to the Exchange Act. We are not required to file quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or provide current reports on Form 8-K disclosing significant events within four days of their occurrence. In addition, our officers and directors are exempt from the reporting and "short-swing" profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and related rules with respect to their purchase and sales of our securities. Our exemption from the rules of Section 16 of the Exchange Act regarding sales of common stock by insiders means that you will have less data in this regard than shareholders of U.S. companies that are subject to the Exchange Act. Moreover, we are exempt from the proxy rules, and proxy statements that we distribute will not be subject to review by the Commission. Accordingly there may be less publicly available information concerning us than there is for other U.S. public companies. These factors could make our common stock less attractive to some investors or otherwise harm our stock price.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR COMMON SHARES
Our share price may continue to be highly volatile, which could lead to a loss of all or part of a shareholder's investment.
The market price of our common shares has fluctuated widely since our common shares began trading in July of 2004 on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, or Nasdaq. Over the last few years, the stock market has experienced price and volume fluctuations. This volatility has sometimes been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. During 2018, the price of our common shares experienced a high of $3.00 in February and a low of $0.71 in May.
The market price of our common shares is affected by a variety of factors, including:

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fluctuations in interest rates;

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fluctuations in the availability or the price of oil and chemicals;

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fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;

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announcements by us or our competitors;

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changes in our relationships with customers or suppliers;

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actual or anticipated fluctuations in our semi-annual and annual results and those of other public companies in our industry;

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changes in United States or foreign tax laws;

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actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results from period to period;

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shortfalls in our operating results from levels forecast by securities analysts;

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market conditions in the shipping industry and the general state of the securities markets;

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mergers and strategic alliances in the shipping industry;

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changes in government regulation;
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·
a general or industry-specific decline in the demand for, and price of, shares of our common stock resulting from capital market conditions independent of our operating performance;

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the loss of any of our key management personnel;

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our failure to successfully implement our business plan; and

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issuance of shares.
There is no guarantee of a continuing public market for you to resell our common shares.
Our common shares currently trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market. We cannot assure you that an active and liquid public market for our common stock will continue and you may not be able to sell your common shares in the future at the price that you paid for them or at all. The price of our common stock may be volatile and may fluctuate due to factors such as:

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actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly and annual results and those of other public companies in our industry;

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mergers and strategic alliances in the shipping industry;

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market conditions in the shipping industry and the general state of the securities markets;

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changes in government regulation;

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shortfalls in our operating results from levels forecast by securities analysts; and

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announcements concerning us or our competitors.
Further, lack of trading volume in our stock may affect investors' ability to sell their shares. Our common shares have been experiencing low daily trading volumes in the market. As a result, investors may be unable to sell all or any of their shares in the desired time period, or may only be able to sell such shares at a significant discount to the previous closing price.
The market price of our common shares has recently declined significantly. If the average closing price of our common shares declines to less than $1.00 over 30 consecutive trading days, our common shares could be delisted from Nasdaq or trading could be suspended.
On July 27, 2016, we transferred our Nasdaq listing from the Nasdaq Global Select Market to the Nasdaq Capital Market. Our common shares continue to trade on Nasdaq under the symbol "TOPS". The Nasdaq Capital Market is a continuous trading market that operates in substantially the same manner as the Nasdaq Global Select Market. We then fulfilled the listing requirements of the Nasdaq Capital Market and the approval of the transfer cured our deficiency under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(b)(1)(C).
On June 27, 2017, we received written notification from Nasdaq, indicating that because the closing bid price of our common stock for the last 30 consecutive business days was below $1.00 per share, we no longer met the minimum bid price requirement for the Nasdaq Capital Market, set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1). Pursuant to the Nasdaq Listing Rules, the applicable grace period to regain compliance was 180 days, or until December 26, 2017. We regained compliance on August 17, 2017.
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On October 10, 2017, we received written notification from Nasdaq indicating that because the closing bid price of our common stock for the last 30 consecutive business days was below $1.00 per share, we no longer meet the minimum bid price requirement for the Nasdaq Capital Market, set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1). Pursuant to the Nasdaq Listing Rules, the applicable grace period to regain compliance is 180 days, or until April 9, 2018. After requesting a grace period from Nasdaq, we regained compliance on April 11, 2018.
On March 11, 2019, we received written notification from Nasdaq, indicating that because the closing bid price of our common stock for the last 30 consecutive business days was below $1.00 per share, we no longer met the minimum bid price requirement for the Nasdaq Capital Market, set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1). Pursuant to the Nasdaq Listing Rules, the applicable grace period to regain compliance is 180 days, or until September 9, 2019. From the date of receipt of the written notification from Nasdaq until the date of this annual report our stock is trading below $1.00.
A renewed or continued decline in the closing price of our common shares on Nasdaq could result in a breach of these requirements. Although we would have an opportunity to take action to cure such a breach, if we do not succeed, Nasdaq could commence suspension or delisting procedures in respect of our common shares. The commencement of suspension or delisting procedures by an exchange remains, at all times, at the discretion of such exchange and would be publicly announced by the exchange. If a suspension or delisting were to occur, there would be significantly less liquidity in the suspended or delisted securities. In addition, our ability to raise additional necessary capital through equity or debt financing would be greatly impaired. Furthermore, with respect to any suspended or delisted common shares, we would expect decreases in institutional and other investor demand, analyst coverage, market making activity and information available concerning trading prices and volume, and fewer broker-dealers would be willing to execute trades with respect to such common shares. A suspension or delisting would likely decrease the attractiveness of our common shares to investors, may constitute a breach under certain of our credit agreements and constitute an event of default under certain classes of our preferred stock and cause the trading volume of our common shares to decline, which could result in a further decline in the market price of our common shares.
Finally, if the volatility in the market continues or worsens, it could have a further adverse effect on the market price of our common shares, regardless of our operating performance.
We issued 14,093,853 common shares during 2018 through various transactions. Shareholders may experience significant dilution as a result of our offerings.
We have already sold large quantities of our common stock pursuant to previous public and private offerings of our equity and equity-linked securities.  We currently have an effective registration statement on Form F-3 (333-215577) for the sale of up $200,000,000, of which approximately $97.7 million has been sold. We also have outstanding 1,976,389 2014 Warrants, which are convertible into our common shares, both as defined below.
Purchasers of the shares of our common stock we sell, as well as our existing shareholders, will experience significant dilution if we sell shares at prices significantly below the price at which they invested. In addition, we may issue additional shares of common stock or other equity securities of equal or senior rank in the future in connection with, among other things, any exercise of our outstanding warrants issued in June 2014, or our 2014 Warrants, future vessel acquisitions, repayment of outstanding indebtedness (i.e. the Amended and Restated Family Trading Facility), or our equity incentive plan, without shareholder approval, in a number of circumstances. Our existing shareholders may experience significant dilution if we issue shares in the future at prices below the price at which previous shareholders invested.
Our issuance of additional shares of common stock or other equity securities of equal or senior rank would have the following effects:

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our existing shareholders' proportionate ownership interest in us will decrease;

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the amount of cash available for dividends payable on the shares of our common stock may decrease;
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the relative voting strength of each previously outstanding common share may be diminished; and

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the market price of the shares of our common stock may decline.
Future issuances or sales, or the potential for future issuances or sales, of our common shares may cause the trading price of our securities to decline and could impair our ability to raise capital through subsequent equity offerings.
We have issued a significant number of our common shares and we may do so in the future. Shares to be issued in relation to a future follow-on offering could cause the market price of our common shares to decline, and could have an adverse effect on our earnings per share if and when we become profitable. In addition, future sales of our common shares or other securities in the public markets, or the perception that these sales may occur, could cause the market price of our common shares to decline, and could materially impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional securities.
The market price of our common stock could decline due to sales, or the announcements of proposed sales, of a large number of common stock in the market, including sales of common stock by our large shareholders, or the perception that these sales could occur. These sales or the perception that these sales could occur could also depress the market price of our common stock and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities or make it more difficult or impossible for us to sell equity securities in the future at a time and price that we deem appropriate. We cannot predict the effect that future sales of common stock or other equity-related securities would have on the market price of our common stock.
Our Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, authorize our Board of Directors to, among other things, issue additional shares of common or preferred stock or securities convertible or exchangeable into equity securities, without shareholder approval. We may issue such additional equity or convertible securities to raise additional capital. The issuance of any additional shares of common or preferred stock or convertible securities could be substantially dilutive to our shareholders. Moreover, to the extent that we issue restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, options or warrants to purchase our common stock in the future and those stock appreciation rights, options or warrants are exercised or as the restricted stock units vest, our shareholders may experience further dilution. Holders of shares of our common stock have no preemptive rights that entitle such holders to purchase their pro rata share of any offering of shares of any class or series and, therefore, such sales or offerings could result in increased dilution to our shareholders.
Future issuance of common shares may trigger anti-dilution provisions in our outstanding warrants and affect the interests of our common shareholders.
The 2014 Warrants contain anti-dilution provisions that could be triggered by the issuance of common shares in a future offering, depending on their offering price. For instance, the issuance by us of common shares for less than $0.70 per common share, which is the current fixed exercise price for the warrant shares of the 2014 Warrants, could result in an adjustment downward of the exercise price of the warrant shares of the 2014 Warrants and an increase in the number of shares each warrant is eligible to purchase above 3.56 per 2014 Warrant. These adjustments could affect the interests of our common shareholders and the trading price for our common shares. Furthermore and following the issuance our Series C Convertible Preferred Shares and the subsequent trigger of an anti-dilution provision of our 2014 Warrants, each warrant holder currently has the option to replace the fixed exercise price with a variable exercise price, namely 75% of the lowest daily VWAP of our common shares over the 21 consecutive trading days expiring on the trading day immediately prior to the date of delivery of an exercise notice (but in no event can this variable exercise price be less than $0.25) and purchase such proportionate number of shares based on the variable price in effect on the date of exercise. If using the variable exercise price of the Series C Convertible Preferred Shares, as of March 22, 2019, each 2014 Warrant has an exercise price of $0.61 and entitles its holder to purchase 4.09 common shares, as may be further adjusted. Moreover, future issuance of other equity or debt convertible into or issuable or exchangeable for common shares at a price per share less than the then current exercise price of the warrant shares of the 2014 Warrants would result in similar adjustments.
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Additionally, we value our 2014 Warrants liability at the closing of each fiscal quarter. If the market price of our common stock at the end of the relevant quarter is higher than the previous quarter or if the exercise price of our warrant shares decreases, there is a strong possibility that we will realize a non-cash loss attributable to the change in market value. Should the market price of our common stock rise, there is a strong possibility that our 2014 Warrants liability will increase, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We are incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, which does not have a well-developed body of corporate law and as a result, shareholders may have fewer rights and protections under Marshall Islands law than under a typical jurisdiction in the United States.
Our corporate affairs are governed by Our Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-laws, as further amended, and by the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act, or 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 United States jurisdictions. Shareholder rights may differ as well. 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, our 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 United States jurisdiction.
It may not be possible for investors to serve process on or enforce U.S. judgments against us.
We and all of our subsidiaries are incorporated in jurisdictions outside the U.S. and substantially all of our assets and those of our subsidiaries are located outside the U.S. In addition, most of our directors and officers are non-residents of the U.S., and all or a substantial portion of the assets of these non-residents are located outside the U.S. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for U.S. investors to serve process within the U.S. upon us, our subsidiaries or our directors and officers or to enforce a judgment against us for civil liabilities in U.S. courts. In addition, you should not assume that courts in the countries in which we or our subsidiaries are incorporated or where our assets or the assets of our subsidiaries are located (1) would enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained in actions against us or our subsidiaries based upon the civil liability provisions of applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws or (2) would enforce, in original actions, liabilities against us or our subsidiaries based on those laws.
Anti-takeover provisions in our organizational documents could have the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing a merger, amalgamation or acquisition, which could reduce the market price of our common shares.
Several provisions of our Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-laws, as further amended, could make it difficult for our shareholders to change the composition of our Board of Directors in any one year, preventing them from changing the composition of management. In addition, the same provisions may discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition that shareholders may consider favorable.
These provisions include:

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authorizing our Board of Directors to issue "blank check" preferred stock without shareholder approval;

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providing for a classified Board of Directors with staggered, three-year terms;

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prohibiting cumulative voting in the election of directors;

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authorizing the removal of directors only for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote for the directors;
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·
prohibiting shareholder action by written consent unless the written consent is signed by all shareholders entitled to vote on the action;

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limiting the persons who may call special meetings of shareholders; and

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establishing advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our Board of Directors or for proposing matters that can be acted on by shareholders at shareholder meetings.
In addition, we have entered into a stockholders rights agreement, or the Stockholders Rights Agreement, that makes it more difficult for a third-party to acquire us without the support of our Board of Directors. See "Item 10. Additional Information—B. Memorandum and Articles of Association—Stockholders Rights Agreement."  These anti-takeover provisions could substantially impede the ability of public shareholders to benefit from a change in control and, as a result, may reduce the market price of our common stock and your ability to realize any potential change of control premium.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR FLEET MANAGER AND ITS AFFILIATES
We are dependent on our Fleet Manager to perform the day-to-day management of our fleet.
Our executive management team, provided by Central Mare, consists of Evangelos J. Pistiolis; Alexandros Tsirikos, our Chief Financial Officer and Director; Vangelis G. Ikonomou our Chief Operating Officer and Konstantinos Patis, our Chief Technical Officer. We subcontract the day-to-day vessel management of our fleet, including crewing, maintenance and repair to our Fleet Manager. Furthermore, upon delivery of any vessels we may acquire, we expect to subcontract their day-to-day management to our Fleet Manager. Our Fleet Manager is a related party affiliated with the family of Mr. Pistiolis. We are dependent on our Fleet Manager for the technical and commercial operation of our fleet and the loss of our Fleet Manager's services or its failure to perform obligations to us could materially and adversely affect the results of our operations. If our Fleet Manager suffers material damage to its reputation or relationships it may harm our ability to:

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continue to operate our vessels and service our customers;

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renew existing charters upon their expiration;

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obtain new charters;

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obtain financing on commercially acceptable terms;

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obtain insurance on commercially acceptable terms;

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maintain satisfactory relationships with our customers and suppliers; and

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successfully execute our growth strategy.
Our Fleet Manager is a privately held company and there may be limited or no publicly available information about it.
Our Fleet Manager is a privately held company. The ability of our Fleet Manager to provide services for our benefit will depend in part on its own financial strength. Circumstances beyond our control could impair our Fleet Manager's financial strength, and there may be limited publicly available information about its financial condition. As a result, an investor in our common shares might have little advance warning of problems affecting our Fleet Manager, even though these problems could have a material adverse effect on us.
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Our Fleet Manager may have conflicts of interest between us and its other clients.
We subcontract the day-to-day vessel management of our fleet, including crewing, maintenance and repair to our Fleet Manager. Our Fleet Manager may provide similar services for vessels owned by other shipping companies, and it also may provide similar services to companies with which our Fleet Manager is affiliated. These responsibilities and relationships could create conflicts of interest between our Fleet Manager's performance of its obligations to us, on the one hand, and our Fleet Manager's performance of its obligations to its other clients, on the other hand. These conflicts may arise in connection with the crewing, supply provisioning and operations of the vessels in our fleet versus vessels owned by other clients of our Fleet Manager. In particular, our Fleet Manager may give preferential treatment to vessels owned by other clients whose arrangements provide for greater economic benefit to our Fleet Manager. These conflicts of interest may have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
ITEM 4.   INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
A.   History and Development of the Company
Our predecessor, Ocean Holdings Inc., was formed as a corporation in January 2000 under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and renamed Top Tankers Inc. in May 2004. In December 2007, Top Tankers Inc. was renamed TOP Ships Inc. Our common stock is currently listed on Nasdaq under the symbol "TOPS." The current address of our principal executive office is 1 Vasilisis Sofias and Megalou Alexandrou Str, 15124 Maroussi, Greece. The telephone number of our registered office is +30 210 812 8000. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the SEC's Internet site is http://www.sec.gov .  The address of the Company's Internet site is https://www.topships.org .
On September 14, 2016, we declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right for each outstanding common share and adopted a shareholder rights plan, as set forth in a stockholders rights agreement dated as of September 22, 2016, by and between us and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (now taken over by our new transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, or "AST"), as rights agent.
On November 22, 2016, we completed a private placement of up to 3,160 Series B Convertible Preferred Shares for an aggregate principal amount of up to $3.0 million, or the Series B Transaction.  Yorkville purchased 1,579 Series B Convertible Preferred Shares at the initial closing of the Series B Transaction and 527 Series B Convertible Preferred Shares on November 28, 2016 for a total consideration of $2.0 million and has waived the right to purchase any additional Series B Convertible Preferred Shares. In connection with the Series B Transaction, we also entered into a registration rights agreement with Yorkville to provide it with certain registration rights. As of August 15, 2017, we have issued 18,026 common shares in connection with the conversions of all of our Series B Convertible Preferred Shares.
On February 1, 2017, the Commission declared effective our registration statement on Form F-1, which covers the registration of (i) $200,000,000 common shares (including preferred stock purchase rights), preferred shares, debt securities, warrants, purchase contracts, rights and units and (ii) 1,000,000 common shares offered for resale by Yorkville underlying the Series B Convertible Preferred Shares issued in the Private Placement.
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On February 2, 2017, we launched a registered equity line for the sale of up to $3,099,367 of our common shares from time to time to Kalani Investments Limited, or Kalani, over the next 24 months pursuant to the Purchase Agreement between us and Kalani dated February 2, 2017.  On March 17, 2017, we expanded the registered equity line to allow for the sale of up to $6,940,867 of our common shares from time to time to Kalani pursuant to an amendment to the Purchase Agreement dated February 2, 2017, or the First Amendment.  On March 27, 2017, we further expanded the registered equity line to allow for the sale of up to $12,540,867 of our common shares to Kalani, or the Second Amendment.  On April 4, 2017, we further expanded the registered equity line to allow for the sale of up to $20,340,867 of our common shares, or the Third Amendment.  On April 27, 2017, we further expanded the registered equity line to allow for the sale of up to $40,340,867 of our common shares to Kalani, or the Fourth Amendment. On October 12, 2017 we announced that we have issued and sold the total dollar amount of common shares under the registered equity line.
On February 17, 2017, we closed a private placement with a non-U.S. institutional investor non-affiliated with us but affiliated with Kalani Investments Limited ("Kalani") for the sale of 7,500 newly issued Series C Convertible Preferred Shares, which were convertible into our common shares, for $7.5 million pursuant to a securities purchase agreement, or the Series C Transaction.  As of November 8, 2017, we have issued 904,646 common shares in connection with the conversions of all our Series C Convertible Preferred Shares.
On February 20, 2017, we, through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Style Maritime Ltd., acquired a 40% ownership interest in Eco Seven Inc., a Marshall Islands corporation, or Eco Seven, from Malibu Shipmanagement Co., a Marshall Islands corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Lax Trust for an aggregate purchase price of $6.5 million, pursuant to a share purchase agreement, or the Eco Seven Transaction. Eco Seven owns M/T Stenaweco Elegance, a 50,118 dwt product/chemical tanker that was delivered from Hyundai on February 28, 2017. Eco Seven was also a party to a time charter agreement that commenced upon the vessel's delivery at a rate of $16,500 per day for the first three years, and at the charterer's option, $17,500 for the first optional year and $18,500 for the second optional year. The Eco Seven Transaction was approved by a special committee of our board of directors, or the Transaction Committee, of which the majority of the directors were independent. In the course of its deliberations, the Transaction Committee hired and obtained a fairness opinion from an independent financial advisor.
Throughout 2017, we issued multiple promissory notes to Kalani and Xanthe Holdings Ltd, or Xanthe, a non-affiliated, non-US company, affiliated with Kalani.  On February 6, 2017, we entered into a note purchase agreement and issued a $3.5 million 6% Original Issue Discount Promissory Note to Kalani for cash consideration of $3.3 million, with a mandatory redemption no later than May 15, 2017. On March 22, 2017, we entered into a note purchase agreement and issued a $5.0 million 4% Original Issue Discount Promissory Note to Kalani for cash consideration of $4.8 million, with a mandatory redemption no later than October 7, 2017. On March 28, 2017, we entered into a note purchase agreement and issued an unsecured promissory note to Kalani in the principal amount of $10 million for cash consideration of $10 million, with a mandatory redemption no later than August 25, 2017.  On April 5, 2017, we entered into a note purchase agreement and issued an unsecured promissory note to Kalani in the principal amount of $7.7 million for cash consideration of $7.7 million, with a mandatory redemption no later than September 4, 2017.  On May 15, 2017, we entered into a note purchase agreement and issued an unsecured promissory note to Xanthe in the principal amount of $5.0 million for cash consideration of $5.0 million, with a mandatory redemption no later than August 23, 2017.  On June 26, 2017, we entered into a note purchase agreement and issued an unsecured promissory note to Kalani in the principal amount of $3.0 million for cash consideration of $3.0 million, with a mandatory redemption no later than October 24, 2017. On July 12, 2017, we entered into a note purchase agreement and issued an unsecured promissory note to Xanthe in the principal amount of $3.1 million for cash consideration of $3.0 million, with a mandatory redemption no later than November 7, 2017. On September 15, 2017, we issued an unsecured promissory note in the amount of $2.0 million with an original issue discount of 1% to Xanthe.  As of December 31, 2018 all of the promissory notes issued to Kalani and Xanthe have been settled.
On March 27, 2017, pursuant to the management agreement between us and CSM, a related party affiliated with the family of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis, our board of directors granted to CSM a $1.25 million cash performance fee for its dedication and provision to us of high quality ship management and newbuilding supervision services during 2016.
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On March 27, 2017, our board of directors granted to our executive officers an aggregate cash bonus of $1.5 million in consideration of the successful completion of our newbuilding program in 2016.
On March 30, 2017, we, through our wholly-owned subsidiary Style Maritime Ltd., acquired another 9% ownership interest in Eco Seven from Malibu Shipmanagement Co., a Marshall Islands corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Lax Trust, for an aggregate purchase price of $1.5 million, or the Eco Seven Extended Transaction. Pursuant to the Eco Seven Extended Transaction, our ownership interest in Eco Seven increased to 49%.  On May 30, 2017, we announced that we entered into an agreement with Eco Seven to purchase for $6.5 million, an additional 41% interest, increasing our interest to 90% ownership in Eco Seven.
On March 30, 2017, we, through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Lyndon International Co., acquired a 49% ownership interest in City of Athens from Fly Free Company, a Marshall Islands corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Lax Trust, for an aggregate purchase price of $4.2 million, or the City of Athens Transaction. City of Athens is currently a party to a newbuilding contract for the construction of M/T Eco Holmby Hills, a 50,000 dwt newbuilding product/chemical scheduled for delivery from Hyundai in January 2018.
On March 30, 2017, we, through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Gramos Shipping Company Co., acquired a 49% ownership interest in Eco Nine from Maxima International Co., a Marshall Islands corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Lax Trust, for an aggregate purchase price of $3.5 million, or the Eco Nine Transaction.  Eco Nine is currently a party to a newbuilding contract for the construction of M/T Eco Palm Springs, a 50,000 dwt newbuilding product/chemical scheduled for delivery from Hyundai in April 2018.
The Eco Seven Extended Transaction, the City of Athens Transaction the Astarte Transaction and the Eco Nine Transaction were approved by a special committee of our board of directors, or the Transaction Committee, of which the majority of the directors were independent. In the course of its deliberations, the Transaction Committee hired and obtained a fairness opinion from an independent financial advisor.
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On June 27, 2017, we received written notification from Nasdaq, indicating that because the closing bid price of our common stock for the last 30 consecutive business days was below $1.00 per share, we no longer met the minimum bid price requirement for the Nasdaq Capital Market, set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1). Pursuant to the Nasdaq Listing Rules, the applicable grace period to regain compliance was 180 days, or until December 26, 2017. We regained compliance on August 17, 2017.
On October 10, 2017, we received written notification from Nasdaq indicating that because the closing bid price of our common stock for the last 30 consecutive business days was below $1.00 per share, we no longer meet the minimum bid price requirement for the Nasdaq Capital Market, set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1). Pursuant to the Nasdaq Listing Rules, the applicable grace period to regain compliance is 180 days, or until April 9, 2018.
On November 3, 2017 we held our Special Meeting of Shareholders where our shareholders approved and adopted one or more amendments to our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to effect one or more reverse stock splits of our issued common shares at a ratio of not less than one-for-two and not more than one-for-10,000 and in the aggregate at a ratio of not more than one-for-10,000, inclusive, with the exact ratio to be set at a whole number within this range to be determined by our board of directors and authorized our board of directors to implement any such reverse stock split by filing any such amendment with the Registrar of Corporations of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
On November 7, 2017, we entered into a Common Stock Purchase Agreement, or the First Purchase Agreement, with Crede CG III, Ltd., or Crede CG, pursuant to which we agreed to sell up to $25 million of shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 to Crede CG over a period of 24 months, subject to certain limitations. On December 14, 2017 the First Purchase Agreement was completed.
On November 13, 2017, we entered into a Note Purchase Agreement with Crede Capital Group LLC, or Crede, pursuant to which we issued an unsecured promissory note in the original principal amount of $12.5 million with a single revolving option for additional $5.0 million that we exercised on November 20, 2017. As of the date hereof, the promissory note has been settled.
On November 24, 2017, we acquired all of the outstanding shares of PCH77 Shipping Company Limited, a Marshall Islands company that owns a new building contract for M/T Eco California, a high specification 50,000 dwt Medium Range ("MR") product/chemical tanker under construction at Hyundai in Korea from an entity affiliated with Mr. Evangelos Pistiolis. We paid $3.6 million for the outstanding shares and the vessel is scheduled for delivery during January 2019. The abovementioned transaction was approved by a special committee of our board of directors, or the Transaction Committee, of which all of the directors were independent. In the course of its deliberations, the Transaction Committee hired and obtained a fairness opinion from an independent financial advisor. Upon its delivery, the vessel will be employed under a time charter with an oil major for a firm duration of two years with a charterer's option to extend for one additional year. The rate of the charter consists of a fixed amount per day plus a 50% profit share for earned rates over the fixed amount.
On December 11, 2017, we entered into a Common Stock Purchase Agreement, or the Second Purchase Agreement, with Crede CG pursuant to which we agreed to sell up to $25 million of shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 to Crede CG over a period of 24 months, subject to certain limitations. As of the date of this report up to $6.1 million worth of shares is remaining that we may sell pursuant to the Second Purchase Agreement. On March 22, 2017 we announced that we would not make any sales under the Second Purchase Agreement for a period of 12 months.
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On December 14, 2017, we entered into a Note Purchase Agreement with Crede, pursuant to which we issued an unsecured promissory note in the original principal amount of $12,500,000 with revolving options for two additional $5.0 million notes to Crede.
On January 2, 2018, the Compensation Committee recommended to our board of directors and the board of directors approved an award of $2.25 million, in cash as incentive compensation to Mr. Evangelos Pistiolis, or his nominee, to be distributed at his own discretion amongst executives.
On January 2, 2018, the Compensation Committee recommended to our board of directors and the board of directors approved an award of $1.25 million in cash as incentive compensation to CSM.
On January 5, 2018, we entered into an Amendment to the Note Purchase Agreement with Crede, pursuant to which we issued an unsecured promissory note in the original principal amount of $5.369 million with a single revolving option for an additional $4.631 million. On February 9, 2018 the Note Purchase Agreement was further amended to increase the last revolving option to $6.4 million and on the same date we exercised the said option in full.
On January 31, 2018, we acquired:

·
100% of the issued and outstanding shares of PCH Dreaming Inc., a Marshall Islands company that has entered into a new building contract for a high specification 50,000 dwt Medium Range ("MR") product/chemical tanker under construction at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co., Ltd. in South Korea and scheduled for delivery during March 2019.  We acquired the shares from an entity affiliated with our Chief Executive Officer for an aggregate purchase price of $3.95 million.

·
100% of the issued and outstanding shares of South California Inc., a Marshall Islands company that has entered into a new building contract for a high specification, scrubber-equipped, 157,000 dwt Suezmax Crude Oil Carrier under construction at Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. in South Korea and scheduled for delivery during April 2019. We acquired the shares from an entity affiliated with our Chief Executive Officer for an aggregate purchase price of $8.95 million.

·
100% of the issued outstanding shares of Malibu Warrior Inc., a Marshall Islands company that has entered into a new building contract for a high specification, scrubber-equipped, 157,000 dwt Suezmax Crude Oil Carrier under construction at Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. in South Korea and scheduled for delivery during May 2019.  We acquired the shares from an entity affiliated with our Chief Executive Officer for an aggregate purchase price of $8.95 million.

·
10% of the issued and outstanding shares of Eco Seven Inc., a Marshall Islands company that owns M/T Stena Elegance, a high specification 50,000 dwt MR product/chemical tanker delivered in February 2017 at Hyundai Vinashin.  We acquired the shares from an entity affiliated with our Chief Executive Officer for an aggregate purchase price of $1.6 million.  As a result of the transaction we own 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Eco Seven Inc.
Each of the acquisitions was approved by a special committee of our board of directors, (the "Transaction Committee"), of which all of the directors were independent. In the course of its deliberations, the Transaction Committee hired and obtained an opinion on the fairness of the consideration of this transaction from two independent financial advisors.
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On February 20, 2018 we appointed AST as our new transfer agent and registrar and warrant agent for the 2014 Warrants. All of our directly held common shares and 2014 Warrants have been transferred from Computershare to AST's platform, with no action required by any shareholder regarding the change in our transfer agent. (AST can be reached as follows: American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 55 Challenger Road Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660, Office: 201-806-4181).
On March 12, 2018 our 50% owned subsidiaries, City of Athens and Eco Nine entered into a loan agreement with ABN Amro Bank for a senior debt facility of up to $35.9 million to fund, the delivery of M/T Eco Holmby Hills and M/T Eco Palm Springs ($17.9 million for each vessel). The loan will be payable in 20 consecutive quarterly installments of $0.3 million per vessel, commencing three months from draw down, and a balloon payment of $11.9 million per vessel payable together with the last installment. The credit facility will bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.90%.
On March 15, 2018, our 50% owned subsidiary City of Athens took delivery of M/T Eco Holmby Hills, a 50,000 dwt newbuilding product/chemical tanker constructed at the Hyundai Mipo Vinashin shipyard. On March 20, 2018 the vessel commenced its time charter agreement with Clearlake Shipping Pte Ltd.
On March 22, 2018, we announced that for 12 months we: (i) do not intend to conduct any offerings that include variable priced securities; (ii) do not intend to issue any further shares under the Second Purchase Agreement; (iii) Race Navigation Inc., a company controlled by Lax Trust, an irrevocable trust established for the benefit of certain family members of Evangelos Pistiolis, will not convert any of its 1,250,000 warrants pursuant to a standstill agreement with us.
On March 26, 2018, we effected a 1-for-10 reverse stock split and announced that we do not intend to conduct another reverse stock split of our common shares for the 12 calendar months from March 26, 2018.
On April 11, 2018, we regained compliance with the minimum bid price requirement for the Nasdaq Capital Market, set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2).
In April of 2018, we extended the firm period of the time charter of M/T Eco Fleet with BP Shipping Limited for six months.
On May 25, 2018, we entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement, or the Equity Distribution Agreement, with Maxim Group LLC, or Maxim, as sales agent, under which we were permitted to offer and sell, from time to time through Maxim, up to $14.25 million of our common shares, par value $0.01 per share. On July 23, 2018, we terminated the Equity Distribution Agreement.
On May 23, 2018, we took delivery of our 50% owned 49,703 dwt newbuilding product/chemical tanker M/T Eco Palm Springs, constructed at the Hyundai Mipo Vinashin shipyard and on May 26, 2018 the vessel commenced its three year time charter employment with Clearlake Shipping Pte Ltd.
In June of 2018, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement, or IRS, in order to hedge our exposure to changes in the interest rate of our Alpha Bank facility. Furthermore in June of 2018, our unconsolidated 50% subsidiaries City of Athens Inc. and Eco Nine Inc. entered into two separate IRSs in order to hedge their exposure to changes in the interest rates of their ABN Amro Bank facilities. As a result of these new IRSs both we and our unconsolidated 50% subsidiaries had, as of the date of the IRS, fully hedged our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates in relation to all post-delivery debt facilities then outstanding.

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On June 29, 2018, we entered into a sale and leaseback agreement and a 5 year time charter with Cargill International SA (“Cargill”), a leading vessel operator and freight-trading business in the bulk shipping sector, for our vessel M/T Eco Marina Del Ray.
On September 7, 2018 we took delivery of M/T Eco Palm Desert, a 50,000 dwt newbuilding product/chemical tanker constructed at the Hyundai Mipo Vinashin shipyard and on September 12, 2018 the vessel commenced its three year time charter employment with Central Tanker Chartering Inc.

On October 24, 2018, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with one institutional investor, pursuant to which we sold 2,000,000 shares of our common stock in a registered direct offering. We also issued warrants to purchase up to 3,500,000 shares at an exercise price of $1.50 per share. Maxim Group LLC acted as the exclusive placement agent for the offering.
In October 2018, we agreed to enter into time charter employment with Clearlake Shipping Pte Ltd for our product/chemical tanker M/T Eco Fleet. The vessel will be employed for a firm period of 36 months plus two additional 12 month periods, at the charterer's option. The revenue backlog expected to be generated by this fixture, assuming all options are exercised, is about $25 million.
In November 2018, we agreed a new time charter employment contract for 2 years with BP Shipping Ltd for our product/chemical tanker M/T Eco Revolution. The new time charter will commence in January 2019 immediately after the expiry of the present time charter employment contract. The revenue backlog expected to be generated by this fixture is about $10 million.
On December 21, 2018 we entered into a sale and leaseback agreement (“SLB”) with BoComm Leasing, a non-affiliated party, for M/T Nord Valiant and M/T Eco California (Hull No 8218). Consummation of the SLB took place on January 17, 2019 for M/T Nord Valiant and on January 30, 2019 for M/T Eco California. Following the sale, we bareboat chartered back M/T Nord Valiant for five years and for the M/T Eco California for seven years at a bareboat hire of $5,875 per day and $6,550 per day respectively. As part of this transaction, we have continuous options, after the third year, to buy back the vessels at purchase prices stipulated in the bareboat agreement depending on when the option is exercised. The gross proceeds from the sale were $21.7 million for M/T Nord Valiant and $24.1 million for M/T Eco California. We used $18.5 million of the sale and leaseback proceeds to prepay in full the outstanding loan on the vessel (Tranche C of the ABN Facility).
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On December 3, 2018 we entered into an SLB with China Merchants Bank Financial Leasing (“CMBFL”), a non-affiliated party, for M/T Eco Bel Air (Hull No 874) and M/T Eco Beverly Hills (Hull No 875). Consummation of the SLB is expected to take place on the vessels delivery date currently planned for April and May 2019 respectively. Following the sale, we will bareboat charter back the vessels for a period of seven years at a bareboat hire of $16,361 per day per vessel. As part of this transaction, we have continuous options, after the third year, to buy back the vessels at purchase prices stipulated in the bareboat agreement depending on when the option is exercised. The gross proceeds from the sale will be $91.4 million for both vessels.
Recent Developments

On January 11, 2019, we entered into a warrant exchange agreement with the sole holder of the 2018 Warrants for the reduction of the exercise price of said warrants from $1.50 to $1.02. On the same date 300,000 2018 Warrants were exercised. On February 5, 2019, we entered into an amendment of the 2018 Warrants for the reduction of the exercise price of said warrants from $1.02 to $0.70. On the same date 714,285 2018 Warrants were exercised. Between February 21 and February 25, 2019 the remaining 932,715 2018 Warrants were exercised.
On January 30, 2019, we took delivery of M/T Eco California. On February 4, 2019 the vessel commenced its' time charter agreement with Shell.
On March 11, 2019, we received written notification from Nasdaq, indicating that because the closing bid price of our common stock for the last 30 consecutive business days was below $1.00 per share, we no longer met the minimum bid price requirement for the Nasdaq Capital Market, set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1). Pursuant to the Nasdaq Listing Rules, the applicable grace period to regain compliance is 180 days, or until September 9, 2019.
On March 13, 2019, we took delivery of M/T Eco Marina Del Ray. On March 18, 2019 the vessel commenced its time charter agreement with Cargill and concurrently agreements were consummated for the vessel’s sale and leaseback to Cargill.
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B.   Business Overview
We are an international owner and operator of modern, fuel efficient eco medium range, or MR, tanker vessels focusing on the transportation of crude oil, petroleum products (clean and dirty) and bulk liquid chemicals. As of the date of this report, our fleet consists of two bareboat chartered-in 50,000 dwt product/chemical tankers vessels, the M/T Stenaweco Energy and the M/T Stenaweco Evolution, two 39,000 dwt product/chemical tankers vessels, the M/T Eco Fleet and the M/T Eco Revolution, six 50,000 dwt product/chemical tankers, the M/T Stenaweco Excellence, the M/T Nord Valiant, the M/T Stenaweco Elegance, the M/T Eco Palm Desert, the M/T Eco California and the M/T. Eco Marina Del Ray. We also own 50% interests in two 50,000 dwt product/chemical tankers, M/T Eco Holmby Hills and the M/T Palm Springs.
Additionally we own two newbuilding vessels as per the below table:
Name
Deadweight
Delivery date
Shipyard
M/T Eco Bel Air (Hull No 874)
159,000
April 2019
Hyundai Samho S. Korea
M/T Eco Beverly Hills (Hull No 875)
159,000
May 2019
Hyundai Samho S. Korea

For more information, please see "Item 4. Information on the Company—A. History and Development of the Company—Recent Developments."
We intend to continue to review the market in order to identify potential acquisition targets on accretive terms.
We believe we have established a reputation in the international ocean transport industry for operating and maintaining vessels with high standards of performance, reliability and safety. We have assembled a management team comprised of executives who have extensive experience operating large and diversified fleets of tankers and who have strong ties to a number of national, regional and international oil companies, charterers and traders.
Our Fleet
The following tables present our fleet list as of the date of this annual report:
Chartered-in fleet:
Name
 
Deadweight
 
Vessel Type
Charterer
End of firm period
Charterer's Optional Periods
Gross Rate fixed period/ options
M/T Stenaweco Energy
   
50,000
 
Medium Range (“MR”) Tanker
Stena Weco A/S
February 2021
1+1 years
$15,616 / $17,350 / $18,100
M/T Stenaweco Evolution
   
50,000
 
Medium Range (“MR”) Tanker
Stena Weco A/S
October 2021
1+1 years
$15,516 / $17,200 / $18,000

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Operating fleet:

Name
Deadweight
Vessel Type
Charterer
End of firm period
Charterer's Optional Periods
Gross Rate fixed period/ options
M/T Eco Fleet
 39,000
Medium Range (“MR”) Tanker
Clearlake Shipping Pte Ltd
April 2022
1+1 years
$12,600 1 st year, $13,100 2 nd year and $13,600 3 rd year / $14,350 / $15,600
M/T Eco Revolution
 39,000
Medium Range (“MR”) Tanker
BP Shipping Limited
January 2021
1+1 years
$13,500 / $16,000 / $16,750
M/T Stenaweco Excellence
 50,000
Medium Range (“MR”) Tanker
Stena Weco A/S
November 2020
1+1 years
$15,000 until June 2019 and $16,200 after / $17,200 / $18,000
M/T Nord Valiant
 50,000
Medium Range (“MR”) Tanker
DS Norden A/S
August 2021
1+1 years
$16,800 / $17,600 / $18,400
M/T Stenaweco Elegance
50,000
Medium Range (“MR”) Tanker
Stena Weco A/S
March 2021
1+1 years
$16,500 / $17,500 / $18,500
M/T Eco Palm Desert
50,000
Medium Range (“MR”) Tanker
Central Tankers Chartering Inc
September 2021
1+1 years
$14,750 / $15,250 / $15,750
M/T Eco California
50,000
Medium Range (“MR”) Tanker
Shell Tankers Singapore Private Limited
January 2021
1 year
$13,750 plus 50% profit share/ $13,950 plus 50% profit share
M/T Eco Marina Del Ray
50,000
Medium Range (“MR”) Tanker
Cargill
March 2020
1+1 years
$16,000 / $17,000 / $18,000

Joint Venture fleet (50% owned):

Name
 
Deadweight
 
Vessel Type
Charterer
End of firm period
Charterer's Optional Periods
Gross Rate fixed period/ options
M/T Eco Holmby Hills
   
50,000
 
Medium Range (“MR”) Tanker
Clearlake Shipping Pte Ltd
March 2021
1+1 years
$14,100 1 st year, $14,600 2 nd year and $15,025 3 rd year / $15,400 / $16,400
M/T Eco Palm Springs
   
50,000
 
Medium Range (“MR”) Tanker
Clearlake Shipping Pte Ltd
May 2021
1+1 years
$14,250 1 st year, $14,750 2 nd year and $15,175 3 rd year / $15,550 / $16,550
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Fleet under construction:

Name
 
Deadweight
 
Vessel Type
Charterer
End of firm period
Charterer's Optional Periods
 
Gross Rate fixed period/ options
Delivery date
Shipyard
M/T Eco Bel Air
 
159,000
 
Suezmax Tanker
BP Shipping Limited
April 2022
1+1 years
 
$24,500 / $27,500 / $29,000
April 2019
Hyundai Samho S. Korea
M/T Eco Beverly Hills
 
159,000
 
Suezmax Tanker
BP Shipping Limited
May 2022
1+1 years
 
$24,500 / $27,500 / $29,000
May 2019
Hyundai Samho S. Korea

Management of our Fleet
Our Fleet Manager provides all operational, technical and commercial management services for our fleet. Please see "Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions—Central Shipping Monaco Letter Agreement, Management Agreements, and Other Agreements."
Officers, Crewing and Employees
As of the date of this annual report we employ directly only one shore-based employee. Our executive officers and a number of administrative employees are provided according to an agreement with Central Mare. Please see "Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions—Central Shipping Monaco Letter Agreement, Management Agreements, and Other Agreements." In addition, our Fleet Manager is responsible for recruiting, mainly through a crewing agent, the senior officers and all other crew members for our vessels. We believe the streamlining of crewing arrangements will ensure that all our vessels will be crewed with experienced seamen that have the qualifications and licenses required by international regulations and shipping conventions.
The International Shipping Industry
The seaborne transportation industry is a vital link in international trade, with ocean going vessels representing the most efficient and often the only method of transporting large volumes of basic commodities and finished products. Demand for tankers is dictated by world oil demand and trade, which is influenced by many factors, including international economic activity; geographic changes in oil production, processing, and consumption; oil price levels; inventory policies of the major oil and oil trading companies; and strategic inventory policies of countries such as the United States, China and India.
Shipping demand, measured in tonne-miles, is a product of (a) the amount of cargo transported in ocean going vessels, multiplied by (b) the distance over which this cargo is transported. The distance is the more variable element of the tonne-mile demand equation and is determined by seaborne trading patterns, which are principally influenced by the locations of production and consumption. Seaborne trading patterns are also periodically influenced by geo-political events that divert vessels from normal trading patterns, as well as by inter-regional trading activity created by commodity supply and demand imbalances. Tonnage of oil shipped is primarily a function of global oil consumption, which is driven by economic activity as well as the long-term impact of oil prices on the location and related volume of oil production. Tonnage of oil shipped is also influenced by transportation alternatives (such as pipelines) and the output of refineries.
Demand for tankers and tonnage of oil shipped is primarily a function of global oil consumption, which is driven by economic activity, as well as the long-term impact of oil prices on the location and related volume of oil production. Global oil demand returned to limited growth in 2010 and has since been expanding at a modest pace, as a steady rise in Asia has outweighed decreasing demand in Europe and in the United States. According to the International Energy Agency, global oil demand for 2018 has risen to 99.2 million barrels/day compared to 97.9 million barrels/day during 2017.
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We strategically monitor developments in the tanker industry on a regular basis and, subject to market demand, will seek to enter into shorter or longer time or bareboat charters according to prevailing market conditions.
We will compete for charters on the basis of price, vessel location, size, age and condition of the vessel, as well as on our reputation as an operator. We will arrange our time charters and bareboat charters through the use of brokers, who negotiate the terms of the charters based on market conditions. We will compete primarily with owners of tankers in the handymax and Suezmax class sizes. Ownership of tankers is highly fragmented and is divided among major oil companies and independent vessel owners.
Seasonality
We operate our tankers in markets that have historically exhibited seasonal variations in demand and, therefore, charter rates. This seasonality may affect operating results. However, to the extent that our vessels are chartered at fixed rates on a long-term basis, seasonal factors will not have a significant direct effect on our business.
Risk of Loss and Liability Insurance
General
The operation of any cargo vessel includes risks such as mechanical failure, physical damage, collision, property loss, cargo loss or damage and business interruption due to political circumstances in foreign countries, piracy incidents, hostilities and labor strikes. In addition, there is always an inherent possibility of marine disaster, including oil spills and other environmental mishaps, and the liabilities arising from owning and operating vessels in international trade. OPA, which imposes virtually unlimited liability upon shipowners, operators and bareboat charterers of any vessel trading in the exclusive economic zone of the United States for certain oil pollution accidents in the United States, has made liability insurance more expensive for shipowners and operators trading in the United States market. While we maintain hull and machinery insurance, war risks insurance, protection and indemnity cover and freight, demurrage and defense cover for our operating fleet in amounts that we believe to be prudent to cover normal risks in our operations, we may not be able to achieve or maintain this level of coverage throughout a vessel's useful life. We carry insurance coverage as customary in the shipping industry. However, not all risks can be insured, specific claims may be rejected, and we might not be always able to obtain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable rates.
Insurance
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. Our vessels are covered up to at least their fair market value, with deductibles of $100,000 per vessel per incident. For any vessels that are under bareboat charters, the charterer is responsible for arranging and paying for all insurances that may be required.
Protection and indemnity insurance is provided by mutual protection and indemnity associations, or P&I Associations, covers our third-party liabilities in connection with our shipping activities. This includes third-party liability and other related expenses of injury or death of crew, passengers and other third parties, loss or damage to cargo, claims arising from collisions with other vessels, damage to other third-party property, pollution arising from oil or other substances, and salvage, towing and other related costs, including wreck removal. Protection and indemnity insurance is a form of mutual indemnity insurance, extended by protection and indemnity mutual associations, or "clubs."  Cover is subject to the current statutory limits of liability and the applicable deductibles per category of claim.
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Our current protection and indemnity insurance coverage for pollution is $1 billion per vessel per incident. The 13 P&I Associations that comprise the International Group insure approximately 90% of the world's commercial tonnage and have entered into a pooling agreement to reinsure each association's liabilities. The International Group's website states that the Pool provides a mechanism for sharing all claims in excess of US$ 10 million up to, currently, approximately US$ 8.2 billion.  As a member of a P&I Association, which is a member of the International Group, we are subject to calls payable to the associations based on our claim records as well as the claim records of all other members of the individual associations and members of the shipping pool of P&I Associations comprising the International Group.
Environmental and Other Regulations in the Shipping Industry
Government regulation and laws significantly affect the ownership and operation of our fleet. We are subject to international conventions and treaties, national, state and local laws and regulations in force in the countries in which our vessels may operate or are registered relating to safety and health and environmental protection including the storage, handling, emission, transportation and discharge of hazardous and non-hazardous materials, and the remediation of contamination and liability for damage to natural resources. Compliance with such laws, regulations and other requirements entails significant expense, including vessel modifications and implementation of certain operating procedures.
A variety of government and private entities subject our vessels to both scheduled and unscheduled inspections. These entities include the local port authorities (applicable national authorities such as the United States Coast Guard ("USCG"), harbor master or equivalent), classification societies, flag state administrations (countries of registry) and charterers, particularly terminal operators. Certain of these entities require us to obtain permits, licenses, certificates and other authorizations for the operation of our vessels. Failure to maintain necessary permits or approvals could require us to incur substantial costs or result in the temporary suspension of the operation of one or more of our vessels.
Increasing environmental concerns have created a demand for vessels that conform to stricter environmental standards. We are required to maintain operating standards for all of our vessels that emphasize operational safety, quality maintenance, continuous training of our officers and crews and compliance with United States and international regulations. We believe that the operation of our vessels is in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations and that our vessels have all material permits, licenses, certificates or other authorizations necessary for the conduct of our operations. However, because such laws and regulations frequently change and may impose increasingly stricter requirements, we cannot predict the ultimate cost of complying with these requirements, or the impact of these requirements on the resale value or useful lives of our vessels. In addition, a future serious marine incident that causes significant adverse environmental impact could result in additional legislation or regulation that could negatively affect our profitability.
International Maritime Organization
The IMO, the United Nations agency for maritime safety and the prevention of pollution by vessels, has adopted MARPOL," the SOLAS Convention, and the International Convention on Load Lines of 1966 (the "LL Convention"). MARPOL establishes environmental standards relating to oil leakage or spilling, garbage management, sewage, air emissions, handling and disposal of noxious liquids and the handling of harmful substances in packaged forms.  MARPOL is applicable to drybulk, tanker and LNG carriers, among other vessels, and is broken into six Annexes, each of which regulates a different source of pollution. Annex I relates to oil leakage or spilling; Annexes II and III relate to harmful substances carried in bulk in liquid or in packaged form, respectively; Annexes IV and V relate to sewage and garbage management, respectively; and Annex VI, lastly, relates to air emissions. Annex VI was separately adopted by the IMO in September of 1997.
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In 2012, the IMO's Marine Environmental Protection Committee, or the "MEPC," adopted a resolution amending the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk, or the "IBC Code." The provisions of the IBC Code are mandatory under MARPOL and the SOLAS Convention. These amendments, which entered into force in June 2014, pertain to revised international certificates of fitness for the carriage of dangerous chemicals in bulk and identifying new products that fall under the IBC Code. All of our vessels comply with IBC Code regulations.

In 2013, the IMO's Marine Environmental Protection Committee, or the "MEPC," adopted a resolution amending MARPOL Annex I Condition Assessment Scheme, or "CAS." These amendments became effective on October 1, 2014, and require compliance with the 2011 International Code on the Enhanced Programme of Inspections during Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers, or "ESP Code," which provides for enhanced inspection programs. All of our vessels comply with Environmental, Safety and Health Code requirements.
Air Emissions
In September of 1997, the IMO adopted Annex VI to MARPOL to address air pollution from vessels. Effective May 2005, Annex VI sets limits on sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from all commercial vessel exhausts and prohibits "deliberate emissions" of ozone depleting substances (such as halons and chlorofluorocarbons), emissions of volatile compounds from cargo tanks, and the shipboard incineration of specific substances. Annex VI also includes a global cap on the sulfur content of fuel oil and allows for special areas to be established with more stringent controls on sulfur emissions, as explained below.  Emissions of "volatile organic compounds" from certain vessels, and the shipboard incineration (from incinerators installed after January 1, 2000) of certain substances (such as polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs) are also prohibited. We believe that all our vessels are currently compliant in all material respects with these regulations.
The MEPC, adopted amendments to Annex VI regarding emissions of sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxide, particulate matter and ozone depleting substances, which entered into force on July 1, 2010.  The amended Annex VI seeks to further reduce air pollution by, among other things, implementing a progressive reduction of the amount of sulfur contained in any fuel oil used on board ships. On October 27, 2016, at its 70th session, the MEPC agreed to implement a global 0.5% m/m sulfur oxide emissions limit (reduced from 3.50%) starting from January 1, 2020.  This limitation can be met by using low-sulfur compliant fuel oil, alternative fuels, or certain exhaust gas cleaning systems.  Once the cap becomes effective, ships will be required to obtain bunker delivery notes and International Air Pollution Prevention ("IAPP") Certificates from their flag states that specify sulfur content.  Additionally, at MEPC 73, amendments to Annex VI to prohibit the carriage of bunkers above 0.5% sulphur on ships were adopted and will take effect March 1, 2020.  These regulations subject ocean-going vessels to stringent emissions controls, and may cause us to incur substantial costs.
Sulfur content standards are even stricter within certain "Emission Control Areas" ("ECAs"). As of January 1, 2015, ships operating within an ECA were not permitted to use fuel with sulfur content in excess of 0.1%. Amended Annex VI establishes procedures for designating new ECAs. Currently, the IMO has designated four ECAs, including specified portions of the Baltic Sea area, North Sea area, North American area and United States Caribbean area.  Ocean-going vessels in these areas will be subject to stringent emission controls and may cause us to incur additional costs.  Other areas in China are subject to local regulations that impose stricter emission controls.  If other ECAs are approved by the IMO, or other new or more stringent requirements relating to emissions from marine diesel engines or port operations by vessels are adopted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") or the states where we operate, compliance with these regulations could entail significant capital expenditures or otherwise increase the costs of our operations.
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Amended Annex VI also establishes new tiers of stringent nitrogen oxide emissions standards for marine diesel engines, depending on their date of installation. At the MEPC meeting held from March to April 2014, amendments to Annex VI were adopted which address the date on which Tier III Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) standards in ECAs will go into effect.  Under the amendments, Tier III NOx standards apply to ships that operate in the North American and U.S. Caribbean Sea ECAs designed for the control of NOx produced by vessels with a marine diesel engine installed and constructed on or after January 1, 2016.  Tier III requirements could apply to areas that will be designated for Tier III NOx in the future. At MEPC 70 and MEPC 71, the MEPC approved the North Sea and Baltic Sea as ECAs for nitrogen oxide for ships built after January 1, 2021. The EPA promulgated equivalent (and in some senses stricter) emissions standards in late 2009.  As a result of these designations or similar future designations, we may be required to incur additional operating or other costs in the long term, taking into consideration that all our current fleet vessels are constructed prior January 1, 2016.
As determined at the MEPC 70, the new Regulation 22A of MARPOL Annex VI became effective as of March 1, 2018 and requires ships above 5,000 gross tonnage to collect and report annual data on fuel oil consumption to an IMO database, with the first year of data collection commencing on January 1, 2019.  The IMO intends to use such data as the first step in its roadmap (through 2023) for developing its strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships, as discussed further below.
As of January 1, 2013, MARPOL made mandatory certain measures relating to energy efficiency for ships. All ships are now required to develop and implement Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plans ("SEEMPS"), and new ships must be designed in compliance with minimum energy efficiency levels per capacity mile as defined by the Energy Efficiency Design Index ("EEDI").  Under these measures, by 2025, all new ships built will be 30% more energy efficient than those built in 2014. All of our vessels comply with standards.
All of our vessels currently in service have been designed to operate effectively with heavy fuel oil ("HFO") and Ultra Low Sulphur Heavy Fuel Oil (" ULHFO"). The last two vessels delivered to our company (September 2018 & January 2019) have been built as “scrubber ready” and applicable notation has been assigned by the Classification Society. All the present ongoing new building projects will be fitted with open loop hybrid ready Sox scrubber systems.
We may incur costs to comply with these revised standards. Additional or new conventions, laws and regulations may be adopted that could require the installation of expensive emission control systems and could adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
Safety Management System Requirements
The SOLAS Convention was amended to address the safe manning of vessels and emergency training drills.  The Convention of Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (the "LLMC") sets limitations of liability for a loss of life or personal injury claim or a property claim against ship owners. We believe that our vessels are in substantial compliance with SOLAS and LLMC standards.
Under Chapter IX of the SOLAS Convention, or the International Safety Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention (the "ISM Code"), our operations are also subject to environmental standards and requirements. The ISM Code requires the party with operational control of a vessel to develop an extensive safety management system that includes, among other things, the adoption of a safety and environmental protection policy setting forth instructions and procedures for operating its vessels safely and describing procedures for responding to emergencies. We rely upon the safety management system that we and our technical management team have developed for compliance with the ISM Code. The failure of a vessel owner 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 may result in a denial of access to, or detention in, certain ports.
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The ISM Code requires that vessel operators obtain a safety management certificate for each vessel they operate. This certificate evidences compliance by a vessel's management with the ISM Code requirements for a safety management system. No vessel can obtain a safety management certificate unless its manager has been awarded a document of compliance, issued by each flag state, under the ISM Code. We have obtained applicable documents of compliance for our offices and safety management certificates for all of our vessels for which the certificates are required by the IMO. The document of compliance and safety management certificate are renewed as required.
Regulation II-1/3-10 of the SOLAS Convention governs ship construction and stipulates that ships over 150 meters in length must have adequate strength, integrity and stability to minimize risk of loss or pollution. Goal-based standards amendments in SOLAS regulation II-1/3-10 entered into force in 2012, with July 1, 2016 set for application to new oil tankers and bulk carriers. The SOLAS Convention regulation II-1/3-10 on goal-based ship construction standards for bulk carriers and oil tankers, which entered into force on January 1, 2012, requires that all oil tankers and bulk carriers of 150 meters in length and above, for which the building contract is placed on or after July 1, 2016, satisfy applicable structural requirements conforming to the functional requirements of the International Goal-based Ship Construction Standards for Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers (GBS Standards). All of our current fleet vessels’ comply with respective SOLAS structural requirements.
The IMO has also adopted the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers ("STCW").  As of February 2017, all seafarers are required to meet the STCW standards and be in possession of a valid STCW certificate.  Flag states that have ratified SOLAS and STCW generally employ the classification societies, which have incorporated SOLAS and STCW requirements into their class rules, to undertake surveys to confirm compliance.
The IMO's Maritime Safety Committee and MEPC, respectively, each adopted relevant parts of the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Water (the "Polar Code"). The Polar Code, which entered into force on January 1, 2017, covers design, construction, equipment, operational, training, search and rescue as well as environmental protection matters relevant to ships operating in the waters surrounding the two poles. It also includes mandatory measures regarding safety and pollution prevention as well as recommendatory provisions.  The Polar Code applies to new ships constructed after January 1, 2017, and after January 1, 2018, ships constructed before January 1, 2017 are required to meet the relevant requirements by the earlier of their first intermediate or renewal survey.
Furthermore, recent action by the IMO's Maritime Safety Committee and United States agencies indicate that cybersecurity regulations for the maritime industry are likely to be further developed in the near future in an attempt to combat cybersecurity threats. For example, cyber-risk management systems must be incorporated by ship-owners and managers by 2021. This might cause companies to create additional procedures for monitoring cybersecurity, which could require additional expenses and/or capital expenditures.  The impact of such regulations is hard to predict at this time.
Pollution Control and Liability Requirements
The IMO has negotiated international conventions that impose liability for pollution in international waters and the territorial waters of the signatories to such conventions. For example, the IMO adopted an International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (the "BWM Convention") in 2004. The BWM Convention entered into force on September 9, 2017.  The BWM Convention requires ships to manage their ballast water to remove, render harmless, or avoid the uptake or discharge of new or invasive aquatic organisms and pathogens within ballast water and sediments.  The BWM Convention's implementing regulations call for a phased introduction of mandatory ballast water exchange requirements, to be replaced in time with mandatory concentration limits, and require all ships to carry a ballast water record book and an international ballast Water management certificate. All of our vessels comply with BWM Convention.
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On December 4, 2013, the IMO Assembly passed a resolution revising the application dates of BWM Convention so that the dates are triggered by the entry into force date and not the dates originally in the BWM Convention.  This, in effect, makes all vessels delivered before the entry into force date "existing vessels" and allows for the installation of ballast water management systems on such vessels at the first IOPP renewal survey following entry into force of the convention. The MEPC adopted updated guidelines for approval of ballast water management systems (G8) at MEPC 70. At MEPC 71, the schedule regarding the BWM Convention's implementation dates was also discussed and amendments were introduced to extend the date existing vessels are subject to certain ballast water standards.  Ships over 400 gross tons generally must comply with a "D-1 standard," requiring the exchange of ballast water only in open seas and away from coastal waters.  The "D-2 standard" specifies the maximum amount of viable organisms allowed to be discharged, and compliance dates vary depending on the IOPP renewal dates. Depending on the date of the IOPP renewal survey, existing vessels must comply with the D-2 standard on or after September 8, 2019. For most ships, compliance with the D-2 standard will involve installing on-board systems to treat ballast water and eliminate unwanted organisms.  Ballast Water Management systems, which include systems that make use of chemical, biocides, organisms or biological mechanisms, or which alter the chemical or physical characteristics of the Ballast Water, must be approved in accordance with IMO Guidelines (Regulation D-3).  All of our vessels are equipped with BWMS and comply with D-1/D-2 standards.
Once mid-ocean ballast water treatment requirements become mandatory under the BWM Convention, the cost of compliance could increase for ocean carriers and may have a material effect on our operations. However, many countries already regulate the discharge of ballast water carried by vessels from country to country to prevent the introduction of invasive and harmful species via such discharges. The U.S., for example, requires vessels entering its waters from another country to conduct mid-ocean ballast exchange, or undertake some alternate measure, and to comply with certain reporting requirements. All of our vessels comply with the BWM Convention.
The IMO adopted the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage of 1969, as amended by different Protocols in 1976, 1984, and 1992, and amended in 2000 ("the CLC"). Under the CLC and depending on whether the country in which the damage results is a party to the 1992 Protocol to the CLC, a vessel's registered owner may be strictly liable for pollution damage caused in the territorial waters of a contracting state by discharge of persistent oil, subject to certain exceptions.  The 1992 Protocol changed certain limits on liability expressed using the International Monetary Fund currency unit, the Special Drawing Rights. The limits on liability have since been amended so that the compensation limits on liability were raised.  The right to limit liability is forfeited under the CLC where the spill is caused by the shipowner's actual fault and under the 1992 Protocol where the spill is caused by the shipowner's intentional or reckless act or omission where the shipowner knew pollution damage would probably result.  The CLC requires ships over 2,000 tons covered by it to maintain insurance covering the liability of the owner in a sum equivalent to an owner's liability for a single incident. We have protection and indemnity insurance for environmental incidents. P&I Clubs in the International Group issue the required Bunkers Convention "Blue Cards" to enable signatory states to issue certificates. All of our vessels are in possession of a CLC State issued certificate attesting that the required insurance coverage is in force.
The IMO also adopted the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage (the "Bunker Convention") to impose strict liability on ship owners (including the registered owner, bareboat charterer, manager or operator) for pollution damage in jurisdictional waters of ratifying states caused by discharges of bunker fuel. The Bunker Convention requires registered owners of ships over 1,000 gross tons to maintain insurance for pollution damage in an amount equal to the limits of liability under the applicable national or international limitation regime (but not exceeding the amount calculated in accordance with the LLMC).  With respect to non-ratifying states, liability for spills or releases of oil carried as fuel in ship's bunkers typically is determined by the national or other domestic laws in the jurisdiction where the events or damages occur.
Ships are required to maintain a certificate attesting that they maintain adequate insurance to cover an incident. In jurisdictions, such as the United States where the CLC or the Bunker Convention has not been adopted, various legislative schemes or common law govern, and liability is imposed either on the basis of fault or on a strict-liability basis.  All of our vessels are in possession of CLC for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage issued Certificate attesting that the required insurance coverage is in force.
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Anti‑Fouling Requirements

In 2001, the IMO adopted the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti‑fouling Systems on Ships, or the "Anti‑fouling Convention." The Anti‑fouling Convention, which entered into force on September 17, 2008, prohibits the use of organotin compound coatings to prevent the attachment of mollusks and other sea life to the hulls of vessels. Vessels of over 400 gross tons engaged in international voyages will also be required to undergo an initial survey before the vessel is put into service or before an International Anti‑fouling System Certificate is issued for the first time; and subsequent surveys when the anti‑fouling systems are altered or replaced. We have obtained Anti‑fouling System Certificates for all of our vessels that are subject to the Anti‑fouling Convention.
Compliance Enforcement
Noncompliance with the ISM Code or other IMO regulations may subject the ship owner or bareboat charterer to increased liability, may lead to decreases in available insurance coverage for affected vessels and may result in the denial of access to, or detention in, some ports. The USCG and European Union authorities have indicated that vessels not in compliance with the ISM Code by applicable deadlines will be prohibited from trading in U.S. and European Union ports, respectively. As of the date of this report, each of our vessels is ISM Code certified. However, there can be no assurance that such certificates will be maintained in the future .   The IMO continues to review and introduce new regulations. It is impossible to predict what additional regulations, if any, may be passed by the IMO and what effect, if any, such regulations might have on our operations.
United States Regulations
The U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
The U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990 ("OPA") established an extensive regulatory and liability regime for the protection and cleanup of the environment from oil spills. OPA affects all "owners and operators" whose vessels trade or operate within the U.S., its territories and possessions or whose vessels operate in U.S. waters, which includes the U.S.'s territorial sea and its 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone around the U.S.  The U.S. has also enacted the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act ("CERCLA"), which applies to the discharge of hazardous substances other than oil, except in limited circumstances, whether on land or at sea. OPA and CERCLA both define "owner and operator" in the case of a vessel as any person owning, operating or chartering by demise, the vessel.  Both OPA and CERCLA impact our operations.
Under OPA, vessel owners and operators are "responsible parties" and are jointly, severally and strictly liable (unless the spill results solely from the act or omission of a third party, an act of God or an act of war) for all containment and clean-up costs and other damages arising from discharges or threatened discharges of oil from their vessels, including bunkers (fuel).  OPA defines these other damages broadly to include:
(i)   injury to, destruction or loss of, or loss of use of, natural resources and related assessment costs;
(ii)   injury to, or economic losses resulting from, the destruction of real and personal property;
(iv)   loss of subsistence use of natural resources that are injured, destroyed or lost;
(iii)   net loss of taxes, royalties, rents, fees or net profit revenues resulting from injury, destruction or loss of real or personal property, or natural resources;
 (v)   lost profits or impairment of earning capacity due to injury, destruction or loss of real or personal property or natural resources; and
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(vi)   net cost of increased or additional public services necessitated by removal activities following a discharge of oil, such as protection from fire, safety or health hazards, and loss of subsistence use of natural resources.
OPA contains statutory caps on liability and damages; such caps do not apply to direct cleanup costs.  Effective December 21, 2015, the USCG adjusted the limits of OPA liability for a tank vessel, other than a single-hull tank vessel, over 3,000 gross tons liability to the greater of $2,200 per gross ton or $18,796,800 (subject to periodic adjustment for inflation).  These limits of liability do not apply if an incident was proximately caused by the violation of an applicable U.S. federal safety, construction or operating regulation by a responsible party (or its agent, employee or a person acting pursuant to a contractual relationship), or a responsible party's gross negligence or willful misconduct. The limitation on liability similarly does not apply if the responsible party fails or refuses to (i) report the incident where the responsible party knows or has reason to know of the incident; (ii) reasonably cooperate and assist as requested in connection with oil removal activities; or (iii) without sufficient cause, comply with an order issued under the Federal Water Pollution Act (Section 311 (c), (e)) or the Intervention on the High Seas Act.
CERCLA contains a similar liability regime whereby owners and operators of vessels are liable for cleanup, removal and remedial costs, as well as damages for injury to, or destruction or loss of, natural resources, including the reasonable costs associated with assessing the same, and health assessments or health effects studies. There is no liability if the discharge of a hazardous substance results solely from the act or omission of a third party, an act of God or an act of war. Liability under CERCLA is limited to the greater of $300 per gross ton or $5.0 million for vessels carrying a hazardous substance as cargo and the greater of $300 per gross ton or $500,000 for any other vessel. These limits do not apply (rendering the responsible person liable for the total cost of response and damages) if the release or threat of release of a hazardous substance resulted from willful misconduct or negligence, or the primary cause of the release was a violation of applicable safety, construction or operating standards or regulations.  The limitation on liability also does not apply if the responsible person fails or refused to provide all reasonable cooperation and assistance as requested in connection with response activities where the vessel is subject to OPA.
OPA and CERCLA each preserve the right to recover damages under existing law, including maritime tort law.  OPA and CERCLA both require owners and operators of vessels to establish and maintain with the USCG evidence of financial responsibility sufficient to meet the maximum amount of liability to which the particular responsible person may be subject. Vessel owners and operators may satisfy their financial responsibility obligations by providing a proof of insurance, a surety bond, qualification as a self-insurer or a guarantee. All of our vessels comply and plan to comply with the USCG's financial responsibility regulations by providing applicable certificates of financial responsibility.
The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico resulted in additional regulatory initiatives or statutes, including higher liability caps under OPA, new regulations regarding offshore oil and gas drilling, and a pilot inspection program for offshore facilities.  However, several of these initiatives and regulations have been or may be revised.  For example, the U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement's ("BSEE") revised Production Safety Systems Rule ("PSSR"), effective December 27, 2018, modified and relaxed certain environmental and safety protections under the 2016 PSSR.  Additionally, the BSEE released proposed changes to the Well Control Rule, which could roll back certain reforms regarding the safety of drilling operations, and the U.S. President proposed leasing new sections of U.S. waters to oil and gas companies for offshore drilling, expanding the U.S. waters that are available for such activity over the next five years.  The effects of these proposals are currently unknown.  Compliance with any new requirements of OPA and future legislation or regulations applicable to the operation of our vessels could impact the cost of our operations and adversely affect our business.
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OPA specifically permits individual states to impose their own liability regimes with regard to oil pollution incidents occurring within their boundaries, provided they accept, at a minimum, the levels of liability established under OPA and some states have enacted legislation providing for unlimited liability for oil spills.  Many U.S. states that border a navigable waterway have enacted environmental pollution laws that impose strict liability on a person for removal costs and damages resulting from a discharge of oil or a release of a hazardous substance.  These laws may be more stringent than U.S. federal law.  Moreover, some states have enacted legislation providing for unlimited liability for discharge of pollutants within their waters, although in some cases, states which have enacted this type of legislation have not yet issued implementing regulations defining vessel owners' responsibilities under these laws. We currently comply with all applicable state regulations in the ports where our vessels call.
We currently maintain pollution liability coverage insurance in the amount of $1 billion per incident for each of our vessels. If the damages from a catastrophic spill were to exceed our insurance coverage, it could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operation.
Other United States Environmental Initiatives
The U.S. Clean Air Act of 1970 (including its amendments of 1977 and 1990) ("CAA") requires the EPA to promulgate standards applicable to emissions of volatile organic compounds and other air contaminants. Our vessels are subject to vapor control and recovery requirements for certain cargoes when loading, unloading, ballasting, cleaning and conducting other operations in regulated port areas. The CAA also requires states to draft State Implementation Plans, or SIPs, designed to attain national health-based air quality standards in each state. Although state-specific, SIPs may include regulations concerning emissions resulting from vessel loading and unloading operations by requiring the installation of vapor control equipment. Our vessels operating in such regulated port areas with restricted cargoes are equipped with vapor recovery systems that satisfy these existing requirements.
The U.S. Clean Water Act ("CWA") prohibits the discharge of oil, hazardous substances and ballast water in U.S. navigable waters unless authorized by a duly-issued permit or exemption, and imposes strict liability in the form of penalties for any unauthorized discharges.  The CWA also imposes substantial liability for the costs of removal, remediation and damages and complements the remedies available under OPA and CERCLA.  In 2015, the EPA expanded the definition of "waters of the United States" ("WOTUS"), thereby expanding federal authority under the CWA.  Following litigation on the revised WOTUS rule, in December 2018, the EPA and Department of the Army proposed a revised, limited definition of "waters of the United States."  The effect of this proposal on U.S. environmental regulations is still unknown.
The EPA and the USCG have also enacted rules relating to ballast water discharge, compliance with which requires the installation of equipment on our vessels to treat ballast water before it is discharged or the implementation of other port facility disposal arrangements or procedures at potentially substantial costs, and/or otherwise restrict our vessels from entering U.S. Waters.  The EPA will regulate these ballast water discharges and other discharges incidental to the normal operation of certain vessels within United States waters pursuant to the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act ("VIDA"), which was signed into law on December 4, 2018 and will replace the 2013 Vessel General Permit ("VGP") program (which authorizes discharges incidental to operations of commercial vessels and contains numeric ballast water discharge limits for most vessels to reduce the risk of invasive species in U.S. waters, stringent requirements for exhaust gas scrubbers, and requirements for the use of environmentally acceptable lubricants) and current Coast Guard ballast water management regulations adopted under the U.S. National Invasive Species Act ("NISA"), such as mid-ocean ballast exchange programs and installation of approved USCG technology for all vessels equipped with ballast water tanks bound for U.S. ports or entering U.S. waters. VIDA establishes a new framework for the regulation of vessel incidental discharges under Clean Water Act (CWA), requires the EPA to develop performance standards for those discharges within two years of enactment, and requires the U.S. Coast Guard to develop implementation, compliance, and enforcement regulations within two years of EPA's promulgation of standards.  Under VIDA, all provisions of the 2013 VPG and USCG regulations regarding ballast water treatment remain in force and effect until the EPA and U.S. Coast Guard regulations are finalized.  Non-military, non-recreational vessels greater than 79 feet in length must continue to comply with the requirements of the VGP, including submission of a Notice of Intent ("NOI") or retention of a PARI form and submission of annual reports. We have submitted NOIs for all our vessels where required.
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European Union Regulations
In October 2009, the European Union amended a directive to impose criminal sanctions for illicit ship-source discharges of polluting substances, including minor discharges, if committed with intent, recklessly or with serious negligence and the discharges individually or in the aggregate result in deterioration of the quality of water. Aiding and abetting the discharge of a polluting substance may also lead to criminal penalties. The directive applies to all types of vessels, irrespective of their flag, but certain exceptions apply to warships or where human safety or that of the ship is in danger. Criminal liability for pollution may result in substantial penalties or fines and increased civil liability claims.  Regulation (EU) 2015/757 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2015 (amending EU Directive 2009/16/EC) governs the monitoring, reporting and verification of carbon dioxide emissions from maritime transport, and, subject to some exclusions, requires companies with ships over 5,000 gross tonnage to monitor and report carbon dioxide emissions annually starting on January 1, 2018, which may cause us to incur additional expenses.
The European Union has adopted several regulations and directives requiring, among other things, more frequent inspections of high-risk ships, as determined by type, age, and flag as well as the number of times the ship has been detained. The European Union also adopted and extended a ban on substandard ships and enacted a minimum ban period and a definitive ban for repeated offenses. The regulation also provided the European Union with greater authority and control over classification societies, by imposing more requirements on classification societies and providing for fines or penalty payments for organizations that failed to comply. Furthermore, the EU has implemented regulations requiring vessels to use reduced sulfur content fuel for their main and auxiliary engines. The EU Directive 2005/33/EC (amending Directive 1999/32/EC) introduced requirements parallel to those in Annex VI relating to the sulfur content of marine fuels. In addition, the EU imposed a 0.1% maximum sulfur requirement for fuel used by ships at berth in EU ports.
Greenhouse Gas Regulation
Currently, the emissions of greenhouse gases from international shipping are not subject to the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which entered into force in 2005 and pursuant to which adopting countries have been required to implement national programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with targets extended through 2020.  International negotiations are continuing with respect to a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, and restrictions on shipping emissions may be included in any new treaty. In December 2009, more than 27 nations, including the U.S. and China, signed the Copenhagen Accord, which includes a non-binding commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  The 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris resulted in the Paris Agreement, which entered into force on November 4, 2016 and does not directly limit greenhouse gas emissions from ships.  On June 1, 2017, the U.S. President announced that the United States intends to withdraw from the Paris Agreement.  The timing and effect of such action has yet to be determined, but the Paris Agreement provides for a four-year exit process.
At MEPC 70 and MEPC 71, a draft outline of the structure of the initial strategy for developing a comprehensive IMO strategy on reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships was approved. In accordance with this roadmap, in April 2018, nations at the MEPC 72 adopted an initial strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships.  The initial strategy identifies "levels of ambition" to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including (1) decreasing the carbon intensity from ships through implementation of further phases of the EEDI for new ships; (2) reducing carbon dioxide emissions per transport work, as an average across international shipping, by at least 40% by 2030, pursuing efforts towards 70% by 2050, compared to 2008 emission levels; and (3) reducing the total annual greenhouse emissions by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 while pursuing efforts towards phasing them out entirely.  The initial strategy notes that technological innovation, alternative fuels and/or energy sources for international shipping will be integral to achieve the overall ambition.  These regulations could cause us to incur additional substantial expenses.
54



The EU made a unilateral commitment to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions from its member states from 20% of 1990 levels by 2020. The EU also committed to reduce its emissions by 20% under the Kyoto Protocol's second period from 2013 to 2020.  Starting in January 2018, large ships calling at EU ports are required to collect and publish data on carbon dioxide emissions and other information.
In the United States, the EPA issued a finding that greenhouse gases endanger the public health and safety, adopted regulations to limit greenhouse gas emissions from certain mobile sources, and proposed regulations to limit greenhouse gas emissions from large stationary sources. However, in March 2017, the U.S. President signed an executive order to review and possibly eliminate the EPA's plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions.  The EPA or individual U.S. states could enact environmental regulations that would affect our operations.
Any passage of climate control legislation or other regulatory initiatives by the IMO, the EU, the U.S. or other countries where we operate, or any treaty adopted at the international level to succeed the Kyoto Protocol or Paris Agreement, that restricts emissions of greenhouse gases could require us to make significant financial expenditures which we cannot predict with certainty at this time. Even in the absence of climate control legislation, our business may be indirectly affected to the extent that climate change may result in sea level changes or certain weather events.
International Labour Organization
The International Labor Organization (the "ILO") is a specialized agency of the UN that has adopted the Maritime Labor Convention 2006 ("MLC 2006"). A Maritime Labor Certificate and a Declaration of Maritime Labor Compliance is required to ensure compliance with the MLC 2006 for all ships above 500 gross tons in international trade.  All our vessels are in substantial compliance with and are certified to meet MLC 2006.
Vessel Security Regulations
Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 in the United States, there have been a variety of initiatives intended to enhance vessel security such as the U.S. Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 ("MTSA"). To implement certain portions of the MTSA, the USCG issued regulations requiring the implementation of certain security requirements aboard vessels operating in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and at certain ports and facilities, some of which are regulated by the EPA.
Similarly, Chapter XI-2 of the SOLAS Convention imposes detailed security obligations on vessels and port authorities and mandates compliance with the International Ship and Port Facilities Security Code ("the ISPS Code"). The ISPS Code is designed to enhance the security of ports and ships against terrorism. To trade internationally, a vessel must attain an International Ship Security Certificate ("ISSC") from a recognized security organization approved by the vessel's flag state. Ships operating without a valid certificate may be detained, expelled from, or refused entry at port until they obtain an ISSC.  The various requirements, some of which are found in the SOLAS Convention, include, for example, on-board installation of automatic identification systems to provide a means for the automatic transmission of safety-related information from among similarly equipped ships and shore stations, including information on a ship's identity, position, course, speed and navigational status; on-board installation of ship security alert systems, which do not sound on the vessel but only alert the authorities and the vessel’s manager on shore; the development of vessel security plans; ship identification number to be permanently marked on a vessel's hull; a continuous synopsis record kept onboard showing a vessel's history including the name of the ship, the state whose flag the ship is entitled to fly, the date on which the ship was registered with that state, the ship's identification number, the port at which the ship is registered and the name of the registered owner(s) and their registered address; and compliance with flag state security certification requirements.
55



The USCG regulations, intended to align with international maritime security standards, exempt non-U.S. vessels from MTSA vessel security measures, provided such vessels have on board a valid ISSC that attests to the vessel's compliance with the SOLAS Convention security requirements and the ISPS Code. Future security measures could have a significant financial impact on us. All of our vessels comply with the various security measures addressed by MTSA, the SOLAS Convention and the ISPS Code.
The cost of vessel security measures has also been affected by the escalation in the frequency of acts of piracy against ships, notably off the coast of Somalia, including the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea area.  Substantial loss of revenue and other costs may be incurred as a result of detention of a vessel or additional security measures, and the risk of uninsured losses could significantly affect our business. Costs are incurred in taking additional security measures in accordance with Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy, notably those contained in the BMP4 industry standard.
Inspection by Classification Societies
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 SOLAS. Most insurance underwriters make it a condition for insurance coverage and lending that a vessel be certified "in class" by a classification society which is a member of the International Association of Classification Societies, the IACS.  The IACS has adopted harmonized Common Structural Rules, or the Rules, which apply to oil tankers and bulk carriers constructed on or after July 1, 2015.  The Rules attempt to create a level of consistency between IACS Societies.  All of our vessels are certified as being "in class" by all the applicable Classification Societies (e.g., DNV-GL, American Bureau of Shipping, Lloyd's Register of Shipping).
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 30 to 36 months for inspection of the underwater parts of the 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.
Customers
Our customers include national, regional and international companies. We have historically derived a significant part of our revenue from a small number of charterers. In 2018, 100% of our revenue was derived from four charterers, 55% from Stena Weco A/S, 26% from BP Shipping Limited, 15% from DS Norden A/S and 4% from Central Tanker Chartering Inc. In 2017, 100% of our revenue was derived from three charterers, 56% from Stena Weco A/S, 28% from BP Shipping Limited and 16% from DS Norden A/S. We strategically monitor developments in the tanker industry on a regular basis and, subject to market demand, seek to adjust the charter hire periods for our vessels according to prevailing market conditions.
C.   Organizational Structure
We are a Marshall Islands corporation with principal executive offices located at 1 Vasilisis Sofias and Megalou Alexandrou Str, 15124 Maroussi, Greece. We own and charter-in our vessels through wholly-owned subsidiaries that are incorporated in the Marshall Islands or other jurisdictions generally acceptable to lenders in the shipping industry. Our significant wholly-owned subsidiaries as of December 31, 2018 are listed in Exhibit 8.1 to this annual report on Form 20-F.
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D.   Property, Plants and Equipment
For a list of the vessels of our fleet, please see "Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Our Fleet" above and for a description of our major encumbrances on our fleet please see "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Debt Facilities".
We do not own any real estate property.
ITEM 4A.   UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 5.   OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
The following presentation of management's discussion and analysis is intended to discuss our financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of operations, and should be read in conjunction with our historical consolidated financial statements and their notes included in this annual report.
This discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, such as those set forth in "Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this report.
A.
Operating Results
Factors Affecting our Results of Operations
We believe that the important measures for analyzing trends in the results of our operations consist of the following:

·
Calendar days . We define calendar days as the total number of days the vessels were in our possession for the relevant period. Calendar days are an indicator of the size of our fleet during the relevant period and affect both the amount of revenues and expenses that we record during that period.

·
Available days . We define available days as the number of calendar days less the aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to scheduled repairs, or scheduled guarantee inspections in the case of newbuildings, vessel upgrades or special or intermediate surveys and the aggregate amount of time that we spend positioning our vessels. Companies in the shipping industry generally use available days to measure the number of days in a period during which vessels should be capable of generating revenues.

·
Operating days . We define operating days as the number of available days in a period less the aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to unforeseen technical circumstances. The shipping industry uses operating days to measure the aggregate number of days in a period that our vessels actually generate revenues.

·
Fleet utilization . We calculate fleet utilization by dividing the number of operating days during a period by the number of available days during that period. The shipping industry uses fleet utilization to measure a company's efficiency in finding suitable employment for its vessels and minimizing the number of days that its vessels are off-hire for reasons other than scheduled repairs or scheduled guarantee inspections in the case of newbuildings, vessel upgrades, special or intermediate surveys and vessel positioning.
57




·
Bareboat Charter Rates. Under a bareboat charter party, all operating costs, voyage costs and cargo-related costs are covered by the charterer, who takes both the operational and the shipping market risk.

·
TCE Revenues / TCE Rates . We define TCE revenues as revenues minus voyage expenses. Voyage expenses primarily consist of port, canal and fuel costs that are unique to a particular voyage, which would otherwise be paid by a charterer under a time charter, as well as commissions. We believe that presenting revenues net of voyage expenses neutralizes the variability created by unique costs associated with particular voyages or the deployment of vessels on the spot market and facilitates comparisons between periods on a consistent basis. We calculate daily TCE rates by dividing TCE revenues by operating days for the relevant time period. TCE revenues include demurrage revenue, which represents fees charged to charterers associated with our spot market voyages when the charterer exceeds the agreed upon time required to load or discharge a cargo.
In the shipping industry, economic decisions are based on vessels' deployment upon anticipated TCE rates, and industry analysts typically measure shipping freight rates in terms of TCE rates. This is because under time-charter and bareboat contracts the customer usually pays the voyage expenses, while under voyage charters the ship-owner usually pays the voyage expenses, which typically are added to the hire rate at an approximate cost. Consistent with industry practice, we use TCE rates because it provides a means of comparison between different types of vessel employment and, therefore, assists our decision-making process.
In evaluating our financial condition, we focus on the below measures to assess our historical operating performance and we use future estimates of the same measures to assess our future financial performance. In assessing the future performance of our fleet, the greatest uncertainty relates to future charter rates at the expiration of a vessel's present period employment, whether under a time charter or a bareboat charter. Decisions about future purchases and sales of vessels are based on the availability of excess internal funds, the availability of financing and the financial and operational evaluation of such actions and depend on the overall state of the shipping market and the availability of relevant purchase candidates.
Time Charter Revenues
Our Time charter revenues are driven primarily by the number of vessels in our fleet, the number of operating days during which our vessels generate revenues and the amount of daily charterhire that our vessels earn under charters, which, in turn, are affected by a number of factors, including our decisions relating to vessel acquisitions and disposals, the amount of time that we spend positioning our vessels, the amount of time that our vessels spend in dry-dock undergoing repairs, maintenance and upgrade work, the duration of the charter, the age, condition and specifications of our vessels, levels of supply and demand in the global transportation market for oil and oil products and other factors affecting spot market charter rates such as vessel supply and demand imbalances.
Vessels operating on period charters, time charters or bareboat charters provide more predictable cash flows, but can yield lower profit margins than vessels operating in the short-term, or spot, charter market during periods characterized by favorable market conditions. Vessels operating in the spot charter market, either directly or through a pool arrangement, could generate revenues that are less predictable, but could enable us to capture increased profit margins during periods of improvements in charter rates, although we could be exposed to the risk of declining charter rates, which could have a materially adverse impact on our financial performance. If we employ vessels on period charters, future spot market rates may be higher or lower than the rates at which we have employed our vessels on period time charters.
58



Under a time charter, the charterer typically pays us a fixed daily charter hire rate and bears all voyage expenses, including the cost of bunkers (fuel oil) and port and canal charges. We remain responsible for paying the chartered vessel's operating expenses, including the cost of crewing, insuring, repairing and maintaining the vessel, the costs of spares and consumable stores, tonnage taxes and other miscellaneous expenses, and we also pay commissions to CSM, one or more unaffiliated ship brokers and to in-house brokers associated with the charterer for the arrangement of the relevant charter.
Under a bareboat charter, the vessel is chartered for a stipulated period of time, which gives the charterer possession and control of the vessel, including the right to appoint the master and the crew. Under bareboat charters, all voyage and operating costs are paid by the charterer.
As of the date of this annual report, we have bareboat chartered-in two product/chemical tankers, own another ten product/chemical tankers vessels, out of which four are under construction, and we have a 50% interest in two subsidiaries that own another two product/chemical tankers. We may in the future operate vessels in the spot market until the vessels have been chartered under appropriate medium to long-term charters.
Voyage Expenses
Voyage expenses primarily consist of port charges, including canal dues, bunkers (fuel costs) and commissions. All these expenses, except commissions, are paid by the charterer under a time charter or bareboat charter contract. The amount of voyage expenses are primarily driven by the routes that the vessels travel, the amount of ports called on, the canals crossed and the price of bunker fuels paid.
Charter Hire Expenses
Charter hire expenses represent lease payments for vessels we bareboat charter-in.
On January 29, 2015 and March 31, 2015, we entered into sale and leaseback agreements for the M/T Stenaweco Energy and M/T Stenaweco Evolution, respectively, with a duration of seven years. These sale and leaseback agreements are accounted for as operating leases.
Vessel Operating Expenses
Vessel operating expenses include crew wages and related costs, the cost of insurance, expenses relating to repairs and maintenance, the costs of spares and consumable stores, tonnage taxes and value added tax, or VAT, and other miscellaneous expenses for vessels that we own or lease under our operating leases. We analyze vessel operating expenses on a U.S. dollar per day basis. Additionally, vessel operating expenses can fluctuate due to factors beyond our control, such as unplanned repairs and maintenance attributable to damages or regulatory compliance and factors which may affect the shipping industry in general, such as developments relating to insurance premiums, or developments relating to the availability of crew.
Dry-docking Costs
Dry-docking costs relate to regularly scheduled intermediate survey or special survey dry-docking necessary to preserve the quality of our vessels as well as to comply with international shipping standards and environmental laws and regulations. Dry-docking costs can vary according to the age of the vessel, the location where the dry-dock takes place, shipyard availability, local availability of manpower and material, and the billing currency of the yard. Please see "Item 18. Financial Statements—Note 2—Significant Accounting Policies." In the case of tankers, dry-docking costs may also be affected by new rules and regulations. For further information please see "Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Environmental Regulations."
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Management Fees—Related Parties
As from March 31, 2014, we have outsourced to CSM all operational, technical and commercial functions relating to the chartering and operation of our vessels. We outsourced the above functions pursuant to a letter agreement between CSM and TOP Ships Inc. and management agreements between CSM and our then vessel-owning subsidiaries on March 10, 2014, and each new vessel that entered our fleet after that date entered into a management agreement with CSM. See "Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions—Central Shipping Monaco Letter Agreement, Management Agreements, and Other Agreements" and "Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions—Central Mare Letter Agreement, Management Agreements, and Other Agreements."
General and Administrative Expenses
Our general and administrative expenses include executive compensation paid to Central Mare for the compensation of our executive officers and a number of administrative staff, office rent, legal and auditing costs, regulatory compliance costs, other miscellaneous office expenses, non-cash stock compensation, and corporate overhead. Central Mare provides the services of the individuals who serve in the position of Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer as well as a number of administrative employees. For further information please see "Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions—Central Mare Letter Agreement, Management Agreements, and Other Agreements" and "Item 18. Financial Statements—Note 5—Transactions with Related Parties."
A portion of our general and administrative expenses are denominated in Euros and are therefore affected by the conversion rate of the U.S. dollar versus the Euro.
Interest and Finance Costs
We incur interest expense on outstanding indebtedness under our loans and credit facilities, which we include in interest and finance costs. We also incur finance costs in establishing those debt facilities which are deferred and amortized over the period of the respective facility. The amortization of the finance costs is presented in interest and finance costs.
Inflation
Inflation has not had a material effect on our expenses. In the event that significant global inflationary pressures appear, these pressures would increase our operating, voyage, administrative and financing costs.
Lack of Historical Operating Data for Vessels before Their Acquisition
Although vessels are generally acquired free of charter, we have acquired (and may in the future acquire) some vessels with time charters. Where a vessel has been under a voyage charter, the vessel is usually delivered to the buyer free of charter. It is rare in the shipping industry for the last charterer of the vessel in the hands of the seller to continue as the first charterer of the vessel in the hands of the buyer. In most cases, when a vessel is under time charter and the buyer wishes to assume that charter, the vessel cannot be acquired without the charterer's consent and the buyer entering into a separate direct agreement, or a novation agreement, with the charterer to assume the charter. The purchase of a vessel itself does not transfer the charter because it is a separate agreement between the vessel owner and the charterer.
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Where we identify any intangible assets or liabilities associated with the acquisition of a vessel, we allocate the purchase price to identified tangible and intangible assets or liabilities based on their relative fair values. Fair value is determined by reference to market data and the discounted amount of expected future cash flows. Where we have assumed an existing charter obligation or entered into a time charter with the existing charterer in connection with the purchase of a vessel at charter rates that are less than market charter rates, we record a liability, based on the difference between the assumed charter rate and the market charter rate for an equivalent vessel. Conversely, where we assume an existing charter obligation or enter into a time charter with the existing charterer in connection with the purchase of a vessel at charter rates that are above market charter rates, we record an asset, based on the difference between the market charter rate for an equivalent vessel and the contracted charter rate. This determination is made at the time the vessel is delivered to us, and such assets and liabilities are amortized as a reduction or increase to revenue over the remaining period of the charter.
None of the vessels acquired from 2016 up to 2018 gave rise to a recognition of any intangible asset or liability associated with those acquisitions.
When we purchase a vessel and assume or renegotiate a related time charter, we must take the following steps before the vessel will be ready to commence operations:

·
obtain the charterer's consent to us as the new owner;

·
obtain the charterer's consent to a new technical manager;

·
in some cases, obtain the charterer's consent to a new flag for the vessel;

·
arrange for a new crew for the vessel, and where the vessel is on charter, in some cases, the crew must be approved by the charterer;

·
replace all hired equipment on board, such as gas cylinders and communication equipment;

·
negotiate and enter into new insurance contracts for the vessel through our own insurance brokers; and

·
register the vessel under a flag state and perform the related inspections in order to obtain new trading certificates from the flag state.
The following discussion is intended to help you understand how acquisitions of vessels affect our business and results of operations. Our business is comprised of the following main elements:

·
employment and operation of tankers; and

·
management of the financial, general and administrative elements involved in the conduct of our business and ownership of tankers.
The employment and operation of our vessels require the following main components:

·
vessel maintenance and repair;

·
crew selection and training;

·
vessel spares and stores supply;

·
contingency response planning;
61




·
onboard safety procedures auditing;

·
accounting;

·
vessel insurance arrangement;

·
vessel chartering;

·
vessel security training and security response plans (ISPS);

·
obtain ISM certification and audit for each vessel within the six months of taking over a vessel;

·
vessel hire management;

·
vessel surveying; and

·
vessel performance monitoring.
The management of financial, general and administrative elements involved in the conduct of our business and ownership of our vessels requires the following main components:

·
management of our financial resources, including banking relationships, i.e. , administration of bank loans and bank accounts;

·
management of our accounting system and records and financial reporting;

·
administration of the legal and regulatory requirements affecting our business and assets; and

·
management of the relationships with our service providers and customers.
The principal factors that affect our profitability, cash flows and shareholders' return on investment include:

·
charter rates and periods of charter hire for our tankers;

·
utilization of our tankers (earnings efficiency);

·
levels of our tanker's operating expenses and dry-docking costs;

·
depreciation and amortization expenses;

·
financing costs; and

·
fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.
62



RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
The following table depicts changes in the results of operations for 2018 compared to 2017 and 2017 compared to 2016.
   
Year Ended December 31,
   
Change
 
         
YE17 v YE16
   
YE18 v YE17
 
   
2016
   
2017
   
2018
    $
   
%
    $
   
%
 
   
($ in thousands)
                             
Time charter revenues
   
28,433
     
39,363
     
39,442
     
10,930
     
38.4
%
   
79
     
0.2
%
Time charter revenue from related parties
   
-
     
-
     
1,606
     
-
     
-
%
   
1,606
     
100
%
Total time charter revenues
    28,433
      39,363
      41,048
      10,930
      38.4
%     1,685
      4.3
%
Voyage expenses
   
736
     
999
     
1,020
     
263
     
35.7
%
   
21
     
2.1
%
Bareboat charter hire expenses
   
6,299
     
6,282
     
6,282
     
(17
)
   
-0.3
%
   
-
     
0.0
%
Amortization of prepaid bareboat charter hire
   
1,577
     
1,657
     
1,657
     
80
     
5.1
%
   
-
     
0.0
%
Vessel operating expenses
   
9,913
     
13,444
     
14,826
     
3,531
     
35.6
%
   
1,382
     
10.3
%
Vessel depreciation
   
3,467
     
5,744
     
6,390
     
2,277
     
65.7
%
   
646
     
11.2
%
Management fees-related parties
   
1,824
     
4,730
     
7,765
     
2,906
     
159.3
%
   
3,035
     
64.2
%
Other operating (income) / loss
   
(3,137
)
   
(914
)
   
-
     
2,223
     
-70.9
%
   
914
     
-100
%
General and administrative expenses
   
2,906
     
5,805
     
6,997
     
2,899
     
99.8
%
   
1,192
     
20.5
%
Expenses
   
23,585
     
37,747
     
44,937
     
14,162
     
60.0
%
   
7,190
     
19.0
%
Operating income / (loss)
   
4,848
     
1,616
     
(3,889
)
   
(3,232
)
   
-66.7
%
   
(5,505
)
   
-340.7
%
Interest and finance costs
   
(3,093
)
   
(15,793
)
   
(9,662
)
   
(12,700
)
   
410.6
%
   
6,131
     
-38.8
%
(Loss)/Gain on derivative financial instruments
   
(698
)
   
(301
)
   
1,821
     
397
     
-56.9
%
   
2,122
     
-705
%
Interest income
   
-
     
13
     
130
     
13
     
-
     
117
     
900
%
Other, net
   
(5
)
   
1,120
     
180
     
1,125
     
-22,500.0
%
   
(940
)
   
-83.9
%
Total other (expenses) / income, net
   
(3,796
)
   
(14,961
)
   
(7,531
)
   
(11,165
)
   
294.1
%
   
7,430
     
-49.7
%
Net income/(loss)
   
1,052
     
(13,345
)
   
(11,420
)
   
(14,397
)
   
-1368.5
%
   
1,925
     
-14.4
%

63


The table below presents the key measures for each of the years 2016, 2017 and 2018. Please see "Item 3. Key Information—A. Selected Financial Data" for a reconciliation of Average Daily TCE to revenues.
Year on Year Comparison of Operating Results
Revenues

1.
Time Charter Revenues
2017 vs. 2016
During the year ended December 31, 2017, time charter revenues increased by $10.9 million, or 38%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016. This increase was due to the acquisition of M/T Stenaweco Elegance in February 2017 that led to its employment for ten months resulting in an increase in time charter revenue of $5.0 million, the employment of M/T Nord Valiant for twelve months in 2017 as opposed to four and a half months in 2016 that resulted in an increase in time charter revenue of $3.8 million (the vessel started its employment on August 15, 2016), the employment of M/T Stenaweco Excellence for twelve months in 2017 as opposed to seven months in 2016 that resulted in an increase in time charter revenue of $2.3 million (the vessel started its employment on May 23, 2016) and the employment of M/T Eco Revolution for 12 months in 2017 as opposed to eleven months in 2016 that resulted in an increase in time charter revenue of $0.4 million (the vessel started its employment on January 26, 2016).
These increases were offset by the lower daily charter rates that we negotiated for M/T Stenaweco Energy and M/T Stenaweco Evolution in order to increase their charter duration by twelve and eighteen months respectively that resulted in a decrease of time charter revenue by $0.2 million and $0.4 million respectively.

2.
Time charter revenues from related parties
2018 vs. 2017
During the year ended December 31, 2018, time charter revenues from related parties increased by $1.6 million, or 100%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2017. This increase was due to the delivery of M/T Eco Palm Desert in September 2018 that led to its employment with Central Tankers Chartering Inc, a company affiliated with the family of Mr. Pistiolis, for about three and a half months resulting in time charter revenues of $1.6 million.
Expenses

3.
Vessel operating expenses
2018 vs. 2017
During the year ended December 31, 2018, vessel operating expenses increased by $1.4 million, or 10%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2017. This increase was mainly due to the delivery of M/T Eco Palm Desert in September 2018 that led to its operation for about three and a half months that resulted in an increase in operating expenses of $0.9 million, the operation of M/T Stenaweco Elegance for twelve months in 2018 as opposed to ten months in 2017 that resulted in an increase in operating expenses of $0.1 million.
2017 vs. 2016
During the year ended December 31, 2017, vessel operating expenses increased by $3.5 million, or 36%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016. This increase was mainly due to the acquisition of M/T Stenaweco Elegance in February 2017 that led to its operation for ten months that resulted in an increase in operating expenses of $1.8 million, the operation of M/T Nord Valiant for twelve months in 2017 as opposed to four and a half months in 2016 that resulted in an increase in operating expenses of $0.9 million (the vessel started operating on August 10, 2016) and the operation of M/T Stenaweco Excellence for twelve months in 2017 as opposed to seven months in 2016 that resulted in an increase in operating expenses of $0.6 million (the vessel started operating on May 20, 2016). Finally operating expenses of M/T Stenaweco Energy and M/T Eco Fleet increased by $0.1 million each.
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4.
Vessel depreciation
2018 vs. 2017
During the year ended December 31, 2018, vessel depreciation increased by $0.6 million, or 11%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2017 due to the changes in our fleet that resulted in calendar (ownership) days increasing from 2,496 in 2017 to 2,670 in 2018.
2017 vs. 2016
During the year ended December 31, 2017, vessel depreciation increased by $2.3 million, or 66%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016 due to the changes in our fleet that resulted in calendar (ownership) days increasing from 1,812 in 2016 to 2,496 in 2017.

5.
Management fees—related parties
2018 vs. 2017
During the year ended December 31, 2018, management fees to related parties increased by $3.0 million, or 64%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2017.
This increase was due to a $2.8 million increase in sale and purchase commissions pursuant to our letter agreement with CSM, relating to the purchase of our vessels in 2018. Furthermore this increase was due to the delivery of M/T Eco Palm Desert in September 2018 that led to its operation for about three and a half months that resulted in an increase in operating expenses of $0.1 million and due to the operation of M/T Stenaweco Elegance for twelve months in 2018 as opposed to ten months in 2017 that resulted in an increase in operating expenses of another $0.1 million.
2017 vs. 2016
During the year ended December 31, 2017, management fees to related parties increased by $2.9 million, or 159%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016.
This increase was due to a $1.2 million increase in overhead management fees relating mainly to a   performance incentive fee to Central Mare in 2017 and due to sale and purchase commissions of $1.1 million pursuant to our letter agreement with CSM, relating to the purchase of our vessels in 2017. Furthermore this increase was due to the acquisition of M/T Stenaweco Elegance in February 2017 that led to its operation for ten months resulting in an increase in management fees of $0.3 million, the operation of M/T Nord Valiant for twelve months in 2017 as opposed to four and a half months in 2016 that resulted in an increase in management fees of $0.2 million (the vessel started operating on August 10, 2016) and the operation of M/T Stenaweco Excellence for twelve months in 2017 as opposed to seven months in 2016 that resulted in an increase in management fees of $0.1 million (the vessel started operating on May 20, 2016).

6.
Other operating income
During the year ended December 31, 2017 we wrote-off $0.9 million of accrued liabilities relating to old charter parties of vessels sold in 2009, mainly relating to unearned revenue, as the time frame for our counterparties to claim these amounts has been time barred.
During the year ended December 31, 2016 we wrote-off $3.1 million of accrued liabilities relating to old charter parties of vessels sold from 2006 to 2008, mainly relating to $2.0 million of unearned revenue and $1.1 million of related brokerage commissions, as the time frame for our counterparties to claim these amounts has been time barred.
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7.
General and administrative expenses
2018 vs. 2017
During the year ended December 31, 2018, our general and administrative expenses increased by $1.2 million, or 21%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2017, mainly attributed to an increase in bonuses of $0.8 million granted to our CEO to be distributed at his own discretion amongst executives, an increase of $0.3 million in in legal and consulting fees and expenses and an increase of $0.3 million in fixed assets depreciation mainly resulting from the acceleration of the leasehold improvements depreciation due to the relocation of our offices to another floor in the building. These increases were offset by a decrease of $0.1 million in other general and administrative expenses and another decrease of $0.1 million in travelling expenses.
2017 vs. 2016
During the year ended December 31, 2017, our general and administrative expenses increased by $2.9 million, or 100%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, mainly attributed to a bonus of $1.5 million granted to our CEO to be distributed at his own discretion amongst executives, an increase of $0.9 million in manager and employee related expenses, an increase of $0.3 million in other general and administrative expenses and an increase of $0.2 million in legal and consulting fees and expenses.

8.
Interest and Finance Costs
2018 vs. 2017
During the year ended December 31, 2018, interest and finance costs decreased by $6.1 million, or 39%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2017. This increase is mainly attributed to:

a)
A decrease of $5.8 million in amortization of debt discount, mainly due to the absence in 2018 of the $7.5 million debt discount amortization relating to the convertibility features of the Series C convertible preferred shares that we incurred in 2017. This was offset by an increase of $1.7 million in the debt discount amortization relating to the convertibility features of the Family Trading facility (please see "Item 18. Financial Statements—Note 9—Debt.").

b)
A decrease of $0.4 million in amortization of finance fees that is mainly due to the decrease by $0.9 million of the amortization of finance fees of the Family Trading facility, offset by increases of $0.5 million relating to the amortization of finance fees of the first and Second AT Bank and Alpha Bank predelivery facilities (please see "Item 18. Financial Statements—Note 9—Debt.").

c)
A decrease of $0.2 million in commitment fees of the Family Trading facility, since in 2018 we drew down most of the remaining balance of the facility, hence the undrawn part on which the commitment fee was calculated upon in 2018 was less than the undrawn part of 2017.

d)
These decreases were offset by an increase of $0.3 million in loan interest expense, mainly relating to the increase in the Three-Month Libor rate in 2018 that resulted in an aggregate increase of about $0.4 million in our ABN Amro Bank, NORD/LB Bank and Alpha Bank senior loan facilities, an increase of $0.3 million in the Alpha Bank Facility due to the fact that we incurred interest expense in 2017 only for 10 months as opposed to 2018, were we incurred for twelve months and an increase of $0.5 million in the AT Bank senior facility present in 2018, but absent in 2017. These increases were offset by a decrease in capitalized interest of $0.9 million.
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2017 vs. 2016
During the year ended December 31, 2017, interest and finance costs increased by $12.7 million, or 411%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016. This increase is mainly attributed to:

a)
An increase of $8.3 million in amortization of debt discount, $7.5 million relating to the convertibility features of the Series C convertible preferred shares and $0.8 million relating to the convertibility features of the Family Trading facility, both absent in the same period of 2016 (please see "Item 18. Financial Statements—Note 9—Debt.").

b)
An increase of $2.7 million in loan interest expense, since in 2017 we had senior loan facilities with ABN Amro Bank, NORD/LB Bank, Alpha Bank and At Bank for the financing of the vessels M/T Eco Revolution, M/T Eco Fleet, M/T Nord Valiant, M/T Stenaweco Excellence, M/T Stenaweco Elegance and M/T Eco Palm desert as well as the Family Trading Facility, while in the same period of 2016 we only incurred interest expense for M/T Eco Fleet for twelve months, M/T Eco Revolution for eleven months, M/T Nord Valiant for four months(ABN Facility), and M/T Stenaweco Excellence (NORD/LB facility) for approximately seven months.

c)
An increase of $1.5 million in amortization of finance fees mainly due to the fact that in 2017 we accelerated the amortization of arrangement fees of four of our short term notes due to their prepayment ($0.6 million), we incurred additional amortization expenses relating to the Amended Family Trading Facility ($0.3 million) and the Series C convertible preferred shares we treated as debt ($0.3 million) and incurred increased amortization expenses due to the fact that we had more senior debt facilities in place compared to the same period in 2016 ($0.3 million).

d)
An increase of $0.2 million in other financial costs.

9.
(Loss)/Gain on derivative financial instruments
2018 vs. 2017
During the year ended December 31, 2018, gain on derivative financial instruments increased by $2.1 million, or 100%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2017. This increase was due to a $1.7 million increase in the gains from the valuation of our outstanding warrants issued in connection with our follow-on offering that closed on June 11, 2014 and a $0.4 million decrease in the realized losses on our interest rate swaps, due to the increase in 2018 of the Three-Month Libor rates over the swap rates that we pay in most of our facilities.
2017 vs. 2016
During the year ended December 31, 2017, loss on derivative financial instruments decreased by $0.4 million, or 57%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016. This decrease was due to a $0.5 million increase in the unrealized gains from the valuation of our interest rate swaps and a another $0.4 million increase in the gains from the valuation of our outstanding warrants issued in connection with our follow-on offering that closed on June 11, 2014. These were offset by an increase of $0.5 million in realized losses on our interest rate swaps (please see "Item 18. Financial Statements— Note 17 - Financial Instruments").
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Our Fleet—Illustrative Comparison of Possible Excess of Carrying Value Over Estimated Charter-Free Market Value of Certain Vessels
In "—Critical Accounting Policies—Impairment of Vessels," we discuss our policy for impairing the carrying values of our vessels. During the past few years, the market values of vessels have experienced particular volatility, with substantial declines in many vessel classes. As a result, the charter-free market value, or basic market value, of certain of our vessels may have declined below those vessels' carrying value. However, we would not impair those vessels' carrying value under our accounting impairment policy due to our belief that future undiscounted cash flows expected to be earned by such vessels over their operating lives would exceed such vessels' carrying amounts.
As of December 31, 2018, we believe that the basic charter-free market values of our owned vessels are higher than the vessels carrying value.
Our estimates of basic charter-free market value assume that our vessels are all in good and seaworthy condition without need for repair and if inspected would be certified in class without notations of any kind. Our estimates are based on information available from various industry sources, including:

·
reports by industry analysts and data providers that focus on our industry and related dynamics affecting vessel values;

·
news and industry reports of similar vessel sales;

·
news and industry reports of sales of vessels that are not similar to our vessels where we have made certain adjustments in an attempt to derive information that can be used as part of our estimates;

·
approximate market values for our vessels or similar vessels that we have received from shipbrokers, whether solicited or unsolicited, or that shipbrokers have generally disseminated;

·
offers that we may have received from potential purchasers of our vessels; and

·
vessel sale prices and values of which we are aware through both formal and informal communications with shipowners, shipbrokers, industry analysts and various other shipping industry participants and observers.
As we obtain information from various industry and other sources, our estimates of basic charter-free market values are inherently uncertain. In addition, vessel values are highly volatile; as such, actual results could differ from those estimates.
All of our vessels are currently employed under long-term, above-market time charters. For more information, see "Business Overview—Our Fleet."  We believe that in a sale of these vessels with their charters attached, we would receive a premium over the vessels' charter-free market value.
We refer you to the risk factor entitled "The international oil tanker industry has experienced volatile charter rates and vessel values and there can be no assurance that these charter rates and vessel values will not decrease in the near future" and the discussion herein under the heading "Risks Related to Our Industry."
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Critical Accounting Policies:
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of those financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Critical accounting policies are those that reflect significant judgments or uncertainties, and potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We have described below what we believe are our most critical accounting policies that involve a higher degree of judgment and the methods of their application. For a description of all of our significant accounting policies, see Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included herein.
Vessel depreciation. We record the value of our vessels at their cost (which includes the contract price, pre-delivery costs incurred during the construction of newbuildings, capitalized interest and any material expenses incurred upon acquisition such as initial repairs, improvements and delivery expenses to prepare the vessel for its initial voyage) less accumulated depreciation. We depreciate our vessels on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, estimated to be 25 years from the date of initial delivery from the shipyard. Depreciation is based on cost of the vessel less its residual value which is estimated to be $300 per light-weight ton. A decrease in the useful life of the vessel or in the residual value would have the effect of increasing the annual depreciation charge.
A decrease in the useful life of the vessel may occur as a result of poor vessel maintenance performed, harsh ocean-going and weather conditions that the vessel is subject to, or poor quality of the shipbuilding yard. When regulations place limitations over the ability of a vessel to trade on a worldwide basis, the vessel's useful life is adjusted at the date such regulations become effective. Weak freight markets may result in owners scrapping more vessels and scrapping them earlier due to unattractive returns. An increase in the useful life of the vessel may result from superior vessel maintenance performed, favorable ocean-going and weather conditions the vessel is subjected to, superior quality of the shipbuilding yard, or high freight rates which result in owners scrapping the vessels later due to attractive cash flows.
Impairment of vessels: We evaluate the existence of impairment indicators whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying values of our long-lived assets are not recoverable. Such indicators of potential impairment include, vessel sales and purchases, business plans and overall market conditions. If there are indications for impairment present, we determine undiscounted projected net operating cash flows for each vessel and compare it to the vessel's carrying value. If the carrying value of the related vessel exceeds its undiscounted future net cash flows, the carrying value is reduced to its fair value.
The carrying values of our vessels may not represent their fair market value at any point in time since the market prices of second-hand vessels tend to fluctuate with changes in charter rates and the cost of newbuildings. During the past years, the market values of vessels have experienced particular volatility, with substantial declines in many vessel classes. As a result, the charter-free market value, or basic market value, of certain of our vessels may have declined below those vessels' carrying value, even though we would not impair those vessels' carrying value under our accounting impairment policy, due to our belief that future undiscounted cash flows expected to be earned by such vessels over their operating lives would exceed such vessels' carrying amounts.
Although we believe that the assumptions used to evaluate potential impairment are reasonable and appropriate, such assumptions are highly subjective. There can be no assurance as to how long charter rates and vessel values will remain at their current levels or whether they will improve or decrease by any significant degree. Charter rates may be at depressed levels for some time, which could adversely affect our revenue and profitability, and future assessments of vessel impairment.
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In order to perform the undiscounted cash flow test, we make assumptions about future charter rates, commissions, vessel operating expenses, dry-dock costs, fleet utilization, scrap rates used to calculate estimated proceeds at the end of vessels' useful lives and the estimated remaining useful lives of the vessels. These assumptions are based on historical trends as well as future expectations. The projected net operating cash flows are determined by considering the charter revenues from existing time charters for the fixed fleet days and an estimated daily time charter equivalent for the unfixed days (based on the ten year historical averages of the one-year, three-year and five-year time charter rates) over the remaining useful life of each vessel, which we estimate to be 25 years from the date of initial delivery from the shipyard. Expected outflows for scheduled vessels' maintenance and vessel operating expenses are based on historical data, and adjusted annually assuming an average annual inflation derived from the most recent twenty-year average consumer price index. Effective fleet utilization, average commissions, dry-dock costs and scrap values are also based on historical data.
In 2017 and 2018 tanker values were increasing and the charter-free market value of each vessel of our fleet was higher than its carrying amount. As such we had no indicators of potential impairment and did not perform the undiscounted cash flow test.
New accounting pronouncements: See "Item 18. Financial Statements—Note 2—Significant Accounting Policies –Recent Accounting Pronouncements."
B.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Since our formation, our principal source of funds has been equity provided by our shareholders through equity offerings, at the market sales, operating cash flow, long-term borrowing, short-term borrowings, related party short-term borrowings and sale of vessels. Our principal use of funds has been capital expenditures to establish and grow our fleet, maintain the quality of our vessels, comply with international shipping standards and environmental laws and regulations and fund working capital requirements.
Our business is capital intensive and its future success will depend on our ability to maintain a high-quality fleet through the acquisition of newer vessels and the selective sale of older vessels. Our practice has been to acquire vessels using a combination of funds received from equity investors and bank debt secured by mortgages on our vessels.  Future acquisitions are subject to management's expectation of future market conditions, our ability to acquire vessels on favorable terms and our liquidity and capital resources.
As of December 31, 2018, we had a total indebtedness of $140.7 million, which after excluding unamortized financing fees and debt discounts amounts to $152.3 million.
As of December 31, 2018, our cash and cash equivalent and restricted cash balances amounted to $7.7 million, mainly held in U.S. Dollar accounts, $7.6 million of which are classified as restricted cash.
Working Capital Requirements and Sources of Capital
As of December 31, 2018, we had a working capital deficit (current assets less current liabilities) of $31.5 million. We expect to finance our working capital deficit with operational cash flow, debt or equity issuances, or a combination thereof and other sources such as funds from the Company's controlling shareholder and CEO, Mr. Pistiolis, if required. If the Company is unable to arrange debt or equity financing, it is probable that the Company may also consider selling a vessel.
As of December 31, 2018, we had available committed undrawn balances of $152.2 million that we believe are adequate together with operational cashflow to meet our capital commitment needs.
Our operating cash flow for the year ended December 31, 2019 is expected to increase compared to the same period in 2018, as we expect to generate more revenue from employing eight of our vessels for a full financial year as well as employing M/T Eco California, M/T Eco Marina Del Ray, M/T Eco Bel Air and M/T Eco Beverly Hills for approximately eleven months, nine months, nine months and eight months respectively, as opposed to the year ended December 31, 2018, when only seven vessels were employed for a full year, since M/T Eco Palm Desert was employed for approximately four months and we had four vessels under construction. The above is estimated for 2019 on the basis of the vessels' commitments to non-cancellable time charter contracts.
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Cash Flow Information
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash were $30.6 million and $7.7 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2018 respectively.
Net Cash from Operating Activities.
Net cash used in operating activities remained the same at $0.7 million. Net cash used in operating activities decreased by $6.0 million, or 90%, for 2017 to $0.7 million, compared to $6.7 million for 2016.
Non-cash adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 totaled $9.9 million. This consisted mainly of $6.4 million of depreciation expenses; $2.5 million of amortization of debt discounts; $1.7 million of amortization of prepaid bareboat charter hire; $1.3 million of amortization and write offs of deferred financing costs and $0.3 million of depreciation of other fixed assets, offset by $1.8 million unrealized gains from the valuation of derivative financial instruments; $0.3 million in gains in unconsolidated joint ventures and a $0.2 million write-off of short term notes. The cash inflow from operations was supplemented by a $2.5 million increase in current liabilities, offset by a $0.6 million decrease in current assets.
Non-cash adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2017 totaled $15.3 million. This consisted mainly of $8.3 million of amortization of debt discounts; of $5.7 million of depreciation expenses; $1.7 million of amortization and write offs of deferred financing costs; $1.7 million of amortization of prepaid bareboat charter hire and $0.1 million of depreciation of other fixed assets, offset by a $1.1 million write-off of short term notes, a non-cash gain of $0.9 million and a $0.2 million unrealized gains from the valuation of derivative financial instruments. The cash inflow from operations was offset by a $1.0 million decrease in current liabilities, offset by a $0.2 million increase in current assets.
Non-cash adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2016 totaled $3.1 million. This consisted mainly of $3.6 million of depreciation expenses; $1.6 million of amortization of prepaid bareboat charter hire; $0.7 million unrealized loss from the valuation of derivative financial instruments; $0.2 million of amortization and write offs of deferred financing costs and $0.2 million relating to share-based compensation, offset by a non-cash gain of $3.2 million. The cash inflow from operations resulted mainly from a $3.0 million increase in current liabilities, offset by a $0.5 million increase in current assets.
Net Cash from Investing Activities.
Net cash used in investing activities in the year ended December 31, 2018 was $68.4 million, consisting mainly of $63.5 million cash paid for vessels under construction, $3.7 million cash paid for investments in unconsolidated joint ventures and $1.2 million cash paid for vessel acquisitions.
Net cash used in investing activities in the year ended December 31, 2017 was $59.1 million, consisting mainly of $34.7 million cash paid for vessel acquisitions, $17.6 million cash paid for investments in unconsolidated joint ventures and $6.8 million cash paid for vessels under construction.
Net cash used in investing activities in the year ended December 31, 2016 was $77.1 million, consisting mainly of $73.4 million cash paid for vessels under construction and a $3.7 million increase in restricted cash.
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Net Cash from Financing Activities.
Net cash provided from financing activities in the year ended December 31, 2018 was $44.8 million, consisting of $32.8 million of proceeds from short term debt, $28.5 million proceeds from long term debt, $26.2 million of proceeds from related party debt (Family Trading Facility), $5.8 million of proceeds from issuance of common stock and $2.3 million of proceeds from warrants exercised. These inflows were partially offset by $22.3 million in excess of purchase price over book value of vessels, $10.2 million of scheduled debt repayments, $9.0 million of short term debt prepayments, $5.7 million prepayments of short term notes, $1.7 million payments of financing costs, $1.4 million prepayments of related party debt (Family Trading Facility) and $0.5 million of equity offering related costs.
Net cash provided from financing activities in the year ended December 31, 2017 was $83.4 million, consisting of $68.8 million of proceeds from short term notes, $24.8 million from long term debt, $9.7 million of proceeds our common stock purchase agreement, $7.5 million of proceeds from the sale of our Series C convertible preferred shares, $3.1 million of proceeds from related party debt (Family Trading Facility) and $1.6 million of proceeds from warrants exercised. These inflows were partially offset by $12.9 million in excess of purchase price over book value of vessels, $9.5 million of scheduled debt repayments, $7.2 million prepayments of related party debt (Family Trading Facility), $1.3 million of equity offering related costs and $1.2 million payments of financing costs.
Net cash provided by financing activities in the year ended December 31, 2016 was $ 67.8 million, consisting of $65.4 million of proceeds from long term debt ($42.2 million from the ABN Facility and $23.2 million from the NORD/LB Facility), $5.8 million of proceeds from warrants exercised, $2.0 million of proceeds from the issuance of Series B convertible preferred stock and $0.2 million of net proceeds from related party debt (Family Trading Facility). These inflows were partially offset by $5.1 million of scheduled debt repayments, $0.4 payments of financing costs and $0.1 payments of Series B convertible preferred stock issuance costs.
Debt Facilities
Please see "Item 18. Financial Statements—Note 9—Debt." for more detailed information.

a)
ABN Facility
On July 9, 2015, we entered into the ABN Facility with ABN Amro Bank N.V. of Holland (“ABN Amro”), for up to $42.0 million to partly finance the vessels M/T Eco Fleet and M/T Eco Revolution. The facility was subsequently amended on September 28, 2015 to increase the borrowing limit to $44.4 million ($22.2 million per vessel). The ABN Facility is repayable in 12 consecutive quarterly installments of $0.5 million each and 12 consecutive quarterly installments of $0.4 million each, commencing on October 13, 2015 for the M/T Eco Fleet and on April 15, 2016 for the M/T Eco Revolution plus a balloon installment of $11.4 million payable together with the last installment in July 2021 and in January 2022, respectively, for each vessel. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 3.9%.
On August 1, 2016, we amended the ABN Facility to increase the borrowing limit to $64.4 million and added another $20 million tranche to the loan, "Tranche C", which is secured by vessel M/T Nord Valiant. Tranche C is repayable in 12 consecutive quarterly installments of $0.6 million each and 12 consecutive quarterly installments of $0.4 million each, commencing on November 2016, plus a balloon installment of $9.1 million payable together with the last installment in August 2022. Apart from the inclusion of M/T Nord Valiant as a collateralized vessel and the reduction of the margin to 3.75% (applicable only to Tranche C), no other material changes were made to the ABN Facility.
We drew down $21.0 million under the ABN Facility on July 13, 2015 to finance the last shipyard installment of M/T Eco Fleet and another $1.2 million on September 30, 2015. Furthermore, we drew down $22.2 million under the ABN Facility on January 15, 2016 to finance the last shipyard installment of M/T Eco Revolution. Finally, on August 5, 2016 we drew down $20.0 million under the Tranche C of the ABN facility to partly finance the last shipyard installments of M/T Nord Valiant (see "Item 18. Financial Statements—Note 9—Long term debt.").
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On April 21, 2017, the we were informed by ABN Amro that we were in breach of a loan covenant that required that any member of the family of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis maintain an ownership interest (either directly and/or indirectly through companies beneficially owned by any member of the Pistiolis family and/or trusts or foundations of which any member of the Pistiolis family are beneficiaries) of 30% of our outstanding common shares. ABN Amro requested that either the family of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis maintain an ownership interest of at least 30% of the outstanding common shares or maintain a voting rights interest of above 50%. In order to regain compliance with the loan covenant, we issued the Series D preferred shares.  On July 28, 2017 ABN Amro by way of a supplemental agreement removed the loan covenant that required that any member of the family of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis maintains an ownership interest of 30% of our issued and outstanding common shares and replaced it with a covenant that states that no other party other than a member of the family of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis (either directly and/or indirectly through companies beneficially owned by any member of the Pistiolis family and/or trusts or foundations of which any member of the Pistiolis family are beneficiaries) acquires a voting interest of more than 50% of our share capital, without ABN Amro’s prior written approval.
On November 16, 2018 we amended the ABN Facility to increase the borrowing limit by $5.0 million. This additional principal capital was subsequently drawn-down and is allocated to the mortgaged vessels as follows: $0.75 million to M/T Eco Fleet, $0.75 million to M/T Eco Revolution and $3.5 million to M/T Nord Valiant. Apart from the introduction of a new repayment schedule reflecting the increased facility principal, all other material terms remained the same. As per the new repayment schedule the quarterly installments are increased by $0.03 million, $0.03 million and $0.1 million for M/T Eco Fleet, M/T Eco Revolution and M/T Nord Valiant respectively and their respective balloon installments are increased by $0.48 million, $0.43 million and $2.0 million.
The ABN Facility contains various covenants, including (i) an asset cover ratio of 130%, (ii) a ratio of total net debt to the aggregate market value of our fleet, current or future, of no more than 75% and (iii) minimum free liquidity of $0.75 million per collateralized vessel. Additionally, the ABN Facility contains restrictions on our ability and our shipowning subsidiaries ability to incur further indebtedness or guarantees. It also restricts us and our shipowning companies from paying dividends if such a payment would result in an event of default or in a breach of covenants under the loan agreement.
The ABN Facility is secured as follows:

·
First priority mortgage over M/T Eco Fleet, M/T Eco Revolution and M/T Nord Valiant;

·
Assignment of insurance and earnings of the mortgaged vessels;

·
Specific assignment of any time charters with duration of more than 12 months;

·
Corporate guarantee of TOP Ships Inc.;

·
Pledge of the shares of the shipowning subsidiaries; and

·
Pledge over the earnings account of the vessels.
The outstanding balance of the ABN Facility was $52.3 million as of December 31, 2018 (excluding deferred finance fees).
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b)
NORD/LB Facility
On May 11, 2016, we entered into the NORD/LB Facility with Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale of Germany (“NORD/LB”) for $23.2 million for the financing of the vessel M/T Stenaweco Excellence. The credit facility is repayable in 28 consecutive quarterly installments of $0.5 million, commencing in August 2016, plus a balloon installment of $9.5 million payable together with the last installment in May 2023. We drew down $23.2 million under the NORD/LB Facility on May 13, 2016 to finance the last shipyard installment of the M/T Stenaweco Excellence. The NORD/LB Facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 3.43% (see "Item 18. Financial Statements—Note 9—Long term debt.").
On May 16, 2017 NORD/LB by way of a supplemental agreement provided a waiver until December 31, 2017 for the breach of the loan covenant that requires that any member of the family of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis to maintain an ownership interest (either directly and/or indirectly through companies beneficially owned by any member of the Pistiolis family and/or trusts or foundations of which any member of the Pistiolis family are beneficiaries) of 20% of our issued and outstanding common shares. In addition NORD/LB agreed to reduce the abovementioned minimum percentage to 10%. In January 8, 2018 NORD/LB agreed to replace said covenant with a covenant that states that no other party other than a member of the family of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis (either directly and/or indirectly through companies beneficially owned by any member of the Pistiolis family and/or trusts or foundations of which any member of the Pistiolis family are beneficiaries) acquires a voting interest of more than 50% of our share capital, without NORD/LB’s prior written approval.
The facility contains various covenants, including (i) an asset cover ratio of 125% for the first three years and 143% thereafter, (ii) a ratio of total net debt to the aggregate market value of our fleet, current or future, of no more than 75% and (iii) minimum free liquidity of $0.75 million per collateralized vessel and $0.5 million per bareboated chartered-in vessel. Additionally, the facility contains restrictions on us and our shipowning company incurring further indebtedness or guarantees. It also restricts us and our shipowning company from paying dividends if such a payment would result in an event of default or in a breach of covenants under the loan agreement.
The facility is secured as follows:

·
First priority mortgage over M/T Stenaweco Excellence;

·
Assignment of insurance and earnings of the mortgaged vessel;

·
Specific assignment of any time charters with duration of more than 12 months;

·
Corporate guarantee of Top Ships Inc.;

·
Pledge of the shares of the shipowning subsidiary;

·
Pledge over the earnings account of the vessel.
The outstanding balance of the NORD/LB Facility was $18.1 million as of December 31, 2018 (excluding deferred finance fees).
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c)
Alpha Bank Facility
On July 20, 2016, Eco Seven that was later acquired by us entered into a credit facility with Alpha Bank S.A. of Greece (“Alpha Bank”) for $23.4 million ("the Alpha Bank facility") for the financing of the vessel M/T Stenaweco Elegance. The credit facility is repayable in 12 consecutive quarterly installments of $0.4 million and 20 consecutive quarterly installments of $0.3 million, commencing in May 2017, plus a balloon installment of $12.5 million payable together with the last installment in February 2025. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 3.50%.
We drew down $23.4 million under the Alpha Bank facility on February 24, 2017 to finance the last shipyard installment of the M/T Stenaweco Elegance.
On August 1, 2017, Alpha Bank by way of a supplemental agreement removed the loan covenant that required that any member of the family of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis maintains an ownership interest of 40% of our issued and outstanding common shares and replaced it with a covenant that states that no other party other than a member of the family of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis (either directly and/or indirectly through companies beneficially owned by any member of the Pistiolis family and/or trusts or foundations of which any member of the Pistiolis family are beneficiaries) acquires a voting interest of more than 50% of our share capital, without Alpha Bank’s prior written approval.
The facility contains various covenants, including (i) an asset cover ratio of 125%, (ii) a ratio of total net debt to the aggregate market value of our fleet, current or future, of no more than 75%, (iii) minimum free liquidity of $0.75 million per collateralized vessel, (iv) EBITDA is required to be greater than 120% of fixed charges and (v) market value adjusted net worth is required to be greater than or equal to $20.0 million. It also restricts the shipowning company from incurring further indebtedness or guarantees and from paying dividends if such a payment would result in an event of default or in a breach of covenants under the loan agreement.
The facility is secured as follows:

·
First priority mortgage over M/T Stenaweco Elegance;

·
Assignment of insurance and earnings of the mortgaged vessel;

·
Specific assignment of any time charters with duration of more than 12 months;

·
Corporate guarantee of Top Ships Inc.;

·
Pledge of the shares of the shipowning subsidiary;

·
Pledge over the earnings account of the vessel.
The outstanding balance of the Alpha Bank Facility was $20.6 million as of December 31, 2018 (excluding deferred finance fees).

d)
AT Bank Senior Facility
On September 5, 2017, we entered into a credit facility with Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V. of Holland (“AT Bank”) for $23.5 million to fund the delivery of M/T Eco Palm Desert (the "AT Bank Senior Facility"), delivered on September 7, 2018. This facility is repayable in 20 consecutive quarterly installments of $0.3 million, commencing three months from draw down, and a balloon payment of $17.0 million payable together with the last installment. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 4.00% and a commitment fee of 2% per annum was payable quarterly in arrears over the committed and undrawn portion of the facility, starting from the date of signing the commitment letter. On June 1, 2018 we signed a supplemental agreement with AT Bank that resulted in the decrease of the commitment fee from 2% to 1.3%, effective from March 6, 2018.
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The facility contains various covenants, including (i) an asset cover ratio of 115% for the first year, 120% for the second year, 125% for the third year and 140% thereafter, (ii) a ratio of total net debt to the aggregate market value of our fleet, current or future, of no more than 75% and (iii) minimum free liquidity of $0.75 million per collateralized vessel and $0.5 million per bareboated chartered-in vessel. Additionally, the facility contains restrictions on the shipowning company incurring further indebtedness or guarantees and paying dividends.
The facility is secured as follows:

·
First priority mortgage over M/T Eco Palm Desert;

·
Assignment of insurance and earnings of the mortgaged vessel;

·
Specific assignment of any time charters with duration of more than 12 months;

·
Corporate guarantee of Top Ships Inc.;

·
Pledge of the shares of the shipowning subsidiary;

·
Pledge over the earnings account of the vessel.
As of December 31, 2018, the outstanding balance of the AT Bank Senior Facility is $23.2 million.

e)
AT Bank Predelivery Facility
On September 5, 2017, we entered into a credit facility with AT Bank for $9.0 million for the pre-delivery financing of M/T Eco Palm Desert (the “AT Bank Predelivery Facility”). This facility was drawn down in five tranches and financed in full the last five pre-delivery instalments of M/T Eco Palm Desert due for payment between August 2017 and May 2018. The facility was repaid from the proceeds of the AT Bank Senior Facility on September 4, 2018.
The facility bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 8.50% and a commitment fee of 4.25% per annum was payable quarterly in arrears over the committed and undrawn portion of the facility, starting from the date of signing the commitment letter. On June 1, 2018 we signed a supplemental agreement with AT Bank that resulted in the decrease of the loan margin to 6.3% from 8.5% and in the decrease of the commitment fee from 4.25% to 0%, effective from March 6, 2018.
The facility contained various covenants, including a ratio of total net debt to the aggregate market value of the our fleet, current or future, of no more than 75% and minimum free liquidity of $0.75 million per collateralized vessel and $0.5 million per bareboated chartered-in vessel. Additionally, the facility contained restrictions on the subsidiary that owned the newbuilding contract from incurring further indebtedness or guarantees and from paying any dividends.
The facility was secured as follows:

·
Assignment to the bank of the newbuilding contract and of the respective refund guarantee of M/T Eco Palm Desert;

·
Corporate guarantee of Top Ships Inc.;

·
Pledge of the shares of the subsidiary owning the newbuilding contract;
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f)
AT Bank Second Predelivery Facility
On June 1, 2018, we entered into a credit facility with AT Bank for $10.1 million for the pre-delivery financing of M/T Eco California (the "AT Bank Second Predelivery Facility"). This facility could be drawn down in five tranches to finance in full the last five pre-delivery instalments of M/T Eco California due for payment between June and December 2018.  The facility was repaid on January 28, 2019, from the proceeds of the AT Bank Bridge Facility.
The facility contains various covenants, including a ratio of total net debt to the aggregate market value of our fleet, current or future, of no more than 75% and minimum free liquidity of $750 per collateralized vessel and $500 per bareboated chartered-in vessel. Additionally, the facility contains restrictions on the subsidiary that owns the newbuilding contract from incurring further indebtedness or guarantees and from paying any dividends.
The facility is secured as follows:


·
Assignment to the bank of the newbuilding contract and of the respective refund guarantee of M/T Eco California;

·
Corporate guarantee of Top Ships Inc.;

·
Pledge of the shares of the subsidiary owning the newbuilding contract;
The AT Bank Second Predelivery Facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 6.3% (reduced to 6% from September 2018 onwards). The facility bears no commitment fee. We have drawn down the full amount of the facility to finance in full the last five pre-delivery instalments of M/T Eco California due for payment between June and December 2018 and as of December 31, 2018 the outstanding balance of the facility is $10.1 million.

g)
Alpha Bank Predelivery Facility
On July 11, 2018, we entered into a credit facility with Alpha Bank for $10.1 million for the pre-delivery financing of M/T Eco Marina Del Ray. This facility can be drawn down in five tranches to finance in full the last five pre-delivery instalments of M/T Eco Marina Del Ray due between July 2018 and February 2019. The facility is repayable on delivery of the vessel in March 2019.
The facility contains restrictions on the subsidiary that owns the newbuilding contract from incurring further indebtedness or guarantees and from paying any dividends if the latter would result in an event of default.
The facility is secured as follows:

·
Assignment to the bank of the newbuilding contract and of the respective refund guarantee of M/T Eco Marina Del Ray;

·
Corporate guarantee of Top Ships Inc.;

·
Pledge of the shares of the subsidiary owning the newbuilding contract;
The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 4.25% and a commitment fee of 1% per annum is payable quarterly in arrears over the committed and undrawn portion of the facility, starting from the date of signing the commitment letter. We drew down $1.7 million and another $1.7 million under the facility in July and October 2018 respectively, to finance two shipyard installments of M/T Eco Marina Del Ray. As of December 31, 2018, the outstanding balance of the Alpha Bank Predelivery Facility is $3.4 million.
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h)
Amended and Restated Family Trading Credit Facility
On December 23, 2015, we entered into an unsecured revolving credit facility with Family Trading Inc. (“Family Trading” and "the Family Trading facility"), a related party owned by the Lax Trust, for up to $15.0 million to be used to fund our newbuilding program and working capital relating to our operating vessels. This facility was repayable in cash no later than December 31, 2016, but we had the option to extend the facility's repayment up to December 31, 2017. On December 28, 2016 the maturity of the Family Trading facility was extended to January 31, 2017 and on January 27, 2017 the maturity of the Family Trading loan was extended to February 28, 2017 with all terms remaining the same.
On February 21, 2017, we amended and restated the Family Trading Credit Facility (the "Amended Family Trading Credit Facility") in order to, among other things, remove any limitation in the use of funds drawn down under the facility, reduce the mandatory cash payment due under the facility when we raise capital through the issuance of certain securities, remove the revolving feature of the facility, extend the facility for up to three years and give Family Trading the option to get repaid for any amounts outstanding under the facility in cash or in our common shares. Additionally, the interest rate of the facility increased to 10% (from 9%) and the commitment fee decreased to 2.5% (from 5%). Subject to certain adjustments pursuant to the terms of the Amended Family Trading Credit Facility, the number of common shares to be issued as repayment of the amounts outstanding under the facility will be calculated by dividing the amount redeemed by 80% of the lowest daily Volume-Weighted Average Price (“VWAP”) of our common shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market during the twenty consecutive trading days ending on the trading day prior to the payment date (the "Applicable Price"), provided, however, that at no time shall the Applicable Price be lower than $0.60 per common share (the "Floor Price").
Further, in the case where we raise capital (whether publicly or privately) and the Applicable Price is higher than the lowest of (henceforth the "Issuance Price"):
a. the price per share issued upon an equity offering;
b. the exercise price of warrants or options for common shares;
c. the conversion price of any convertible security into common shares; or
d. the implied exchange price of the common shares pursuant to an asset to equity or liability to equity swap,
then the Applicable Price will be reduced to the Issuance Price. Finally, in case the Applicable Price is higher than the exercise price of our warrants, the Applicable Price will be reduced to the exercise price of such outstanding warrants.
On September 27, 2018, we amended the Amended Family Trading Credit Facility (the "Amended and Restated Family Trading Credit Facility") in order to, among other things, set the repayment date of the facility to December 31, 2019, increase the maximum borrowing capacity of the facility to $20.0 million, increase the interest rate to 12%, reduce the commitment fee to 2% and increase the arrangement fee to 5%. On October 30, 2018, we entered into an addendum to the Amended and Restated Family Trading Credit Facility in order to, among other things, increase the maximum borrowing capacity of the facility to $25.0 million. On December 31, 2018 we entered into another addendum to the Amended and Restated Family Trading Credit Facility in order to, among other things, set the repayment date of the facility to December 31, 2025, increase the maximum borrowing capacity of the facility to $30.0 million, increase the interest rate to 15% and apply the current arrangement fee rate to the whole principal of the loan.
As of December 31, 2017 and 2018, the outstanding amount under the Amended Family Trading Credit Facility is $0 and $24.7 million, respectively. During 2018 we have drawn $26.2 million and repaid $1.5 million under the Amended and Restated Family Trading Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2018 the facility has an undrawn balance of $4.1 million. (Please see "Item 18. Financial Statements—Note 9—Debt.")
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i)
Unsecured Promissory Notes
In 2017, we issued unsecured promissory notes to Kalani, Xanthe and Crede.  For more information, please see "Item 4. Information on the Company—A. History and Development of the Company" and Please see "Item 18. Financial Statements—Note 9—Debt.".
As of the December 31. 2018, we are in compliance with all debt covenants with respect to our loans and credit facilities.
Operating Leases
M/T's Stenaweco Energy and Stenaweco Evolution
On January 29, 2015 and March 31, 2015, we sold and leased back M/T Stenaweco Energy and M/T Stenaweco Evolution, respectively. The sale and leaseback agreements (“SLBs”) were entered into with a non-related party and generated gross proceeds of $57 million. The vessels have been chartered back on a bareboat basis for seven years at a rate of $8,586 per day and $8,625 per day, respectively. In addition, we have the option to buy back each vessel from the end of year three up to the end of year seven at a purchase prices stipulated in the bareboat agreement depending on when each option is exercised.
The abovementioned sale and leaseback transactions contain customary covenants and event of default clauses, including cross-default provisions and restrictive covenants and performance requirements. Finally, as a consequence of the SLBs, we must maintain a consolidated leverage ratio of not more than 75% and maintain minimum free liquidity of $0.75 million per owned vessel and $0.5 million per bareboated chartered-in vessel. As of December 31, 2018, we are in compliance with the consolidated leverage ratio and the minimum free liquidity covenants.
We have treated each sale and leaseback of the abovementioned vessels as an operating lease (please see "Item 18. Financial Statements—Note 6—Leases.").
Future minimum lease payments:
Our future minimum operating lease payments required to be made, relating to the bareboat chartered-in vessels at December 31, 2018, are as follows:
Year ending December 31,
 
$ millions
 
2019
   
6.3
 
2020
   
6.3
 
2021
   
6.3
 
2022
   
1.0
 
Total
   
19.9
 

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Financing Commitments under Sale and Leaseback Arrangements
M/T Eco Marina Del Ray
On June 29, 2018 we entered into an SLB and a 5 year time charter with Cargill International SA of USA (“Cargill”) for M/T Eco Marina Del Ray (Hull No 8242). Consummation of the SLB took place on the vessel’s delivery date on March 13, 2019. Following the sale, we bareboat chartered back the vessel at a bareboat hire of $8,600 per day and put it on a five year time charter with Cargill. As part of this transaction, we have continuous options to buy back the vessel during the whole five year sale and leaseback period at purchase prices stipulated in the bareboat agreement depending on when the option is exercised and at the end of the five year period we have to buy it back for $22.7 million. The gross proceeds from the sale amount were $32.4 million.
The abovementioned SLB contains, customary covenants and event of default clauses, including cross-default provisions and restrictive covenants and performance requirements. The SLB with Cargill will be accounted as a financing transaction, as control will remain with us and the vessel M/T Eco Marina Del Ray will continue to be recorded as an asset on our balance sheet. In addition we have an obligation to repurchase the vessel.
M/T Nord Valiant and M/T Eco California
On December 21, 2018 we entered into an SLB with Bank of Communications Financial Leasing Co. Ltd of China (“BoComm Leasing”) for M/T Nord Valiant and M/T Eco California (Hull No 8218). Consummation of the SLB took place on January 17, 2019 for M/T Nord Valiant and on January 31, 2019 M/T Eco California. Following the sale, we have bareboat chartered back M/T Nord Valiant for five years and M/T Eco California for seven years at a bareboat hire of $5,875 per day and $6,550 per day respectively. As part of this transaction, we have continuous options, after the third year, to buy back the vessels at purchase prices stipulated in the bareboat agreement depending on when the option is exercised. The gross proceeds from the sale are $21.7 million for M/T Nord Valiant and $24.1 million for M/T Eco California.

The abovementioned SLBs contain, customary covenants and event of default clauses, including cross-default provisions and restrictive covenants and performance requirements. The SLB with BoComm Leasing will be accounted as a financing transaction, as control will remain with us and M/T Nord Valiant and M/T Eco California will continue to be recorded as an asset on our balance sheet. In addition we have continuous options to repurchase the vessels below fair value.
M/T Eco Bel Air and M/T Eco Beverly Hills
On December 3, 2018 we entered into an SLB with China Merchants Bank Financial Leasing Co. Ltd. of China (“CMBFL”) for M/T Eco Bel Air (Hull No 874) and M/T Eco Beverly Hills (Hull No 875). Consummation of the SLB is expected to take place on the vessel’s delivery date currently planned for April and May 2019 respectively. Following the sale, we will bareboat charter back the vessels for a period of seven years at a bareboat hire of $16,361 per day per vessel. As part of this transaction, we have continuous options, after the third year, to buy back the vessels at purchase prices stipulated in the bareboat agreement depending on when the option is exercised. The gross proceeds from the sale will be $91.4 million for both vessels.
The abovementioned SLBs contain, customary covenants and event of default clauses, including cross-default provisions and restrictive covenants and performance requirements. Finally, as a consequence of the SLBs, we must maintain a consolidated leverage ratio of not more than 75% and maintain minimum free liquidity of $1.0 million per Suezmax vessel, $0.75 million per owned MR tanker and $0.5 million per bareboated chartered-in MR tanker. The SLB with CMBLF will be accounted as a financing transaction, as control will remain with us and M/T Eco Bel Air and M/T Eco Beverly Hills will continue to be recorded as an asset on our balance sheet. In addition we have continuous options to repurchase the vessels below fair value.
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C.
Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, Etc.
Not applicable.
D.
Trend Information
For industry trends, refer to industry disclosure under "Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview."
E.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
None.
F.
Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations
The following table sets forth our contractual obligations and their maturity dates as of December 31, 2018 in millions of U.S. dollars:
 
       
Payments due by period
 
 
               
1-3
     
3-5
   
More than
 
Contractual Obligations :
 
Total
   
Less than 1 year
   
years
   
years
   
5 years
 
 
                                 
     (i) Long term debt A
 
$
138.9
   
$
10.7
   
$
30.7
   
$
58.7
   
$
38.8
 
     (ii) Interest B
 
$
49.1
   
$
10.3
   
$
18.4
   
$
12.2
   
$
8.2
 
     (i) Short term debt C
 
$
13.5
   
$
13.5
   
$
0.0
   
$
0.0
   
$
0.0
 
     (ii) Interest D
 
$
1.0
   
$
1.0
   
$
0.0
   
$
0.0
   
$
0.0
 
Operating leases E
 
$
19.9
   
$
6.3
   
$
12.6
   
$
1.0
   
$
0.0
 
Vessel Management Fees to CSM F
 
$
0.9
   
$
0.9
   
$
0.0
   
$
0.0
   
$
0.0
 
Vessel acquisitions G
 
$
147.6
   
$
147.6
   
$
0.0
   
$
0.0
   
$
0.0
 
Total
 
$
370.6
   
$
190.0
   
$
61.7
   
$
71.9
   
$
47.0
 

A.
Relates to the principal repayments of our Long term debt (see "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Debt Facilities").
B.
Relates to estimated interest payments of our Long term debt, based on our average outstanding debt. In the cases there are no Interest Rate Swap agreements in place, we have assumed a LIBOR of 3.5% going forward (see "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Debt Facilities" and "Item 11. Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk—Interest Rate Risk").
C.
Relates to the repayment of  our Short term debt.  (see "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Debt Facilities").
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D.
Relates to estimated interest payments of our Short term debt. (see "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Debt Facilities").
E.
Relates to the bareboat hire payable for M/T Stenaweco Energy and M/T Stenaweco Evolution.
F.
Relates to our obligation for monthly management fees under our letter agreement with CSM for all the vessels in our fleet. These fees also cover the provision of services rendered in relation to the maintenance of proper books and records, services in relation to financial reporting requirements under SEC and NASDAQ rules as well as newbuilding supervision services. Please see "Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions—Central Shipping Monaco Letter Agreement, Management Agreements, and Other Agreements."
G.
Relates to the remaining installments for the acquisition of our four newbuilding vessels in 2019. Please see "Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions—Newbuilding Acquisitions".

The above table does not include the financing commitments under sale lease back arrangements  relating to the bareboat hire payments for vessels under construction as of December 31, 2018, as these obligations are conditional to the consummation of the sale and leaseback arrangements, on the delivery of vessels which are expected within 2019 (see "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources— Financing Commitments under Sale and Leaseback Arrangements ").
Other Contractual Obligations:
We have entered into separate agreements with Central Mare, a related party affiliated with the family of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis, pursuant to which Central Mare furnishes our four executive officers. These agreements were entered into following the termination of prior employment agreements. Please see "Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions—Central Mare Letter Agreement, Management Agreements, and Other Agreements."
Other major capital expenditures will include funding the maintenance program of regularly scheduled intermediate survey or special survey dry-docking necessary to preserve the quality of our vessels and chartered in vessels, as well as to comply with international shipping standards and environmental laws and regulations. Although we have some flexibility regarding the timing of this maintenance, the costs are relatively predictable. Vessels are younger than 15 years are required to undergo in-water intermediate surveys 2.5 years after a special survey dry-docking and that such vessels are to be dry-docked every five years. Vessels 15 years or older are required to undergo drydock intermediate survey every 2.5 years and not use in-water surveys for this purpose.
G.
Safe Harbor
Forward-looking information discussed in Item 5 includes assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions and beliefs about future events. These statements are intended as "forward-looking statements." We caution that assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions and beliefs about future events may and often do vary from actual results and the differences can be material. Please see "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in this annual report.
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ITEM 6.   DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
A.   Directors and Senior Management
Set forth below are the names, ages and positions of our directors, executive officers and key employees. Members of our Board of Directors are elected annually on a staggered basis and each director elected holds office for a three-year term.
Officers are elected from time to time by vote of our Board of Directors and hold office until a successor is elected.
Name
 
Age
 
Position
Evangelos J. Pistiolis
   
46
 
Director, President, Chief Executive Officer
Alexandros Tsirikos
   
45
 
Director, Chief Financial Officer
Konstantinos Patis
   
45
 
Chief Technical Officer
Vangelis G. Ikonomou
   
54
 
Chief Operating Officer
Konstantinos Karelas
   
46
 
Independent Non-Executive Director
Stavros Emmanuel
   
76
 
Independent Non-Executive Director
Paolo Javarone
   
45
 
Independent Non-Executive Director
Biographical information with respect to each of our directors and executives is set forth below.
Evangelos J. Pistiolis founded our Company in 2000, is our President and Chief Executive Officer, and has served on our Board of Directors since July 2004. Mr. Pistiolis graduated from Southampton Institute of Higher Education in 1999, where he studied shipping operations and from Technical University of Munich in 1994 with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. His career in shipping started in 1992 when he was involved with the day-to-day operations of a small fleet of drybulk vessels. From 1994 through 1995, he worked at Howe Robinson & Co. Ltd., a London shipbroker specializing in container vessels. While studying at the Southampton Institute of Higher Education, Mr. Pistiolis oversaw the daily operations of Compass United Maritime Container Vessels, a ship management company located in Greece.
Alexandros Tsirikos has served as our Chief Financial Officer since April 1, 2009. Mr. Tsirikos is a U.K. qualified Chartered Accountant (ACA) and has been employed with TOP Ships Inc. since July 2007 as our Corporate Development Officer. Prior to joining TOP Ships Inc., Mr. Tsirikos was a manager with PricewaterhouseCoopers, or PwC, where he worked as a member of the PwC Advisory team and the PwC Assurance team, thereby drawing experience both from consulting as well as auditing. As a member of PwC's Advisory team, he led and participated in numerous projects in the public and the private sectors, including strategic planning and business modeling, investment analysis and appraisal, feasibility studies, costing and project management. As a member of the PwC's Assurance team, Mr. Tsirikos was part of the International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS, technical team of PwC Greece and lead numerous IFRS conversion projects for listed companies. He holds a Master's of Science in Shipping Trade and Finance from City University of London and a bachelor's degree with honors in Business Administration from Boston University in the United States. He speaks English, French and Greek.
Konstantinos Patis has served as our Chief Technical Officer since January 2018. Mr. Patis holds a Master's of Science and a Bachelor's degree, both in Marine Engineering from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in the UK, as well as a Bachelor's degree in Naval Architecture from the Technological Educational Institute of Athens, in Greece. He started his carrier in 1997 acting as a Superintendent Engineer, thereafter as Fleet Manager and from 2014 as Technical Manager in various ship management companies in Greece, like Cyprus Sea Lines, Technomar Shipping, Aeolian Investments, Arion Shipping operating diverse fleets of Tankers, Bulk Carriers and Containers and was involved in the technical supervision, repairs, dry docks and construction of new projects.
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Vangelis G. Ikonomou is our Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining us, Mr. Ikonomou was the Commercial Director of Primal Tankers Inc. From 2000 to 2002, Mr. Ikonomou worked with George Moundreas & Company S.A. where he was responsible for the purchase and sale of second-hand vessels and initiated and developed a shipping industry research department. Mr. Ikonomou worked, from 1993 to 2000, for Eastern Mediterranean Maritime Ltd., a ship management company in Greece, in the commercial as well as the safety and quality departments. Mr. Ikonomou holds a Master's degree in Shipping Trade and Finance from the City University Business School in London, a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Athens in Greece and a Navigation Officer Degree from the Higher State Merchant Marine Academy in Greece.

Konstantinos Karelas has served on our Board of Directors and has been member of the Audit Committee since April 2014. Since 2008, Mr. Karelas has served as the President and CEO of Europe Cold Storages SA, one of the leading companies in the field of refrigeration logistics.

Stavros Emmanuel has served on our Board of Directors since December 31 , 2017 and has been member of the Audit Committee since December 2018 . Captain Stavros Emmanuel has 47 years of experience in the shipping industry and expertise in operation and chartering matters. He obtained a Naval Officers degree from ASDEN Nautical Academy of Aspropyrgos, Greece and earned a Master Mariners degree in 1971. He has worked in various management capacities at Compass United Maritime and Primal Tankers Inc. From 2004 to 2009 he was our the Chief Operating Officer. After leaving us, Captain Stavros Emmanuel has been an independent advisor to various shipping companies.
Paolo Javarone has served on our Board of Directors since September 1, 2014. Mr. Javarone is a member of the Italian Shipbrokers Association. From 2015, Mr. Javarone has been working for Shipping 360   Ltd, a boutique shipbroking company with offices in London and Monaco and before that he has been working since 2000 for Sernavimar S.R.L., one of the most reputable shipbroking houses in Italy, which cooperates with many of the oil major companies and trading associations of the industry. From 1994 to 2000, Mr. Javarone worked for Genoa Sea Brokers in the tanker wing of the company specializing in clean petroleum products and edible markets. Previously, Mr. Javarone worked for S.a.n.a. Eur, a company based in Rome Italy, where he was tasked with supplying energy and offshore supply. Before S.a.n.a., Mr. Javarone worked for Sidermar di Navigazione S.P.A. in the dry cargo field. Mr. Javarone holds a Shipbroker degree from National Agents Association Shipbroking School in Italy and a degree in Shipping Economics and Law from Nautical Maritime School in Italy.
B.   Compensation
On September 1, 2010, we entered into separate agreements with Central Mare, pursuant to which Central Mare furnishes our four executive officers as described below. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, we paid to the members of our senior management and to our director's aggregate compensation of $4.7 million. We do not have a retirement plan for our officers or directors.
Under the terms of the agreement for the provision of our Chief Executive Officer, we are obligated to pay annual base. The initial term of the agreement expired on August 31, 2014 and is automatically extended for successive one-year terms unless Central Mare or we provide notice of non-renewal at least sixty days prior to the expiration of the then applicable term.
If our Chief Executive Officer's employment is terminated without cause, he is entitled to certain personal and household security costs. If he is removed from our Board of Directors or not re-elected, then his employment terminates automatically without prejudice to Central Mare's rights to pursue damages for such termination. In the event of a change of control, the Chief Executive Officer is entitled to receive a cash payment of ten million Euros. The agreement also contains death and disability provisions. In addition, the Chief Executive Officer is subject to non-competition and non-solicitation undertakings.
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Under the terms of the agreement for the provision of our Chief Operating Officer, we are obligated to pay annual base salary and additional incentive compensation as determined by our Board of Directors. The initial term of the agreement expired on August 31, 2011 and is automatically extended for successive one-year terms unless Central Mare or we provide notice of non-renewal at least sixty days prior to the expiration of the then applicable term. In the event of a change of control, he is entitled to receive a cash payment of three years' annual base salary. The agreement also contains death and disability provisions. In addition, our Chief Operating Officer is subject to non-competition and non-solicitation undertakings.
Under the terms of the agreement for the provision of our Chief Financial Officer, we are obligated to pay annual base salary. The initial term of the agreement expired on August 31, 2012, and is automatically extended for successive one-year terms unless Central Mare or we provide notice of non-renewal at least sixty days prior to the expiration of the then applicable term.
If our Chief Financial Officer is removed from our Board of Directors or not re-elected, then his employment terminates automatically without prejudice to Central Mare's rights to pursue damages for such termination. In the event of a change of control, our Chief Financial Officer is entitled to receive a cash payment equal to three years' annual base salary. The agreement also contains death and disability provisions. In addition, our Chief Financial Officer is subject to non-competition and non-solicitation undertakings.
Under the terms of our agreement for the provision of our Chief Technical Officer, we are obligated to pay annual base salary. The initial term of the agreement expired on August 31, 2011, however the agreement is being automatically extended for successive one-year terms unless Central Mare or we provide notice of non-renewal at least sixty days prior to the expiration of the then applicable term. In the event of a change of control, the Chief Technical Officer is entitled to receive a cash payment equal to three years' annual base salary. In addition, our Chief Technical Officer is subject to non-competition and non-solicitation undertakings.
Equity Incentive Plan
On April 15, 2015, our Board of Directors adopted the 2015 Stock Incentive Plan, or the 2015 Plan, under which our directors, officers, key employees as well as consultants and service providers may be granted non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, dividend equivalents, unrestricted stock and other-equity based-related awards. A total of 1 common share was reserved for issuance under the 2015 Plan, which is administered by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors.
On April 15, 2015, we granted 1 restricted share to Central Mare under the 2015 Plan. The share will vest equally over a period of eight years from the date of grant. The fair value of each share on the grant date was $1,962,000.
On June 30, 2015, one/eighth share of the 2015 Plan vested. The fair value of the share on the vesting date was $1,854,000.
On June 30, 2016, one/eighth share of the 2015 Plan vested. The fair value of the share on the vesting date was $304,200.
On June 30, 2017, one /eighth share of the 2015 Plan vested. The fair value of the share on the vesting date was $252.
On June 30, 2018, one /eighth share of the 2015 Plan vested. The fair value of the share on the vesting date was $0.95.
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C.   Board Practices
Our Board of Directors is divided into three classes. Members of our Board of Directors are elected annually on a staggered basis, and each director elected holds office for a three-year term. We currently have two executive directors and three independent non-executive directors. The term of our Class I directors, Stavros Emmanuel and Evangelos J. Pistiolis expires at the annual general meeting of shareholders in 2020. The term of our Class II directors, Paolo Javarone and Konstantinos Karelas, expires at the annual general meeting of shareholders in 2021. The term of our Class III director, Alexandros Tsirikos, expires at the annual general meeting of shareholders in 2019.
Committees of our Board of Directors
We currently have an audit committee composed of three independent members, who are responsible for reviewing our accounting controls and recommending to our Board of Directors, the engagement of our outside auditors. Konstantinos Karelas, Paolo Javarone and Stavros Emmanuel (Chairman), whose biographical details are included in Item 6 of this Annual Report, are the members of the audit committee, and our Board of Directors has determined that they are independent under the Nasdaq corporate governance rules.
Our compensation committee and nominating and governance committees are currently composed of the following three members: Konstantinos Karelas, Paolo Javarone and Stavros Emmanuel. The compensation committee carries out our Board of Directors' responsibilities relating to compensation of our executive and non-executive officers and provides such other guidance with respect to compensation matters as the committee deems appropriate. The nominating and governance committee assists our Board of Directors in: (i) identifying, evaluating and making recommendations to our Board of Directors concerning individuals for selections as director nominees for the next annual meeting of stockholders or to otherwise fill vacancies on our Board of Directors; (ii) developing and recommending to our Board of Directors a set of corporate governance guidelines and principles applicable to us; and (iii) reviewing our overall corporate governance and recommending improvements to our Board of Directors from time to time.
As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from certain Nasdaq requirements that are applicable to U.S. domestic companies. For a listing and further discussion of how our corporate governance practices differ from those required of U.S. companies listed on Nasdaq, please see Item 16G of this Annual Report.
D.   Employees
We have only one direct employee while our four executive officers and a number of administrative employees are furnished to us pursuant to agreements with Central Mare, as described above. Our Fleet Manager ensures that all seamen have the qualifications and licenses required to comply with international regulations and shipping conventions, and that our vessels employ experienced and competent personnel. As of December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, we employed 131, 154 and 173 sea going employees, indirectly through our sub-managers.
E.   Share Ownership
The common shares beneficially owned by our directors and senior managers and/or companies affiliated with these individuals are disclosed in "Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions."
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ITEM 7.   MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
A.   Major Shareholders
The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of our common shares, as of March 26, 2019, held by: (i) each person or entity that we know beneficially owns 5% or more of our common stock and (ii) all our executive officers, directors and key employees as a group. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the SEC's rules. In computing percentage ownership of each person, common shares subject to options held by that person that are currently exercisable or convertible, or exercisable or convertible within 60 days are deemed to be beneficially owned by that person. These shares, however, are not deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. All of the shareholders, including the shareholders listed in this table, are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

  Number of Shares Owned
 
Percent of Class
 
Lax Trust (1)
     
46,427,516
     
65.0
%

_________
(1)
The above information is derived, in part, from the Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on March 12, 2019. The Lax Trust is an irrevocable trust established for the benefit of certain family members of Evangelos J. Pistiolis, our President, Chief Executive Officer and Director. The business address of the Lax Trust is Level 3, 18 Stanley Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand. The above percentage ownership is based on 71,391,967 common shares outstanding, which is calculated for this Schedule 13D/A purposes by taking the sum of (i) 24,964,467 common shares outstanding, (ii) 5,187,500 common shares issuable upon the exercise of all of the 1,250,000 2014 Warrants currently held by Race Navigation and (iii) 41,240,000 common shares issuable upon the conversion of $24.7 million of outstanding debt held by Family Trading Inc. under the Amended and Restated Family Trading Credit Facility, all figures being as of March 12, 2019. The Lax Trust may also be deemed to hold all of the 100,000 outstanding shares of our Series D Preferred Stock.  Each Series D Preferred Share carries 1,000 votes.  By its ownership of 100% of our Series D Preferred Shares, Lax Trust has control over our actions.
As of March 26, 2019, we had 5 shareholders of record, 2 of which was located in the United States and held an aggregate of 24,964,462.000 shares of our common stock, representing 99.99998% of our outstanding shares of common stock. However, the U.S. shareholder of record is Cede & Co., which held shares of our common stock. We believe that the shares held by Cede & Co. include shares of common stock beneficially owned by both holders in the United States and non-U.S. beneficial owners. We are not aware of any arrangements the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in our change of control.
B.   Related Party Transactions
Please see "Item 18. Financial Statements—Note 5—Transactions with Related Parties."
Newbuilding Acquisitions
Between February 2018 and January 2019, we entered into a series of transactions regarding the purchase of our newbuilding and joint venture vessels . For more information, please see "Item 4. Information on the Company—A. History and Development of the Company—Recent Developments."
Central Mare Letter Agreement, Management Agreements, and Other Agreements:
On September 1, 2010, we entered into separate agreements with Central Mare pursuant to which Central Mare furnishes our executive officers to us. On January 1st 2019 Central Mare reduced the fees we pay for the provision of our executive officers to $0.03 million per month.
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Central Shipping Monaco Letter Agreement, Management Agreements, and Other Agreements
On March 10, 2014, we entered into (i) a letter agreement, or the Letter Agreement, with CSM, a related party affiliated with the family of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis and (ii) management agreements between CSM and our vessel-owning subsidiaries.
The Letter Agreement can only be terminated on eighteen months' notice, subject to a termination fee equal to twelve months of fees payable under the Letter Agreement. Pursuant to the New Letter Agreement, as well as management agreements between CSM and our vessel-owning subsidiaries, from March 10, 2018 we pay a technical management fee of $595 per day per vessel for the provision of technical, operation, insurance, bunkering and crew management, commencing three months before the vessel is scheduled to be delivered by the shipyard and a commercial management fee of $328 per day per vessel, commencing from the date the vessel is delivered from the shipyard. In addition, the management agreements provide for payment to CSM of: (i) $541 per day for superintendent visits plus actual expenses; (ii) a chartering commission of 1.25% on all freight, hire and demurrage revenues; (iii) a commission of 1.00% of all gross sale proceeds or the purchase price paid for vessels and (iv) a commission of 0.2% on derivative agreements and loan financing or refinancing. CSM will also perform supervision services for all of our newbuilding vessels while the vessels are under construction, for which we will pay CSM the actual cost of the supervision services plus a fee of 7% of such supervision services.
CSM provides at cost, all accounting, reporting and administrative services.
The Letter Agreement and the management agreements have an initial term of five years, after which they will continue to be in effect until terminated by either party subject to an eighteen-month advance notice of termination.
Pursuant to the terms of the management agreements, all fees payable to CSM are adjusted annually according to the U.S. Consumer Price Inflation of the previous year.
Central Shipping Inc New Letter Agreement and Management Agreements
On January 1, 2019, we terminated the Letter Agreement with Central Shipping Monaco without incurring any penalties and on the same date we entered into a new letter agreement, or the New Letter Agreement, with Central Shipping Inc (“CSI”), a related party controlled by the family of Mr. Evangelos Pistiolis, and on the same date we entered into management agreements between CSI and its vessel-owning subsidiaries.

The New Letter Agreement can only be terminated on eighteen months’ notice, subject to a termination fee equal to twelve months of fees payable under the New Letter Agreement.

Pursuant to the New Letter Agreement, management fees remain the same except for the fact that the technical and the commercial management fees have been consolidated into one daily management fee and this has been reduced from $923 to $550 per day. Furthermore the fee per day for superintendent visits has been reduced from $541 to $500.

The New Letter Agreement and the management agreements have an initial term of five years, after which they will continue to be in effect until terminated by either party subject to an eighteen month advance notice of termination.

Family Trading facility and assumption of liabilities
On October 1, 2010, we entered into a bareboat charter agreement to lease the vessel M/T Delos until September 30, 2015 for a variable rate per year. On October 15, 2011, we terminated the bareboat charter agreement resulting in a termination fee of $5.8 million ("the Delos Termination Fee") that remained outstanding until December 31, 2012. On January 1, 2013, we entered into an agreement with the owner of M/T Delos for the repayment of the remaining balances of the Delos Termination Fee. On December 10, 2015, the owner of M/T Delos notified us that the outstanding balance of the Delos Termination Fee was immediately due and payable, since we had been delaying the installments as per the agreed repayment schedule. On January 12, 2016, Family Trading, a related party owned by the Lax Trust, assumed the outstanding balance of the Delos Termination Fee that amounted to $3.8 million (the "Family Trading transaction"). As consideration for the assumption of this liability, Family Trading on January 12, 2016 received 7 of our common shares. This transaction was approved by a special committee of our independent directors. Furthermore on December 23, 2015 we entered into an agreement for an unsecured revolving credit facility with Family Trading for up to $15 million to be used to fund our newbuilding program and working capital relating to our operating vessels. As of the date of this annual report there have been various amendments and addendums to the Family Trading facility ( see "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Debt Facilities." ).
Charter Party with Central Tankers Chartering Inc
On September 1, 2017 we entered into a time charter party with Central Tankers Chartering Inc (“Central Tankers Chartering”), a related party affiliated with the family of Evangelos J. Pistiolis, for the vessel M/T Eco Palm Desert. The time charter is for a firm period of three years at a daily rate of $14,750 with two optional years at daily rates of $15,250 and $15,750 respectively, at Central Tankers Chartering’s option.
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C.   Interests of Experts and Counsel
Not applicable.
ITEM 8.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION.
A.   Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
See "Item 18—Financial Statements."
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we may be subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business, principally personal injury and property casualty claims. We expect that these claims would be covered by insurance, subject to customary deductibles. Those claims, even if lacking merit, could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources.
On August 1, 2017, we received a subpoena from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) requesting certain documents and information in connection with offerings made by us between February 2017 and August 2017. We provided the requested information to the SEC in response to that subpoena. On September 26, 2018 and on October 5, 2018 we received two additional subpoenas from the SEC requesting certain documents and information in connection with the previous subpoena we received on August 1, 2017. We are providing the requested information to the SEC in response to that subpoena. The SEC investigation is ongoing and we continue to cooperate with the SEC in its investigation. We are unable to predict what action, if any, might be taken by the SEC or its staff as a result of this investigation or what impact, if any, the cost of responding to the SEC’s investigation or its ultimate outcome might have on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
On August 23, 2017, a purported securities class action complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York (No. 2:17-cv-04987(JFB)(SIL)) by Christopher Brady on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated against (among other defendants) us and two of our executive officers. The complaint is brought on behalf of an alleged class of those who purchased our common stock between January 17, 2017 and August 22, 2017, and alleges that we and two of our executive officers violated Sections 9, 10(b) and/or 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. On August 24, 2017, a second purported securities class action complaint was filed in the same court against the same defendants (No. 2:17-cv-05016 (JFB)(SIL)) which makes similar allegations and purports to allege violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder.  By order dated July 20, 2018, the court consolidated the two actions under docket no. 2:17-cv-04987 and appointed lead plaintiffs for the consolidated action. On September 18, 2018 the lead plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint. The amended complaint purports to be brought on behalf of shareholders who purchased our common stock between November 23, 2016 and April 3, 2018, makes allegations similar to those made in the original complaints, seeks similar reliefs as the original actions, and alleges that some or all the defendants violated sections 9, 10(b), 20(a), and/or 20A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. All defendants filed motions to dismiss the amended complaint on March 25, 2019.  Plaintiffs’ oppositions to the motions to dismiss are due on May 24, 2019, and Defendants’ replies in further support of the motions to dismiss are due on June 28, 2019. By letter dated January 2, 2019, certain co-defendants in the class action litigation (Kalani Investments Ltd. (“Kalani”), Murchinson Ltd. and Marc Bistricer) requested that we indemnify and hold them harmless against all losses, including reasonable costs of defense, arising from the litigation, pursuant to the provisions of the Common Stock Purchase Agreement between us and Kalani. We acknowledged receipt of this indemnification request by letter dated February 20, 2019, and reserved all of our rights. We and our management believe that the allegations in the complaints are without merit and plan to vigorously defend against the allegations.
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Dividend Distribution Policy
The declaration and payment of any future special dividends shall remain subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors and shall be based on general market and other conditions including our earnings, financial strength and cash requirements and availability. Further, pursuant to the AT Bank Bridge Facility we cannot pay any dividends to any class of our common stock until the facility is fully repaid (the facility matures in March 31, 2020).
B.   Significant Changes
All significant changes have been included in the relevant sections.
ITEM 9.   THE OFFER AND LISTING.
Not applicable except for Item 9.A.4. and Item 9.C.
Share History and Markets
Since July 23, 2004, the primary trading market for our common shares has been Nasdaq on which our shares are now listed under the symbol "TOPS."
ITEM 10.   ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A.   Share Capital
Not applicable.
B.   Memorandum and Articles of Association
Purpose
Our purpose 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, or BCA. Our Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-Laws, as further amended, do not impose any limitations on the ownership rights of our shareholders.
Authorized Capitalization
Our authorized capital stock consists of 1,000,000,000 common shares, par value $0.01 per share, of which 24,964,467 shares were issued and outstanding as of March 26, 2019 and 20,000,000 preferred shares with par value of $0.01 and 100,000 Series D Preferred Shares are issued and outstanding as of March 26,, 2019. Our Board of Directors has the authority to establish such series of preferred stock and with such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or special rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions as shall be stated in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such preferred stock.
On September 14, 2016, we declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right for each outstanding common share and adopted a shareholder rights plan, as set forth in a Stockholders Rights Agreement dated as of September 22, 2016, by and between us and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as rights agent (now taken over by our new transfer agent, AST), described below under the section entitled "—Stockholders Rights Agreement". In connection with the Stockholders Rights Agreement, we designated 1,000,000 shares as Series A Participating Preferred Stock, none of which are outstanding as of the date of this annual report.
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As of March 26,, 2019, there were also (i) 1,976,389  2014 Warrants outstanding, with each warrant currently having an exercise price of $0.70 per common share and entitling its holder to purchase 3.56 common shares, as may be further adjusted. Pursuant to the terms of the 2014 Warrants, holders have the right, but not the obligation, to, in any exercise of 2014 Warrants, to use the Conversion Ratio and purchase such proportionate number of common shares based on the variable price in effect on the date of exercise.  If using the Conversion Ratio, as of March 26, 2019, each 2014 Warrant has an exercise price of $0.61 per common share and entitles its holder to purchase 4.09 common shares, as may be further adjusted. The Conversion Ratio is subject to certain adjustments pursuant to the Series C Statement of Designation. For more information, please see the Series C Statement of Designation, which was filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 6-K with the SEC on February 21, 2017.
Description of Common Shares
Each outstanding common share entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding preferred shares, holders of common shares are entitled to receive ratably all dividends, if any, declared by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available for dividends. Upon our dissolution or liquidation or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, after payment in full of all amounts required to be paid to creditors and to the holders of our preferred shares having liquidation preferences, if any, the holders of our common shares will be entitled to receive pro rata our remaining assets available for distribution. Holders of our common shares do not have conversion, redemption or preemptive rights to subscribe to any of our securities. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of our common shares are subject to the rights of the holders of any preferred shares that we may issue in the future .
Description of Preferred Shares
Our Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation authorize our Board of Directors to establish one or more series of preferred shares and to determine, with respect to any series of preferred shares, the terms and rights of that series, including the designation of the series, the number of shares of the series, the preferences and relative, participating, option or other special rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such series, and the voting rights, if any, of the holders of the series.
Description of Series B Convertible Preferred Shares
On November 22, 2016, we completed a private placement of up to 3,160 Series B Convertible Preferred Shares for an aggregate principal amount of up to $3.0 million. The Selling Securityholder purchased 1,579 Series B Convertible Preferred Shares at the initial closing of the Transaction and 527 Series B Convertible Preferred Shares on November 28, 2016 for a total of $2.0 million. The Selling Securityholder waived the right to purchase any additional Series B Preferred Shares. The description of the Series B Preferred Shares is incorporated by reference from our registration statement on Form F-3 (333-215577). The description of the Series B Convertible Preferred Shares is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Securities Purchase Agreement, Certificate of Designation of the Series B Convertible Preferred Shares and Registration Rights Agreement entered into in connection with the private placement. Copies of the Securities Purchase Agreement, Certificate of Designation of the Series B Convertible Preferred Shares and Registration Rights Agreement have been filed as exhibits to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the Commission on November 23, 2016. The waiver agreement was filed as an exhibit to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the Commission on January 10, 2017. As of August 15, 2017, we have issued 18,026 common shares in connection with the conversions of all of our Series B Convertible Preferred Shares, and there are currently no Series B Convertible Preferred Shares outstanding.
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Description of Series C Convertible Preferred Shares
On February 17, 2017, we closed a private placement with a non-U.S. institutional investor for the sale of 7,500 newly issued Series C Convertible Preferred Shares, which are convertible into our common shares, for $7.5 million pursuant to a securities purchase agreement, or the Series C Transaction.  The description of the Series C Preferred Shares is incorporated by reference from our registration statement on Form F-3 (333-215577). The description of the Series C Convertible Preferred Shares is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Securities Purchase Agreement and Statement of Designations, Preferences and Rights of the Series C Convertible Preferred Shares entered into in connection with the private placement. Copies of the Securities Purchase Agreement and Statement of Designations, Preferences and Rights of the Series C Convertible Preferred Shares have been filed as exhibits to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the Commission on February 21, 2017. As of November 8, 2017, we have issued 904,646 common shares in connection with the conversions of all our Series C Convertible Preferred Shares, and there are currently no Series C Convertible Preferred Shares outstanding.
Description of Series D Preferred Shares
On May 8, 2017, we issued 100,000 shares of Series D Preferred Shares to Tankers Family Inc., a company controlled by Lax Trust, which is an irrevocable trust established for the benefit of certain family members of Evangelos Pistiolis, for $1,000 pursuant to a stock purchase agreement. Each Series D Preferred Share has the voting power of one thousand (1,000) common shares.
On April 21, 2017, we were informed by ABN Amro Bank that we were in breach of a loan covenant that requires that any member of the family of Mr. Evangelos Pistiolis, maintain an ownership interest (either directly and/or indirectly through companies beneficially owned by any member of the Pistiolis family and/or trusts or foundations of which any member of the Pistiolis family are beneficiaries) of 30% of our outstanding Common Shares. ABN Amro Bank requested that either the family of Mr. Evangelos Pistiolis maintain an ownership interest of at least 30% of the outstanding common shares or maintain a voting rights interest of above 50% in us. In order to regain compliance with the loan covenant, we issued the Series D Preferred Shares.
The Series D Preferred Stock has the following characteristics:
Conversion . The Series D Preferred Shares are not convertible into common shares.
Voting . Each Series D Preferred Share has the voting power of 1,000 common shares.
Distributions . The Series D Preferred Shares shall have no dividend or distribution rights.
Maturity .  The Series D Preferred Shares shall expire and all outstanding Series D Preferred Shares shall be redeemed by us for par value on the date the currently outstanding loans with ABN Amro Bank and NORD/LB, or loans with any other financial institution, which contain covenants that require that any member of the family of Mr. Evangelos Pistiolis, maintain a specific minimum ownership interest (either directly and/or indirectly through companies or other entities beneficially owned by any member of the Pistiolis family and/or trusts or foundations of which any member of the Pistiolis family are beneficiaries) of our issued and outstanding common shares, respectively, are fully repaid or reach their maturity date. The Series D Preferred Shares shall not be otherwise redeemable.
Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up . Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the Series D Preferred Shares shall have a liquidation preference of $0.01 per share.
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History
Our predecessor, Ocean Holdings Inc., was formed as a corporation in January 2000 under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and renamed Top Tankers Inc. in May 2004. In December 2007, Top Tankers Inc. was renamed TOP Ships Inc. Our common shares are currently listed on Nasdaq under the symbol "TOPS."
Shareholder Meetings
Under our Amended and Restated By-Laws, 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 of the shareholders, unless otherwise prescribed by law, may be called for any purpose or purposes at any time exclusively by our Board of Directors. Notice of every annual and special meeting of shareholders shall be given at least 15 but not more than 60 days before such meeting to each shareholder of record entitled to vote thereat.
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. Our Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-laws, as further amended, prohibit cumulative voting in the election of directors.
Our Board of Directors must consist of at least one member and not more than twelve, as fixed from time to time by the vote of not less than 66 2/3% of the entire board. 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. Our Board of Directors has the authority to fix the amounts which shall be payable to the members of our Board of Directors, and to members of any committee, for attendance at any meeting or for services rendered to us.
Classified Board
Our Amended and Restated 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 our company. 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
Our Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-Laws require parties other than our Board of Directors to give advance written notice of nominations for the election of directors. Our Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation provide that our directors may be removed only for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% 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.
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Dissenters' Rights of Appraisal and Payment
Under the BCA, our shareholders have the right to dissent from various corporate actions, including certain mergers or consolidations or sales 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, subject to exceptions. For example, the right of a dissenting shareholder to receive payment of the fair value of his shares is not available if for the shares of any class or series of shares, which shares at the record date fixed to determine the shareholders entitled to receive notice of and vote at the meeting of shareholders to act upon the agreement of merger or consolidation, were either (1) listed on a securities exchange or admitted for trading on an interdealer quotation system or (2) held of record by more than 2,000 holders. In the event of any further amendment of the articles, 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 our shares are primarily traded on a local or national securities exchange. The value of the shares of the dissenting shareholder is fixed by the court after reference, if the court so elects, to the recommendations of a court-appointed appraiser.
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. On November 20, 2014, we amended our Amended and Restated By-Laws to provide that unless we consent in writing to the selection of alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any shareholders' derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of us, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other of our employees or our shareholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the BCA, or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be the High Court of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, in all cases subject to the court's having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants.
Anti-takeover Provisions of our Charter Documents
Several provisions of our Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-Laws may have anti-takeover effects. These provisions are intended to avoid costly takeover battles, lessen our vulnerability to a hostile change of 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.
Business Combinations

Our Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation include provisions which prohibit us from engaging in a business combination with an interested shareholder for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested shareholder, unless:

·
prior to the date of the transaction that resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested shareholder, the Board approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested shareholder;
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·
upon consummation of the transaction that 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;

·
at or subsequent to the date of the transaction that resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested shareholder, the business combination is approved by the Board and authorized at an annual or special meeting of shareholders by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested shareholder; and

·
the shareholder became an interested shareholder prior to the consummation of the initial public offering.
Limited Actions by Shareholders
Our Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and our Amended and Restated By-Laws 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 Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and our Amended and Restated By-Laws provide that only our Board of Directors may call special meetings of our shareholders and the business transacted at the special meeting is limited to the purposes stated in the notice. Accordingly, a shareholder may be prevented from calling a special meeting for shareholder consideration of a proposal over the opposition of our Board of Directors and shareholder consideration of a proposal may be delayed until the next annual meeting.
Blank Check Preferred Stock
Under the terms of our Third Amended and Restated 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.
Super-majority Required for Certain Amendments to Our By-Laws
On February 28, 2007, we amended our by-laws to require that amendments to certain provisions of our by-laws may be made when approved by a vote of not less than 66 2/3% of the entire Board of Directors. These provisions that require not less than 66 2/3% vote of our Board of Directors to be amended are provisions governing: the nature of business to be transacted at our annual meetings of shareholders, the calling of special meetings by our Board of Directors, any amendment to change the number of directors constituting our Board of Directors, the method by which our Board of Directors is elected, the nomination procedures of our Board of Directors, removal of our Board of Directors and the filling of vacancies on our Board of Directors.
Stockholders Rights Agreement
On September 14, 2016, our Board of Directors declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right, or a Right, for each outstanding common share and adopted a shareholder rights plan, as set forth in the Stockholders Rights Agreement dated as of September 22, 2016, or the Rights Agreement, by and between us and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (now taken over by our new transfer agent, AST), as rights agent.
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The Board adopted the Rights Agreement to protect shareholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics. In general terms, it works by imposing a significant penalty upon any person or group that acquires 15% or more of our outstanding common shares without the approval of our Board of Directors. If a shareholder's beneficial ownership of our common shares as of the time of the public announcement of the rights plan and associated dividend declaration is at or above the applicable threshold, that shareholder's then-existing ownership percentage would be grandfathered, but the rights would become exercisable if at any time after such announcement, the shareholder increases its ownership percentage by 1% or more.
The Rights may have anti-takeover effects. The Rights will cause substantial dilution to any person or group that attempts to acquire us without the approval of our Board of Directors. As a result, the overall effect of the Rights may be to render more difficult or discourage any attempt to acquire us. Because our Board of Directors can approve a redemption of the Rights for a permitted offer, the Rights should not interfere with a merger or other business combination approved by our Board.
For those interested in the specific terms of the Rights Agreement, we provide the following summary description. Please note, however, that this description is only a summary, and is not complete, and should be read together with the entire Rights Agreement, which is an exhibit to the Form 8-A filed by us on September 22, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference.  The foregoing description of the Rights Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibit.
The Rights . The Rights trade with, and are inseparable from, our common shares. The Rights are evidenced only by certificates that represent our common shares. New Rights will accompany any new of our common shares issued after October 5, 2016 until the Distribution Date described below.
Exercise Price . Each Right allows its holder to purchase from us one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Participating Preferred Stock, or a Series A Preferred Share, for $50.00, or the Exercise Price, once the Rights become exercisable. This portion of a Series A Preferred Share will give the shareholder approximately the same dividend, voting and liquidation rights as would one common share. Prior to exercise, the Right does not give its holder any dividend, voting, or liquidation rights.
Exercisability . The Rights are not exercisable until ten days after the public announcement that a person or group has become an "Acquiring Person" by obtaining beneficial ownership of 15% or more of our outstanding common shares.
Certain synthetic interests in securities created by derivative positions—whether or not such interests are considered to be ownership of the underlying common shares or are reportable for purposes of Regulation 13D of the Exchange Act—are treated as beneficial ownership of the number of our common shares equivalent to the economic exposure created by the derivative position, to the extent our actual common shares are directly or indirectly held by counterparties to the derivatives contracts. Swaps dealers unassociated with any control intent or intent to evade the purposes of the Rights Agreement are excepted from such imputed beneficial ownership.
For persons who, prior to the time of public announcement of the Rights Agreement, beneficially own 15% or more of our outstanding common shares, the Rights Agreement "grandfathers" their current level of ownership, so long as they do not purchase additional shares in excess of certain limitations.
The date when the Rights become exercisable is the " Distribution Date ." Until that date, our common share certificates (or, in the case of uncertificated shares, by notations in the book-entry account system) will also evidence the Rights, and any transfer of our common shares will constitute a transfer of Rights. After that date, the Rights will separate from our common shares and will be evidenced by book-entry credits or by Rights certificates that we will mail to all eligible holders of our common shares. Any Rights held by an Acquiring Person are null and void and may not be exercised.
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Series A Preferred Share Provisions
Each one one-thousandth of a Series A Preferred Share, if issued, will, among other things:

·
not be redeemable;

·
entitle holders to quarterly dividend payments in an amount per share equal to the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, and the aggregate per share amount (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other distributions other than a dividend payable in our common shares or a subdivision of the our outstanding common shares (by reclassification or otherwise), declared on our common shares since the immediately preceding quarterly dividend payment date; and

·
entitle holders to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders.
The value of one one-thousandth interest in a Series A Preferred Share should approximate the value of one common share.
Consequences of a Person or Group Becoming an Acquiring Person.

·
Flip In.   If an Acquiring Person obtains beneficial ownership of 15% or more of our common shares, then each Right will entitle the holder thereof to purchase, for the Exercise Price, a number of our common shares (or, in certain circumstances, cash, property or other of our securities) having a then-current market value of twice the Exercise Price. However, the Rights are not exercisable following the occurrence of the foregoing event until such time as the Rights are no longer redeemable by us, as further described below.
Following the occurrence of an event set forth in preceding paragraph, all Rights that are or, under certain circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement, were beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person or certain of its transferees will be null and void.

·
Flip Over . If, after an Acquiring Person obtains 15% or more of our common shares, (i) we merge into another entity; (ii) an acquiring entity merges into us; or (iii) we sell or transfer 50% or more of its assets, cash flow or earning power, then each Right (except for Rights that have previously been voided as set forth above) will entitle the holder thereof to purchase, for the Exercise Price, a number of our common shares of the person engaging in the transaction having a then-current market value of twice the Exercise Price.

·
Notional Shares . Shares held by affiliates and associates of an Acquiring Person, including certain entities in which the Acquiring Person beneficially owns a majority of the equity securities, and Notional Common Shares (as defined in the Rights Agreement) held by counterparties to a Derivatives Contract (as defined in the Rights Agreement) with an Acquiring Person, will be deemed to be beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person.
Redemption . Our Board of Directors may redeem t he Rights for $0.01 per Right at any time before any person or group becomes an Acquiring Person. If our Board of Directors redeems any Rights, it must redeem all of the Rights. Once the Rights are redeemed, the only right of the holders of the Rights will be to receive the redemption price of $0.01 per Right. The redemption price will be adjusted if we have a stock dividend or a stock split.
Exchange.  After a person or group becomes an Acquiring Person, but before an Acquiring Person owns 50% or more of our outstanding common shares, the Board may extinguish the Rights by exchanging one common share or an equivalent security for each Right, other than Rights held by the Acquiring Person. I n certain circumstances, we may elect to exchange the Rights for cash or other of our securities having a value approximately equal to one common share.
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Expiration The Rights expire on the earliest of (i) September 22, 2026; or (ii) the redemption or exchange of the Rights as described above.
Anti-Dilution Provisions . The Board may adjust the purchase price of the Series A Preferred Shares, the number of Series A Preferred Shares issuable and the number of outstanding Rights to prevent dilution that may occur from a stock dividend, a stock split, or a reclassification of the Series A Preferred Shares or our common shares. No adjustments to the Exercise Price of less than 1% will be made.
Amendments The terms of the Rights and the Rights Agreement may be amended in any respect without the consent of the holders of the Rights on or prior to the Distribution Date. Thereafter, the terms of the Rights and the Rights Agreement may be amended without the consent of the holders of Rights, with certain exceptions, in order to (i) cure any ambiguities; (ii) correct or supplement any provision contained in the Rights Agreement that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision therein; (iii) shorten or lengthen any time period pursuant to the Rights Agreement; or (iv) make changes that do not adversely affect the interests of holders of the Rights (other than an Acquiring Person or an affiliate or associate of an Acquiring Person).
Taxes.  The distribution of Rights should not be taxable for federal income tax purposes. However, following an event that renders the Rights exercisable or upon redemption of the Rights, shareholders may recognize taxable income.
2014 Warrants
Our 2014 Warrants contain certain anti-dilution provisions, which were triggered as a result of the reverse stock split, Series B Transaction, the Equity Line Offering, Series C Transaction, First Purchase Agreement, Second Purchase Agreement and Amended Family Trading Credit Facility. As of  March 26, 2019, the exercise price of our outstanding 2014 Warrants was $0.70 per warrant and each warrant could buy 3.56 common shares. Also, each warrant holder could, in its sole discretion, replace the fixed exercise price with a variable exercise price currently 75% of the lowest daily VWAP of our common shares over the 21 consecutive trading days expiring on the trading day immediately prior to the date of delivery of an exercise notice (but in no event can this variable exercise price be less than $0.25) and buy a proportionate number of common shares based on the variable price in effect on the date of exercise.  If using the aforementioned variable exercise price, as of March 26, 2019, each 2014 Warrant has an exercise price of $0.61 and entitles its holder to purchase 4.09 common shares, as may be further adjusted. As of March 26, 2019, an aggregate 3,353,611 2014 Warrants have been exercised for a total issuance of 219,251 common shares.
C.   Material Contracts
We refer you to "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Debt Facilities," "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Operating Leases," "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources— Financing Commitments under Sale and Leaseback Arrangements," and "Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions" for a discussion of our material agreements that we have entered into outside the ordinary course of our business.
Other than these contracts, we have no other material contracts, other than contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, to which we are a party.
D   Exchange controls
The Marshall Islands impose no exchange controls on non-resident corporations.
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E.   Taxation
The following is a discussion of the material Marshall Islands and U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to a U.S. Holder and a Non-U.S. Holder, each as defined below, with respect to the common stock. 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 financial institutions, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, persons holding our common stock as part of a hedging, integrated, conversion or constructive sale transaction or a straddle, traders in securities that have elected the mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities, persons liable for alternative minimum tax, dealers in securities or currencies, U.S. Holders, as defined below, whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, persons required to recognize income for U.S. federal income tax purposes no later than when such income is included on an "applicable financial statement" 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 own 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 U.S. federal, state, local or non-U.S. law of the ownership of common stock.
Marshall Islands Tax Consequences
We are incorporated in the Republic of 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 shareholders.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
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 U.S. federal income tax matters is based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), judicial decisions, administrative pronouncements, and existing and proposed regulations issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the "Treasury Regulations"), all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. The discussion below is based, in part, on the description of our business in "Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview." above and assumes that we conduct our business as described in that section. Except as otherwise noted, this discussion is based on the assumption that we will not maintain an office or other fixed place of business within the United States. References in the following discussion to "we" and "us" are to TOP Ships Inc. and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
U.S. Federal Income Taxation of Our Company
Taxation of Operating Income: In General
Unless exempt from U.S. federal income taxation under the rules discussed below, a foreign corporation is subject to U.S. 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, cost 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.
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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 U.S. federal income tax.
In the absence of exemption from tax under Section 883 of the Code, 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 U.S. Federal Income Taxation
Under Section 883 of the Code and the regulations thereunder, we will be exempt from U.S. federal income tax on our U.S.-source shipping income if:

(1)
we are organized in a foreign country, or our country of organization, that grants an "equivalent exemption" to corporations organized in the United States; and

(2)
either

A.
more than 50% of the value of our stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by 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 (each such individual a "qualified shareholder" and such individuals collectively, "qualified shareholders"), which we refer to as the "50% Ownership Test," or

B.
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 U.S. corporations, or in the United States, which we refer to as the "Publicly-Traded Test."
The Marshall Islands and Liberia, the jurisdictions where we and our ship-owning subsidiaries are incorporated, each grant an "equivalent exemption" to U.S. corporations. Therefore, we will be exempt from U.S. federal income tax with respect to our U.S.-source shipping income if either the 50% Ownership Test or the Publicly-Traded Test is met.
Based on information provided in Schedule 13D and Schedule 13G filings with the SEC and ownership certificates that we obtained from certain of our shareholders, we believe that we meet the Publicly Traded Test for the taxable year 2018 and intend to take this position on our U.S. federal income tax return or the 2018 year.  A, as discussed below, this is a factual determination made on an annual basis, and no assurance can be given that we will satisfy the Publicly-Traded Test in future taxable years. We do not currently anticipate circumstances under which we would be able to satisfy the 50% Ownership Test.
Treasury Regulations provide, in pertinent part, that stock of a foreign corporation will be considered to be "primarily traded" on an established securities market if the number of shares of each class of stock that are traded during any taxable year on all established securities markets in that country exceeds the number of shares in each such class that are traded during that year on established securities markets in any other single country. Our common stock, which is our sole class of issued and outstanding stock, is and we anticipate will continue to be "primarily traded" on the Nasdaq Capital Market.
Under the Treasury Regulations, our common stock will be considered to be "regularly traded" on an established securities market if one or more classes of our stock representing more than 50% of our outstanding shares, by total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote and total value, is listed on the market, which we refer to as the "listing threshold." Since our common stock, our sole class of issued and outstanding stock, is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we will satisfy the listing threshold.
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It is further required that with respect to each class of stock relied upon to meet the listing threshold, (i) such class of stock be traded on the market, other than in minimal quantities, on at least 60 days during the taxable year or one-sixth of the days in a short taxable year, which we refer to as the "trading frequency test"; and (ii) the aggregate number of shares of such class of stock traded on such market is at least 10% of the average number of shares of such class of stock outstanding during such year or as appropriately adjusted in the case of a short taxable year, which we refer to as the "trading volume test." We believe we will satisfy the trading frequency and trading volume tests. Even if this were not the case, the Treasury Regulations provide that the trading frequency and trading volume tests will be deemed satisfied if, as is the case with our common stock, such class of stock is traded on an established securities market in the United States and such stock is regularly quoted by dealers making a market in such stock.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Treasury Regulations provide, in pertinent part, that a class of our stock will not be considered to be "regularly traded" on an established securities market for any taxable year if 50% or more of the vote and value of the outstanding shares of such class of stock are owned, actually or constructively under specified stock attribution rules, on more than half the days during the taxable year by persons who each own 5% or more of the vote and value of the outstanding shares of such class of stock, which we refer to as the "5% Override Rule."
For purposes of being able to determine the persons who own 5% or more of our stock, or "5% Shareholders," the Treasury Regulations permit us to rely on those persons that are identified on Schedule 13G and Schedule 13D filings with the SEC, as having a 5% or more beneficial interest in our common stock. The Treasury Regulations further provide that an investment company identified on a SEC Schedule 13G or Schedule 13D filing which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, will not be treated as a 5% Shareholder for such purposes.
In the event the 5% Override Rule is triggered, the Treasury Regulations provide that the 5% Override Rule will not apply if we can establish that among the closely-held group of 5% Shareholders, there are sufficient 5% Shareholders that are considered to be qualified shareholders for purposes of Section 883 of the Code to preclude non-qualified 5% Shareholders in the closely-held group from owning 50% or more of each class of our stock for more than half the number of days during such year. To establish and substantiate this exception to the 5% Override Rule, our 5% Shareholders who are qualified shareholders for purposes of Section 883 of the Code must comply with ownership certification procedures attesting that they are residents of qualifying jurisdictions, and each intermediary or other person in the chain of ownership between us and such 5% Shareholder must undertake similar compliance procedures.
For the 2018 taxable year, we believe that the 5% Override Rule was not triggered as less than 50% or more of the vote and value of our common stock was owned by 5% Shareholders on more than half of the days during the taxable year. Therefore, we intend to take the position for U.S. federal income tax reporting purposes that we are not subject to U.S. federal income taxation for the 2018 taxable year because more than 50% of our stock was not owned by non-qualified shareholders that each held 5% or more of our stock.  However, due to the factual nature of the issues, we may not qualify for the benefits of Section 883 of the Code for any future taxable year
Taxation in the Absence of Exemption under Section 883 of the Code
To the extent the benefits of Section 883 of the Code 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, which we refer to as the "4% gross basis tax regime." 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.
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To the extent the benefits of the exemption under Section 883 of the Code 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 imposed at a rate of 21%. In addition, we may be subject to the 30% "branch profits" tax on earnings effectively connected with the conduct of such U.S. trade or business, as determined after allowance for certain adjustments, and on certain interest paid or deemed paid attributable to the conduct of such 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 currently have, nor 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 will be "effectively connected" with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business.
U.S. Taxation of Gain on Sale of Vessels
Regardless of whether we qualify for exemption under Section 883 of the Code, we will not be subject to U.S. 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 U.S. 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.
U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders
As used herein, the term "U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of our common stock that

·
is a U.S. citizen or resident, U.S. corporation or other U.S. entity taxable as a corporation, an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. 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 U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust;

·
owns the common stock as a capital asset, generally, for investment purposes; and

·
owns less than 10% of our common stock for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
If a partnership holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner of such partnership 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.
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Distributions
Subject to the discussion of passive foreign investment companies, or PFIC, below, any distributions made by us with respect to our common stock to a U.S. Holder will generally constitute dividends to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Distributions in excess of such 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 U.S. 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" for purposes of computing allowable foreign tax credits for U.S. 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. Non-Corporate Holder") will generally be treated as "qualified dividend income" that is taxable to such U.S. Non-Corporate Holder at preferential tax rates provided that (1) the common stock is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States (such as the Nasdaq Capital Market on which our common stock is traded); (2) we are not a PFIC for the taxable year during which the dividend is paid or the immediately preceding taxable year (as discussed in more detail below); (3) the U.S. Non-Corporate 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; and (4) the U.S. Non-Corporate Holder is not under an obligation to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property.
We believe that we were not a PFIC for our 2014 through 2018 taxable years, and we do not expect to be a PFIC for subsequent taxable years. If we were treated as a PFIC for our 2018 taxable year, any dividends paid by us during 2018 and 2019 will not be treated as "qualified dividend income" in the hands of a U.S. Non-Corporate Holder. Any dividends we pay which are not eligible for the preferential rates applicable to "qualified dividend income" will be taxed as ordinary income to a U.S. Non-Corporate Holder.
Special rules may apply to any "extraordinary dividend," generally, a dividend paid by us in an amount which is equal to or in excess of 10% of a shareholder's adjusted tax basis in a common share. 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. Non-Corporate Holder from the sale or exchange of such common stock will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of such dividend.
Sale, Exchange or other Disposition of Common Stock
Subject to the discussion of our status as a PFIC below, 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.
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3.8% Tax on Net Investment Income
A U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate, or, in certain cases, a trust, will generally be subject to a 3.8% tax on the lesser of (1) the U.S. Holder's net investment income for the taxable year and (2) the excess of the U.S. Holder's modified adjusted gross income for the taxable year over a certain threshold (which in the case of individuals is between $125,000 and $250,000).  A U.S. Holder's net investment income will generally include distributions made by us which constitute a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes and gain realized from the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock.  This tax is in addition to any income taxes due on such investment income.
If you are a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate or trust, you are encouraged to consult your tax advisors regarding the applicability of the 3.8% tax on net investment income to the ownership and disposition of our common stock.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Status and Significant Tax Consequences
Special U.S. federal income tax rules apply to a U.S. Holder that holds stock in a foreign corporation classified as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, we will be treated as a PFIC 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 PFIC, 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% 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" for these purposes. 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.
In general, income derived from the bareboat charter of a vessel will be treated as "passive income" for purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC and such vessel will be treated as an asset which produces or is held for the production of "passive income."  On the other hand, income derived from the time charter of a vessel should not be treated as "passive income" for such purpose, but rather should be treated as services income; likewise, a time chartered vessel should generally not be treated as an asset which produces or is held for the production of "passive income."
We believe that we were a PFIC for our 2013 taxable year because we believe that at least 50% of the average value of our assets consisted of vessels which were bareboat chartered and at least 75% of our gross income was derived from vessels on bareboat charter.
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We believe that we were not a PFIC for our 2014 through 2018 taxable years because we had no bareboat chartered vessels and consequently no gross income from vessels on bareboat charter. Furthermore, b ased on our current assets and activities, we do not believe that we will be a PFIC for the subsequent taxable years. 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 were a passive foreign investment company. We believe there is substantial legal authority supporting our position consisting of case law and IRS 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 IRS 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.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder will be treated as owning his proportionate share of the stock of any of our subsidiaries which is a PFIC.  The PFIC rules discussed below will apply on a company-by-company basis with respect to us and each of our subsidiaries which is treated as a PFIC.
As discussed more fully below, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder would be subject to different U.S. federal income taxation rules depending on whether the U.S. Holder makes an election to treat us as a "Qualified Electing Fund," which election is referred to as a "QEF Election." As discussed below, 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, which election is referred to as a "Mark-to-Market Election". A U.S. Holder holding PFIC shares that does not make either a "QEF Election" or "Mark-to-Market Election" will be subject to the Default PFIC Regime, as defined and discussed below in " Taxation—U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders—Taxation of U.S. Holders Not Making a Timely QEF or "Mark-to-Market" Election."
If we were to be treated as a PFIC, a U.S. Holder would be required to file, with respect to taxable years ending on or after December 31, 2013, IRS Form 8621 to report certain information regarding us.
A U.S. Holder who held our common stock during any period in which we were treated as a PFIC and who neither made a QEF Election nor a Mark-to-Market Election may continue to be subject to the Default PFIC Regime, notwithstanding that we are no longer a PFIC. If you are a U.S. Holder who held our common shares during any period in which we were a PFIC but failed to make either of the foregoing elections, you are strongly encouraged to consult your tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to you of holding our common stock in periods in which we are no longer a PFIC.
The 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 made by us to 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 PFIC by filing one copy of IRS Form 8621 with his United States federal income tax return and a second copy in accordance with the instructions to such form. It should be noted that if any of our subsidiaries is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a U.S. Holder must make a separate QEF Election with respect to each such subsidiary.
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Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a "Mark-to-Market" Election
Making the Election .  Alternatively, if, as is anticipated, our common stock is treated as "marketable stock," a U.S. Holder would be allowed to make a Mark-to-Market Election with respect to the common stock, provided the U.S. Holder completes and files IRS Form 8621 in accordance with the relevant instructions and related Treasury Regulations.  The common stock will be treated as "marketable stock" for this purpose if it is "regularly traded" on a "qualified exchange or other market."  The common stock will be "regularly traded" on a qualified exchange or other market for any calendar year during which it is traded (other than in de minimis quantities) on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter.  A "qualified exchange or other market" means either a U.S. national securities exchange that is registered with the SEC, the Nasdaq Capital Market, or a foreign securities exchange that is regulated or supervised by a governmental authority of the country in which the market is located and which satisfies certain regulatory and other requirements.  We believe that the Nasdaq Capital Market should be treated as a "qualified exchange or other market" for this purpose.  However, it should be noted that a separate Mark-to-Market Election would need to be made with respect to each of our subsidiaries which is treated as a PFIC.  The stock of these subsidiaries is not expected to be "marketable stock."  Therefore, a "mark-to-market" election is not expected to be available with respect to these subsidiaries.
Current Taxation and Dividends .  If the Mark-to-Market 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 U.S. 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 its 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.  Any income inclusion or loss under the preceding rules should be treated as gain or loss from the sale of common stock for purposes of determining the source of the income or loss.  Accordingly, any such gain or loss generally should be treated as U.S.-source income or loss for U.S. foreign tax credit limitation purposes.  A U.S. Holder's tax basis in his common stock would be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amount.  Distributions by us to a U.S. Holder who has made a Mark-to-Market Election generally will be treated as discussed above under "Taxation—U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders—Distributions."
Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition .  Gain realized on the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of the common stock would be treated as ordinary income, and any loss realized on the sale, exchange, redemption 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 in income by the U.S. Holder.  Any loss in excess of such previous inclusions would be treated as a capital loss by the U.S. Holder.  A U.S. Holder's ability to deduct capital losses is subject to certain limitations.  Any such gain or loss generally should be treated as U.S.-source income or loss for U.S. foreign tax credit limitation purposes.
Taxation of U.S. Holders Not Making a Timely QEF or "Mark-to-Market" Election
Finally, a U.S. Holder who does not make either a QEF Election or a Mark-to-Market Election with respect to any taxable year in which we are treated as a PFIC, or a U.S. Holder whose QEF Election is invalidated or terminated, or a Non-Electing Holder, would be subject to special rules, or the Default PFIC Regime, with respect to (1) any excess distribution (i.e., the portion of any distributions received by the Non-Electing Holder on the common stock in a taxable year in excess of 125% 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, redemption or other disposition of the common stock.
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Under the Default PFIC Regime:

·
the excess distribution or gain would be allocated ratably over the Non-Electing Holder's aggregate holding period for the common stock;

·
the amount allocated to the current taxable year and any taxable year before we became a PFIC 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 tax deferral benefit would be imposed with respect to the resulting tax attributable to each such other taxable year.
Any distributions other than "excess distributions" by us to a Non-Electing Holder will be treated as discussed above under "Taxation—U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders—Distributions."
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 the common stock.  If a Non-Electing Holder who is an individual dies while owning the common stock, such Non-Electing Holder's successor generally would not receive a step-up in tax basis with respect to the common stock.
U.S. Federal Income Taxation of "Non-U.S. Holders"
A beneficial owner of our common stock (other than a partnership) 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 U.S. federal income tax or withholding tax on dividends received from us with respect to our common stock, unless that income is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States. If the Non-U.S. Holder is entitled to the benefits of a U.S. 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 U.S. 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 a trade or business conducted by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States. If the Non-U.S. Holder is entitled to the benefits of a U.S. 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 U.S. trade or business for U.S. 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 U.S. federal income tax in the same manner as discussed in the previous section relating to the taxation of U.S. Holders. In addition, in the case of a corporate Non-U.S. Holder, the earnings and profits of such Non-U.S. Holder that are attributable to effectively connected income, 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 U.S. 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. In addition, such payments will 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 IRS that you have failed to report all interest or dividends required to be shown on your U.S. 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 an applicable IRS Form W-8.
If you sell your common stock to or through a U.S. office of a broker, the payment of the proceeds is subject to both U.S. 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-U.S. office of a non-U.S. 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, U.S. 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-U.S. office of a broker that is a U.S. 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 U.S. federal income tax liability by filing a refund claim with the IRS.
Individuals who are U.S. Holders (and to the extent specified in applicable Treasury Regulations, certain individuals who are Non-U.S. Holders and certain U.S. entities) who hold "specified foreign financial assets" (as defined in Section 6038D of the Code) are required to file IRS Form 8938 with information relating to the asset for each taxable year in which the aggregate value of all such assets exceeds $75,000 at any time during the taxable year or $50,000 on the last day of the taxable year (or such higher dollar amount as prescribed by applicable Treasury Regulations). Specified foreign financial assets would include, among other assets, our common shares, unless the shares are held through an account maintained with a U.S. financial institution. Substantial penalties apply to any failure to timely file IRS Form 8938, unless the failure is shown to be due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect. Additionally, in the event an individual U.S. Holder (and to the extent specified in applicable Treasury regulations, an individual Non-U.S. Holder or a U.S. entity) that is required to file IRS Form 8938 does not file such form, the statute of limitations on the assessment and collection of U.S. federal income taxes of such holder for the related tax year may not close until three years after the date that the required information is filed.  U.S. Holders (including U.S. entities) and Non-U.S. Holders are encouraged to consult their own tax advisors regarding their reporting obligations under this legislation.
F.   Dividends and Paying Agents
Not applicable.
G.   Statement by Experts
Not applicable.
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H.   Documents on Display
We file annual reports and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public at the web site maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov , as well as on our website at http://www.topships.org .
I.   Subsidiary Information
Not applicable.
ITEM 11.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Our Risk Management Policy
Our primary market risks relate to adverse movements in freight rates in the product tanker market. Our policy is to continuously monitor our exposure to other business risks, including the impact of changes in interest rates, currency rates, and bunker prices on earnings and cash flows. We assess these risks and, when appropriate, enter into derivative contracts with credit-worthy counterparties to minimize our exposure to the risks. With regard to bunker prices, as our employment policy for our vessels has been and is expected to continue to be with a high percentage of our fleet on period employment, we are not directly exposed with respect to those vessels to increases in bunker fuel prices, as these are the responsibility of the charterer under period charter arrangements.
Interest Rate Risk
As of the date of this report we are exposed to interest rate risk in relation to our floating rate indebtedness  (See "Item 18. Financial Statements—Note 9—Debt"). We may be subject to additional market risks relating to changes in interest rates when we take on additional indebtedness. In order to manage our exposure to changes in interest rates due to this floating rate indebtedness, we enter into interest rate swap agreements. Set forth below is a table of our interest rate swap arrangements as of December 31, 2018 (in thousands of U.S. dollars).
SWAP Number (Nr)
 
Counterparty
 
Notional amount
as of December 31, 2018
 
Start Date
End Date
 
Fixed Rate Payable
   
Fair Value – Liability as of December 31, 2018
 
 
1
 
ABN Amro
   
 15,663
 
April 13, 2018
July 13, 2021
   
1.4425
%
   
459
 
 
2
 
ABN Amro
   
 16,575
 
December 21, 2016
January 13, 2022
   
2.0800
%
   
231
 
 
3
 
ABN Amro
   
 15,050
 
December 21, 2016
August 10, 2022
   
2.1250
%
   
205
 
 
4
 
NORD/LB Bank
   
 18,071
 
May 17, 2017
May 17, 2023
   
2.1900
%
   
259
 
 
5
 
Alpha Bank
   
 20,700
 
March 29, 2018
February 25, 2025
   
2.9700
%
   
(359)
 
     
  Total
   
86,059
                 
795
 

Under all above swap transactions, each bank effects quarterly floating-rate payments to us for the relevant amount based on the three-month USD LIBOR, and we effect quarterly payments to each bank on the relevant amount at the respective fixed rates.
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As of December 31, 2018, our total indebtedness excluding unamortized financing fees and debt discounts was $152.3 million, of which $86.1 million was covered by the interest rate swap agreements described above and $24.7 million refers to the Amended and Restated Family Trading Credit Facility the interest rate of which does not fluctuate. As set forth in the above table, as of December 31, 2018, we paid fixed rates ranging from 1.4425% to 2.9700% and received floating rates on the SWAPs that are based on three month LIBOR. As of December 31, 2018, our interest rate swap agreements are, on an average basis, below the prevailing three month LIBOR rates over which our loans are priced. Accordingly, the effect of these interest rate swap agreements in the year ended December 31, 2018 has been to increase our gains on financial instruments.
Based on the amount of our outstanding indebtedness, not covered by interest rate swaps, as of December 31, 2018, a hypothetical one percentage point increase in the three month U.S. dollar LIBOR would increase our interest rate expense for 2019, on an annualized basis, by approximately $0.4 million. Based on the amount of our outstanding indebtedness, not covered by interest rate swaps, as of December 31, 2017, a hypothetical one percentage point increase in the three month U.S. dollar LIBOR would have increased our interest rate expense for 2018, on an annualized basis, by approximately $0.2 million.
Foreign Exchange Rate Fluctuation
We generate all of our revenues in U.S. dollars but incur certain expenses in currencies other than U.S. dollars, mainly the Euro. During 2018, approximately 96.5% of our expenses were in U.S. Dollars, 3.1% were in Euro and approximately 0.4% were in other currencies than the U.S. dollar or Euro. For accounting purposes, expenses incurred in other currencies are converted into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate prevailing on the date of each transaction. We have not hedged currency exchange risks associated with our expenses and our operating results could be adversely affected as a result. We constantly monitor the U.S. dollar exchange rate and we try to achieve the most favorable exchange rates from the financial institutions we work with.
Based on our total expenses for the year ended December 31, 2018, and using as an average exchange rate of $1.1784   to €1, a 5% decrease in the exchange rate to $1.1195 to €1 would result in an expense saving of approximately $0.08 million. Based on our total expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017, and using as an average exchange rate of $1.1295 to €1, a 5% decrease in the exchange rate to $1.0730 to €1 would have resulted in an expense saving of approximately $0.06 million.
ITEM 12.   DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
Not Applicable.
PART II
ITEM 13.   DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
Neither we nor any of our subsidiaries have been subject to a material default in the payment of principal, interest, a sinking fund or purchase fund installment or any other material default that was not cured within 30 days.
ITEM 14.
MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
On September 14, 2016, we have adopted a Stockholders Rights Agreement, pursuant to which each share of our common stock includes one preferred stock purchase right that entitles the holder to purchase from us a unit consisting of one-thousandth of a share of our Series A Participating Preferred Stock if any third-party seeks to acquire control of a substantial block of our common stock without the approval of our Board of Directors. See "Item 10. Additional Information—B. Memorandum and Articles of Association—Stockholders Rights Agreement" included in this annual report for a description of our Stockholders Rights Agreement.
Please also see "Item 10. Additional Information—B. Memorandum and Articles of Association" for a description of the rights of holders of our Series B and Series C Convertible Preferred Shares and Series D Preferred Shares relative to the rights of holders of shares of our common stock.
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ITEM 15.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
a)   Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Management, under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act, as of December 31, 2018.
The term disclosure controls and procedures are defined under SEC rules as controls and other procedures of an issuer that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer's management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.
Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of December 31, 2018.
b)   Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act.
Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:

·
Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;

·
Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of Company's management and directors; and

·
Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
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Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system's objectives will be met. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives. The design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within us have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Controls can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Our management with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. As a result of its assessment, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our internal controls over financial reporting are effective as of December 31, 2018.
c)   Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm
This annual report does not contain an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management's report was not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm since under the SEC adopting release implementing the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, companies that are non-accelerated filers are exempt from including auditor attestation reports in their Form 20-Fs.
d)   Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this annual report that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 16A.   AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
We have established an audit committee composed of three independent members that are responsible for reviewing our accounting controls and recommending to our Board of Directors the engagement of our outside auditors.
We do not believe it is necessary to have a financial expert, as defined in Item 407 of Regulation S-K, because our Board of Directors has determined that the members of the audit committee have the financial experience and other relevant experience necessary to effectively perform the duties and responsibilities of the audit committee.
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ITEM 16B.   CODE OF ETHICS
Our Board of Directors has adopted a Corporate Code of Business Ethics and Conduct that applies to all employees, directors and officers, which complies with applicable guidelines issued by the SEC. The finalized Code of Ethics has been approved by our Board of Directors and was distributed to all employees, directors and officers. We will also provide any person a hard copy of our code of ethics free of charge upon written request. Shareholders may direct their requests to the attention of Mr. Alexandros Tsirikos at our registered address and phone number.
ITEM 16C.   PRINCIPAL AUDITOR FEES AND SERVICES
Aggregate fees billed to us for the years ended December 2017 and 2018 represent fees billed by our principal accounting firm, Deloitte Certified Public Accountants S.A., an independent registered public accounting firm and member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Limited.   Audit fees represent compensation for professional services rendered for the audit of the consolidated financial statements, fees for the review of interim financial information as well as in connection with the review of registration statements and related consents and comfort letters and any other audit services required for SEC or other regulatory filings . For 2017 and 2018, no other non-audit, tax or other fees were charged.
U.S. dollars in thousands,
Year Ended
 
 
2017
 
2018
 
Audit Fees
   
274.1
     
218.1
 
Our audit committee pre-approves all audit, audit-related and non-audit services not prohibited by law to be performed by our independent auditors and associated fees prior to the engagement of the independent auditor with respect to such services.
ITEM 16D.   EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
Not applicable.
ITEM 16D. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
Not applicable.
ITEM 16F.   CHANGE IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
Not applicable.
ITEM 16G.   CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
We have certified to Nasdaq that our 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 submission of a listing agreement, notification to Nasdaq of non-compliance with Nasdaq corporate governance practices, prohibition on disparate reduction or restriction of shareholder voting rights, and the establishment of an audit committee satisfying Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(c)(3) and ensuring that such audit committee's members meet the independence requirement of Listing Rule 5605(c)(2)(A)(ii). The practices we follow in lieu of Nasdaq's corporate governance rules applicable to U.S. domestic issuers are as follows:

·
Majority Independent Board. Nasdaq requires, among other things, that a listed company has a Board of Directors comprised of a majority of independent directors.  As permitted under Marshall Islands law, our Board of Directors is comprised of four independent directors, one non-independent, non-executive director and three executive directors.
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·
Audit Committee .  Nasdaq requires, among other things, that a listed company has an audit committee with a minimum of three independent members, at least one of whom meets certain standards of financial sophistication. As permitted under Marshall Islands law, our audit committee consists of four independent directors but we do not designate any one audit commit member as meeting the standards of financial sophistication.

·
As a foreign private issuer, we are not required to hold regularly scheduled board meetings at which only independent directors are present.

·
In lieu of obtaining shareholder approval prior to the issuance of designated securities, we will comply with provisions of the BCA, which allows our Board of Directors to approve share issuances.
As a foreign private issuer, we are not required to solicit proxies or provide proxy statements to Nasdaq pursuant to Nasdaq corporate governance rules or Marshall Islands law. Consistent with Marshall Islands law and as provided in our bylaws, we will notify our shareholders of meetings between 15 and 60 days before the meeting. This notification will contain, among other things, information regarding business to be transacted at the meeting. In addition, our bylaws provide that shareholders must give us between 120 and 180 days advance notice to properly introduce any business at a meeting of shareholders.
Other than as noted above, we are in compliance with all other Nasdaq corporate governance standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.
ITEM 16H.   MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Not Applicable.
PART III
ITEM 17.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
See Item 18.
ITEM 18.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The financial statements beginning on page F-1 are filed as a part of this annual report.

ITEM 19.   EXHIBITS
Number
Description of Exhibits
 
1.1
   
1.2
   
1.3
   
1.4
114


   
1.5
   
1.6
   
1.7
   
1.8
   
1.9
   
1.10
   
1.11
   
2.1
   
2.2
   
2.3
   
2.4
   
2.5
   
2.6
   
2.7
   
2.8
   
2.9
   
4.1
4.2
   
4.3
 
4.4
   
4.5
115


   
4.6
   
4.7
   
4.8
   
4.9
   
4.10
   
4.11
   
4.12
   
4.13
   
4.14
   
4.15
   
4.16
   
4.17
   
4.18
   
4.19
   
4.20
   
4.21
   
4.22
   
4.23
   
4.24
   
4.25
   
4.26
116


   
4.27
   
4.28
   
4.29
   
4.30
   
4.31
   
4.32
   
4.33
   
4.34
   
4.35
   
4.36
   
4.37
   
4.38
   
4.39
   
4.40
   
4.41
   
4.42
   
4.43
   
4.44
   
4.45
117


   
4.46
   
4.47
   
4.48
   
4.49
   
4.50
   
4.51
   
4.52
   
4.53
   
4.54
   
4.55
   
4.56
   
4.57
   
4.58
   
4.59
   
4.60
   
4.61
   
4.62
   
4.63
   
4.64
   
4.65
   
4.66
118


   
4.67
   
4.68
   
4.69
   
4.70
   
4.71
   
4.72
   
4.73
   
4.74
   
4.75
   
4.76
   
4.77
Confirmation of Interest Rate Swap Transaction dated as of March 29, 2017 between Norddeutsche Landesbank Gironzentrale and Monte Carlo Seven Shipping Limited
   
4.78
   
4.79
   
4.80
   
4.81
   
4.82
   
4.83
   
4.84
   
4.85
   
4.86
$10,140,000 Loan Agreement between Alpha Bank A.E., as lender and PCH Dreaming Inc. as borrower, dated as of July 11, 2018
   
4.87 Memorandum of Agreement in respect of M/T Eco Bel Air, dated as of December 3, 2018
   
4.88
119

4.89
   
4.90
   
4.91
   
4.92
   
4.93
   
4.94
   
4.95
   
4.96
   
4.97
   
4.98
   
4.99
   
4.100
   
4.101
   
4.102
   
4.103
   
4.104
   
4.105
   
4.106
   
4.107
   
4.108
   
4.109
   
4.110

120

4.111
   
4.112
   
4.113
   
4.114
   
4.115
   
4.116
   
4.117
   
4.118
   
4.119
   
8.1
List of subsidiaries of the Company
   
12.1
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Company's Principal Executive Officer
   
12.2
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Company's Principal Financial Officer
   
13.1
   
13.2
   
15.1
   
101
The following materials from the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2017 and 2018; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018; and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


__________________
(1)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on June 24, 2011
(2)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on April 18, 2014
(3)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.3 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on April 26, 2016
(4)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K filed on March 9, 2007
(5)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K filed on November 28, 2014
(6)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on June 29, 2009
(7)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on March 14, 2017
(8)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Company's Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form F-1, filed on May 9, 2016 (File No. 333-194690)
(9)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form F-1, filed on May 13, 2014 (File No. 333-194690)
(10)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on September 22, 2016
(11)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on November 23, 2016
(12)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on February 21, 2017
(13)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on May 8, 2017
(14)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on April 26, 2016
(15)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on September 22, 2016
(16)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on November 23, 2016
(17)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on November 23, 2016
121



(18)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.42 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-1, filed on March 19, 2014, as amended (File No. 333-194960)
(19)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-1, filed on March 19, 2014, as amended (File No. 333-194960)
(20)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.29 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on April 29, 2015
(21)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.30 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on April 29, 2015
(22)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.33 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on April 29, 2015
(23)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.31 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on April 29, 2015
(24)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.32 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on April 29, 2015
(25)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.34 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on April 29, 2015
(26)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.37 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on April 26, 2016
(27)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.38 the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on April 26, 2016
(28)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.18 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on March 14, 2017
(29)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.39 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on April 26, 2016
(30)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.40 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on April 26, 2016
(31)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.41 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on April 26, 2016
(32)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.42 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on April 26, 2016
(33)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 of the Company's Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form F-1, filed on June 23, 2016 (File No. 333-194690)
(34)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on February 2, 2017
(35)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on March 20, 2017
(36)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on March 27, 2017
(37)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on April 5, 2017
(38)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on April 28, 2017
(39)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on February 7, 2017
(40)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on February 7, 2017
(41)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on February 21, 2017
(42)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.28 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 14, 2017
(43)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit B of the Schedule 13D/A of Family Trading Inc., Sovereign Holdings Inc., Epsilon Holdings Inc., Oscar Shipholding Ltd, Race Navigation Inc., Tankers Family Inc., and the Lax Trust, filed on March 1, 2017
(44)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on March 22, 2017
122

(45)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on March 22, 2017
(46)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on March 28, 2017
(47)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on March 28, 2017
(48)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on April 5, 2017
(49)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on April 5 2017
(50)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on May 15, 2017
(51)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on May 15, 2017
(52)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on September 15, 2017
(53)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on May 8, 2017
(54)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on November 8, 2017
(55)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on November 14, 2017
(56)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on November 14, 2017
(57)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on December 11, 2017
(58)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on December 15, 2017
(59)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on December 15, 2017
(60)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on January 8, 2018
(61)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on January 8, 2018
(62)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on October 24, 2018
(63)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on October 24, 2018
(64)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on October 24, 2018
(65)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on January 11, 2019

123

(66)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.4 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(67)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.5 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(68)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.6 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(69)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.7 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(70)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.8 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(71)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.9 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(72)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(74)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(74)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(75)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(76)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.20 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(77)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.26 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(78)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.27 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(79)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.28 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(80)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.38 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(81)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.39 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(82)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.40 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(83)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.41 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(84)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.47 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(85)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.48 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(86)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.49 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018

124

(87)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.50 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(88)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.53 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(89)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.56 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(90)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.57 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(91)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.60 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(92)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.61 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(93)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.62 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(94)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.71 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(95)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.72 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(96)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.73 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(97)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.74 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(98)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.75 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(99)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.76 of the Company's Annual Report of Form 20-F, filed on March 29, 2018
(100)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on October 3, 2018.
(101)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit F of the Schedule 13D/A of Family Trading Inc., Sovereign Holdings Inc., Epsilon Holdings Inc., Race Navigation Inc., Tankers Family Inc., and the Lax Trust, filed on March 12, 2019.
(102)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit G of the Schedule 13D/A of Family Trading Inc., Sovereign Holdings Inc., Epsilon Holdings Inc., Race Navigation Inc., Tankers Family Inc., and the Lax Trust, filed on March 12, 2019.
(103)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit H of the Schedule 13D/A of Family Trading Inc., Sovereign Holdings Inc., Epsilon Holdings Inc., Race Navigation Inc., Tankers Family Inc., and the Lax Trust, filed on March 12, 2019.









125


SIGNATURES

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
 
TOP SHIPS INC.
 
(Registrant)
   
Date: March 27, 2019
By:
/s/ Evangelos J. Pistiolis
   
Evangelos J. Pistiolis
   
President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director











TOP SHIPS INC.

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

 
Page
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
F-2
 
 
Consolidated Balance sheets as of December 31, 2017 and 2018
F-3
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018
F-5
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' equity for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018
F-6
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018
F-8
 
 
Notes to consolidated financial statements
F-10
   




 





REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Top Ships Inc.,
Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Top Ships Inc. and   subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018 and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ Deloitte Certified Public Accountants S.A.

Athens, Greece

March 27, 2019

 

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2006.




F-2


TOP SHIPS INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
 
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars - except share and per share data)

   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2017
   
2018
 
             
ASSETS
           
 
           
CURRENT ASSETS:
           
             
Cash and cash equivalents
   
24,081
     
57
 
Trade accounts receivable
   
621
     
815
 
Prepayments and other (Note 7)
   
428
     
808
 
Due from related parties (Note 5)
   
-
     
75
 
Inventories (Note 8)
   
645
     
587
 
Prepaid bareboat charter hire (Note 6)
   
1,656
     
1,656
 
Deferred charges (Note 9)
   
341
     
-
 
Restricted cash (Note 6 and 9)
   
1,283
     
1,290
 
      Total current assets
   
29,055
     
5,288
 
 
               
FIXED ASSETS:
               
 
               
Advances for vessels under construction (Note 4(a))
   
6,757
     
38,744
 
Vessels, net (Note 4(b))
   
154,935
     
180,635
 
Other fixed assets, net
   
1,042
     
669
 
      Total fixed assets
   
162,734
     
220,048
 
 
               
OTHER NON CURRENT ASSETS:
               
 
               
     Prepaid bareboat charter hire (Note 6)
   
5,278
     
3,621
 
Restricted cash (Note 6 and 9)
   
5,249
     
6,315
 
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures (Note 20)
   
17,738
     
22,063
 
Derivative financial instruments (Note 17)
   
394
     
1,153
 
      Total non-current assets
   
28,659
     
33,152
 
 
               
      Total assets
   
220,448
     
258,488
 
 
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
 
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
 
               
Current portion of long-term debt (Note 9)
   
9,508
     
10,210
 
Short-term debt (Note 9)
   
10,183
     
13,416
 
Due to related parties (Note 5)
   
120
     
4,223
 
Accounts payable
   
2,799
     
4,098
 
Accrued liabilities
   
1,985
     
2,957
 
Unearned revenue
   
986
     
-
 
     Current portion of derivative financial instruments (Note 17)
   
-
     
1,915
 
      Total current liabilities
   
25,581
     
36,819
 
 
               
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
                 
Non-current portion of long term debt (Note 9)
   
84,258
     
101,358
 
Long term debt from related parties (Note 9)
   
-
     
15,671
 
Non-current portion of derivative financial instruments (Note 17)
   
3,335
     
359
 
           Total non-current liabilities
   
87,593
     
117,388
 
F-3


             
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 10)
           
 
           
      Total liabilities
   
113,174
     
154,207
 
 
               
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
               
 
               
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; of which 100,000 Series D shares were outstanding at December 31, 2017 and 2018 (Note 11)
   
1
     
1
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 1,000,000,000 shares authorized; 8,923,617 and 23,017,467 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and 2018 (Note 11)
   
89
     
230
 
Additional paid-in capital (Note 11)
   
402,644
     
411,829
 
Accumulated deficit
   
(296,645
)
   
(307,779
)
 
               
      Total stockholders’ equity
   
106,089
     
104,281
 
 
               
     Non-controlling Interests
   
1,185
     
-
 
           Total  equity
   
107,274
     
104,281
 
                 
      Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
   
220,448
     
258,488
 
 
               



 
F-4


`TOP SHIPS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except share and per share data)
 
   
2016
   
2017
   
2018
 
                   
                   
REVENUES:
                 
                   
Time charter revenues
   
28,433
     
39,363
     
39,442
 
Time charter revenues from related parties
   
-
     
-
     
1,606
 
Total time charter revenues
    28,433
      39,363
      41,048
 
                         
EXPENSES:
                       
                         
Voyage expenses (including $358, $487 and $511 respectively, to related party) (Note 14)
   
736
     
999
     
1,020
 
Bareboat charter hire expenses (Note 6)
   
6,299
     
6,282
     
6,282
 
Amortization of prepaid bareboat charter hire (Note 6)
   
1,577
     
1,657
     
1,657
 
Vessel operating expenses (including $104, $136 and $187 respectively, to related party) (Note 14)
   
9,913
     
13,444
     
14,826
 
Vessel depreciation (Note 4b)
   
3,467
     
5,744
     
6,390
 
Management fees-related parties (Note 5)
   
1,824
     
4,730
     
7,765
 
General and administrative expenses
   
2,906
     
5,805
     
6,997
 
Other operating (income) (Note 18)
   
(3,137
)
   
(914
)
   
-
 
                         
Operating income/(loss)
   
4,848
     
1,616
     
(3,889
)
                         
OTHER EXPENSES:
                       
                         
Interest and finance costs (including $509, $504 and $1,053 respectively, to related party) (Note 15)
   
(3,093
)
   
(15,793
)
   
(9,662
)
(Loss)/gain on derivative financial instruments (Note 17)
   
(698
)
   
(301
)
   
1,821
 
Interest income
   
-
     
13
     
130
 
Other, net  (Note 9)
   
(5
)
   
1,120
     
180
 
                         
Total other expenses, net
   
(3,796
)
   
(14,961
)
   
(7,531
)
                         
Net (loss)/income and comprehensive (loss)/income
   
1,052
     
(13,345
)
   
(11,420
)
Deemed dividend for beneficial conversion feature of Series B convertible preferred stock (Note 19)
   
(1,403
)
   
-
     
-
 
Equity (loss)/gain in unconsolidated joint ventures
   
-
     
(27
)
   
291
 
Net loss attributable to common shareholders
   
(351
)
   
(13,372
)
   
(11,129
)
                         
Attributable to:
                       
Common stock holders
   
(351
)
   
(13,404
)
   
(11,134
)
Non-controlling interests
   
-
     
32
     
5
 
                         
Loss per common share, basic and diluted (Note 13)
   
(15,955
)
   
(12.57
)
   
(0.61
)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 

F-5


TOP SHIPS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
 (Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except number of shares and per share data)

 
                                               
 
                         
                   
   

Preferred Stock
   
Common Stock
   
   
             
   
# of Shares
   
Par Value
   
# of Shares*
   
Par Value*
   

Additional
Paid in
Capital*
   
Accumulated Deficit
attributable to common stockholders
   
Non-controlling interest
   
Total
 
BALANCE, December 31, 2015
               
11
     
-
     
318,446
     
(284,293
)
   
-
     
34,153
 
Net income and comprehensive income
   
      1      
-
     
-
     
-
     
1,052
     
-
     
1,052
 
Stock-based compensation (Note 12)
                           
-
     
239
     
-
     
-
     
239
 
Common shares issued in exchange of assumption of Delos Termination Fee (Note 5)
                   
8
     
-
     
3,796
     
-
     
-
     
3,796
 
Issuance of common stock due to exercise of 2014 Warrants (Note 11)
                   
12
             
6,281
     
-
     
-
     
6,281
 
Deemed dividend for Series B convertible preferred stock’s beneficial conversion feature (Note 19)
                   
-
     
-
     
(1,403
)
   
-
     
-
     
(1,403
)
Beneficial conversion feature of Series B convertible preferred stock (Note 19)
                   
-
     
-
     
1,403
     
-
     
-
     
1,403
 
BALANCE, December 31, 2016
                   
31
     
-
     
328,762
     
(283,241
)
   
-
     
45,521
 
Net loss
                   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(13,404
)
   
32
     
(13,372
)
Issuance of common stock pursuant to convertible related party loans (Note 9)
                   
4
             
2,040
     
-
     
-
     
2,040
 
Issuance of common stock pursuant to the Common Stock Purchase Agreement (Note 11)
                   
632,775
     
6
     
38,383
     
-
     
-
     
38,389
 
Issuance of common stock pursuant to the Crede Common Stock Purchase Agreement (Note 11)
                   
7,148,889
     
72
     
28,561
     
-
     
-
     
28,633
 
Issuance of common stock pursuant to Series C convertible preferred shares conversions  (Note 9 and 11)
                   
904,646
     
9
     
8,204
     
-
     
-
     
8,213
 
Series C convertible preferred stock's beneficial conversion feature (Note 9)
                   
-
     
-
     
7,500
     
-
     
-
     
7,500
 
Issuance of common stock due to exercise of 2014 Warrants (Note 11)
                   
219,250
     
2
     
1,538
     
-
     
-
     
1,540
 
Stock-based compensation (Note 12)
                   
-
     
-
     
(25
)
   
-
     
-
     
(25
)
Non-controlling interest on acquisition of Eco Seven Inc (Note 1)
                                                   
5,278
     
5,278
 
Reduction of non-controlling interest arising from Company’s purchase of additional ownership interest in Eco Seven In. (Note 1)
                                                   
(4,125
)
   
(4,125
)
Excess of consideration over acquired assets (Note 1)
                   
-
     
-
     
(12,909
)
                   
(12,909
)
F-6


Cancellation of fractional shares due to reverse stock splits
               
(4
)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Issuance of common stock pursuant to Series B convertible preferred stock conversions reflected in Mezzanine equity (Note 19)
               
18,026
             
1,743
     
-
     
-
     
1,743
 
Issuance of Series D preferred stock (Note 11)
   
100,000
     
1
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
1
 
Additional paid-in capital  attributed to non-controlling interests
                   
-
     
-
     
(1,153
)
   
-
             
(1,153
)
BALANCE, December 31, 2017
   
100,000
     
1
     
8,923,617
     
89
     
402,644
     
(296,645
)
   
1,185
     
107,274
 
Net loss
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(11,134
)
   
5
     
(11,129
)
Issuance of common stock pursuant to the Crede Common Stock Purchase Agreement (Note 11)
   
-
     
-
     
8,050,000
     
81
     
14,708
     
-
     
-
     
14,789
 
Issuance of common stock pursuant to Maxim ATM (Note 11)
   
-
     
-
     
2,490,853
     
25
     
2,589
     
-
     
-
     
2,614
 
Issuance of common stock due to exercise of 2018 Warrants (Note 11)
   
-
     
-
     
1,553,000
     
16
     
2,162
     
-
     
-
     
2,178
 
Issuance of common stock due to the 2018 Common Stock Offering (Note 11)
   
-
     
-
     
2,000,000
     
20
     
2,701
     
-
     
-
     
2,721
 
Purchase of 10% of M/T Stenaweco Elegance (Note 1)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(1,190
)
   
(1,190
)
Stock-based compensation
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(34
)
   
-
     
-
     
(34
)
Family Trading facility beneficial
conversion feature (Note 9)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
15,028
     
-
     
-
     
15,028
 
Elimination of beneficial
conversion feature with debt extinguishment (Note 9)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(3,451
)
   
-
     
-
     
(3,451
)
Deemed dividend due to debt extinguishment of FT facility (Note 9)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(2,258
)
   
-
     
-
     
(2,258
)
Excess of consideration over acquired assets (Note 1)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(22,260
)
   
-
     
-
     
(22,260
)
Cancellation of fractional shares due to reverse stock split
   
-
     
-
     
(3
)
   
(1
)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(1
)
BALANCE, December 31, 2018
   
100,000
     
1
     
23,017,467
     
230
     
411,829
     
(307,779
)
   
-
     
104,281
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

 
F-7



TOP SHIPS INC.
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
 
   
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars)
 
   
2016
   
2017
   
2018
 
                   
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
                 
                   
Net income/(loss)
   
1,052
     
(13,372
)
   
(11,129
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash
                       
provided by operating activities:
                       
Vessel depreciation (Note 4)
   
3,467
     
5,744
     
6,390
 
Other fixed assets depreciation
   
121
     
120
     
373
 
Equity losses/(gains) in unconsolidated joint ventures
   
-
     
27
     
(291
)
Non-cash debt conversion expenses
   
-
     
842
     
-
 
Amortization and write off of deferred financing costs
   
163
     
1,640
     
1,305
 
Amortization of debt discount
   
-
     
7,500
     
2,504
 
Stock-based compensation expense (Note 12)
   
239
     
(25
)
   
(34
)
Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments (Note 17)
   
682
     
(175
)
   
(1,821
)
Write-off of short term debt (Note 9)
   
-
     
(1,118
)
   
(180
)
Loss on sale of other fixed assets
   
22
     
-
     
-
 
Amortization of prepaid bareboat charter hire (Note 6)
   
1,577
     
1,657
     
1,657
 
Other operating income
   
(3,137
)
   
(914
)
   
-
 
(Increase)/Decrease in:
                       
Trade accounts receivable
   
88
     
(602
)
   
(194
)
Inventories
   
(181
)
   
(62
)
   
58
 
Prepayments and other
   
(429
)
   
436
     
(380
)
Due from related parties
   
(34
)
   
34
     
(75
)
Increase/(Decrease) in:
                       
Due to related parties
   
14
     
(1,034
)
   
2,621
 
Accounts payable
   
954
     
(207
)
   
695
 
Accrued liabilities
   
128
     
1,196
     
203
 
Unearned revenue
   
1,978
     
(992
)
   
(986
)
 
                       
Net Cash provided by Operating Activities
   
6,704
     
695
     
716
 
 
                       
Cash Flows used in Investing Activities:
                       
 
                       
Advances for vessels under construction and capitalized expenses (Note 4)
   
(73,383
)
   
(6,757
)
   
(63,555
)
Vessel acquisitions (Note 4)
   
-
     
(34,671
)
   
-
 
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures (Note 20)
   
-
     
(17,639
)
   
(3,681
)
Purchase of 10% of M/T Stenaweco Elegance (Note 1)
   
-
     
-
     
(1,190
)
Net proceeds from sale of other fixed assets
   
29
     
-
     
-
 
 
                       
Net Cash used in Investing Activities
   
(73,354
)
   
(59,067
)
   
(68,426
)
 
                       
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
                       
 
                       
Proceeds from debt (Note 9)
   
65,385
     
24,849
     
28,500
 
Proceeds from short-term debt (Note 9)
   
-
     
68,790
     
32,783
 
Proceeds from related party debt (Note 9)
   
235
     
3,148
     
26,152
 
Principal payments of debt
   
(5,085
)
   
(9,546
)
   
(10,221
)
Proceeds from issuance of Series C convertible preferred stock (Note 9 and 11)
   
-
     
7,500
     
-
 
Prepayment of  related party debt (Note 9)
   
-
     
(7,233
)
   
(1,408
)
Prepayment of short term debt (Note 9)
   
-
     
-
     
(8,993
)
Prepayment of short term Notes (Note 9)
   
-
     
-
     
(5,656
)
Excess of purchase price over book value of vessels (Note 1)
   
-
     
(12,909
)
   
(22,260
)
Proceeds from common issuance of common stock (Note 11)
   
-
     
9,726
     
5,781
 
Proceeds from warrant exercises (Note 11)
   
5,765
     
1,567
     
2,330
 
Proceeds from issuance of Series B convertible preferred stock
   
2,001
     
-
     
-
 
Equity offering issuance costs
   
(87
)
   
(1,342
)
   
(536
)
Payment of financing costs
   
(388
)
   
(1,159
)
   
(1,713
)
F-8


 
                 
Net Cash provided by Financing Activities
   
67,826
     
83,391
     
44,759
 
 
                       
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
   
1,176
     
25,019
     
(22,951
)
 
                       
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year
   
4,418
     
5,594
     
30,613
 
                         
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of the year
   
5,594
     
30,613
     
7,662
 
                         
Cash breakdown
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
   
127
     
24,081
     
57
 
Restricted cash, current
   
1,257
     
1,283
     
1,290
 
Restricted cash, non-current
   
4,210
     
5,249
     
6,315
 
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
                       
                         
Capital expenditures included in Accounts payable/Accrued liabilities/Due to related parties
   
205
     
43
     
555
 
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest
   
2,434
     
5,103
     
6,322
 
Finance fees included in Accounts payable/Accrued liabilities/Due to related parties
   
67
     
372
     
2,109
 
Equity issuance costs included in liabilities
   
792
     
1,108
     
117
 
Shares issued as consideration for the assumption of liabilities
   
3,796
     
-
     
-
 
Beneficial conversion feature of Series B convertible preferred stock (Note 19)
   
1,403
     
-
     
-
 
Deemed dividend for beneficial conversion feature of Series B convertible preferred stock (Note 19)
   
(1,403
)
   
-
     
-
 
Shares issued in exchange for converting debt,  interest & finance fees
   
-
     
10,890
     
-
 
Settlement of notes with common stock issued (Note 9 and 11)
   
-
     
58,794
     
14,811
 
Elimination of beneficial conversion feature with debt extinguishment (Note 9)
   
-
     
-
     
(3,451
)
 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-9


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)




1.
Basis of Presentation and General Information:

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Top Ships Inc. (formerly Top Tankers Inc. and Ocean Holdings Inc.) and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively the “Company”). Ocean Holdings Inc. was formed on January 10, 2000, under the laws of Marshall Islands and was renamed to Top Tankers Inc. and Top Ships Inc. in May 2004 and December 2007, respectively. The Company is an international provider of worldwide oil, petroleum products and chemicals transportation services.

As of December 31, 2018, the Company was the sole owner of all outstanding shares of the following subsidiary companies. The following list is not exhaustive as the Company has other subsidiaries relating to vessels that have been sold and that remain dormant for the periods presented in these consolidated financial statements as well as intermediary companies that own shipowning companies that are 100% subsidiaries of the Company.

 
Companies
Date of
Incorporation
Country of
Incorporation
Activity
 
 Top Tanker Management Inc.
May 2004
Marshall Islands
Management company

 
Wholly owned Shipowning Companies (“SPC”) with vessels in operation during years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018
 
Date of
Incorporation
Country of
Incorporation
Vessel
Delivery Date
1
 Monte Carlo 71 Shipping Company Limited
 
June 2014
Marshall Islands
M/T Stenaweco Energy
July  2014
2
 Monte Carlo One Shipping Company Ltd
 
June 2012
Marshall Islands
M/T Stenaweco Evolution
March 2015
3
 Monte Carlo Seven Shipping Company Limited
 
April  2013
Marshall Islands
M/T Stenaweco Excellence
May 2016
4
 Monte Carlo Lax Shipping Company Limited
 
May  2013
Marshall Islands
M/T Nord Valiant
August 2016
5
 Monte Carlo 37 Shipping Company Limited
 
September 2013
Marshall Islands
M/T Eco Fleet
July 2015
6
 Monte Carlo 39 Shipping Company Limited
 
December 2013
Marshall Islands
M/T Eco Revolution
January 2016
7
 Eco Seven Inc.
 
February 2017
Marshall Islands
M/T Stenaweco Elegance
February 2017
8
 Astarte International Inc.
 
April 2017
Marshall Islands
M/T Eco Palm Desert
September 2018

 
Wholly owned SPCs with vessels under construction  during year ended December 31, 2018
 
Date of
Incorporation
Country of
Incorporation
Vessel
Scheduled delivery date
9
 PCH77 Shipping Company Limited
 
 
September 2017
Marshall Islands
M/T Eco California
January 2019
10
 PCH Dreaming Inc.
 
January 2018
Marshall Islands
M/T Eco Marina Del Ray
March 2019
11
 South California Inc.
 
 
January 2018
Marshall Islands
M/T Eco Bel Air
April 2019
12
 Malibu Warrior Inc.
 
January 2018
Marshall Islands
M/T Eco Beverly Hills
May 2019

F-10

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)



As of December 31, 2018, the Company was the owner of 50% of outstanding shares of the following companies.

 
SPC
Date of
Incorporation
Country of
Incorporation
Vessel
Built Date
1
 City of Athens Pte. Ltd.
November 2016
Singapore
M/T Eco Holmby Hills
March 2018
2
 Eco Nine Pte. Ltd.
March 2015
Singapore
M/T Eco Palm Springs
May 2018

On February 20, 2017, the Company acquired a 40% ownership interest in Eco Seven Inc. (“Eco Seven”), a Marshall Islands corporation, from Malibu Shipmanagement Co. (“Malibu”), a Marshall Islands corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Lax Trust, an irrevocable trust established for the benefit of certain family members of Evangelos J. Pistiolis, the Company’s President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, for an aggregate purchase price of $6,500, pursuant to a share purchase agreement. On March 30, 2017, the Company acquired another 9% ownership interest in Eco Seven from Malibu for an aggregate purchase price of $1,500. On May 30, 2017, the Company acquired an additional 41% interest in Eco Seven from Malibu, for $6,500, increasing the Company’s interest to 90%. The Company controls the board and management of Eco Seven and thus consolidates Eco Seven in its financial statements from February 20, 2017 onwards. Eco Seven owns M/T Stenaweco Elegance, a 50,118 dwt product/chemical tanker that was delivered from Hyundai Vinashin Shipyard Co., Ltd of Vietnam (“Hyundai”) on February 28, 2017.

On March 30, 2017, the Company, acquired a 49% ownership interest in City of Athens Pte. Ltd (“City of Athens”) from Fly Free Company, a Marshall Islands corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Lax Trust, for an aggregate purchase price of $4,200. City of Athens was party to a newbuilding contract for the construction of M/T Eco Holmby Hills, a 50,000 dwt newbuilding product/chemical tanker delivered from Hyundai in March 2018. Furthermore on March 30, 2017, the Company, acquired a 49% ownership interest in Eco Nine Pte. Ltd (“Eco Nine”) from Maxima International Co., a Marshall Islands corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Lax Trust, for an aggregate purchase price of $3,500. Eco Nine was a party to a newbuilding contract for the construction of M/T Eco Palm Springs, a 50,000 dwt newbuilding product/chemical tanker delivered from Hyundai in May 2018. On June 14, 2017 the Company acquired an additional 1% interest in City of Athens and in Eco Nine for an aggregate consideration of $157, increasing the Company’s interest in both companies to 50%. The Company accounts for these acquisitions as investments in unconsolidated joint ventures because the Company doesn’t control the two abovementioned companies, since they are jointly controlled by the two partners pursuant to a joint venture agreement (Note 20).

On April 26, 2017, the Company acquired a 100% ownership interest in Astarte International Inc. (“Astarte”) from Indigo Maritime Ltd, a Marshall Islands corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Lax Trust, for an aggregate purchase price of $6,000. Astarte was party to a newbuilding contract for the construction of M/T Eco Palm Desert, a 50,000 dwt newbuilding product/chemical tanker delivered from Hyundai in September 2018.

On November 24, 2017, the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of PCH77 Shipping Company Limited, a Marshall Islands company that owns M/T Eco California, a 50,000 dwt newbuilding product/chemical tanker delivered on January 30, 2018 from Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co., Ltd. in Korea from an entity affiliated with Evangelos J. Pistiolis. The Company paid $3,600 for the outstanding shares.
F-11


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)



On January 31, 2018 the Company acquired:


a.
100% of the issued and outstanding shares of PCH Dreaming Inc., a Marshall Islands company that had entered into a new building contract for a high specification 50,000 dwt Medium Range (“MR”) product/chemical tanker (M/T Eco Marina Del Ray or Hull No 8242) under construction at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co., Ltd. in South Korea and delivered in March 2019.  The Company acquired the shares from an entity affiliated with the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, for an aggregate purchase price of $3,950. The transaction specified that following its delivery, the vessel was going to enter into a time charter with an entity affiliated with the seller for a firm duration of one year at a gross daily rate of $16,000, with a charterer’s option to extend for two additional years at $17,000 and $18,000, respectively. In June 2018 the Company cancelled without penalty the abovementioned time charter and entered into a new 5 year time charter with Cargill International SA (“Cargill”) at a gross daily rate of $15,100.

b.
100% of the issued and outstanding shares of South California Inc., a Marshall Islands company that had entered into a new building contract for a high specification, scrubber-equipped, 157,000 dwt Suezmax Crude Oil Carrier (M/T Eco Bel Air or Hull No 874) under construction at Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. in South Korea and scheduled for delivery during April 2019. The Company acquired the shares from an entity affiliated with the Company’s Chief Executive Officer for an aggregate purchase price of $8,950. The transaction specified that following its delivery, the vessel was going to enter into a time charter with an entity affiliated with the Seller for a firm duration of one year at a gross daily rate of $25,000, with a charterer’s option to extend for two additional years at $26,000 and $27,000, respectively. In June the Company cancelled without penalty the abovementioned time charter and entered into a new 3 year time charter with BP Shipping Limited at a gross daily rate of $25,000, with a charterer’s option to extend for two additional years at $28,000 and $29,500, respectively.

c.
100% of the issued outstanding shares of Malibu Warrior Inc., a Marshall Islands company that had entered into a new building contract for a high specification, scrubber-equipped, 157,000 dwt Suezmax Crude Oil Carrier (M/T Beverly Hills or Hull No 875) under construction at Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. in South Korea and scheduled for delivery during May 2019. The Company acquired the shares from an entity affiliated with the Company’s Chief Executive Officer for an aggregate purchase price of $8,950. The transaction specified that following its delivery, the vessel was going to enter into a time charter with an entity affiliated with the Seller for a firm duration of one year at a gross daily rate of $25,000, with a charterer’s option to extend for two additional years at $26,000 and $27,000, respectively. In June 2018 the Company cancelled without penalty the abovementioned time charter and entered into a new 3 year time charter with BP Shipping Limited at a gross daily rate of $25,000, with a charterer’s option to extend for two additional years at $28,000 and $29,500, respectively.

d.
10% of the issued and outstanding shares of Eco Seven Inc., the owner of M/T Stena Elegance. The Company acquired the shares from an entity affiliated with the Company’s Chief Executive Officer for an aggregate purchase price of $1,600. As a result of the transaction the Company owns 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Eco Seven Inc.

Each of the acquisitions was approved by a special committee of the Company’s board of directors, (the "Transaction Committee"), of which all of the directors were independent.  The Company accounted for the abovementioned acquisitions as a transfer of assets between entities under common control and has recognized the vessels at their historical carrying amounts at the date of transfer.

The amount of the consideration given in excess of the historical carrying value of the net assets acquired is recognized as a reduction to the Company’s additional paid in capital and presented as Excess of consideration over the carrying value of acquired assets in the Company’s consolidated statement of stockholders' equity for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 respectively. An analysis of the consideration paid is presented in the table below:

As of December 31, 2017:

Consideration in cash
   
24,100
 
Less: Carrying value of net assets of companies acquired
   
11,191
 
Excess of consideration over acquired assets
   
12,909
 

F-12

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)



As of December 31, 2018:

Consideration in cash
   
23,450
 
Less: Carrying value of net assets of companies acquired
   
1,190
 
Excess of consideration over acquired assets
   
22,260
 


2.
Significant Accounting Policies:

(a) Principles of Consolidation:   The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and include the accounts and operating results of Top Ships Inc. and its subsidiaries referred to in Note 1. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation. Non-controlling interests are stated at the non-controlling interest’s proportion of the net assets of the subsidiaries where the Company has less than 100% interest. Subsequent to initial recognition the carrying amount of non-controlling interest is increased or decreased by the non-controlling interest’s share of subsequent changes in the equity of such subsidiaries. Total comprehensive income is attributed to a non-controlling interest even if this results in the non-controlling interest having a deficit balance. Changes in the Company’s ownership interests in subsidiaries that do not result in the Company losing control over the subsidiaries are accounted for as equity transactions. The carrying amounts of the Company’s interests and the non-controlling interests are adjusted to reflect the changes in their relative interests in the subsidiaries. Any difference between the amount by which the non-controlling interests are adjusted and the fair value of the consideration paid or received is recognized directly in equity and attributed to owners of the Company.

(b)    Use of Estimates: The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Critical estimates mainly include impairment of vessels, vessel useful lives and residual values and fair values of derivative instruments.

(c)    Foreign Currency Translation: The Company’s functional currency is the U.S. Dollar because all vessels operate in international shipping markets, and therefore primarily transact business in U.S. Dollars. The Company’s books of account are maintained in U.S. Dollars. Transactions involving other currencies during the year are converted into U.S. Dollars using the exchange rates in effect at the time of the transactions. At the balance sheet dates, monetary assets and liabilities, which are denominated in other currencies are translated to U.S. Dollars based on the year-end exchange rates and any gains and losses are included in the statement of comprehensive loss.

(d)    Cash and Cash Equivalents: The Company considers highly liquid investments such as time deposits and certificates of deposit with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

(e)    Restricted Cash: The Company considers amounts that are pledged, blocked, held as cash collateral, required to be maintained with a specific bank or be maintained by the Company as minimum cash under the terms of a loan agreement, as restricted and these amounts are presented separately on the balance sheets. In the event original maturities are shorter than twelve months, such deposits are presented as current assets while if original maturities are longer than twelve months, such deposits are presented as non-current assets.

(f)    Trade Accounts Receivable, net: The amount shown as trade accounts receivable, net at each balance sheet date, includes estimated recoveries from charterers for hire billings, net of a provision for doubtful accounts. At each balance sheet date, all potentially uncollectible accounts are assessed individually, combined with the application of a historical recoverability ratio, for purposes of determining the appropriate provision for doubtful accounts. The Company assessed that it had no potentially uncollectible accounts and hence formed no provision for doubtful accounts at December 31, 2017 and 2018 respectively.

(g)    Inventories: Inventories consist of lubricants and paints on board the vessels. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost, which consists of the purchase price, is determined by the first in, first out method.
F-13

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)



(h)   Vessel Cost:   Vessels are stated at cost, which consists of the contract price, pre-delivery costs and capitalized interest incurred during the construction of new building vessels, and any material expenses incurred upon acquisition (improvements and delivery costs). Subsequent expenditures for conversions and major improvements are also capitalized when they appreciably extend the life, increase the earning capacity or improve the efficiency or safety of the vessels. Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred and are included in Vessel operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.

(i)  Impairment of Long-Lived Assets:   The Company evaluates the existence of impairment indicators whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying values of the Company’s long lived assets are not recoverable. Such indicators of potential impairment include, vessel sales and purchases, business plans and overall market conditions. If there are indications for impairment present, the Company determines undiscounted projected net operating cash flows for each vessel and compares it to the vessel's carrying value. If the carrying value of the related vessel exceeds its undiscounted future net cash flows, the carrying value is reduced to its fair value, and the difference is recognized as an impairment loss.
 
(j)   Vessel Depreciation:   Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the vessels, after deducting the estimated salvage value. Each vessel's salvage value is equal to the product of its lightweight tonnage and estimated scrap rate, of $300 per lightweight ton. Management estimates the useful life of the Company's vessels to be 25 years from the date of initial delivery from the shipyard. Second hand vessels are depreciated from the date of their acquisition through their remaining estimated useful life. When regulations place limitations over the ability of a vessel to trade on a worldwide basis, its useful life is adjusted at the date such regulations are adopted.

(k)     Long Lived Assets Held for Sale: The Company classifies vessels as being held for sale when the following criteria are met: (a) management, having the authority to approve the action, commits to a plan to sell the asset, (b) the asset is available for immediate sale in its present condition subject only to terms that are usual and customary for sales of such assets, (c) an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell the asset have been initiated, (d) the sale of the asset is probable and transfer of the asset is expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale, within one year, (e) the asset is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value, (f) actions required to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn.

Long-lived assets classified as held for sale are measured at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. These vessels are not depreciated once they meet the criteria to be classified as held for sale. 

Long-lived assets previously classified as held for sale that are classified as held and used are revalued at the lower of (a) the carrying amount of the asset before it was classified as held for sale, adjusted for any depreciation expense that would have been recognized had the asset been continuously classified as held and used and (b) the fair value of the asset at the date that the Company decided not to sell the asset.

(l)   Other Fixed Assets, Net:   Other fixed assets, net, consist of furniture, office equipment, cars and leasehold improvements, stated at cost, which consists of the purchase/contract price less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the assets as presented below:

Description
 
Useful Life (years)
 
Leasehold improvements
 
Until the end of the lease term (December 2024)
 
Cars
   
6
 
Office equipment
   
5
 
Furniture and fittings
   
5
 
Computer equipment
   
3
 

(m)    Accounting for Dry-Docking Costs: All dry-docking and special survey costs are expensed in the period incurred.
F-14

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)



(n)   Financing Costs:   Fees incurred and paid to the lenders for obtaining new loans or refinancing existing ones are recorded as a contra to debt and such fees are amortized to interest and finance costs over the life of the related debt using the effective interest method. Unamortized fees relating to loans repaid or refinanced are expensed when a repayment or refinancing is made and charged to interest and finance costs.
 
(o)    Accounting for Revenue and Expenses:   Revenues are generated from time charter arrangements. A time charter is a contract for the use of a vessel for a specific period of time and a specified daily charter hire rate, which is generally payable monthly in advance. Time charter revenue is only recognized when an agreement exists, the price is fixed, service is provided and the collection of the related revenue is reasonably assured. Revenue is shown net of address commissions, if applicable, payable directly to charterers under the relevant charter agreements. Address commissions represent a common market practice discount (sales incentive) on services rendered by the Company and no identifiable benefit is received in exchange for the consideration provided to the charterer. Commissions on time charter revenues are recognized on a pro rata basis over the duration of the period. Time charter revenue is recognized as earned on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant time charter starting from the vessel’s delivery to the charterer, except for any off-hire period. Under a time charter agreement, vessel operating expenses such as management fees, crew wages, provisions and stores, technical maintenance and insurance expenses and broker’s commissions are paid by the vessel owner, whereas voyage expenses such as bunkers, port expenses, agents’ fees, and extra war risk insurance are paid by the charterer.

Vessel operating expenses are expensed as incurred. Unearned revenue represents cash received prior to year-end related to revenue applicable to periods after December 31 of each year.

When vessels are acquired with time charters attached and the rates on such charters are below or above market on the acquisition date, the Company allocates the total cost between the vessel and the fair value of below market time charter based on the relative fair values of the vessel and the liability or asset acquired. The fair value of the attached time charter is computed as the present value of the difference between the contractual amount to be received over the term of the time charter and management’s estimates of the market time charter rate at the time of acquisition. The fair value of below or above market time charter is recognized as an intangible liability or asset respectively and is amortized over the remaining period of the time charter as an increase or decrease to revenues.

The Company pays commissions to ship brokers associated with arranging the Company’s charters. These commissions are recognized over the related charter period and are included in voyage expenses.

(p)   Stock Incentive Plan:   All share-based compensation related to the grant of restricted and/or unrestricted shares provided to employees and to non-employee directors as well as to third party consultants and service providers for their services provided is included in “general and administrative expenses” in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss. The shares that do not contain any future service vesting conditions are considered vested shares and recognized in full on the grant date. The shares that contain a time-based service vesting condition are considered non-vested shares on the grant date and recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The shares granted to employees or directors, vested and non-vested, are measured at fair value which is equal to the market value of the Company’s common stock on the grant date.   In addition, unvested awards granted to non-employees are measured at their then-current fair value as of the financial reporting dates (Note 12).
 
 (q)  Earnings / (Loss)  per Share:   Basic earnings/(loss) per share are computed by dividing net income or loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares deemed outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings/(loss) per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised. For purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share the denominator of the diluted earnings per share calculation includes the incremental shares assumed issued under the treasury stock method weighted for the period the non-vested shares were outstanding. The computation of diluted earnings per share also reflects the potential dilution that could occur if warrants to issue common stock were exercised, to the extent that they are dilutive, using the treasury stock method, the potential dilution that could occur if convertible preferred stock were converted, using the if-converted method as well as the potential dilution that could occur if the Company completed all sales pursuant to common stock purchase agreements, using the if-converted method. Finally net income or loss available to common stockholders is reduced to reflect any deemed dividends on convertible preferred stock, weighted for the period the convertible preferred shares were outstanding.
F-15

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)



(r)   Derivatives and Hedging :  The Company records every derivative instrument (including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts) on the balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value, with changes in the derivatives' fair value recognized in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. The Company has not applied hedge accounting for its derivative instruments during the periods presented.

(s)   Financial liabilities:   Financial liabilities are classified as either financial liabilities at ‘fair value through the profit and loss’ (“FVTPL”) or ‘other financial liabilities’. Financial instruments classified as FVTPL are recognized at fair value in the balance sheet when the Company has an obligation to perform under the contractual provisions of those instruments. Financial instruments are classified as liabilities or equity in accordance with the substance of the contractual arrangement. Changes in the financial instruments are recognized in earnings, except in the cases where these financial instruments fall under the guidance in ASC 815-40, where they are initially classified in equity and are initially measured at fair value in permanent equity and subsequent changes in fair value are not subsequently measured. Other financial liabilities (including borrowings and trade and other payables) are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method.

(t) Segment Reporting: The Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis, receives financial information and evaluates the Company’s operations by charter revenues and not by the length, type of vessel or type of ship employment for its customers (i.e. time or bareboat charters) or by geographical region as the charterer is free to trade the vessel worldwide and as a result, the disclosure of geographic information is impracticable. The CODM does not use discrete financial information to evaluate the operating results for each such type of charter or vessel. Although revenue can be identified for these types of charters or vessels, management cannot and does not identify expenses, profitability or other financial information for these various types of charters or vessels. As a result, management, including the CODM, reviews operating results solely by revenue per day and operating results of the fleet, and thus the Company has determined that it operates as one reportable segment.

(u)  Leasing: Leases are classified as capital leases if they meet at least one of the following criteria: (i) the leased asset automatically transfers title at the end of the lease term; (ii) the lease contains a bargain purchase option; (iii) the lease term equals or exceeds 75% of the remaining estimated economic life of the leased asset; (iv) or the present value of the minimum lease payments equals or exceeds 90% of the excess of fair value of the leased property. If none of the above criteria is met, the lease is accounted for as an operating lease. Operating lease payments are recognized as an operating expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For sale and lease back transactions, when the lease qualifies as an operating lease and the lease back is considered “more than minor but less than substantially all” i.e. the seller-lessee retains more than a minor part but less than substantially all of the use of the asset, the resulting gains or losses are deferred and amortized to income over the lease period.

(v)    Beneficial conversion feature: A beneficial conversion feature is defined as a non detachable conversion feature that is in the money at the commitment date. The beneficial conversion feature guidance requires recognition of the conversion option’s in-the-money portion, the intrinsic value of the option, in equity, with an offsetting reduction to the carrying amount of the instrument. The resulting discount is amortized as a dividend over either the life of the instrument, if a stated maturity date exists, or to the earliest conversion date, if there is no stated maturity date. If the earliest conversion date is immediately upon issuance, the dividend must be recognized at inception. When there is a subsequent change to the conversion ratio based on a future occurrence, the new conversion price may trigger the recognition of an additional beneficial conversion feature on occurrence.

(w)   Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures: The Company's investments in unconsolidated joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method of accounting, investments are stated at initial cost and are adjusted for subsequent additional investments and the Company's proportionate share of earnings or losses and distributions. The Company evaluates its investments in unconsolidated joint ventures for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such investments may have experienced other than temporary decline in value below their carrying value. If the estimated fair value is less than the carrying value and is considered other than a temporary decline, the carrying value is written down to its estimated fair value and the resulting impairment is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of comprehensive loss.
 
F-16

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)



 (x)   Recent Accounting Pronouncements:

New Accounting Pronouncements - Adopted

ASU 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers: On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued the ASU No 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU 2014-09, as amended, outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The Company elected to use the modified retrospective transition method for the implementation of this standard. The implementation of this standard did not have a material impact on the financial statements since the Company's revenues are generated from time charters. Revenue generated from time charters are within the scope of ASU 842, Leases, because the vessel is an identified asset, the Company does not have substantive substitution rights, and the charterer has the right to control the use of the vessel during the term of the contract and derives the economic benefits from such use. Revenue recognized under ASU 842 is discussed further below.

New Accounting Pronouncements - Not Yet Adopted

In July 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-11, "Earnings Per Share, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, and Derivatives and Hedging" ("ASU No. 2017-11"), which changes the classification of certain equity-linked financial instruments with down round features. As a result, a free standing equity-linked financial instrument or an embedded conversion option would not be accounted for as a derivative liability at fair value as a result of existence of a down round feature. For freestanding equity classified financial instruments, the amendment requires the entities to recognize the effect of the down round feature when triggered in its earnings per share calculations. The standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company does not believe this ASU will have a material impact on its financial statements.
In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, “Compensation–Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” This ASU expands the scope of Topic 718, which currently only includes share-based payments issued to employees, to also include share-based payments issued to nonemployees for goods and services. Currently, nonemployee awards are measured at the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever can be more reliably measured. Under ASU 2018-07, equity-classified nonemployee awards within the scope of Topic 718 will be measured at grant-date fair value. The ASU simplified the accounting for share-based payments granted to nonemployees for goods and services, therefore guidance on such payments to nonemployees would be mostly aligned with the requirements for share-based payments granted to employees. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not believe this ASU will have a material impact on its financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the disclosure requirements for fair value measurement. The amendments in this Update modify the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, based on the concepts in the Concepts Statement, including the consideration of costs and benefits. The amendments in this Update are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The amendments on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty should be applied prospectively for only the most recent interim or annual period presented in the initial fiscal year of adoption. All other amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented upon their effective date. Early adoption is permitted upon issuance of this Update. An entity is permitted to early adopt any removed or modified disclosures upon issuance of this Update and delay adoption of the additional disclosures until their effective date. The Company will adopt this standard for its first interim reporting period commencing as of January 1, 2020. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's  consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02—Leases (ASC 842), as amended from time to time, which requires lessees to recognize most leases on the balance sheet. This is expected to increase both reported assets and liabilities. The new lease standard does not substantially change lessor accounting, nor lease classification criteria. Lessees and lessors will be required to apply the new standard at the beginning of the earliest period presented in the financial statements in which they first apply the new guidance, using a modified retrospective transition method. Under that transition method, an entity initially applies the new leases standard (subject to specific transition requirements and optional practical expedients) at the beginning of the earliest period presented in the financial statements (which is January 1, 2017 for calendar-year-end public business entities that adopted the new leases standard on January 1, 2019).
F-17

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)


The new standard (i) provides entities with an additional (and optional) transition method to adopt the new leases standard, under which an entity initially applies the new leases standard at the adoption date and recognizes a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption consistent with preparers’ requests and (ii) provides lessors with a practical expedient, by class of underlying asset, to not separate non-lease components from the associated lease component and, instead, to account for those components as a single component if both of the following are met: (a) the timing and pattern of transfer of the non-lease component(s) and associated lease component are the same and (b) the lease component, if accounted for separately, would be classified as an operating lease. If the non-lease component or components associated with the lease component are the predominant component of the combined component, an entity is required to account for the combined component in accordance with ASC 606. Otherwise, the entity should account for the combined component as an operating lease in accordance with ASC 842. For public companies, the standard will be effective for the first interim reporting period within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, although early adoption is permitted.
The Company will adopt this standard for its first interim reporting period commencing January 1, 2019, by using the modified retrospective transition method and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. Additionally, the Company will elect to apply the additional optional transition method along with the following practical expedients: (i) a package of practical expedients which does not require the Company to reassess: (1) whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases; (2) lease classification for any expired or existing leases; and (3) whether initial direct costs for any expired or existing leases would qualify for capitalization under ASC 842. The Company will elect the practical expedient for lessors for presentation purposes, upon adoption of ASC 842-Leases, which allows the Company to account for the lease and non-lease (primarily crew and maintenance services) component of time charter agreements as one, since as the timing and pattern of transfer of the non-lease components and associated lease component are the same, the lease components, if accounted for separately, would be classified as an operating lease, and the predominant component in its time charter agreements is the lease component.
The Company's operating lease commitments relating to bareboat chartered-in vessels will be subject to the new standard and will be recognized as operating lease liabilities and right-of-use assets upon its adoption, which will increase the Company's total assets and total liabilities that the Company reports relative to such amounts prior to adoption. The Company is in the final process of implementing a new lease accounting policy and updating its controls and procedures for maintaining and accounting for its leases under the new guidance in order to be able to quantify the effect. The Company expects the adoption of the new standard to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In November 2018, FASB issued ASU2018-19 “Codification Improvements to topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses”. The amendments in this update clarify that operating lease receivables are not within the scope of ASC 326-20 and should instead be accounted for under the new leasing standard, ASC 842. ASU 2018-19 is effective for fiscal years, including interim periods within those fiscal periods, beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently assessing the impact that adopting this new accounting guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.


3.
Going Concern:

At December 31, 2018, the Company had a working capital deficit of $31,531 and cash and cash equivalents of $57. As of December 31, 2018, the Company has remaining contractual commitments for the acquisition of its fleet totaling $147,632. Of this amount, $66,272 is payable in the first quarter of 2019 and $81,360 in the second quarter of 2019. Of the amount payable in 2019, an amount of $66,272 has been settled as of the date of issuance of these financial statements.

As of December 31, 2018, the Company had available committed undrawn balances of $152,187. The Company expects to finance its working capital deficit with operational cash flow, debt or equity issuances, or a combination thereof and other sources such as funds from the Company's controlling shareholder and CEO, Mr. Pistiolis, if required. If the Company is unable to arrange debt or equity financing, it is probable that the Company may also consider selling a vessel. Therefore, there is no substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, for a reasonable period of time. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded assets and liabilities, or any other adjustments that might result in the event the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.
F-18

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)




4(a)
Advances for vessels acquisitions / under construction:

An analysis of Advances for vessels acquisitions / under construction is as follows:

   
Advances for vessels acquisitions / under construction
 
Balance, December 31, 2016
   
-
 
— Advances paid
   
5,995
 
—Capitalized expenses
   
762
 
Balance, December 31, 2017
   
6,757
 
— Advances paid
   
60,731
 
— Capitalized expenses
   
3,346
 
— Transferred to Vessels
   
(32,090
)
Balance, December 31, 2018
   
38,744
 

In the year ended December 31, 2017, Advances for vessels under construction relate to the payments to the shipyards and other expenses capitalized relating to vessels M/T Eco Palm Desert and M/T Eco California amounted to $6,743 and $14 respectively.

In the year ended December 31, 2018, Advances for the construction of newbuilding vessels relate to  M/T Eco Palm Desert, M/T Eco California, M/T Eco Marina Del Ray, M/T Eco Bel Air and M/T Eco Beverly Hills of  $25,347, $14,392, $7,288, $8,531 and $8,519 respectively.

On September 7, 2018, the Company took delivery of M/T Eco Palm Desert from Hyundai, and hence advances paid and capitalized expenses relating to the vessel were transferred from Advances for vessels acquisitions / under construction to Vessels, net.


4(b)
Vessels, net:

The amounts in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets are analyzed as follows:

 
 
Vessel Cost
   
Accumulated Depreciation
   
Net Book Value
 
Balance, December 31, 2016
   
130,185
     
(4,015
)
   
126,170
 
— Acquisitions
   
34,509
     
-
     
34,509
 
— Depreciation
   
-
     
(5,744
)
   
(5,744
)
Balance, December 31, 2017
   
164,694
     
(9,759
)
   
154,935
 
— Transferred from advances for vessels acquisitions / under construction
   
32,090
     
-
     
32,090
 
— Depreciation
   
-
     
(6,390
)
   
(6,390
)
Balance, December 31, 2018
   
196,784
     
(16,149
)
   
180,635
 
 
In 2017 and 2018 the Company took delivery of the following vessels:

Vessel Name
Delivery Date
 
Yard Installments
   
Capitalized Expenses
   
Final Cost
 
M/T Stenaweco Elegance
February 28, 2017
   
33,935
     
574
     
34,509
 
M/T Eco Palm Desert
September 7, 2018
   
29,994
     
2,096
     
32,090
 

F-19

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)



The Company’s vessels have been mortgaged as security under its loan facilities (see Note 9).


5.
Transactions with Related Parties:

 (a)   Central Mare– Executive Officers and Other Personnel Agreements: On September 1, 2010, the Company entered into separate agreements with Central Mare pursuant to which Central Mare provides the Company with its executive officers (Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Technical Officer and Chief Operating Officer).

As of December 31, 2017 the amount due to Central Mare was $46 and as of December 31, 2018 the amount due to Central Mare was $51. These amounts are presented in Due to related parties, on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
 
The fees charged by and expenses relating to Central Mare for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018 are as follows:
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
   
   
2016
   
2017
   
2018
 
Presented in:
Executive officers and other personnel expenses
   
1,530
     
2,400
     
2,400
 
General and administrative expenses - Statement of comprehensive loss
Amortization of awarded shares*
   
47
     
(25
)
   
(34
)
Management fees - related parties - Statement of comprehensive loss
Total
   
1,577
     
2,375
     
2,366
 
 
 *As per the Company’s equity incentive plan, or the 2015 plan, (see Note 12), the Company incurred an amortization expense/(gain) of $47, $(25) and $(34) relating to shares vesting to Central Mare’s nominee, Tankers Family on June 30, 2016, 2017 and 2018 respectively.

On March 27, 2017 and January 2, 2018, the Company’s board of directors granted to the Chief Executive Officer a bonus of $1,500 and $2,250 respectively, to be distributed at his own discretion to other executives and is included in “General and administrative expenses” in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.

 (b)  Central Shipping Monaco SAM (“CSM”) – Letter Agreement and Management Agreements: On March 10, 2014, the Company entered into a letter agreement, or the Letter Agreement, with CSM, a related party affiliated with the family of the Company’s President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Evangelos J. Pistiolis, and on March 10, 2014 and June 18, 2014 the Company entered into management agreements, or Management Agreements, between CSM and the Company’s vessel-owning subsidiaries respectively. The Letter Agreement can only be terminated subject to an eighteen-month advance notice, subject to a termination fee equal to twelve months of fees payable under the Letter Agreement.

Pursuant to the New Letter Agreement, as well as the Management Agreements concluded between CSM and the Company’s vessel-owning subsidiaries, the Company pays a technical management fee of $595 per day per vessel for the provision of technical, operation, insurance, bunkering and crew management, commencing three months before the vessel is scheduled to be delivered by the shipyard and a commercial management fee of $328 per day per vessel, commencing from the date the vessel is delivered from the shipyard. In addition, the Management Agreements provide for payment to CSM of: (i) $541 per day for superintendent visits plus actual expenses; (ii) a chartering commission of 1.25% on all freight, hire and demurrage revenues; (iii) a commission of 1.00% on all gross vessel sale proceeds or the purchase price paid for vessels and (iv) a financing fee of 0.2% on derivative agreements and loan financing or refinancing. CSM also performs supervision services for all of the Company’s newbuilding vessels while the vessels are under construction, for which the Company pays CSM the actual cost of the supervision services plus a fee of 7% of such supervision services.

CSM provides, at cost, all accounting, reporting and administrative services. Finally, the Letter Agreement provides for a performance incentive fee for the provision of management services to be determined at the discretion of the Company. The Management Agreements have an initial term of five years, after which they will continue to be in effect until terminated by either party subject to an eighteen-month advance notice of termination. Pursuant to the terms of the Management Agreements, all fees payable to CSM are adjusted annually according to the US Consumer Price Inflation (“CPI”) of the previous year and if CPI is less than 2% than a 2% increase is effected.
F-20

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)



As of December 31, 2017 and 2018 the amounts due to CSM were $74 and $2,366 respectively and are presented in Due to related parties, on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

The fees charged by and expenses relating to CSM for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018 are as follows:

 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
2017
2018
Presented in:
Management fees
118
34
101
Capitalized in Vessels, net / Advances for vessels acquisitions / under construction –Balance sheet
1,598
2,242
2,455
Management fees - related parties -Statement of comprehensive loss
Supervision services fees
43
31
63
Capitalized in Vessels, net / Advances for vessels acquisitions / under construction –Balance sheet
Superintendent fees
104
136
187
Vessel operating expenses -Statement of comprehensive loss
67
22
101
Capitalized in Vessels, net / Advances for vessels acquisitions / under construction –Balance sheet
Accounting and reporting cost
179
183
233
Management fees - related parties -Statement of comprehensive loss
Financing fees
131
139
139
Net in Current and Non-current portions of long-term debt – Balance sheet
Commission for sale and purchase of vessels
-
1,081
3,861
Management fees - related parties -Statement of comprehensive loss
Commission on charter hire agreements
358
487
511
Voyage expenses - Statement of comprehensive loss
Performance incentive fee
-
1,250
1,250
Management fees - related parties - Statement of comprehensive loss
Total
2,598
5,605
8,901
 
  
For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, CSM charged the Company newbuilding supervision related pass-through costs amounting to $618, $454 and $958 respectively.

(c) Family Trading Inc. (“Family Trading”) - Revolving Credit Facility and Assumption of Liabilities: On October 1, 2010, the Company entered into a bareboat charter agreement to lease the vessel M/T Delos until September 30, 2015 for a variable rate per year. On October 15, 2011, the Company terminated the bareboat charter agreement resulting in a termination fee of $5,750 “(the Delos Termination Fee”) that remained outstanding until December 31, 2012. On January 1, 2013, the Company entered into an agreement with the owner of M/T Delos for the repayment of the remaining balances of the Delos Termination Fee. On December 10, 2015, the owner of M/T Delos notified the Company that the outstanding balance of the Delos Termination Fee was immediately due and payable, since the Company had been delaying the installments as per the agreed repayment schedule. On January 12, 2016, Family Trading, a related party owned by the Lax Trust, assumed the outstanding balance of the Delos Termination Fee that amounted to $3,796 (the “Family Trading transaction”). As consideration for the assumption of this liability, Family Trading on January 12, 2016 received 8 of the Company’s common shares with a then fair value $3,661. This transaction was approved by a special committee of the independent directors of the Company. Furthermore on December 23, 2015 the Company entered into an agreement for an unsecured revolving credit facility with Family Trading for up to $15,000 to be used to fund the Company’s newbuilding program and working capital relating to the Company’s operating vessels. As of the date of issuance of these financial statements there have been various amendments and addendums to the Family Trading Credit Facility (see Note 9). As of December 31, 2017 the amounts due to Family Trading were $0. As of December 31, 2018 the interest and fees due to Family Trading were $1,806, representing $301 of interest payable, $5 of commitment fees payable and $1,500 of arrangement fees payable and are presented in Due to related parties, on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
F-21

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)




(d)   Vessel Acquisitions from affiliated entities: From February 20 to November 24, 2017 the Company entered into a series of transactions with a number of entities affiliated with Evangelos J. Pistiolis that led to the purchase of M/T Eco Palm Desert and M/T Eco California, 90% interest in M/T Stenaweco Elegance and 50% interests in M/T Eco Holmby Hills and M/T Eco Palm Springs. On January 31, 2018 the Company entered into a series of transactions with a number of entities affiliated with Evangelos J. Pistiolis that led to the purchase of the construction contracts of M/T Eco Marina Del Ray, M/T Eco Bel Air, M/T Eco Beverly Hills and 10% interest in M/T Stenaweco Elegance (see Notes 1, 3, 4 and 20).

(e)   Charter Party with   Central Tankers Chartering Inc (“Central Tankers Chartering”): On September 1, 2017 the Company entered into a time charter party with Central Tankers Chartering, a related party affiliated with the family of Evangelos J. Pistiolis, for the vessel M/T Eco Palm Desert delivered from Hyundai in September 2018. The time charter is for a firm period of three years at a daily rate of $14,750 with two optional years at daily rates of $15,250 and $15,750 respectively, at Central Tankers Chartering’s option. The time charter carries a 1.25% address commission payable to Central Tankers Chartering. Total revenue backlog from this time charter for the firm period is $15,949, assuming no off-hire days. As of December 31, 2018 the amounts due from Central Tankers Chartering were $75 and is presented in Due from related parties, on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.


6.
Leases
 
A. Lease arrangements, under which the Company acts as the lessee

Bareboat Chartered-in Vessels:

On January 29, 2015 and March 31, 2015, the Company sold and leased back M/T Stenaweco Energy and M/T Stenaweco Evolution respectively. The vessels were chartered back on a bareboat basis for 7 years at a bareboat hire of $8,586 and $8,625 per day respectively. In addition, the Company has the option to buy back each vessel from the end of year 3 up to the end of year 7 at purchase prices stipulated in the bareboat agreement depending on when the option is exercised.

The abovementioned sale and leaseback transactions contain, customary covenants and event of default clauses, including cross-default provisions and restrictive covenants and performance requirements. The Company must maintain a consolidated leverage ratio of not more than 75% and maintain minimum free liquidity of $750 per vessel owned and $500 per bareboat chartered-in vessel at all times which is certified quarterly. As of December 31, 2018, the Company is in compliance with the consolidated leverage ratio and the minimum free liquidity covenants.

As of December 31, 2018, cash and cash equivalents including restricted cash amounted to $7,662 of which an amount of $5,500 is presented as restricted cash due to the abovementioned minimum liquidity covenant.

The Company has treated the sale and leaseback of the abovementioned vessels as an operating lease. Losses from the sale of these two vessels amounted to $11,600 which are amortized over the duration of the leases. The amortization for the year is presented under Amortization of prepaid bareboat charter hire in the accompanying statement of consolidated loss and amounted to $1,577, $1,657 and $1,657 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018 respectively.

As at December 31, 2018, the outstanding balance of the Prepaid bareboat charter hire was $5,277, presented in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as follows:

Current portion of Prepaid bareboat charter hire
   
1,656
 
Non-current portion of Prepaid bareboat charter hire
   
3,621
 
Total
   
5,277
 

F-22

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)



Future minimum lease payments:

The Company's future minimum lease payments required to be made after December 31, 2018, relating to bareboat chartered-in vessels M/T Stenaweco Energy and M/T Stenaweco Evolution are as follows:

Year ending December 31,
 
Bareboat Charter Lease Payments
 
2019
   
6,282
 
2020
   
6,299
 
2021
   
6,282
 
2022
   
1,034
 
  Total
   
19,897
 

B. Lease arrangements, under which the Company acts as the lessor

Charter agreements:

In the period ended December 31, 2018, the Company operated four vessels (M/T Stenaweco Energy, M/T Stenaweco Evolution, M/T Stenaweco Excellence and M/T Stenaweco Elegance) under time charters with Stena Bulk A/S, two vessels (M/T Eco Fleet and M/T Eco Revolution) under time charters with BP Shipping Limited (“BP”), one vessel (M/T Nord Valiant) under time charter with Dampskibsselskabet Norden A/S and one vessel (M/T Eco Palm Desert) under time charter with Central Tankers Chartering Inc.

Furthermore the Company has entered into time charter parties for its newbuilding vessels, namely with BP (M/T Eco Bel Air and M/T Eco Beverly Hills), Cargill (M/T Eco Marina Del Ray) and Shell Tankers Singapore Private Limited (“Shell”) (M/T Eco California).

Future minimum time-charter receipts of the Company’s vessels in operation as of December 31, 2018, based on commitments relating to non-cancellable time charter contracts as of December 31, 2018, are as follows:

Year ending December 31,
 
Time Charter receipts
 
2019
   
43,875
 
2020
   
43,400
 
2021
   
19,052
 
2022
   
272
 
Total
   
106,599
 

Future minimum time-charter receipts of our vessels under construction as of December 31, 2018, are as follows (based on estimated delivery dates):

Year ending December 31,
 
Time Charter receipts
 
2019
   
21,842
 
2020
   
28,860
 
2021
   
24,188
 
2022
   
10,937
 
2023
   
5,512
 
2024
   
1,102
 
Total
   
92,441
 


In arriving at the minimum future charter revenues, an estimated 20 days off-hire time to perform scheduled dry-docking on each vessel has been deducted, and it has been assumed that no additional off-hire time is incurred, although there is no assurance that such estimate will be reflective of the actual off-hire in the future.


7.
Prepayments and other:

The amounts shown in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets are analyzed as follows:

 
 
December 31, 2017
   
December 31, 2018
 
Prepaid expenses
   
140
     
350
 
Guarantees
   
17
     
16
 
Advances to various creditors
   
119
     
100
 
Other receivables
   
152
     
342
 
Total
   
428
     
808
 

F-23

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)

 


8.
Inventories:

The amounts shown in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets are analyzed as follows:

   
December 31, 2017
   
December 31, 2018
 
Lubricants
   
574
     
522
 
Consumable stores
   
71
     
65
 
Total
   
645
     
587
 


9.
Debt:

The amounts in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets are analyzed as follows:

Bank / Vessel(s)
 
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2017
   
2018
 
Total long term debt:
           
ABN (M/T Eco Fleet, M/T Eco Revolution and M/T Nord Valiant)
   
53,538
     
52,288
 
NORD/LB (M/T Stenaweco Excellence)
   
20,116
     
18,071
 
Alpha Bank (M/T Stenaweco Elegance)
   
22,150
     
20,550
 
AT Bank (M/T Eco Palm Desert)
   
-
     
23,175
 
Total long term debt
   
95,804
     
114,084
 
Less: Deferred finance fees
   
(2,038
)
   
(2,516
)
Total long term debt net of deferred finance fees
   
93,766
     
111,568
 
                 
Presented:
               
Current portion of long term debt
   
9,508
     
10,210
 
Long term debt
   
84,258
     
101,358
 
                 
Long term debt from related parties:
               
Family Trading facility
   
-
     
24,744
 
Less debt discounts
           
(9,073
)
Long term debt from related parties net of debt discounts
   
-
     
15,671
 
                 
Short Term Debt:
               
Unsecured Notes
   
8,878
     
-
 
AT Bank first predelivery facility (M/T Eco Palm Desert)
   
1,499
     
-
 
AT Bank second predelivery facility (M/T Eco California)
   
-
     
10,140
 
Alpha Bank predelivery facility
   
-
     
3,380
 
Less: Deferred finance fees
   
(194
)
   
(104
)
Current portion of loans net of deferred finance fees
   
10,183
     
13,416
 
                 
Total Debt net of deferred finance fees and debt discounts
   
103,949
     
140,655
 

F-24

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)



(A). LONG-TERM DEBT

ABN Amro Facility

On July 9, 2015, the Company entered into a credit facility with ABN Amro Bank N.V. of Holland (“ABN Amro”) for $42,000 (“the ABN Amro facility”) for the financing of the vessels M/T Eco Fleet and M/T Eco Revolution ($21,000 per financed vessel). This facility was amended on September 28, 2015 and was increased to $44,400 ($22,200 per vessel), with all other terms remaining the same except for the margin which was increased by 0.15%. The credit facility is repayable in 4 consecutive quarterly installments of $500, 4 consecutive quarterly installments of $512.5, 4 consecutive quarterly installments of $525 and 12 consecutive quarterly installments of $387.5 for each of the financed vessels, commencing on October 13, 2015 for M/T Eco Fleet and on April 15, 2016 for M/T Eco Revolution plus a balloon installment of $11,400 for each of the financed vessels, payable together with the last installment in July 2021 and in January 2022, respectively. On August 1, 2016, the Company amended the ABN Facility to increase the borrowing limit to $64,400 and added another tranche to the loan, "Tranche C", which is secured by vessel M/T Nord Valiant. Tranche C is repayable in 12 consecutive quarterly installments of $550 each and 12 consecutive quarterly installments of $363 each, commencing on November 2016, plus a balloon installment of $9,050 payable together with the last installment in August 2022. Apart from the inclusion of M/T Nord Valiant as a collateralized vessel and the reduction of the margin to 3.75% (applicable only to Tranche C), no other material changes were made to the ABN Facility.

The Company drew down $21,000 under the ABN Amro facility on July 13, 2015 to finance the last shipyard installment of M/T Eco Fleet and another $1,200 on September 30, 2015. Furthermore, the Company drew down $22,200 under the ABN facility on January 15, 2016 to finance the last shipyard installment of M/T Eco Revolution. Finally, on August 5, 2016 the Company drew down $20,000 under the Tranche C of the ABN facility to partly finance the last shipyard installments of M/T Nord Valiant.

The facility contains various covenants, including (i) an asset cover ratio of 130%, (ii) a ratio of total net debt to the aggregate market value of the Company’s fleet, current or future, of no more than 75% and (iii) minimum free liquidity of $750 per collateralized vessel. Additionally, the facility contains restrictions on the shipowning company incurring further indebtedness or guarantees. It also restricts the shipowning company from paying dividends if such a payment would result in an event of default or in a breach of covenants under the loan agreement.

The facility is secured as follows:


·
First priority mortgage over M/T Eco Fleet, M/T Eco Revolution and M/T Nord Valiant;

·
Assignment of insurance and earnings of the mortgaged vessels;

·
Specific assignment of any time charters with duration of more than 12 months;

·
Corporate guarantee of Top Ships Inc.;

·
Pledge of the shares of the shipowning subsidiaries;

·
Pledge over the earnings account of the vessels.

On April 21, 2017, the Company was informed by ABN Amro that the Company was in breach of a loan covenant that required that any member of the family of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis maintain an ownership interest (either directly and/or indirectly through companies beneficially owned by any member of the Pistiolis family and/or trusts or foundations of which any member of the Pistiolis family are beneficiaries) of 30% of the Company's outstanding common shares. ABN Amro requested that either the family of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis maintain an ownership interest of at least 30% of the outstanding common shares or maintain a voting rights interest of above 50% in the Company. In order to regain compliance with the loan covenant, the Company issued the Series D preferred shares (see Note 11).  On July 28, 2017 ABN Amro by way of a supplemental agreement removed the loan covenant that required that any member of the family of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis maintains an ownership interest of 30% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common shares and replaced it with a covenant that states that no other party other than a member of the family of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis (either directly and/or indirectly through companies beneficially owned by any member of the Pistiolis family and/or trusts or foundations of which any member of the Pistiolis family are beneficiaries) acquires a voting interest of more than 50% of the Company’s share capital, without ABN Amro’s prior written approval.
F-25

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)



On November 16, 2018 the Company amended the ABN Facility to increase the borrowing limit by $5,000. This additional amount was subsequently drawn-down and applied towards capital expenditures under the Company’s newbuilding program and is allocated to the mortgaged vessels as follows: $750 to M/T Eco Fleet, $750 to M/T Eco Revolution and $3,500 to M/T Nord Valiant. Apart from the introduction of a new repayment schedule reflecting the increased facility principal, all other material terms remained the same. As per the new repayment schedule the quarterly installments are increased by $25, $25 and $100 for M/T Eco Fleet, M/T Eco Revolution and M/T Nord Valiant respectively and their respective balloon installments are increased by $475, $425 and $2,000, respectively.

The ABN Amro facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 3.90%, except for the Tranche C part of the facility that bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 3.75%.Tranche C was repaid on January 17, 2019 from proceeds from the sale and lease-back of M/T Nord Valiant (see Note 21) The applicable three-month LIBOR as of December 31, 2018 was 2.4%.

NORD/LB Facility

On May 11, 2016, the Company entered into a credit facility with Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale (“NORD/LB Bank”) of Germany for $23,185 (“the NORD/LB facility”) for the financing of the vessel M/T Stenaweco Excellence. The credit facility is repayable in 12 consecutive quarterly installments of $511 and 16 consecutive quarterly installments of $473, commencing in August 2016, plus a balloon installment of $9,480 payable together with the last installment in May 2023.

The Company drew down $23,185 under the NORD/LB facility on May 13, 2016 to finance the last shipyard installment of the M/T Stenaweco Excellence.

The facility contains various covenants, including (i) an asset cover ratio of 125% for the first three years and 143% thereafter, (ii) a ratio of total net debt to the aggregate market value of the Company’s fleet, current or future, of no more than 75% and (iii) minimum free liquidity of $750 per collateralized vessel and $500 per bareboated chartered-in vessel. Additionally, the facility contains restrictions on the shipowning company incurring further indebtedness or guarantees. It also restricts the shipowning company from paying dividends if such a payment would result in an event of default or in a breach of covenants under the loan agreement.

The facility is secured as follows:

  First priority mortgage over M/T Stenaweco Excellence;
  Assignment of insurance and earnings of the mortgaged vessel;
  Specific assignment of any time charters with duration of more than 12 months;
  Corporate guarantee of Top Ships Inc.;
  Pledge of the shares of the shipowning subsidiary;
  Pledge over the earnings account of the vessel.

On May 16, 2017 NORD/LB by way of a supplemental agreement provided a waiver until December 31, 2017 for the breach of the loan covenant that requires that any member of the family of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis maintains an ownership interest (either directly and/or indirectly through companies beneficially owned by any member of the Pistiolis family and/or trusts or foundations of which any member of the Pistiolis family are beneficiaries) of 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common shares. In addition NORD/LB agreed to reduce the abovementioned minimum percentage to 10%. On January 8, 2018 NORD/LB agreed to replace said covenant with a covenant that states that no other party other than a member of the family of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis (either directly and/or indirectly through companies beneficially owned by any member of the Pistiolis family and/or trusts or foundations of which any member of the Pistiolis family are beneficiaries) acquires a voting interest of more than 50% of the Company’s share capital, without NORD/LB’s prior written approval.

The NORD/LB facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 3.43%. The applicable three-month LIBOR as of December 31, 2018 was about 2.6%.
F-26


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)



Alpha Bank Facility

On July 20, 2016, Eco Seven that was later acquired by the Company entered into a credit facility with Alpha Bank SA. of Greece (“Alpha Bank”) for $23,350 (“the Alpha facility”) for the financing of the vessel M/T Stenaweco Elegance. The credit facility is repayable in 12 consecutive quarterly installments of $400 and 20 consecutive quarterly installments of $303, commencing in May 2017, plus a balloon installment of $12,500 payable together with the last installment in February 2025.

The Company drew down $23,350 under the Alpha facility on February 24, 2017 to finance the last shipyard installment of the M/T Stenaweco Elegance.

On August 1, 2017, Alpha Bank by way of a supplemental agreement removed the loan covenant that required that any member of the family of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis maintains an ownership interest of 40% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common shares and replaced it with a covenant that states that no other party other than a member of the family of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis (either directly and/or indirectly through companies beneficially owned by any member of the Pistiolis family and/or trusts or foundations of which any member of the Pistiolis family are beneficiaries) acquires a voting interest of more than 50% of the Company’s share capital, without Alpha Bank’s prior written approval.

The facility contains various covenants, including (i) an asset cover ratio of 125%, (ii) a ratio of total net debt to the aggregate market value of the Company’s fleet, current or future, of no more than 75%, (iii) minimum free liquidity of $750 per collateralized vessel, (iv) EBITDA is required to be greater than 120% of fixed charges and (v) market value adjusted net worth is required to be greater than or equal to $20,000. It also restricts the shipowning company from incurring further indebtedness or guarantees and from paying dividends if such a payment would result in an event of default or in a breach of covenants under the loan agreement.

The facility is secured as follows:

  First priority mortgage over M/T Stenaweco Elegance;
  Assignment of insurance and earnings of the mortgaged vessel;
  Specific assignment of any time charters with duration of more than 12 months;
  Corporate guarantee of Top Ships Inc.;
  Pledge of the shares of the shipowning subsidiary;
  Pledge over the earnings account of the vessel.

The Alpha facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 3.50%. The applicable three-month LIBOR as of December 31, 2018 was about 2.7%.

AT Bank Senior Facility

On September 5, 2017, the Company entered into a credit facility with Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V. of Holland (“AT Bank”) for $23,500 to fund the delivery of M/T Eco Palm Desert (the “AT Bank Senior Facility”), delivered in September 7, 2018. An amount of $8,993 from the AT Bank Senior Facility was applied towards repayment of the AT Bank Predelivery Facility on September 4, 2018. This facility is repayable in 20 consecutive quarterly installments of $325, commencing three months from draw down, and a balloon payment of $17,000 payable together with the last installment.

The facility contains various covenants, including (i) an asset cover ratio of 115% for the first year, 120% for the second year, 125% for the third year and 140% thereafter, (ii) a ratio of total net debt to the aggregate market value of the Company’s fleet, current or future, of no more than 75% and (iii) minimum free liquidity of $750 per collateralized vessel and $500 per bareboated chartered-in vessel. Additionally, the facility contains restrictions on the shipowning company incurring further indebtedness or guarantees and paying dividends.
F-27


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)



The facility is secured as follows:

  First priority mortgage over M/T Eco Palm Desert;
  Assignment of insurance and earnings of the mortgaged vessel;
  Specific assignment of any time charters with duration of more than 12 months;
  Corporate guarantee of Top Ships Inc.;
  Pledge of the shares of the shipowning subsidiary;
  Pledge over the earnings account of the vessel.


The AT Bank Senior Facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 4% and a commitment fee of 2% per annum was payable quarterly in arrears over the committed and undrawn portion of the facility, starting from the date of signing the commitment letter. The Company on June 1, 2018 signed a supplemental agreement with AT Bank that resulted in the decrease of the commitment fee from 2% to 1.3%, effective from March 6, 2018. The applicable three-month LIBOR as of December 31, 2018 was about 2.7%.

(B). SHORT-TERM DEBT

Unsecured Notes

On November 13 and on December 14, 2017 the Company entered into two unsecured notes with Crede Capital Group LLC, an unaffiliated third party (the “Crede Notes”) as follows:

Agreement date
 
Amount drawn
   
Interest
   
Amount settled
   
Amounts forgiven
 
November 13 , 2017
   
17,500
     
11
     
(17,500
)
   
-
 
December 14 , 2017
   
24,269
     
75
     
(24,089
)
   
(180
)
     
41,769
     
86
     
(41,589
)
   
(180
)


The first Crede Note amounted to $12,500 and carried a single revolving option for additional $5,000 that the Company exercised on November 20, 2017, bringing the total drawn amount to $17,500. The second Crede Note amounted to $12,500 and carried revolving options for two additional $5,000 notes. On January 5, 2018, the Company amended the Note Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Company issued to Crede a second unsecured promissory note in the amount of $5,369 with a revolving option for an additional $4,631 note. The Company further amended the Note Purchase Agreement on February 8, 2018, pursuant to which the borrowing availability was increased under the agreement and a third unsecured promissory note was issued to Crede in the amount of $6,400.

The proceeds from the sales of the Crede Notes were used for vessel acquisitions and general corporate purposes. The Crede Notes matured 24 months from the date of their issuance and bore interest at a rate of 2.0% per annum for the period of ninety days starting on the issuance date, (ii) 10.0% per annum for the period of ninety days starting on the date that is ninety days immediately following the issuance date and (iii) 15.0% per annum starting on the date that is one hundred eighty days immediately following the issuance date. The Crede Notes carried customary covenants and restrictions, including the covenant that all net proceeds that the Company receives from the sale of any equity securities of the Company shall be utilized exclusively to repay any outstanding amounts under the Crede Notes until the Crede Notes were repaid in full. The Crede Notes also restricted the Company from redeeming, repurchasing or declaring any cash dividend or distribution on any of its capital stock (other than any obligations to do so outstanding as of the issuance dates of the Notes), as long as there were outstanding amounts under the Notes.
F-28

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)



As of December 31, 2017 the Crede Notes had an outstanding balance of $8,878 and as of December 31, 2018, all of the Crede Notes have been repaid in full, by using proceeds from the First and Second Crede Purchase Agreement (see Note 11).

Unsecured Notes

From February 6 to September 15, 2017 the Company entered into a series of unsecured short term notes (the “Notes”) with Kalani Investments Ltd ( Kalani) and Xanthe Holdings ( Xanthe) Ltd as follows:

Agreement date
 
Amount drawn
   
Fees
   
Interest
   
Amount settled
   
Amounts forgiven
 
Maturity
Counterparty
February 6, 2017
   
3,500
     
210
     
22
     
(3,500
)
   
-
 
May 15, 2017
Kalani
March 22, 2017
   
5,000
     
200
     
7
     
(5,000
)
   
-
 
October 7, 2017
Kalani
March 28, 2017
   
10,000
     
-
     
24
     
(10,000
)
   
-
 
August 25, 2017
Kalani
April 5, 2017
   
7,700
     
-
     
42
     
(7,700
)
   
-
 
September 4, 2017
Kalani
May 15, 2017
   
5,000
     
-
     
28
     
(3,882
)
   
(1,118
)
August 23, 2017
Xanthe
June 26, 2017
   
3,000
     
-
     
2
     
(3,000
)
   
-
 
October 24, 2017
Kalani
July 12, 2017
   
3,060
     
60
     
16
     
(3,060
)
   
-
 
November 7, 2017
Xanthe
September 15, 2017
   
2,020
     
20
     
6
     
(2,020
)
   
-
 
December 14, 2017
Xanthe
     
39,280
     
490
     
147
     
(38,162
)
   
(1,118
)
    

As of December 31, 2017 all the Notes had been settled except an amount of $1,118 which was written-off, following discussions with the noteholder Xanthe and is included in “Other, net” in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive loss. All the above, fees, interest and principal were settled with proceeds from the Common stock purchase agreement (Note 11).

The proceeds from the sales of the Notes were used for vessel acquisitions and general corporate purposes. The Notes bore interest at a rate of 6% and carried customary covenants and restrictions, including the covenant that all net proceeds that the Company received from the sale of any equity securities of the Company would be utilized exclusively to repay any outstanding amounts under the Notes until the Notes were repaid in full. The Notes also restricted the Company from redeeming, repurchasing or declaring any cash dividend or distribution on any of its capital stock (other than any obligations to do so outstanding as of the issuance dates of the Notes), as long as there were outstanding amounts under the Notes.
F-29

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)



Series C preferred convertible shares

On February 17, 2017, the Company completed a private placement of 7,500 Series C convertible preferred shares (the “Series C shares”) for an aggregate principal amount of $7,500 with Xanthe Holdings Ltd (“Xanthe”) a non-U.S. institutional investor, non-affiliated with the Company but affiliated with Kalani Investments Limited (“Kalani”) (see Note 11). The Company has accounted for the sale of the Series C shares as a debt issuance since its characteristics are more akin to debt rather than equity. Dividends of the Series C shares were accounted as interest. Pursuant to the issuance of the Series C Shares, the Company recognized the beneficial conversion feature (“BCF”) by allocating the intrinsic value of the conversion option, which is the number of shares of common stock available upon conversion multiplied by the difference between the effective conversion price per share and the fair value of the Company's common stock per share on the commitment date, to additional paid-in capital. Since the intrinsic value of the BCF at the commitment date was greater than the proceeds allocated to the convertible instrument, the amount of the discount assigned to the BCF was limited to the amount of the proceeds allocated to the convertible instrument. The Company initially recognized $7,500 of debt discount, which it fully amortized in the year ended December 31, 2017, which is included in “Interest and finance costs” in the accompanying Statement of comprehensive loss. Series C shares were fully converted into common stock by October 31, 2017 and dividends amounting to $600 were included in Interest and finance costs in the accompanying Statement of comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2017.

AT Bank Predelivery Facility

On September 5, 2017, the Company entered into a credit facility with AT Bank for $8,993 for the pre-delivery financing of M/T Eco Palm Desert (the “AT Bank Predelivery Facility”). This facility was drawn down in five tranches and financed in full the last five pre-delivery instalments of M/T Eco Palm Desert due for payment between August 2017 and May 2018. The facility was repaid from the proceeds of the AT Bank Senior Facility on September 4, 2018.

The facility contained various covenants, including a ratio of total net debt to the aggregate market value of the Company’s fleet, current or future, of no more than 75% and minimum free liquidity of $750 per collateralized vessel and $500 per bareboated chartered-in vessel. Additionally, the facility contained restrictions on the subsidiary that owned the newbuilding contract from incurring further indebtedness or guarantees and from paying any dividends.

The facility was secured as follows:

  Assignment to the bank of the newbuilding contract and of the respective refund guarantee of M/T Eco Palm Desert;
  Corporate guarantee of Top Ships Inc.;
  Pledge of the shares of the subsidiary owning the newbuilding contract;

The AT Bank Predelivery Facility bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 8.5% and a commitment fee of 4.25% per annum was payable quarterly in arrears over the committed and undrawn portion of the facility, starting from the date of signing the commitment letter. The Company on June 1, 2018 signed a supplemental agreement with AT Bank that resulted in the decrease of the loan margin to 6.3% from 8.5% and in the decrease of the commitment fee from 4.25% to 0%, effective from March 6, 2018. The applicable three-month LIBOR as of the facilities last interest period that ended in September 4, 2018 was about 2.3%.

AT Bank Second Predelivery Facility
On June 1, 2018, the Company entered into a credit facility with AT Bank for $10,140 for the pre-delivery financing of M/T Eco California (the "AT Bank Second Predelivery Facility"). This facility was drawn down in five tranches and financed in full the last five pre-delivery instalments of M/T Eco California due for payment between June and December 2018. The facility was repaid on January 28, 2019, upon delivery of the vessel, from the proceeds of the AT Bank Bridge Facility (see Note 21).
The facility contains various covenants, including a ratio of total net debt to the aggregate market value of the Company's fleet, current or future, of no more than 75% and minimum free liquidity of $750 per collateralized vessel and $500 per bareboated chartered-in vessel. Additionally, the facility contains restrictions on the subsidiary that owns the newbuilding contract from incurring further indebtedness or guarantees and from paying any dividends.
F-30

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)


The facility is secured as follows:


·
Assignment to the bank of the newbuilding contract and of the respective refund guarantee of M/T Eco California;

·
Corporate guarantee of Top Ships Inc.;

·
Pledge of the shares of the subsidiary owning the newbuilding contract;

The AT Bank Second Predelivery Facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 6.3%, reduced to 6% from September 2018 onwards. The facility bears no commitment fee. The Company has drawn down the full amount of the facility to finance in full the last five pre-delivery instalments of M/T Eco California due for payment between June and December 2018. The applicable three-month LIBOR as of December 31, 2018 was about 2.4%.
Alpha Bank Predelivery Facility
On July 11, 2018, the Company entered into a credit facility with Alpha Bank for $10,140 for the pre-delivery financing of M/T Eco Marina Del Ray. This facility can be drawn down in five tranches to finance in full the last five pre-delivery instalments of M/T Eco Marina Del Ray due between July 2018 and February 2019. The facility is repayable on delivery of the vessel in March 2019.
The facility contains restrictions on the subsidiary that owns the newbuilding contract from incurring further indebtedness or guarantees and from paying any dividends if the latter would result in an event of default.
The facility is secured as follows:
  Assignment to the bank of the newbuilding contract and of the respective refund guarantee of M/T Eco Marina Del Ray;
  Corporate guarantee of Top Ships Inc.;
  Pledge of the shares of the subsidiary owning the newbuilding contract;

The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 4.25% and a commitment fee of 1% per annum is payable quarterly in arrears over the committed and undrawn portion of the facility, starting from the date of signing the commitment letter. The Company drew down $1,690 and another $1,690 under the facility in July and October 2018 respectively, to finance two shipyard installments of M/T Eco Marina Del Ray. The applicable three-month LIBOR as of December 31, 2018 was about 2.4%.

(C). SHORT AND LONG TERM DEBT FROM RELATED PARTIES

Amended Family Trading Credit Facility

On December 23, 2015, the Company entered into an unsecured revolving credit facility with Family Trading ("the Family Trading facility"), a related party owned by the Lax Trust, for up to $15,000 to be used to fund the Company's newbuilding program and working capital relating to the Company's operating vessels. This facility was repayable in cash no later than December 31, 2016, but the Company had the option to extend the facility's repayment up to December 31, 2017. On December 28, 2016 the maturity of the Family Trading facility was extended to January 31, 2017 and on January 27, 2017 the maturity of the Family Trading loan was extended to February 28, 2017 with all terms remaining the same.

On February 21, 2017, the Company amended and restated the Family Trading Credit Facility (the "Amended Family Trading Credit Facility") in order to, among other things, remove any limitation in the use of funds drawn down under the facility, reduce the mandatory cash payment due under the facility when the Company raises capital through the issuance of certain securities, remove the revolving feature of the facility, extend the facility for up to three years and give Family Trading the option to get repaid for any amounts outstanding under the facility in cash or in common shares of the company. Additionally, the interest rate of the facility increased to 10% (from 9%) and the commitment fee decreased to 2.5% (from 5%). Subject to certain adjustments pursuant to the terms of the Amended Family Trading Credit Facility, the number of common shares to be issued as repayment of the amounts outstanding under the facility will be calculated by dividing the amount redeemed by 80% of the lowest daily Volume-Weighted Average Price (“VWAP”) of the Company’s common shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market during the twenty consecutive trading days ending on the trading day prior to the payment date (the "Applicable Price"), provided, however, that at no time shall the Applicable Price be lower than $0.60 per common share (the "Floor Price").
F-31

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)



Further, in the case where the Company raises capital (whether publicly or privately) and the Applicable Price is higher than the lowest of (henceforth the "Issuance Price"):


a.
the price per share issued upon an equity offering of the Company;

b.
the exercise price of warrants or options for common shares;

c.
the conversion price of any convertible security into common shares; or

d.
the implied exchange price of the common shares pursuant to an asset to equity or liability to equity swap,

then the Applicable Price will be reduced to the Issuance Price. Finally, in case the Applicable Price is higher than the exercise price of the Company’s 2014 Warrants, the Applicable Price will be reduced to the exercise price of such outstanding warrants.

The Company during the year ended December 31, 2017 issued 4 common shares as payment for $1,198 of accrued fees and interest under the Amended Family Trading Credit Facility that resulted in additional non-cash debt conversion expenses amounting to $842, included in Interest and finance costs in the accompanying Statement of comprehensive loss.

On September 27, 2018, the Company amended the Amended Family Trading Credit Facility (the "Amended and Restated Family Trading Credit Facility") in order to, among other things, set the repayment date of the facility to December 31, 2019, increase the maximum borrowing capacity of the facility to $20,000, increase the interest rate to 12%, reduce the commitment fee to 2% and increase the arrangement fee to 5%. On October 30, 2018, the Company entered into an addendum to the Amended and Restated Family Trading Credit Facility in order to, among other things, increase the maximum borrowing capacity of the facility to $25,000. On December 31, 2018 the Company entered into another addendum to the facility in order to, among other things, set the repayment date of the facility to December 31, 2025, increase the maximum borrowing capacity of the facility to $30,000, increase the interest rate to 15% and apply the current arrangement fee rate to the whole principal of the loan.

The Company during year ended December 31, 2018 has drawn $26,152 and repaid $1,408 under the facility. As of December 31, 2018 the facility has an undrawn balance of $4,149.

At each drawdown under the facility, the Company recognized a beneficial conversion feature ("BCF") by allocating the intrinsic value of the conversion option, which is the number of shares of common stock available upon conversion multiplied by the difference between the effective conversion price per share and the fair value of the Company's common stock per share on the commitment date, to additional paid-in capital. Hence in total the Company recognized $15,028 of debt discount, $2,504 of which was amortized in the year ended December 31, 2018 and is included in “Interest and finance costs” in the accompanying Statement of comprehensive loss. Each successive amendment of the facility resulted in an increase in the borrowing capacity of the facility and therefore affected the fair value of the debt conversion feature, substantially. This resulted in the Company recognizing a debt extinguishment on each amendment date in line with ASC 470-50-40-10. Under the current accounting standard ASC 470-50-40-2, the extinguishment of related party debt is considered a capital transaction and accordingly, no gain or loss on extinguishment is recognized in the statement of comprehensive loss but it is recognized as a deemed dividend in equity.

Related party interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018 incurred in connection with this credit facility, amounted to $302, $111 and $857 respectively and is included in “Interest and finance costs” in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive loss. Related party commitment fees for the year ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018 incurred in connection with this credit facility, amounted to $207, $366 and $179 respectively and are included in “Interest and finance costs” in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive loss. Deferred financing costs of $341 are included in the line item “Deferred Charges” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets for December 31, 2017.
F-32

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)



(D) FINANCINGS COMMITTED UNDER SALE AND LEASEBACK AGREEMENTS

Cargill Sale and Leaseback

On June 29, 2018 the Company entered into a sale and leaseback agreement (“SLB”) and a 5 year time charter with Cargill, a non-affiliated party, for its newbuilding vessel M/T Eco Marina Del Ray (Hull No 8242) delivered in March 2019. Consummation of the deal took place on the vessel’s delivery date. Following the sale, the Company has bareboat chartered back the vessel at a bareboat hire of $8,600 per day and simultaneously the vessel commenced its  five year time charter with Cargill. As part of this transaction, the Company has continuous options to buy back the vessel during the whole five year sale and leaseback period at purchase prices stipulated in the bareboat agreement depending on when the option is exercised and at the end of the five year period it has to buy it back for $22,680. The gross proceeds from the sale amount are $32,387.

The abovementioned sale and leaseback transaction contains, customary covenants and event of default clauses, including cross-default provisions and restrictive covenants and performance requirements.

The SLB with Cargill will be accounted as a financing transaction, as control will remain with the Company and its newbuilding vessel M/T Eco Marina Del Ray will continue to be recorded as an asset on our balance sheet. In addition the Company has an obligation to repurchase the vessel.

Bank of Communications Financial Leasing Company (“BoComm Leasing”) Sale and Leaseback

On December 21, 2018 the Company entered into a SLB with BoComm Leasing, a non-affiliated party, for M/T Nord Valiant and M/T Eco California (Hull No 8218). Consummation of the SLB for the deal took place on January 17, 2019 for M/T Nord Valiant and on January 31, 2019 M/T Eco California. Following the sale, the Company has bareboat chartered back M/T Nord Valiant for five years and M/T Eco California for seven years at a bareboat hire of $5,875 per day and $6,550 per day respectively. As part of this transaction, the Company has continuous options, after the third year, to buy back the vessels at purchase prices stipulated in the bareboat agreement depending on when the option is exercised. The gross proceeds from the SLBs are $21,655 for M/T Nord Valiant and $24,140 for M/T Eco California.

The abovementioned sale and leaseback transactions contain, customary covenants and event of default clauses, including cross-default provisions and restrictive covenants and performance requirements.

The SLB with BoComm Leasing will be accounted as a financing transaction, as control will remain with the Company and M/T Nord Valiant and M/T Eco California will continue to be recorded as an asset on our balance sheet. In addition the Company has continuous options to repurchase the vessels below fair value.


China Merchants Bank Financial Leasing Co. Ltd. ("CMBFL") Sale and Leaseback

On December 3, 2018 the Company entered into an SLB with CMBFL, a non-affiliated party, for M/T Eco Bel Air (Hull No 874) and M/T Eco Beverly Hills (Hull No 875). Consummation of the SLB for the deal is expected to take place on the vessel’s delivery date currently planned for April and May 2019 respectively. Following the sale, the Company will bareboat charter back the vessels for a period of seven years at a bareboat hire of $16,361 per day per vessel. As part of this transaction, the Company has continuous options, after the third year, to buy back the vessels at purchase prices stipulated in the bareboat agreement depending on when the option is exercised. The gross proceeds from the sale will be $91,413 for both vessels.

The abovementioned sale and leaseback transactions contain, customary covenants and event of default clauses, including cross-default provisions and restrictive covenants and performance requirements.

The SLB with CMBLF will be accounted  as a financing transaction, as control will remain with the Company and  M/T Eco Bel Air  and M/T Eco Beverly Hills will continue to be recorded as an asset on our balance sheet. In addition the Company has continuous options to repurchase the vessels below fair value.


F-33

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)



Scheduled Principal Repayments: The Company’s annual principal payments required to be made after December 31, 2018 on its loan obligations, are as follows (without accounting for the commitments under sale and leaseback agreements and assuming that the Company will not draw any additional funds under the Family Trading or any of its pre-delivery facilities):

Years
     
December 31, 2019
   
24,239
 
December 31, 2020
   
9,650
 
December 31, 2021
   
21,015
 
December 31, 2022
   
29,077
 
December 31, 2023
   
29,611
 
December 31, 2024 and thereafter
   
38,756
 
Total
   
152,348
 

As of December 31, 2018, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants with respect to its loans and credit facilities.

Financing Costs: The net additions in deferred financing costs amounted to $2,667 and $3,609 during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 respectively. For 2017, the respective amount relates to $646 of arrangement fees, commitment fees and legal fees relating to the AT Bank facilities, $625 of fees relating to the extension of the Family Trading Facility, $490 of arrangement fees relating to the Notes, $470 of arrangement fees, commitment fees and legal fees relating to the Alpha Facility, $297 of arrangement fees, commitment fees and legal fees relating to the Series C shares and $139 of financing fees paid to CSM as per the provisions of the Letter Agreement between the latter and the Company. For 2018, the respective amount relates to $2,172 of fees relating to the three amendments and extensions of the Family Trading Facility, $589 of arrangement fees, commitment fees and legal fees relating to the AT Bank Facility and the AT Bank First and Second Predelivery Facility, $447 of arrangement fees, commitment fees and legal fees relating to the Company’s SLBs (see note 21), $152 of arrangement fees, commitment fees and legal fees relating to the Alpha Bank Predelivery Facility, $139 of financing fees paid to CSM as per the provisions of the Letter Agreement between the latter and the Company, $82 of arrangement fees and legal fees relating to the ABN Facility amendment in November 2018 and $28 of legal fees relating to the AT Bank Bridge Facility.


10.
Commitments and Contingencies:

Legal proceedings:

Various claims, suits, and complaints, including those involving government regulations and product liability, arise in the ordinary course of the shipping business. As part of the normal course of operations, the Company's customers may disagree on amounts due to the Company under the provision of the contracts which are normally settled through negotiations with the customer. Disputed amounts are normally reflected in revenues at such time as the Company reaches agreement with the customer on the amounts due.

On August 1, 2017, the Company received a subpoena from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) requesting certain documents and information in connection with offerings made by the Company between February 2017 and August 2017. The Company provided the requested information to the SEC in response to that subpoena. On September 26, 2018 and on October 5, 2018 the Company received two additional subpoenas from the SEC requesting certain documents and information in connection with the previous subpoena the Company received on August 1, 2017. The Company is providing the requested information to the SEC in response to that subpoena. The SEC investigation is ongoing and the Company continues to cooperate with the SEC in its investigation. The Company is unable to predict what action, if any, might be taken by the SEC or its staff as a result of this investigation or what impact, if any, the cost of responding to the SEC’s investigation or its ultimate outcome might have on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity . Hence the Company has not established any provision for losses relating to this matter.
F-34

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)



On August 23, 2017, a purported securities class action complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York (No. 2:17-cv-04987(JFB)(SIL)) by Christopher Brady on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated against (among other defendants) the Company and two of its executive officers. The complaint is brought on behalf of an alleged class of those who purchased common stock of the Company between January 17, 2017 and August 22, 2017, and alleges that the Company and two of its executive officers violated Sections 9, 10(b) and/or 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. On August 24, 2017, a second purported securities class action complaint was filed in the same court against the same defendants (No. 2:17-cv-05016 (JFB)(SIL)) which makes similar allegations and purports to allege violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder.  By order dated July 20, 2018, the court consolidated the two actions under docket no. 2:17-cv-04987 and appointed lead plaintiffs for the consolidated action. On September 18, 2018 the plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint. The amended complaint purports to be brought on behalf of shareholders who purchased the common stock of the Company between November 23, 2016 and April 3, 2018, makes allegations similar to those made in the original complaints, seeks similar reliefs as the original actions, and alleges that some or all the defendants violated sections 9, 10(b), 20(a), and/or 20A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. All defendants filed motions to dismiss the amended complaint on March 25, 2019.  Plaintiffs’ oppositions to the motions to dismiss are due on May 24, 2019, and Defendants’ replies in further support of the motions to dismiss are due on June 28, 2019. . The Company and its management believe that the allegations in the complaints are without merit and plan to vigorously defend themselves against the allegations. By letter dated January 2, 2019, certain co-defendants in the class action litigation (Kalani Investments Ltd. (“Kalani”), Murchinson Ltd. and Marc Bistricer) requested that the Company indemnify and hold them harmless against all losses, including reasonable costs of defense, arising from the litigation, pursuant to the provisions of the Common Stock Purchase Agreement between the Company and Kalani.   The Company acknowledged receipt of this indemnification request by letter dated February 20, 2019, and reserved all of its rights.

Other than the cases mentioned above, the Company is not a party to any material litigation where claims or counterclaims have been filed against the Company other than routine legal proceedings incidental to its business.

Capital Expenditures under the Company’s Newbuilding program:

From March 30, 2017 to January 31, 2018 the Company entered into a series of transactions with a number of entities affiliated with Evangelos J. Pistiolis that led to the purchase of a number of vessels and newbuilding contracts (please see Note 1 and 5). As a result of these transactions, the Company has remaining contractual commitments for the acquisition of its fleet totaling $147,632, including $20,793, $29,027, $48,906 and $48,906 pursuant to newbuilding agreements for M/T Eco California, M/T Eco Marina Del Ray, M/T Eco Bel Air and M/T Eco Beverly Hills respectively. These contractual commitments are payable in 2019.

Environmental Liabilities:

The Company accrues for the cost of environmental liabilities when management becomes aware that a liability is probable and is able to reasonably estimate the probable exposure. Currently, management is not aware of any such claims or contingent liabilities, which should be disclosed, or for which a provision should be established in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
 

11.
Common and Preferred Stock, Additional Paid-In Capital and Dividends:

Reverse stock split:   On May 11 2017, June 23 2017, August 3 2017, October 6 2017 and March 26 2018, the Company effected a 1-for-20, a 1-for-15, a 1-for-30, a 1-for-2 and a 1-for-10 reverse stock split of its common stock respectively. There was no change in the number of authorized common shares of the Company. All numbers of share and earnings per share amounts, as well as warrant shares eligible for purchase under the Company's 2014 Warrants, in these financial statements have been retroactively adjusted to reflect these reverse stock splits.
F-35

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)


Issuance of common stock and warrants as part of the 2018 Common Stock Offering: On October 26, 2018, the Company priced a public offering of 2,000,000 shares of common stock, and warrants to purchase 3,500,000 common shares (the “2018 Warrants”), at $1.50 per common share and $0.00001 per warrant. The 2018 Warrants have an exercise price of $1.50 per share, are exercisable immediately, and will expire four months from the date of issuance. Each warrant grants the warrant holder the option to purchase one common share of the Company at any time within the abovementioned term (American style option). The proceeds from this offering (net of 6.5% placement agent fees), were $2,805. As of December 31, 2018, 1,553,000 2018 Warrants have been exercised for gross proceeds of $2,330. The 2018 Warrants provide for physical settlement requiring the Company to deliver shares to the holder of the warrants in exchange of cash. The Company accounts for the 2018 Warrants for shares of common stock as equity in accordance with the accounting guidance for derivatives. The accounting guidance provides a scope exception from classifying and measuring as a financial liability a contract that would otherwise meet the definition of a derivative if the contract is both (i) indexed to the entity’s own stock and (ii) meet the equity classifications conditions . The Company concluded these warrants should be equity-classified since they contain no provisions which would require the Company to account for the warrants as a derivative liability, and therefore were initially measured at fair value in permanent equity with subsequent changes in fair value not measured.

On initial recognition the fair value of the 2018 Warrants was $1,671 and was determined using the Black-Scholes methodology. The fair value is considered by the Company to be classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy since it is derived by unobservable inputs. The major unobservable input in connection with the valuation of the Company’s 2018 Warrants is the volatility used in the valuation model, which is approximated by using a four-month daily historical observations of the Company’s share price. The annualized four-month daily historical volatility that has been applied in the warrant valuation as of December 31, 2018 was 108%. A 5% increase in the volatility applied would lead to an increase of 3.8% in the fair value of the 2018 Warrants.

Equity distribution agreement: On May 25, 2018, the Company, entered into an equity distribution agreement, or as is commonly known, an at-the-market offering, with Maxim Group LLC (“Maxim”), under which the Company could sell up to $14,250 of its common stock with Maxim acting as a sales agent over a period of 12 months (the “Maxim ATM”). Since Maxim was acting solely as a sales agent, it had no right to require any common stock sales. No warrants, derivatives, or other share classes were associated with this agreement. On July 24, 2018 the Company terminated the Maxim ATM. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had received proceeds (net of 2% fees), amounting to $2,781 and issued 2,490,853 common shares.

Series C preferred convertible shares: On February 17, 2017, the Company completed a private placement of 7,500 Series C convertible preferred shares (the “Series C shares”) for an aggregate principal amount of $7,500 with Xanthe. The Series C shares were convertible at the lesser of the following two prices: (i) $ 675,000.00 and (ii) 75% of the lowest daily VWAP of the Company's common shares over the twenty-one (21) consecutive trading day period ending on the trading day immediately prior to such date of determination, but in no event could the conversion price be less than $0.25. The Series C shares could not be converted if, after giving effect to the conversion, a holder together with certain related parties would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% of the Company’s outstanding common shares. Holders of Series C shares had no voting rights. The Company at its option had the right to redeem the outstanding Series C shares at an amount equal to 120% of the Conversion Amount being redeemed. The Series C shares were subject to redemption in cash at the option of the holders thereof at any time after the occurrence and continuance of a Triggering Event. A Triggering Event included, among other things, certain bankruptcy proceedings, the delisting of the Company's common shares from Nasdaq, failure to timely deliver common shares upon conversion, failure to pay cash upon redemption, or failure to observe or perform certain covenants. Further, at any time after the tenth business day before the first year anniversary of the issuance of the Series C shares, the holders had the right to require the Company to redeem all or any number of Series C shares held at a purchase price equal to 100% of the Conversion Amount of such shares. The holders of Series C shares were entitled to receive quarterly dividends at a rate of 8% per annum payable in common shares, except that any dividend not paid in common shares would be payable in cash. Capitalized terms are defined in the Statement of Designations of the Series C shares. During the year ended December 31, 2017 the Company issued 904,646 common shares upon the conversion of 7,500 Series C shares and paid $600 in dividends. Also in consideration for entering into the agreement, the Company issued $113 of its common stock to Xanthe as a commitment fee. As of December 31, 2017 all Series C shares had been converted to common stock.
F-36

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)



Series D preferred shares:   On May 8, 2017, the Company issued 100,000 shares of Series D preferred shares (the “Series D shares”) to Tankers Family Inc., a company controlled by Lax Trust for $1 pursuant to a stock purchase agreement. The Series D shares are not convertible into common shares and each Series D share has the voting power of 1,000 common shares. The Series D shares have no dividend or distribution rights and shall expire and all outstanding Series D shares shall be redeemed by the Company for par value on the date the currently outstanding loans with ABN Amro and NORD/LB, or loans with any other financial institution, which contain covenants that require that any member of the family of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis maintain a specific minimum ownership or voting interest (either directly and/or indirectly through companies or other entities beneficially owned by any member of the Pistiolis family and/or trusts or foundations of which any member of the Pistiolis family are beneficiaries) of the Company's issued and outstanding common shares, respectively, are fully repaid or reach their maturity date. The Series D shares shall not be otherwise redeemable and upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the Series D shares shall have a liquidation preference of $0.01 per share.

Common stock purchase agreement: On February 2, 2017, the Company, entered into an agreement, as amended four times during 2017, with Kalani, under which the Company could sell up to $40,341 of its common stock to Kalani over a period of 24 months, subject to certain limitations (the “Common stock purchase agreement”). Proceeds from sales of common stock were used for general corporate purposes. Kalani had no right to require any sales and was obligated to purchase the common stock as directed by the Company, subject to certain limitations set forth in the agreement. In consideration for entering into the agreement, the Company issued $606 of its common stock to Kalani as a commitment fee. No warrants, derivatives, or other share classes are associated with this agreement. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had received proceeds (net of 1% commitment fees), amounting to $39,937 and issued 632,775 common shares, out of which 6 shares refer to commitment fees. On October 12, 2017 the Common stock purchase agreement was completed.

First Crede Purchase Agreement: On November 7, 2017, the Company, entered into an agreement with Crede, pursuant to which the Company could sell up to $25,000 of shares of its common stock, to Crede over a period of 24 months, subject to certain limitations (the “First Crede Purchase Agreement”). In consideration for entering into the First Crede Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to issue up to $500 of shares of its common stock, to Crede as a commitment fee. Crede had no right to require any sales and was obligated to purchase the common stock as directed by the Company, subject to certain limitations set forth in the agreement. Proceeds from sales of common stock were used for general corporate purposes. No warrants, derivatives, or other share classes are associated with this agreement. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had received proceeds, amounting to $25,000 and issued 5,382,972 common shares, out of which 150,000 shares refer to commitment fees. On December 14, 2017 the First Crede Purchase Agreement was completed.

Second Crede Purchase Agreement: On December 11, 2017, the Company, entered into a second agreement with Crede, pursuant to which the Company can sell another $25,000 of shares of its common stock, to Crede over a period of 24 months, subject to certain limitations (the “Second Crede Purchase Agreement”). In consideration for entering into the Second Crede Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to issue up to $500 of shares of its common stock, to Crede as a commitment fee. Crede has no right to require any sales and is obligated to purchase the common stock as directed by the Company, subject to certain limitations set forth in the agreement. Proceeds from sales of common stock were to be used for general corporate purposes. No warrants, derivatives, or other share classes are associated with this agreement. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had received proceeds, amounting to $14,810 and issued 8,050,000 common shares, out of which 115,915 shares refer to commitment fees. The Company terminated the Second Crede Purchase Agreement on May 23, 2018.

2014 Warrants: As of December 31, 2018 the Company had 1,976,389 warrants outstanding relating to the follow-on offering of June 6, 2014 (the “2014 Warrants”), which entitle their holders to purchase 8,498,474 of the Company's common shares at an exercise price of $0.58, as it may be further adjusted. Furthermore the issuance of the Series C shares constituted an issuance of Variable Price Securities (as defined in the Warrant Agreement) and that, pursuant to Section 2(d) of the Warrant Agreement, each holder shall have the right, but not the obligation, to, in any exercise of 2014 Warrants, designate the Variable Price (as defined in the Warrant Agreement) at which the Series C shares are convertible, namely the lesser of: (i) $675,000 and (ii) 75% of the lowest daily VWAP of the Company's common shares over the twenty-one (21) consecutive trading day period ending on the trading day immediately prior to such date of determination, but in no event will the conversion price be less than $0.25. During the year   ended December 31, 2018 no 2014 Warrants were exercised. The 2014 Warrants expire five years from the grant date on June 11, 2019.
F-37

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)



The 2014 Warrants have a number of round down protection measures embedded in the warrant agreement. These measures provide for a downward adjustment of the exercise price of each warrant in the following cases:


·
Issuance of common shares: if the Company issues, sells or is deemed to have issued or sold any common shares for a consideration per share less than the exercise price of the 2014 Warrants then the latter shall be reduced to match the reduced consideration per share.

·
Issuance of options or convertible securities: if the Company issues or sells any options at a strike price that is lower than the exercise price of the 2014 Warrants then the latter will be reduced to match the strike price of the options. If the Company issues convertibles that end up converting at a price per share that is lower than the exercise price of the 2014 Warrants then the latter will be reduced to match the conversion price per share.

·
Holder's right of alternative exercise price following issuance of certain options or convertible securities: if the Company issues or sells any options or convertible securities that are convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for common shares at a price which varies or may vary with the market price of the common shares (Variable Price), the warrant holder shall have the right, but not the obligation, to substitute the Variable Price for the exercise price of the 2014 Warrants.

·
Other events: if the Company takes any action that results in the dilution of the warrant holder not covered by the abovementioned round down protection measures (including, the granting of stock appreciation rights, phantom stock rights or other rights with equity features), then the Company shall determine and implement an appropriate adjustment in the exercise price so as to protect the rights of the warrant holder.

The above list is not exhaustive and for a more comprehensive and complete list of round down protection measures one should read the warrant agreement.

Issuance of Warrants as part of the underwriting agreement: On June 6, 2014, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement in connection with the Company’s follow-on offering with AEGIS, an unaffiliated party. Pursuant to this agreement, the Company granted to AEGIS 300,000 warrants. Each warrant grants AEGIS the option to purchase one common share of the Company, at an exercise price of $4,500,000 (per share), which is exercisable at any time (American style option) from June 6, 2015 onwards and expires five years from the grant date.

Dividends: No dividends were paid to common stock holders in the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018. An amount of $600 in common shares was paid to holders of Series C shares during year ended December 31, 2017.


12.
Stock Incentive Plan:

On April 15, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the 2015 Stock Incentive Plan, or the 2015 Plan, under which the Company’s directors, officers, key employees, consultants and service providers to the Company may be granted non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, dividend equivalents, unrestricted stock and other-equity based-related awards. One common share was reserved for issuance under the 2015 Plan, which is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.

On April 15, 2015, the Company granted and issued one restricted share to a nominee of Central Mare (Tankers Family Inc), a related party owned by the Lax Trust, under the 2015 Plan. The share will vest equally over a period of eight years from the date of grant. The fair value of each share on the grant date was $1,962,000.

On February 25, 2016, the Company granted and issued 0.3 restricted common shares to Sovereign Holdings Inc, a company owned by the Lax Trust. The fair value of the Company’s share price at the time of the grant was $504,000 and the share vested immediately. The Company recognized an expense of $192 pursuant to this grant. This expense has been included in General and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2016.
F-38


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)



A summary of the status of the Company's non-vested shares relating to the 2015 Plan as of December 31, 2018 and movement during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, is presented below:

   
Number of Non-vested Shares
   
Fair value of one common share
 
As of December 31, 2016
   
0.675
     
405,000
 
Vested shares on June 30, 2017
   
0.125
     
252
 
As of December 31, 2017
   
0.55
     
2.50
 
Vested shares on June 30, 2018
   
0.125
     
0.95
 
As of December 31, 2018
   
0.425
     
0.82
 

For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017, and 2018 the equity compensation expense/(gain) that has been charged in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss was $47, $(25) and $(34) for the Non-Employee awards, respectively. This expense has been included in Management fees-related parties in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss for each respective year. As of December 31, 2018 the total compensation or benefit related to non vested awards is $119 (assuming that all future share vestings under the 2015 plan would be effected at the Company’s closing stock price on December 31, 2018, i.e. at $0.82 per share, here used as an estimate of the Company’s future stock price on the respective future vesting dates) and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.5 years. The Company uses the straight-line method to recognize the cost of the awards.


13.
Loss Per Common Share:

All shares issued (including non-vested shares issued under the Company’s stock incentive plans) are included in the Company's common stock and have equal rights to vote and participate in dividends and in undistributed earnings. Non-vested shares do not have a contractual obligation to share in the losses. Dividends declared during the period for non-vested common stock as well as undistributed earnings allocated to non-vested stock are deducted from net income or loss attributable to common shareholders for the purpose of the computation of basic earnings per share in accordance with the two-class method as required by relevant guidance.
 
The components of the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 2016, 2017 and 2018 are as follows:

 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2016
   
2017
   
2018
 
Income:
                 
Net loss attributable to common shareholders
   
(351
)
   
(13,404
)
   
(11,134
)
 
                       
Earnings per share:
                       
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted
   
22
     
1,063,381
     
18,181,456
 
 Loss per share, basic and diluted
   
(15,955
)
   
(12.57
)
   
(0.61
)

For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018 no dilutive shares were included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because to do so would have been antidilutive for the period presented.
F-39


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)




14.
Voyage and Vessel Operating Expenses:

The amounts in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive loss are as follows:

Voyage Expenses
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2016
   
2017
   
2018
 
Port charges / other voyage expenses
   
-
     
10
     
1
 
Bunkers
   
20
     
15
     
18
 
Commissions (including $358, $487 and $511 respectively, to related party)
   
716
     
974
     
1,001
 
Total
   
736
     
999
     
1,020
 
 
Vessel Operating Expenses
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2016
   
2017
   
2018
 
Crew wages and related costs
   
6,885
     
9,228
     
10,185
 
Insurance
   
542
     
777
     
761
 
Repairs and maintenance (including $104, $136 and $187 respectively, to related party)
   
520
     
973
     
1,120
 
Spares and consumable stores
   
1,923
     
2,374
     
2,645
 
Registration and tonnage taxes (Note 16) 
   
43
     
92
     
115
 
Total
   
9,913
     
13,444
     
14,826
 


15.
Interest and Finance Costs:

The amounts in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive loss are analyzed as follows:

Interest and Finance Costs
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2016
   
2017
   
2018
 
Interest on debt (including $302, $138 and $874, respectively, to related party) (Note 9)
   
3,208
     
5,724
     
7,373
 
Delos termination fee interest (Note 5)
   
3
     
-
     
-
 
Bank charges and loan commitment fees (including $207, $366 and $179, respectively, to related party)
   
262
     
440
     
262
 
Amortization and write-off of financing fees
   
291
     
1,640
     
1,305
 
Amortization of debt discount (Note 9)
   
-
     
7,500
     
2,504
 
Non-cash debt conversion expenses
   
-
     
842
     
-
 
Total
   
3,764
     
16,146
     
11,444
 
Less interest capitalized
   
(671
)
   
(353
)
   
(1,782
)
Total
   
3,093
     
15,793
     
9,662
 


16.
Income Taxes:

Marshall Islands, Cyprus and Liberia do not impose a tax on international shipping income. Under the laws of Marshall Islands, Cyprus and Liberia, the countries of the companies' incorporation and vessels' registration, the companies are subject to registration and tonnage taxes, which have been included in Vessel operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.

The Company and its subsidiaries were not subject to United States federal income taxation in respect of income that is derived from the international operation of ships and the performance of services directly related as they qualified for the exemption of Section 883 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
 
F-40

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)




17.
Financial Instruments:

The principal financial assets of the Company consist of cash on hand and at banks, restricted cash, prepaid expenses and other receivables. The principal financial liabilities of the Company consist of short and long term loans, related party loans, accounts payable due to suppliers, amounts due from/to related parties, accrued liabilities, interest rate swaps, convertible preferred shares and warrants granted to third parties.


a)
Interest rate risk: The Company is subject to market risks relating to changes in interest rates relating to debt outstanding under its bank loan facilities on which it pays interest based on LIBOR plus a margin. In order to manage part of its exposure to changes in interest rates due to this floating rate indebtedness, the Company has entered into interest rate swap agreements (refer section below)   and may enter into more interest rate swap agreements in the future.


b)
Credit risk: Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of interest rate swaps and cash. The Company places its temporary cash investments, consisting mostly of deposits, with high credit qualified financial institutions. The Company performs periodic evaluations of the relative credit standing of those financial institutions with which it places its temporary cash investments.


c)
Fair value:

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash are considered Level 1 items as they represent liquid assets with short term maturities.

The Company considers its creditworthiness when determining the fair value of the credit facilities.

The fair value of bank debt approximates the recorded value due to its variable interest rate, being the LIBOR. LIBOR rates are observable at commonly quoted intervals for the full term of the loans and, hence, bank loans are considered Level 2 items in accordance with the fair value hierarchy.

The fair value of interest rate swaps is determined using a discounted cash flow method taking into account current and future interest rates and the creditworthiness of both the financial instrument counterparty and the Company and, hence, they are considered Level 2 items in accordance with the fair value hierarchy.

The fair value of the 2014 Warrants is determined using the Cox, Ross and Rubinstein Binomial methodology and hence are considered Level 3 items in accordance with the fair value hierarchy.

The Company follows the accounting guidance for Fair Value Measurements. This guidance enables the reader of the financial statements to assess the inputs used to develop those measurements by establishing a hierarchy for ranking the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values. The guidance requires assets and liabilities carried at fair value to be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2: Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data;
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
F-41

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)



Interest rate swap agreements
The Company has entered into interest rate swap transactions to manage interest costs and the risk associated with changing interest rates with respect to its variable interest rate credit facilities. These interest rate swap transactions fixed the interest rates based on predetermined ranges in LIBOR rates. The Company has entered into the following agreements with ABN Amro Bank, Nord/LB Bank and Alpha Bank relating to interest rate swaps, the details of which were as follows:
Agreement Date
Counterparty
Effective date:
Termination Date:
Interest rate payable
June 3, 2016
ABN Amro Bank
April 13, 2018
Ju1y 13, 2021
1.4425%
December 19, 2016
ABN Amro Bank
December 21, 2016
January 13, 2022
2.0800%
December 19, 2016
ABN Amro Bank
December 21, 2016
August 10, 2022
2.1250%
March 29, 2017
NORD/LB Bank
May 17, 2017
May 17, 2023
2.1900%
March 29, 2018
Alpha Bank
March 29, 2018
February 25, 2025
2.9700%

The fair value of the swaps was considered by the Company to be classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy since their value was being derived by observable market based inputs. The Company pays a fixed rate and receives a floating rate for these interest rate swaps. The fair values of these derivatives determined through Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy were derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. Inputs included quoted prices for similar assets, liabilities (risk adjusted) and market-corroborated inputs, such as market comparables, interest rates, yield curves and other items that allowed values to be determined. The Company's interest rate swaps did not qualify for hedge accounting.
2014 Warrant liability
The Company's derivatives outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and 2018, are recorded at their fair values. As of December 31, 2018 the Company’s derivatives consisted of 8,498,474 warrant shares outstanding, issued in connection with the Company’s follow-on offering that closed on June 11, 2014 (see Note 11), as depicted in the following table:
2014 Warrants Outstanding
December 31, 2017
Warrant Shares Outstanding
December 31, 2017
Term
Warrant Exercise Price
Fair Value – Liability
December 31, 2017
1,976,389
2,134,501
5 years
$2.30
3,332

2014 Warrants Outstanding
December 31, 2018
Warrant Shares Outstanding
December 31, 2018
Term
Warrant Exercise Price*
Fair Value – Liability
December 31, 2018
1,976,389
8,498,474
5 years
$0.58
1,915
* Applying the Variable Exercise Price


F-42

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)



Fair value of financial liabilities
The following table presents the fair value of those financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and their locations on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, analyzed by fair value measurement hierarchy level:
       
Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date
 
 
 As of December 31, 2017
 
Total
 
Using Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant
Other
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Non-current asset
   
     
394
     
-
     
394
     
-
 
Non-current liability
   
     
3,335
     
-
     
3
     
3,332
 
As of December 31, 2018
   
             
Non-current asset
           
1,153
     
-
     
1,153
     
-
 
Non-current liability
           
2,274
     
-
     
359
     
1,915
 

The following table sets forth a summary of changes in fair value of the Company’s level 3 fair value measurements for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018:
Closing balance – December 31, 2016
   
3,222
 
Change in fair value of 2014 Warrants, included in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss
   
256
 
Adjustment for cashless exercise of 2014 Warrants, included in Additional paid-in capital line item of consolidated balance sheets
   
(146
)
Closing balance – December 31, 2017
   
3,332
 
Change in fair value of 2014 Warrants, included in (Loss)/gain on derivative financial instruments in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss
   
(1,417
)
Closing balance – December 31, 2018
   
1,915
 

Derivative Financial Instruments not designated as hedging instruments:
The major unobservable input in connection with the valuation of the Company’s 2014 Warrants is the volatility used in the valuation model, which is approximated by using a six-month daily historical observations of the Company’s share price. The annualized six-month daily historical volatility that has been applied in the warrant valuation as of December 31, 2018 was 110%. A 5% increase in the volatility applied would lead to an increase of 2.6% in the fair value of the 2014 Warrants. The fair value of the Company’s 2014 Warrants is considered by the Company to be classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy since it is derived by unobservable inputs.

Quantitative information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
       
Derivative type
 
Fair Value at December 31, 2017
   
Fair Value at December 31, 2018
 
Balance Sheet Location
Valuation Technique
Significant Unobservable Input
 
Value
December 31, 2017
   
Value
December 31, 2018
 
2014 Warrants
   
3,332
     
1,915
 
Non-Current liabilities –Derivative financial instruments
Cox, Ross and Rubinstein Binomial
Volatility
   
233
%
   
110
%

F-43


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)



Information on the location and amounts of derivative financial instruments fair values in the balance sheet and derivative financial instrument losses in the statement of comprehensive loss are presented below:

   
Amount of gain/(loss) recognized in Statement of comprehensive (loss)/gain located in Loss on derivate financial instruments
 
   
2016
   
2017
   
2018
 
Interest rate swaps- change in fair value
   
(41
)
   
431
     
404
 
Interest rate swaps– realized gain/(loss)
   
(16
)
   
(476
)
   
-
 
2014 Warrants- change in fair value
   
(641
)
   
(256
)
   
1,417
 
Total
   
(698
)
   
(301
)
   
1,821
 


18.
Other operating income

During the year ended December 31, 2017 the Company wrote-off $914 of accrued liabilities of vessels sold in 2009, mainly relating to unearned revenue.

During the year ended December 31, 2016 the Company wrote-off $3,137 of accrued liabilities of vessels sold from 2006 to 2008, mainly relating to $2,043 of unearned revenue and $1,094 of related brokerage commissions, as the time frame for the Company’s counterparties to claim these amounts had expired.


19.
Mezzanine Equity

Issuance of convertible preferred stock: On November 22, 2016, the Company, entered into a securities purchase agreement with YA II CD, LTD., or Yorkville for the sale of 2,106 newly designated Series B convertible preferred stock. Yorkville purchased 1,579 Series B convertible preferred stock on November 22, 2016 and 527 Series B convertible preferred stock on November 28, 2016. The preferred stock was issued to Yorkville through a registered direct offering. The total net proceeds from the offering, after deducting offering fees and expenses, were $1,741. The holders of Series B convertible preferred shares were entitled to such number of votes as would have been equal to the number of the Company’s common shares then issuable upon a conversion of each Series B convertible preferred share (subject to an ownership limitation of 4.99%) on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Company. The Series B convertible preferred stock were convertible into a number of the Company’s common shares equal to the quotient of $1 divided by the lesser of the following two prices: (i) $504,000 (per share) and (ii) 85% of the lowest daily VWAP of the Company’s common shares over the 10 consecutive trading days expiring on the trading day immediately prior to the date of delivery of a conversion notice, but in no event will this conversion price be less than $1.00 (per share). The holders of Series B convertible preferred stock are not entitled to dividends or a redemption in cash except in the case of an event of default (a “Triggering Event”). A Triggering Event includes, among other things, certain bankruptcy proceedings, the delisting of the Company’s common shares from Nasdaq, failure to timely deliver common shares upon conversion, failure to pay cash upon redemption, or failure to observe or perform certain covenants. All the issued Series B convertible preferred stock were converted in 2017. The Company retained the right at all times to redeem a portion or all of the outstanding Series B Convertible Preferred Shares. The Company would have paid an amount equal to $1 per each Series B Convertible Preferred Share, or the Liquidation Amount, plus a redemption premium equal to twenty percent (20%) of the Liquidation Amount being redeemed. Pursuant to the issuance of the convertible preferred stock, the Company recognized the beneficial conversion feature by allocating the intrinsic value of the conversion option, which is the number of shares of common stock available upon conversion multiplied by the difference between the effective conversion price per share and the fair value of the Company’s common stock per share on the commitment date, to additional paid-in capital, resulting in a discount of $1,403 on the Series B convertible preferred stock. The Company accreted the whole discount in the year ended December 31, 2016. As the Company was in an accumulated deficit position, the offsetting amount was amortized as a deemed dividend charged against additional paid-in-capital for common shares, as there were no retained earnings from which to declare a dividend.
F-44

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)



The following table summarizes the activity in mezzanine equity since issuance of the preferred shares:

Series B convertible preferred stock
 
Total
 
BALANCE, December 31, 2015
   
-
 
Net Proceeds from Issuance of Series B convertible preferred stock
   
1,741
 
Deemed dividend for beneficial conversion feature
   
1,403
 
Beneficial conversion feature
   
(1,403
)
Balance December 31, 2016
   
1,741
 
Conversions of Series B convertible preferred stock
   
(1,741
)
Balance December 31, 2017
   
-
 

During the year ended December 31, 2017 the Company issued 18,026 common shares upon the conversion of 2,106 Series B convertible preferred shares. As of December 31, 2017 all Series B convertible shares have been converted to common stock.


20.
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures

On March 30, 2017, the Company, acquired a 49% ownership interest in City of Athens from Fly Free Company, a Marshall Islands corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Lax Trust, for an aggregate purchase price of $4,200. City of Athens was party to a newbuilding contract for the construction of M/T Eco Holmby Hills. Furthermore on March 30, 2017, the Company acquired a 49% ownership interest in Eco Nine from Maxima International Co., a Marshall Islands corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Lax Trust, for an aggregate purchase price of $3,500. Eco Nine was a party to a newbuilding contract for the construction of M/T Eco Palm Springs. On June 14, 2017 the Company acquired an additional 1% interest in City of Athens and in Eco Nine for an aggregate consideration of $157, increasing the Company’s interest in both companies to 50%. Fees and costs related to the investments amounting to $353 were accounted for as part of the investment.

On June 30, 2017 the Lax Trust sold its 50% remaining interest in City of Athens and in Eco Nine to Gunvor S.A. (“Gunvor”), a non-affiliated company and on July 7, 2017 the Company entered into a joint venture agreement with Gunvor. Furthermore, upon the delivery of both vessels, each of the two vessels entered into time charter employments with Clearlake Shipping Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of Gunvor, for three years firm plus two additional optional years. The Company's exposure is limited to its share of the net assets of City of Athens and Eco Nine proportionate to its 50% equity interest in these companies. The Company shares the profits and losses, cash flows and other matters relating to its investments in City of Athens and in Eco Nine in accordance with its ownership percentage. The vessels are managed by CSM, pursuant to management agreements. The Company accounts for investments in joint ventures using the equity method since it has joint control over the investment. The Company was obligated to contribute funds for yard installments in relation to the construction of the vessels of the joint venture companies, as needed and proportionate to its 50% equity interest in these companies .

On March 12, 2018 City of Athens and in Eco Nine entered into a loan agreement with ABN Amro Bank for a senior debt facility of $35,900 to fund, the delivery of M/T Eco Holmby Hills and M/T Eco Palm Springs ($17,948 and $17,952 respectively). The loan is payable in 20 consecutive quarterly installments of $299 per vessel, commencing three months from draw down, and a balloon payment of $11,965 and $11,968 M/T Eco Holmby Hills and M/T Eco Palm Springs respectively, payable together with the last installment. The credit facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.90%. The facility carries customary covenants and restrictions, including the covenant that prohibits City of Athens and Eco Nine to declare any dividends until the second anniversary of the loan agreement.

On March 15, 2018, City of Athens took delivery of M/T Eco Holmby Hills, a 50,000 dwt newbuilding product/chemical tanker constructed at the Hyundai shipyard. On March 20, 2018 the vessel commenced its' time charter agreement with Clearlake Shipping Pte Ltd.
F-45

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)



On May 23, 2018, Eco Nine Inc took delivery of M/T Eco Palm Springs, a 50,000 dwt newbuilding product/chemical tanker constructed at the Hyundai shipyard. On May 26, 2018 the vessel commenced its time charter agreement with Clearlake Shipping Pte Ltd.

During the year ended December 31, 2017 the Company advanced $5,233 to City of Athens and $3,738 to Eco Nine to cover upcoming newbuilding installments and $324 to City of Athens and $135 to Eco Nine respectively to cover predelivery expenses. During the year ended December 31, 2018 the Company advanced $2,243 to Eco Nine Inc to cover upcoming newbuilding installments and another $695 to City of Athens Inc and $744 to Eco Nine Inc respectively to cover predelivery expenses, financing related expenses and to establish debt service reserves.

A condensed summary of the financial information for equity accounted investments 50% owned by the Company shown on a 100% basis are as follows:

 
 
December 31, 2017
   
December 31, 2018
 
   
City of Athens
   
Eco Nine
   
City of Athens
   
Eco Nine
 
Current assets
   
218
     
218
     
898
     
684
 
Non-current assets
   
12,664
     
12,664
     
30,853
     
30,975
 
Current liabilities
   
68
     
68
     
1,530
     
1,762
 
Long-term liabilities
   
-
     
-
     
15,627
     
15,900
 
Net operating revenues
   
-
     
-
     
4,182
     
3,229
 
Net (loss)/gain
   
(20
)
   
(20
)
   
396
     
185
 


21.
Subsequent Events

  On January 1, 2019, the Company terminated the Letter Agreement with Central Shipping Monaco without incurring any penalties and on the same date the Company entered into a new letter agreement, or the New Letter Agreement, with Central Shipping Inc (“CSI”), a related party controlled by the family of Mr. Evangelos Pistiolis, and on the same date the Company entered into management agreements between CSI and its vessel-owning subsidiaries.

The New Letter Agreement can only be terminated on eighteen months’ notice, subject to a termination fee equal to twelve months of fees payable under the New Letter Agreement.

Pursuant to the New Letter Agreement, management fees remain the same except for the fact that the technical and the commercial management fees have been consolidated into one daily management fee and this has been reduced from $923 to $550 per day. Furthermore the fee per day for superintendent visits has been reduced from $541 to $500.

The New Letter Agreement and the management agreements have an initial term of five years, after which they will continue to be in effect until terminated by either party subject to an eighteen month advance notice of termination.

Furthermore on January 1, 2019, Central Mare reduced the fees the Company pays for the provision of the Company’s executive officers to $30 per month.

On January 11, 2019, the Company entered into a warrant exchange agreement with the sole holder of the 2018 Warrants for the reduction of the exercise price of said warrants from $1.50 to $1.02. On the same date 300,000 2018 Warrants were exercised for gross proceeds of $306, before deducting the placement agent fees. On February 5, 2019, the Company entered into an amendment of the 2018 Warrants for the reduction of the exercise price of said warrants from $1.02 to $0.70. On the same date 714,285 2018 Warrants were exercised for gross proceeds, of $500, before deducting placement agent fees. Between February 21 and February 25, 2019 the remaining 932,715 2018 Warrants were exercised for gross proceeds, underwriting discount, of $653, before deducting the placement agent fees .
F-46

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2018
AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016, 2017 AND 2018
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars – except share, per share earnings and rate per day, unless otherwise stated)




On January 17, 2019, the Company sold and leased back the M/T Nord Valiant, to BoComm Leasing. The Company used $18,550 of the sale and leaseback proceeds to prepay in full the outstanding loan on the vessel (Tranche C of the ABN Facility). As part of the prepayment of ABN Facility Tranche C, the Company unwound the interest rate swap with ABN Amro bank dated December 19, 2016 and realized a gain of $213.
On January 26, 2019 the M/T Eco Revolution entered into a new time charter employment contract for 2 years with BP Shipping Ltd.

On January 30, 2019, the Company took delivery of the M/T Eco California. On the same date, agreements were consummated for the sale and leaseback of the vessel, with BoComm Leasing. On February 4, 2019 the vessel commenced its' time charter agreement with Shell.

On January 28, 2019, the Company entered into a credit facility with AT Bank for $10,500 for general corporate purposes (the “AT Bank Bridge Facility”). This facility was drawn down in full and the proceeds were used to repay the AT Bank Second Predelivery Facility. The facility is repayable in February 28, 2020. The facility contains restrictions on the holding company (Top Ships Inc) from providing guarantees other than for financing of new vessels and from paying any dividends or distributing any of its capital or redeeming any of its shares. Furthermore the facility prohibits the Company to pay any principal, accrued fees, interest or commitment fees relating to the Family Trading Facility. Finally the facility also contains some restrictions in the use of proceeds of future issuances of capital and incurrence of unsecured debt.

The facility is secured as follows:


·
Corporate guarantee of Top Ships Inc.;

·
Second priority perfected mortgage on M/T Eco Palm Desert Vessel;

·
Second rank priority assignment of insurance and earnings of the mortgaged vessel;

·
Second rank priority assignment of any time charters with duration of more than 12 months;

·
Second priority pledge of the shares of the shipowning subsidiary of the mortgaged vessel;

·
Second priority pledge over the earnings account of the vessel.

The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 6.00% and a commitment fee of 2.25% per annum is payable quarterly in arrears over the committed and undrawn portion of the facility, starting from the date of signing the commitment letter. On March 22, 2019 the AT Bank Bridge Facility was converted into a note and its maturity was extended to March 31, 2019 with all other terms remaining the same.

On March 13, 2019, the Company took delivery of the M/T Eco Marina Del Ray. On March 18, 2019 the vessel commenced its' time charter agreement with Cargill and concurrently agreements were consummated for the vessel’s sale and leaseback to Cargill. The Company fully repaid the balance of the Alpha Bank Predelivery facility with part of the proceeds from the abovementioned sale and leaseback.






F-47
Exhibit 4.77

NORD/LB



MONTE CARLO SEVEN SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED
Trus Company Complex
Ajeltake Road
96960 Majuro
Marshall Islands
 
March 29, 2017

   
OTC Confirmations
 
Phone:  +49-511-361-5246
Fax:      +49-511-361-4429
 
Person responsible :  Tobias Thies

Email   : atsirikos@topships.org
Confirmation of an Interest Rate Swap Transaction

(Our Ref,: IRD/IRS/9439572/HAN
UTI: EO2DSNHHQ2B9X5N6OUJ1236IRDIRS9397337HAN)

Your Trader
Trade Date
 
Effective Date
Termination Date
Notional Amount
 
Fixed Rate Payer
Fixed Rate
 
 
Floating Rate Payer
Floating Rate
+/- Spread
 
Payments to
MONTE CARLO SEVEN SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED
- in USD
 
Payments to
NORDDEUTSCHE LANDESBANK GIROZENTRALE
- in USD
:
:
 
:
:
:
 
:
:
 
 
:
:
:
 
 
 
:
 
 
 
:
TSIRIKOS
March 29, 2017
(time of trade : 09:38 am Hannover time)
May 17, 2017
May 17, 2023
USD 21,139,200.00
 
MONTE CARLO SEVEN SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED
2.19000 %
 
 
NORDDEUTSCHE LANDESBANK GIROZENTRALE
3-Month(s)-USD-LIBOR-BBA
none
 
 
 
PLEASE ADVISE
 
 
 
JP MORGAN CHASE BANK, NEW YORK
A/C 0011337268
SWIFT CHASUS33

Other Provisions
- The Notional/Currency Amount (as applicable) is subject to amortization and/or increase.  Please see fully detailed confirmation for full particulars.


This transaction is subject to a 1992 ISDA Master Agreement. In the event that the parties have not yet entered into such agreement the parties hereto agree to negotiate in good faith and enter into an agreement in form of the 1992 ISDA Master Agreement.  Please contact us immediately should the particulars of this confirmation not be in accordance with your understanding.

This confirmation does not supersede the fully detailed confirmation of the Calculation Agent.



IRD/IRS/9439572/HAN
Norddeutsche Landesbank
Girozentrale
 
      Finanzgrupp
 
Friedrichswall 10,30159 Hannover
Postanschrift: 30151 Hannover
Telefon (0511) 361-0, Telex 921 620 gzh d
Telefax (0511) 361-2502, www.nordlb,de
 
S.W.I.F.T. NOLADE2H, BLZ 250 500 00
Anstalt öffentlichen Rechts mit Sitz in Hannover, Braunschweig,
Magdeburg - Handelsregister: AG Hannover HRA 26247,
AG Braunschweig HRA 10261, AG Stendal HRA 22150


NORD/LB



MONTE CARLO SEVEN SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED
Vassilissis Sofias Street 1
15124 Maroussi-Athens
Greece
 
OTC Confirmations
Tobias Thies
 
Georgsplatz 1
D-30159 Hannover
Germany
 
Phone:  +49-511-361-5246
Fax:      +49-511-361-4429

Attention:  atsirikos@topships.org
 
Our Reference:
IRD/IRS/9439572/HAN
UTI: E02DSNHHQ2B9X5N60OUJ12361RDIRS9397337HAN
 
 
Your Reference:
 
 
March 29, 2017


Interest Rate Swap
Dear Sirs,

The purpose of this letter agreement is to confirm the terms and conditions of the Swap Transaction entered into between us on the Trade Date specified below (the "Transaction").

This letter agreement constitutes a "Confirmation" as referred to in the Agreement specified below.

The definitions and provisions contained in the 2006 ISDA Definitions, as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. ("ISDA"), are incorporated into this Confirmation. In the event of any inconsistency between those definitions and provisions and this Confirmation, this Confirmation will govern.

1.  This Confirmation supplements, forms part of, and is subject to, the 2002 ISDA Master Agreement dated as of May 19, 2016, as amended and supplemented from time to time (the "Agreement"), between you and us.
All provisions contained in the Agreement govern this Confirmation except as expressly modified below.

2.  The terms of the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates are as follows:

Trade Date :
 
Effective Date :
 
March 29, 2017
(time of trade : 09:38 am Hannover time)
May 17, 2017




IRD/IRS/9439572/HAN
 
Norddeutsche Landesbank
Girozentrale
 
     Finanzgrupp
 
 
Friedrichswall 10, 30159 Hannover
Postanschrift: 30151 Hannover
Telefon (0511) 361-0, Telex 921 620 gzh d
Telefax (0511) 361-2502, www.nordlb.de
 
 
S.W.I.F.T. NOLADE2H, BLZ 250 500 00
Anstalt öffentlichen Rechts mit Sitz in Hannover, Braunschweig,
Magdeburg - Handelsregister: AG Hannover HRA 26247,
AG Braunschweig HRA 10261, AG Stendal HRA 22150


NORD/LB



Termination Date :
 
May 17, 2023 , subject to adjustment in
accordance with the Modified Following
Business Day Convention.
 
       
FIXED AMOUNTS
     
       
Fixed Rate Payer :
 
MONTE CARLO SEVEN SHIPPING COMPANY
LIMITED
 
       
Fixed Rate Payer Notional Amount :
 
USD 21,139,200.00, subject to change as set
forth under "Fixed Rate Payer Payment Dates".
 
       
Fixed Rate :
 
2.190000 %
 
       
Fixed Rate Day Count Fraction :
 
ACT/360
 
       
Fixed Rate Payer Payment Dates :
 
Fixed Rate Payer Payment Dates are subject to
adjustment in accordance with the following
convention:
 

   
Modified Following Business Day
 

   
Payment Date
Change in Calculation Amount in USD
 
   
August 17, 2017
-511,450.00
 
   
November 17, 2017
-511,450.00
 
   
February 17, 2018
-511,450.00
 
   
May 17, 2018
-511,450.00
 
   
August 17, 2018
-511,450.00
 
   
November 17, 2018
-511,450.00
 
   
February 17, 2019
-511,450.00
 
   
May 17, 2019
-511,450.00
 
   
August 17, 2019
-473,000.00
 
   
November 17, 2019
-473,000.00
 
   
February 17, 2020
-473,000.00
 
   
May 17, 2020
-473,000.00
 
   
August 17, 2020
-473,000.00
 
   
November 17, 2020
-473,000.00
 
   
February 17, 2021
-473,000.00
 
   
May 17, 2021
-473,000.00
 
   
August 17, 2021
-473,000.00
 
   
November 17, 2021
-473,000.00
 
   
February 17, 2022
-473,000.00
 



IRD/IRS/9439572/HAN
 
Norddeutsche Landesbank
Girozentrale
 
     Finanzgrupp
 
 
Friedrichswall 10, 30159 Hannover
Postanschrift: 30151 Hannover
Telefon (0511) 361-0, Telex 921 620 gzh d
Telefax (0511) 361-2502, www.nordlb.de
 
 
S.W.I.F.T. NOLADE2H, BLZ 250 500 00
Anstalt öffentlichen Rechts mit Sitz in Hannover, Braunschweig,
Magdeburg - Handelsregister: AG Hannover HRA 26247,
AG Braunschweig HRA 10261, AG Stendal HRA 22150


NORD/LB



   
May 17, 2022
-473,000.00
 
   
August 17, 2022
-473,000.00
 
   
November 17, 2022
-473,000.00
 
   
February 17, 2023
-473,000.00
 
   
May 17, 2023
----
 

Business Days :
 
Athens, Frankfurt, Hannover, London, New York
 
       
FLOATING AMOUNTS
     
       
Floating Rate Payer :
 
NORDDEUTSCHE LANDESBANK
GIROZENTRALE
 
       
Floating Rate Payer Notional Amount :
 
USD 21,139,200.00, subject to change as set
forth under "Floating Rate Payer Payment
Dates".
 
       
Floating Rate Option :
 
USD-LIBOR-BBA
 
       
Designated Maturity :
 
3 month(s)
 
       
Spread :
 
None
 
       
Floating Rate Day Count Fraction :
 
ACT/360
 
       
1st Floating Period :
 
May 17, 2017 - August 17, 2017 ( 92 days)
 
       
1st Floating Rate :
 
Next fixing date on May 15, 2017.
 
       
1st Floating Rate Interest Amount :
 
Next fixing date on May 15, 2017.
 
       
Reset Dates :
 
The first day of each Calculation Period.
 
       
Floating Rate Payer Payment Dates :
 
Floating Rate Payer Payment Dates are subject
to adjustment in accordance with the following
convention:
 

   
Modified Following Business Day
 

   
Payment Date
Change in Calculation Amount in USD
 
   
August 17, 2017
-511,450.00
 
   
November 17, 2017
-511,450.00
 
   
February 17, 2018
-511,450.00
 
   
May 17, 2018
-511,450.00
 



IRD/IRS/9439572/HAN
 
Norddeutsche Landesbank
Girozentrale
 
     Finanzgrupp
 
 
Friedrichswall 10, 30159 Hannover
Postanschrift: 30151 Hannover
Telefon (0511) 361-0, Telex 921 620 gzh d
Telefax (0511) 361-2502, www.nordlb.de
 
 
S.W.I.F.T. NOLADE2H, BLZ 250 500 00
Anstalt öffentlichen Rechts mit Sitz in Hannover, Braunschweig,
Magdeburg - Handelsregister: AG Hannover HRA 26247,
AG Braunschweig HRA 10261, AG Stendal HRA 22150



NORD/LB

   
August 17, 2018
-511,450.00
 
   
November 17, 2018
-511,450.00
 
   
February 17, 2019
-511,450.00
 
   
May 17, 2019
-511,450.00
 
   
August 17, 2019
-473,000.00
 
   
November 17, 2019
-473,000.00
 
   
February 17, 2020
-473,000.00
 
   
May 17, 2020
-473,000.00
 
   
August 17, 2020
-473,000.00
 
   
November 17, 2020
-473,000.00
 
   
February 17, 2021
-473,000.00
 
   
May 17, 2021
-473,000.00
 
   
August 17, 2021
-473,000.00
 
   
November 17, 2021
-473,000.00
 
   
February 17, 2022
-473,000.00
 
   
May 17, 2022
-473,000.00
 
   
August 17, 2022
-473,000.00
 
   
November 17, 2022
-473,000.00
 
   
February 17, 2023
-473,000.00
 
   
May 17, 2023
----
 

Business Days :
 
Athens, Frankfurt, Hannover, London, New York
 
       
       
Calculation Agent :
 
NORDDEUTSCHE LANDESBANK
GIROZENTRALE
 
       
       
ACCOUNT DETAILS
     
       
Your account
- for payments in USD
 
 
PLEASE ADVISE
 
       
Our account
- for payments in USD
 
 
JP MORGAN CHASE BANK, NEW YORK
A/C 0011337268
SWIFT CHASUS33
 
       




IRD/IRS/9439572/HAN
 
Norddeutsche Landesbank
Girozentrale
 
     Finanzgrupp
 
 
Friedrichswall 10, 30159 Hannover
Postanschrift: 30151 Hannover
Telefon (0511) 361-0, Telex 921 620 gzh d
Telefax (0511) 361-2502, www.nordlb.de
 
 
S.W.I.F.T. NOLADE2H, BLZ 250 500 00
Anstalt öffentlichen Rechts mit Sitz in Hannover, Braunschweig,
Magdeburg - Handelsregister: AG Hannover HRA 26247,
AG Braunschweig HRA 10261, AG Stendal HRA 22150



NORD/LB



OFFICES
(a)  The Office of NORDDEUTSCHE LANDESBANK GIROZENTRALE for this Transaction is
HANNOVER.
(b)  The Office of MONTE CARLO SEVEN SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED for this Transaction
is MAJURO, MARSHALL ISLANDS.
OTHER PROVISIONS
none.
We would like to inform you that due to the EMIR (European Market Infrastructure Regulation) regulatory requirements, contracting parties are obliged to comply with very short confirmation deadlines. Thus, transactions among Financial Counterparties are to be signed by all parties 1 business day after Trade Date and transactions under participation of at least one Non-Financial Counterparty within 2 business days after Trade Date. In order to observe these deadlines, we kindly ask you to return the countersigned confirmation before the expiry of these deadlines.
For a person or company registered in Germany liable for taxation:
As from 01 January 2009, NORDLB as paying agent must meet the requirement to withhold and pay "Kapitalertragsteuer (withholding tax) for derivatives where no legally specified exemption is applicable. Please bear in mind that when engaging yourself in derivative trading, this is the reason why credit and debit entries might be reduced.
Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth the terms of our agreement by signing this Confirmation and returning it to us.

Yours sincerely,
Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale

/s/ Grünewald
 
/s/ Thies
 
Grünewald
 
Thies
 

Confirmed as of the date first written:
MONTE CARLO SEVEN SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED

/s/ Alexandros Tsirikos
     
ALEXANDROS TSIRIKOS
     
ATTORNEY-IN-FACT
     



IRD/IRS/9439572/HAN
 
Norddeutsche Landesbank
Girozentrale
 
     Finanzgrupp
 
 
Friedrichswall 10, 30159 Hannover
Postanschrift: 30151 Hannover
Telefon (0511) 361-0, Telex 921 620 gzh d
Telefax (0511) 361-2502, www.nordlb.de
 
 
S.W.I.F.T. NOLADE2H, BLZ 250 500 00
Anstalt öffentlichen Rechts mit Sitz in Hannover, Braunschweig,
Magdeburg - Handelsregister: AG Hannover HRA 26247,
AG Braunschweig HRA 10261, AG Stendal HRA 22150



Exhibit 4.78

To:
ECO SEVEN INC.
Attn: Mr. Tsirikos Alexandros and Mr. Louka Andreas
Date: 29 March 2018
Interest Rate Swap Transaction
The purpose of this letter (this " Confirmation ") is to confirm the terms and conditions of the Interest Rate Swap Transaction, entered into between us on the Trade Date specified below (the " Transaction ").
The definitions and provisions contained in the 2006 ISDA Definitions (the “ 2006 Definitions ”), as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ ISDA ”) are incorporated into this Confirmation.  In the event of any inconsistency between those Definitions and this Confirmation, this Confirmation will govern.
This Confirmation constitutes a “Confirmation” as referred to in, and supplements, forms part of and is subject to, the 2002 ISDA Master Agreement dated 20.06.2017 as amended and supplemented from time to time (the “ Agreement ”), between ALPHA BANK A.E. (as Party A ) and Eco Seven Inc. (as Party B ).
All provisions contained in the Agreement govern this Confirmation except as expressly modified below.
The terms of the particular Interest Swap Transaction to which this Confirmation relates are as follows:
1.   General Terms
Trade Date:
 
29 March 2018
     
Effective Date:
 
29 March 2018
     
Termination Date:
 
25 February 2025
     
Notional Amount:
 
USD 21.900.000,00 variable according to the Amortization Schedule below

2.   Fixed Amounts
Fixed Rate Payer:
 
Party B
     
Fixed Rate:
 
2,97%
     
Fixed Rate Payer
   
Payment Dates:
 
Each quarter, on 25 February, 25 May, 25 August and 25 December of each year (according to the Amortization Schedule below) from and including Start Date, to and excluding End Date, subject to adjustment in accordance with the Modified Following Business Day Convention
     
Initial Calculation Period:
 
From and including 29 March 2018 to and excluding 25 May 2018


3.   Floating Amounts
Floating Rate Payer:
 
Party A
     
Floating Rate:
 
3month USD Libor
     
Floating Rate Payer
   
Payment Dates:
 
Each quarter, on 25 February, 25 May, 25 August and 25 December of each year (according to the Amortization Schedule below) from and including Start Date, to and excluding End Date, subject to adjustment in accordance with the Modified Following Business Day Convention
     
Initial Calculation Period:
 
From and including 29 March 2018 to and excluding 25 May 2018
     
Floating Rate for the Initial
   
Calculation Period:
 
1,987360%
     
Day Count Fraction:
 
Actual/360, adjusted
     
Reset Date:
 
Two business days prior to the start of the relevant period
     
Business Days:
 
New York, London, Athens
     
Calculation Agent:
 
Party A

4.   Amortization Schedule
Start Date
End Date
Notional Amount
     
29/3/2018
25/5/2018
21.900.000,00
25/5/2018
27/8/2018
21.500.000,00
27/8/2018
26/11/2018
21.100.000,00
26/11/2018
25/2/2019
20.700.000,00
25/2/2019
28/5/2019
20.300.000,00
28/5/2019
26/8/2019
19.900.000,00
26/8/2019
25/11/2019
19.500.000,00
25/11/2019
25/2/2020
19.100.000,00
25/2/2020
26/5/2020
18.700.000,00
26/5/2020
25/8/2020
18.397.500,00
25/8/2020
25/11/2020
18.095.000,00
25/11/2020
25/2/2021
17.792.500,00
25/2/2021
25/5/2021
17.490.000,00
25/5/2021
25/8/2021
17.187.500,00
25/8/2021
26/11/2021
16.885.000,00
26/11/2021
25/2/2022
16.582.500,00
25/2/2022
25/5/2022
16.280.000,00
25/5/2022
25/8/2022
15.977.500,00

2



25/8/2022
25/11/2022
15.675.000,00
25/11/2022
28/2/2023
15.372.500,00
28/2/2023
25/5/2023
15.070.000,00
25/5/2023
25/8/2023
14.767.500,00
25/8/2023
27/11/2023
14.465.000,00
27/11/2023
26/2/2024
14.162.500,00
26/2/2024
28/5/2024
13.860.000,00
28/5/2024
26/8/2024
13.557.500,00
26/8/2024
25/11/2024
13.255.000,00
25/11/2024
25/2/2025
12.952.500,00

5.   OTHER PROVISIONS
5.1 In relation to the Agreement Party B is obliged to proceed with providing security in favour of Party A and in particular, Party B is obliged to grant and register within thirty (30) days of the execution of this Transaction, a second priority ship mortgage upon its motor tanker “Stenaweco Elegance”.
ISDA Schedule Part 5 is amended accordingly by including wording to refelect relevant obligation is added in Part 5.
5.2 Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5(b) (iv) of the Agreement dated 20.06.2017 between Party A and Party B, the following will constitute an Additional Termination Event:
Party B fails to grant and register within thirty (30) days from the execution of this Transaction, a second priority ship mortgage upon its motor tanker “Stenaweco Elegance”.
For the purposes of this Additional Termination Event, Party A shall be the sole Affected Party and shall be entitled to designate an Early Termination Date in respect of the Affected Transaction(s) at any time in accordance with Section 6(b)(iv) of this Agreement, and relevant provisions of Section 6(c), (d) and (e) of the Agreement will apply.
6.   Costs And Charges
For investment services and/or ancillary services
€ 0
Payments charged by third parities
€ 0
For Financial Instruments
0,30% (which has been embedded in the Fixed Rate 2,97%, details as per Paragraph 2 “Fixed Amounts”)
Total
The analysis of the amount consisting of costs and
charges shall be available upon relevant request.
 

7.   Account Details
 
Account(s) for
   
 
Payments to Party A  :
GR83 0140 9600 9600 1500 6028 626
 
       
 
Account(s) for
   
 
Payments to Party B  :
GR83 0140 9600 9600 1500 6028 626
 

3


Party B irrevocably authorizes Party A to either debit and/or credit any amounts due, according to the
the terms and conditions of this Transaction as set out herein, to the above mentioned account.

Each party represents to the other party that:

(a)
Non-Reliance .  It is acting for its own account, and it has made its own independent decisions to enter into the Transaction and as to whether the Transaction is appropriate or proper based upon its own judgement and upon advice from such advisers as it has deemed necessary.  It is not relying on any communication (written or oral) of the other party as investment advice or as a recommendation to enter into the Transaction: it being understood that information and explanations related to the terms and conditions of the Transaction shall not be considered investment advice or a recommendation to enter into the Transaction.  No communication (written or oral) received from the other party shall be deemed to be an assurance or guarantee as to the expected results of the Transaction.
(b)
Assessment and Understanding .  It is capable of assessing the merits of and understanding (on its own behalf or through independent professional advice), and understands and accepts, the terms, conditions and risks of the Transaction.  It is also capable of assuming, and assumes, the risks of the Transaction.
(c)
Status of Parties .  The other party is not acting as a fiduciary for or an adviser to it in respect of the Transaction.
(d)
Purpose .  It is entering into the Transaction for the purposes of hedging its assets or liabilities or in connection with a line of business

This Confirmation supersedes and replaces any other confirmation (including any other written confirmation, SWIFT MT300 or phone/oral confirmation) in connection with this Transaction on or prior to the date hereof.

Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth the terms and conditions of our agreement with respect to the Transaction by executing the copy of this Confirmation enclosed for that purpose and returning it to us by the end of the second business day following Trade Date as set out above.  Your failure to respond within such period shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the Transaction as against you.

Yours sincerely,
ALPHA BANK A.E.
   


By:
       
Name:  
   
Title:  
   




CONFIRMED


By:
       
Name:  
   
Title:  
   


4
Exhibit 4.85

Private & confidential



Dated:  11th July, 2018

ALPHA BANK A.E.
(as Lender)
- and -
PCH DREAMING INC.
(as Borrower)


 
 
 
     
LOAN AGREEMENT
for a loan facility of up to US $10,140,000


 
 
     





Theo V. Sioufas & Co.
Law Offices
Piraeus


TABLE OF CONTENTS
CLAUSE
HEADINGS
PAGE
     
1
PURPOSE, DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION  
1
2
THE ADVANCES  
22
3
INTEREST AND INTEREST PERIODS  
25
4
REPAYMENT AND PREPAYMENT  
28
5
FEES, EXPENSES, VAT, STAMP DUTY ETC  
32
6
PAYMENTS AND TAXES; ACCOUNTS AND CALCULATIONS
34
7
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES  
36
S
UNDERTAKINGS  
43
9
CONDITIONS  
52
10
EVENTS OF DEFAULT  
53
11
INDEMNITIES  
59
12
UNLAWFULNESS, INCREASED COST AND BAIL-IN  
64
13
SECURITY, APPLICATION AND SET-OFF  
67
14
EARNINGS ACCOUNT  
69
15
ASSIGNMENT, TRANSFER, PARTICIPATION, LENDING OFFICE  
 69
16
MISCELLANEOUS  
72
17
COMMUNICATIONS  
75
18
GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION  
76

SCHEDULES
Schedule 1 :  Form of Drawdown Notice
Schedule 2 :  Documents and evidence required as conditions precedent
Schedule 3 :  Form of Insurance Letter


THIS AGREEMENT is dated this 11 t h July, 2018 and made BETWEEN:

(1)
ALPHA BANK A.E. , a banking sociét é anonyme incorporated in and pursuant to the laws of the Hellenic Republic with its head office at 40 Stadiou Street, Athens GR 102 52, Greece, acting, except as otherwise herein provided, through its office at 93 Akti Miaouli, Piraeus, Greece, as lender (hereinafter called the " Lender ", which expression shall include its successors in title, Assignees and Transferees); and
(2)
PCH DREAMING INC. , a company duly incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands having its registered office at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH 96960, as borrower (hereinafter called the " Borrower " which expression shall include its successors)
IT IS AGREED as follows:
1.
PURPOSE, DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
1.1
Amount and Purpose
This Agreement sets out the terms and conditions upon and subject to which the Lender agrees to make available to the Borrower a loan of up to Dollars Ten million one hundred forty thousand Dollars ($10,140,000) representing approximately 74% of the total pre-delivery cost of the Newbuilding Vessel (approximately $13,570,000) by up to four (4) Advances, to be used to finance on a pre-delivery basis part of the Contract Price of the Newbuilding Vessel, as follows:

(a)
an Advance in the amount of up to Dollars One million six hundred ninety thousand ($1,690,000) to be made available to the Borrower subject to receipt of the original Refund Guarantee by the Lender, in payment of the third instalment of the Contract Price due in July, 2018;

(b)
an Advance in the amount of up to Dollars One million six hundred ninety thousand ($1,690,000) to be made available to the Borrower in payment of the fourth instalment of the Contract Price due in October, 2018;

(c)
an Advance in the amount of up to Dollars Three million three hundred eighty thousand ($3,380,000) to be made available to the Borrower in payment of the fifth and sixth instalments of the Contract Price, both due in January, 2019; and

(d)
an Advance in the amount of up to Dollars Three million three hundred eighty thousand ($3,380,000) to be made available to the Borrower in payment of the seventh instalment of the Contract Price due in February, 2019.
1.2
Definitions
Subject to Clause 1.3 ( Interpretation ), in this Agreement (unless otherwise defined in the relevant Finance Document and unless the context otherwise requires) and the other Finance Documents each term or expression defined in the recital of the parties

1

and in this Clause shall have the meaning given to it in the recital of the parties and in this Clause:
" Advance " means each borrowing of a portion of the Commitment by the Borrower or (as the context may require) the principal amount of such borrowing, and " Advances " means any or all of them, as the context may require;
" Alternative Rate " means a rate agreed between the Lender and the Borrower on the basis of which (instead of LIBOR) the interest rate is determined pursuant to Clause 3.6 ( Market disruption - Non Availability ) ;
" ASFL " means Alpha Shipping Finance Limited, of Wilmington Trust SP Services (London) Limited, Third Floor, 1 King's Arms Yard, London, EC2R 7AF, England, United Kingdom;
" Assignee " has the meaning ascribed thereto in Clause 15 ( Assignment, Transfer,  Participation, Lending Office );
" Bail-In Action " means the exercise of any Write-down and Conversion Powers;
" Bail-In Legislation " means:

(a)
in relation to an EEA Member Country which has implemented, or which at any time implements, Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU establishing a framework for the recovery and resolution of credit institutions and investment firms, the relevant implementing law or regulation as described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule from time to time; and

(b)
in relation to any other state, any analogous law or regulation from time to time which requires contractual recognition of any Write-down and Conversion Powers contained in that law or regulation;
" Banking Day " means any day (other than Saturday or Sunday) on which banks and foreign exchange markets in New York, London, Piraeus and Athens (or any other relevant place of payment under Clause 6 ( Payments and Taxes; Accounts and Calculations )) and in each country or place in or at which an act is required to be done under this Agreement in accordance with the usual practice of the Lender, are open for the transaction of business of the nature contemplated in this Agreement;
" Basel II Accord " means the " International Convergence of Capital Measurement and Capital Standards, a Revised Framework " published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in June 2004 in the form existing on the date of this Agreement;
" Basel II Approach " means either the Standardised Approach or the relevant Internal Ratings Based Approach (each as defined in the Basel II Accord) adopted by the Lender (or its holding company) for the purposes of implementing or complying with the Basel II Accord;
" Basel II Regulation " means (a) any law or regulation implementing the Basel II

2

Accord or (b) any Basel II Approach adopted by the Lender;
" Basel III Accord " means:

(a)
the agreements on capital requirements, a leverage ratio and liquidity standards contained in " Basel III:  A global regulatory framework for more resilient banks and banking systems ", " Basel III:  International framework for liquidity risk measurement, standards and monitoring " and " Guidance for national authorities operating the countercyclical capital buffer " published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in December 2010, each as amended, supplemented or restated;

(b)
the rules for global systemically important banks contained in " Global systemically important banks:  assessment methodology and the additional loss absorbency requirement — Rules text " published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in November 2011, as amended, supplemented or restated; and

(c)
any further guidance or standards published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision relating to Basel III;
" Basel III Regulation " means any law or regulation implementing the Basel III Accord save and to the extent that it re-enacts a Basel II Regulation;
" Borrowed Money " means Financial Indebtedness incurred in respect of (i) money borrowed or raised, (ii) any bond, note, loan stock, debenture or similar instrument, (iii) acceptance of documentary credit facilities, (iv) deferred payments for assets or services acquired (excluding trading credit in the normal course of business), (v) rental payments under leases (whether in respect of land, machinery, equipment or otherwise) entered into primarily as a method of raising finance or of financing the acquisition of the asset leased, (vi) guarantees, bonds, stand-by letters of credit or other instruments issued in connection with the performance of contracts and (vii) guarantees or other assurances against financial loss in respect of Financial Indebtedness of any person falling within any of sub-paragraphs (i) to (vi) above;
" Borrower " means the Borrower as specified at the beginning of this Agreement and includes its successors in title;
" Break Costs " means all costs, losses, premiums or penalties incurred by the Lender in the circumstances contemplated by Clause 12.1 ( Unlawfulness ), or as a result of it receiving any prepayment of all or any part of the Loan (whether pursuant to Clause 4 ( Repayment-Prepayment ) or otherwise), or any other payment under or in relation to the Security Documents on a day other than the due date for payment of the sum in question, and includes (without limitation) any losses or costs incurred in liquidating or re-employing deposits from third parties acquired to effect or maintain the Loan, and any liabilities, expenses or losses incurred by the Lender in terminating or reversing, or otherwise in connection with, any interest rate and/or swap, transaction or arrangement entered into by the Lender to hedge any exposure arising under this

3

Agreement, or in terminating or reversing, or otherwise in connection with, any open position arising under this Agreement;
" Builder " means, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co., Ltd. , a corporation duly organised and existing under the laws of the Republic of Korea, having its principal office at 100 Bangeojinsunhwan-Doro, Dong-Gu, Ulsan, Korea, and includes its successors in title;
" Charterparty " means any time or bareboat charterparty or contract of affreightment, agreement or related document in respect of the employment of the Collateral Vessel whether now existing or hereinafter entered into by the Owner or any person, firm or company on its behalf for a period of twelve (12) months or more with a charterer, at a daily rate and on terms and conditions reasonably acceptable to the Lender (and shall include any addenda thereto);
" Charterparty Assignment " means the assignment of any Charterparty, executed or (as the context may require) to be executed by the Collateral Owner in favour of the Lender, in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender and endorsed by the relevant charterer in case of occurrence of an Event of Default;
" Classification " in relation to the Collateral Vessel means the classification referred to in the Collateral Mortgage registered thereon with the Classification Society;
" Classification Society " in relation to the Collateral Vessel means such classification society which is a member of IACS and which the Lender shall, at the request of the Collateral Owner, have agreed in writing to be treated as the Classification Society for the purposes of the Finance Documents;
" Collateral Manager's Undertaking " means a third priority letter of undertaking and subordination to be executed by each Manager, as commercial or, as the case may be, technical manager of the Collateral Vessel, in favour of the Lender, each such Manager's Undertaking to be in form and substance as the Lender may approve or require, as the same may from time to time be amended and/or supplemented (together, the " Collateral Managers' Undertakings ");
" Collateral Corporate Guarantee " means a corporate guarantee of the Borrower's liabilities under this Agreement and the Security Documents executed or (as the context may require) to be executed by the Collateral Owner, in form and substance as the Lender may approve or require;
" Collateral General Assignment " means the third priority deed of assignment of the Earnings, Insurances and Requisition Compensation collateral to the Collateral Mortgage executed or (as the context may require) to be executed by the Collateral Owner thereof in favour of the Lender, in form and substance as the Lender may approve or require, as the same may from time to time be amended and/or supplemented;
" Collateral Mortgage " means the third preferred ship mortgage on the Collateral

4

Vessel executed or (as the context may require) to be executed by the Collateral Owner in favour of the Lender in form and substance as the Lender may approve or require;
" Collateral Owner " means Eco Seven Inc. , a company duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands having its registered office at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH 96960, and includes its successors;
" Collateral Security Documents " means the Collateral Manager's Undertakings, the Collateral Corporate Guarantee, the Collateral General Assignment and the Collateral Mortgage, and " Collateral Security Document " means any of them, as the context may require;
" Collateral Vessel " means the oil/chemical tanker " STENAWECO ELEGANCE ", of about 29,416 gt and 13,872 nt, built in 2017 in Vietnam by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co., Ltd., of Vietnam, and registered under the laws and flag of the Republic of the Marshall Islands in the ownership of the Collateral Owner, on which the Collateral Owner may, at the Lender's request, grant security in favour of the Lender in security of the Outstanding Indebtedness, which shall be fully subordinated to the Prior Security;
" Commercial Manager " in relation to the Collateral Vessel means for the time being Central Shipping Monaco , a company duly incorporated under the laws of Monaco and having an office in Monaco at Les Orchidees, 16 Rue R.P. Louis Frolla, 98000, Monaco, and/or any other person nominated by the Collateral Owner and acceptable to the Lender, which shall act as the commercial manager of the Collateral Vessel, and includes its successors in title;
" Commitment " means the amount which the Lender has agreed to lend to the Borrower under Clause 2 ( The Commitment and the Loan ) as reduced by any relevant term of this Agreement;
" Commitment Letter " means the commitment letter of the Lender dated 5th July, 2018 addressed to the Borrower;
" Compulsory Acquisition " means requisition for title or other compulsory acquisition, requisition, appropriation, expropriation, deprivation, forfeiture or confiscation for any reason of the Collateral Vessel by any Government Entity or other competent authority, whether de jure or de facto, but shall exclude requisition for use or hire not involving requisition of title;
" Contract " in relation to the Newbuilding Vessel means the shipbuilding contract dated 9th January, 2018 made between the Builder, as builder and the Borrower, as buyer, as the same may be amended and supplemented from time to time, relating to the construction and sale by the Builder, and the purchase by the Borrower of the Newbuilding Vessel;

5

" Contract Assignment Acknowledgement " means the acknowledgement of notice of the assignment in respect of the Contract to be given by the Builder, substantially in the form scheduled to the Pre-Delivery Security Assignment;
" Contract Price " means the purchase price for the Newbuilding Vessel payable by the Buyer to the Builder in accordance with the Contract, being the sum of Thirty three million eight hundred thousand Dollars ($33,800,000) or such other sum as is determined in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Contract;
" Corporate Guarantees " means, together, the Collateral Corporate Guarantee and the Top Ships Corporate Guarantee and " Corporate Guarantee " means either of them as the context may require;
" Corporate Guarantors " means, together, the Collateral Owner and Top Ships and " Corporate Guarantor " means either of them as the context may require;
" Default " means any Event of Default or any event which would (with the expiry of a grace period, the giving of notice, the making of any determination under the Finance Documents or any combination of the foregoing) constitute an Event of Default;
" Default Rate " means that rate of interest per annum which is determined in accordance with the provisions of Clause 3.4 ( Default interest );
" Delivery " means the delivery of the Newbuilding Vessel from the Builder to, and the acceptance of the Newbuilding Vessel by, the Borrower pursuant to the Contract;
" Delivery Date " means the date upon which Delivery occurs;
" DOC " means a document of compliance issued to an Operator in accordance with the ISM Code;
" Dollars " (and the sign " $ ") means the lawful currency for the time being of the United States of America;
" Drawdown Date " means the date, being a Banking Day, requested by the Borrower for the Loan or any Advance to be made available, or (as the context requires) the date on which the Loan or any Advance is actually made available;
" Drawdown Notice " means a notice substantially in the terms of Schedule 1 (or in any other form which the Lender approves);
" Drawdown Period " means the period starting on the date of this Agreement and ending on the 30th April, 2019 or such later date as otherwise agreed with the Lender;
" Earnings " means all moneys whatsoever which are now, or later become, payable (actually or contingently) to the Collateral Owner and which arise out of the use or operation of the Collateral Vessel, including (but not limited to), including all freight, hire and passage moneys, compensation payable to the Collateral Owner in the event

6

of requisition of the Collateral Vessel for hire, remuneration for salvage and towage services, demurrage and detention moneys, contributions of any nature whatsoever in respect of general average, damages for breach (or payments for variation or termination) of any charterparty or other contract for the employment of the Collateral Vessel and any other earnings whatsoever due or to become due to the Collateral Owner in respect of the Collateral Vessel and all sums recoverable under the Insurances in respect of loss of Earnings and includes, if and whenever the Collateral Vessel is employed on terms whereby any and all such moneys as aforesaid are pooled or shared with any other person, that proportion of the net receipts of the relevant pooling or sharing agreement which is attributable to the Collateral Vessel;
" Earnings Account " has the meaning ascribed thereto in Clause 1.2 ( Definitions ) of the Existing Loan Agreement;
" Encumbrance " means any mortgage, charge (whether fixed or floating), pledge, lien, hypothecation, assignment, trust arrangement or security interest or other encumbrance of any kind securing any obligation of any person or any type of preferential arrangement (including without limitation title transfer and/or retention arrangements having a similar effect) or other encumbrance of any kind securing or any right conferring a priority of payment in respect of any obligation of any person;
" Environmental Affiliate " means any agent or employee of the Collateral Owner or any other Relevant Party or any person having a contractual relationship with the Collateral Owner or any other Relevant Party in connection with the Collateral Vessel or its operation or the carriage of cargo and/or passengers thereon and/or the provision of goods and/or services on or from the Collateral Vessel;
" Environmental Approval " means any consent, authorisation, licence or approval of any governmental or public body or authorities or courts applicable to any Relevant Ship or her operation or the carriage of cargo thereon and/or passengers therein and/or provisions of goods and/or services on or from such Relevant Ship required under any Environmental Law;
" Environmental Claim " means any and all enforcement, clean-up, removal or other governmental or regulatory actions or orders instituted or completed pursuant to any Environmental Laws or any Environmental Approval together with claims made by any third party relating to damage, contribution, loss or injury, resulting from any actual or threatened emission, spill, release or discharge of a Material of Environmental Concern from any Relevant Ship;
" Environmental Incident " means (i) any release of Material of Environmental Concern from the Collateral Vessel, (ii) any incident in which Material of Environmental Concern is released from a vessel other than the Collateral Vessel and which involves collision between the Collateral Vessel and such other vessel or some other incident of navigation or operation, in either case, where the Collateral Vessel, the Collateral Owner or a Manager is/are actually or allegedly at fault or otherwise liable (in whole or in part) or (iii) any incident in which Material of Environmental Concern is released

7

from a vessel other than the Collateral Vessel and where the Collateral Vessel is actually or potentially liable to be arrested as a result and/or where the Collateral Owner or a Manager is/are actually or allegedly at fault or otherwise liable;
" Environmental Laws " means all national, international and state laws, rules, regulations, treaties and conventions applicable to any Relevant Ship pertaining to the pollution or protection of human health or the environment including, without limitation, the carriage or Materials of Environmental Concern and actual or threatened emissions, spills, releases or discharges of Materials of Environmental Concern and actual or threatened emissions, spills, releases or discharges of Materials of Environmental Concern from any Relevant Ship;
" EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule " means the document described as such and published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person) from time to time;
" Event of Default " means any event or circumstance set out in Clause 10.1 ( Events ) or described as such in any of the Finance Documents;
" Existing Loan " means the aggregate principal amount borrowed by the Collateral Owner under the Existing Loan Agreement or (as the context may require) the principal amount thereof owing to ASFL, as lender, under the Existing Loan Agreement at any relevant time;
" Existing Loan Agreement " means the loan agreement dated 20th July, 2016 and made between the Collateral Owner, as borrower, and the Lender, as lender, in respect of a secured term loan facility of up to Twenty three million three hundred fifty thousand Dollars ($23,350,000), which was assigned to ASFL by an assignment dated 5th October, 2017 made between the Lender, as assignor, and ASFL, as assignee;
" Expenses " means the aggregate at any relevant time (to the extent that the same have not been received or recovered by the Lender) of:

(a)
all losses, liabilities, costs, charges, expenses, damages and outgoings of whatever nature, (including, without limitation, Taxes, repair costs, registration fees and insurance premiums, crew wages, repatriation expenses and seamen's pension fund dues) suffered, incurred, charged to or paid by the Lender in connection with the exercise of the powers referred to in or granted by any of the Finance Documents or otherwise payable by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of any of the Finance Documents;

(b)
the expenses referred to in Clause 5.2 ( Expenses ); and

(c)
interest on all such losses, liabilities, costs, charges, expenses, damages and outgoings from the date on which the same were suffered, incurred or paid by the Lender until the date of receipt or recovery thereof (whether before or after judgement) at the rate referred to in Clause 3.4 ( Default interest ) (as

8

conclusively certified by the Lender);
" FATCA " means:

(a)
sections 1471 to 1474 of the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the " Code ") or any associated regulations or other associated official guidance;

(b)
any treaty, law, regulation or other official guidance enacted in any other jurisdiction, or relating to an intergovernmental agreement between the US and any other jurisdiction, which (in either case) facilitates the implementation of paragraph (a) above; or

(c)
any agreement pursuant to the implementation of paragraphs (a) or (b) above with the US Internal Revenue Service, the US government or any governmental or taxation authority in any other jurisdiction;
" FATCA Application Date " means:

(a)
in relation to a "withholdable payment" described in section 1473(1)(A)(i) of the Code (which relates to payments of interest and certain other payments from sources within the US), 1 January 2014;

(b)
in relation to a "withholdable payment" described in section 1473(1)(A)(ii) of the Code (which relates to "gross proceeds" from the disposition of property of a type that can produce interest from sources within the US), 1 January 2015; or

(c)
in relation to a "passthru payment" described in section 1471(d)(7) of the Code not falling within paragraphs (a) or (b) above, 1 January 2017,
or, in each case, such other date from which such payment may become subject to a deduction or withholding required by FATCA as a result of any change in FATCA after the date of this Agreement;
" FATCA Deduction " means a deduction or withholding from a payment under a Security Document required by FATCA;
"FATCA Exempt Party " means a party that is entitled to receive payments free from any FATCA Deduction;
" Final Maturity Date " means the earlier of (a) the Delivery Date of the Newbuilding Vessel and (b) 31 st May, 2019;
" Finance Documents " means this Agreement, the Security Documents and any other document designated as such by the Lender and the Borrower;
" Financial Indebtedness " means, in relation to a person (the " debtor "), a liability of the debtor:
9


(a)
for principal, interest or any other sum payable in respect of any moneys borrowed or raised by the debtor ;
(b)
under any loan stock, bond, note or other security issued by the debtor;

(c)
under any acceptance credit, guarantee or letter of credit facility made available to the debtor;

(d)
under a financial lease, a deferred purchase consideration arrangement or any other agreement having the commercial effect of a borrowing or raising of money by the debtor;

(e)
under any interest or currency swap or any other kind of derivative transaction entered into by the debtor or, if the agreement under which any such transaction is entered into requires netting of mutual liabilities, the liability of the debtor for the net amount; or

(f)
under a guarantee, indemnity or similar obligation entered into by the debtor in respect of a liability of another person which would fall within (a) to (e) if the references to the debtor referred to the other person;
" Flag State " in relation to the Collateral Vessel means the Republic of the Marshall Islands or such other state or territory proposed in writing by the Borrower to the Lender and approved by the Lender, as being the Flag State of the Collateral Vessel for the purposes of the Finance Documents;
" Government Entity " means and includes (whether having a distinct legal personality or not) any national or local government authority, board, commission, department, division, organ, instrumentality, court or agency and any association, organisation or institution of which any of the foregoing is a member or to whose jurisdiction any of the foregoing is subject or in whose activities any of the foregoing is a participant;
" Governmental Withholdings " means withholdings and any restrictions or conditions resulting in any charge whatsoever imposed, either now or hereafter, by any sovereign state or by any political sub-division or taxing authority of any sovereign state;
" Group " at any relevant time means the Borrower, any corporate shareholder thereof, the Corporate Guarantor and the Collateral Owner, and their respective Subsidiaries (whether direct or indirect) from time to time during the Security Period and "member of the Group" shall be construed accordingly;
" Insurance Letter " in relation to the Collateral Vessel means a letter from the Collateral Owner in the form of Schedule 4 ( Form of Insurance Letter );
" Insurances " means all policies and contracts of insurance (which expression includes, without limitation, all entries of the Collateral Vessel in a protection and indemnity, war risks or other mutual insurance association) which are from time to
10


time in place or taken out or entered into by or for the benefit of the Collateral Owner (whether in the sole name of the Collateral Owner or in the joint names of the Collateral Owner and the Lender, however without the Lender being liable for payment of premiums, contributions or calls) in respect of the Collateral Vessel and its Earnings or otherwise howsoever in connection with the Collateral Vessel and all benefits of such policies and/or contracts (including all claims of whatsoever nature and return of premiums);
" Intercreditor Deed " means a deed to be made between (a) ASFL, as senior mortgagee, (b) the Lender, as junior mortgagee and (c) the Collateral Owner, as owner of the Collateral Vessel, whereby ASFL shall agree to consent to the execution by the Collateral Owner of and, where applicable, registration in favour of the Lender of (a) the Collateral Corporate Guarantee, (b) the Collateral Mortgage on the Collateral Vessel, (c) the Collateral General Assignment and (d) the Collateral Manager's Undertaking;
" Interest Payment Date " means in respect of the Loan or any part thereof in respect of which a separate Interest Period is fixed, the last day of the relevant Interest Period and in case of any Interest Period which is longer of three (3) months each day falling at three (3) months intervals during such longer Interest Period and the last day of such longer Interest Period, provided however that if any of the aforesaid dates falls on a day which is not a Banking Day the Borrower shall pay the accrued interest on the first Banking Day thereafter unless the result of such extension would be to carry such Interest Payment Date over into another calendar month in which event such Interest Payment Date shall be the immediately preceding Banking Day;
" Interest Period " means, in relation to the Loan, each period for the calculation of interest in respect of the Loan ascertained in accordance with Clause 3.2 ( Selection of Interest Periods ) and Clause 3.3 ( Determination of Interest Periods );
" ISM Code " means in relation to its application to the Collateral Owner, the Managers, the Collateral Vessel and her operation:

(a)
" The International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention ", currently known or referred to as the "ISM Code", adopted by the Assembly of the International Maritime Organisation by Resolution A. 741(18) on 4 th November, 1993 and incorporated on 19 th May, 1994 into chapter IX of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974 (SOLAS 1974); and

(b)
all further resolutions, circulars, codes, guidelines, regulations and recommendations which are now or in the future issued by or on behalf of the International Maritime Organisation or any other entity with responsibility for implementing the ISM Code, including without limitation, the " Guidelines on implementation or administering of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code by Administrations " produced by the International Maritime Organisation pursuant to Resolution A. 788(19) adopted on 25 th November, 1995;

11


as the same may be amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time;
" ISM Code Documentation " includes:

(a)
the DOC and SMC issued by the Classification Society in all respects acceptable to the Lender in its absolute discretion pursuant to the ISM Code in relation to the Collateral Vessel within the period specified by the ISM Code;

(b)
all other documents and data which are relevant to the ISM SMS and its implementation and verification which the Lender may require by request; and

(c)
any other documents which are prepared or which are otherwise relevant to establish and maintain the Collateral Vessel's or the Collateral Owner's compliance with the ISM Code which the Lender may require by request;
" ISM SMS " means the safety management system which is required to be developed, implemented and maintained under the ISM Code;
" ISPS Code " means the International Ship and Port Security Code of the International Maritime Organization and includes any amendments or extensions thereto and any regulation issued pursuant thereto;
" ISSC " means an International Ship Security Certificate issued in respect of the Collateral Vessel pursuant to the ISPS Code;
" LIBOR " means, for an Interest Period:

(a)
the London interbank offered rate administered by ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (or any other person which takes over the administration of that rate) equal to the offered quotation for deposits in Dollars for a period equal, or as near as possible equal to, the relevant Interest Period which appears on Thomson Reuters Page LIBOR 01 or Thomson Reuters Page LIBOR 02 (the " Pages ") at or about 11.00 a.m. (London time) on the Quotation Day for that Interest Period (and, for the purposes of this Agreement, " Reuters Page LIBOR 01 " and " Reuters Page LIBOR 02 " mean, respectively, the displays designated as the "Thomson Reuters Page LIBOR 01" and "Thomson Reuters Page LIBOR 02" on the Reuters Money News Service or such other page as may replace the Pages on that service for the purpose of displaying rates comparable to that rate or on such other service as may be nominated by the British Bankers' Association as the information vendor for the purpose of displaying British Bankers' Association Interest Settlement Rates for Dollars) (the " Screen Rate "); or

(b)
if:

(A)
no rate is quoted on the Pages; or

12



(B)
no adequate and fair means exist for ascertaining the interest rate for a selected Interest Period; or


(C)
the cost of obtaining matching deposits in the London interbank market would be in excess of the Screen Rate,

the provisions of Clause 3.6 ( Market disruption - Non Availability ) shall apply
and, if any such rate is below zero, LIBOR will be deemed to be zero;
" Loan " means the aggregate principal amount owing to the Lender under this Agreement at any relevant time;
" Lending Office " means the office of the Lender appearing at the beginning of this Agreement or any other office of the Lender designated by the Lender as the Lending Office by notice to the Borrower;
" Major Casualty " means any casualty to the Collateral Vessel in respect whereof the claim or the aggregate of the claims against all insurers, before adjustment for any relevant franchise or deductible, exceeds the Major Casualty Amount in respect of the Collateral Vessel;
" Major Casualty Amount " means Five hundred thousand Dollars ($500,000) or the equivalent in any other currency;
" Managers " means together the Commercial Manager and the Technical Manager, and " Manager " means either of them as the context may require;
" Manager's Undertaking " means, a letter of undertaking and subordination to be executed by each Manager, as commercial or, as the case may be, technical manager of the Collateral Vessel, in favour of the Lender, such Manager's Undertaking to be and in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender, as the same may from time to time be amended and/or supplemented (together, the " Managers' Undertakings ");
" Management Agreement " means the agreement made between the Collateral Owner and the relevant Manager providing ( inter alia ) for such Manager to manage the Collateral Vessel (together, the " Management Agreements ");
" Margin " means four point two five per centum (4.25%) per annum;
" Material of Environmental Concern " means and includes pollutants, contaminants, toxic substances, oil as defined in the United States Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and all hazardous substances as defined in the United States Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act 1980 and any other substance whose release into the environment is regulated or penalised by Environmental Laws;
" MOA " means the memorandum of agreement dated 29 th June, 2018 made between the Borrower, as seller, Top Ships, as guarantor, and Cargill International SA, of Switzerland (" Cargill "), as buyer, whereby Cargill has agreed to purchase and the
13


Borrower has agreed to sell to Cargill the Newbuilding Vessel upon her Delivery pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth therein, and include any and all addenda thereto;
" month " means a period beginning in one calendar month and ending in the next calendar month on the day numerically corresponding to the day of the calendar month on which it started, provided that (i) if the period started on the last Banking Day in a calendar month or if there is no such numerically corresponding day, it shall end on the last Banking Day in such next calendar month and (ii) if such numerically corresponding day is not a Banking Day, the period shall end on the next following Banking Day in the same calendar month but if there is no such Banking Day it shall end on the preceding Banking Day and " months " and " monthly " shall be construed accordingly;
" Newbuilding Vessel " means the 50,000 dwt product/chemical tanker, designated on the date of this Agreement as Hull No. 8242 at the Builder's yard to be constructed and sold by the Builder to the Borrower pursuant to the Contract and to be registered on the Delivery Date in the ownership of the Borrower through the Registry under the laws and flag of the relevant Flag State, with a name of the Borrower's choice;
" Prior General Assignments " means, together, (a) the first priority deed of assignment of the Earnings, Insurances and Requisition Compensation in respect of the Collateral Vessel dated 28 th February, 2017 executed by the Collateral Owner in favour of ASFL, as first assignee, and (b) the second priority deed of assignment of the Earnings, Insurances and Requisition Compensation in respect of the Collateral Vessel dated 2 nd May, 2018, each executed by the Collateral Owner in favour of the Lender, and a " Prior General Assignment " means either of them as the context may require;
" Prior Mortgages " means, together, (a) the first preferred ship mortgage on the Collateral Vessel dated 28 th February, 2017 executed by the Collateral Owner in favour of Lender, as first mortgagee, which was assigned to ASFL by an assignment dated 5 th October, 2017 and (b) the second preferred ship mortgage on the Collateral Vessel dated 2 nd May, 2018 executed by the Collateral Owner in favour of the Lender, and a "Prior Mortgage" means either of them as the context may require;
" Prior Security " means, together the Prior General Assignments and the Prior Mortgages;
" Operator " means any person who is from time to time during the Security Period concerned in the operation of the Collateral Vessel and falls within the definition of "Company" set out in rule 1.1.2 of the ISM Code;
" Outstanding Indebtedness " means the aggregate of (a) the Loan and interest accrued and accruing thereon, (b) the Expenses, (c) all other sums of any nature (together with all interest on any of those sums) which from time to time may be payable by the Borrower to the Lender pursuant to the Finance Documents, whether actually or contingently, (d) any damages payable as a result of any breach by the
14


Borrower of any of the Security Documents and (e) any damages or other sums payable as a result of any of the obligations of the Borrower under or pursuant to any of the Security Documents being disclaimed by a liquidator or any other person, or, where the context permits, the amount thereof for the time being outstanding;
" Party " means a party to this Agreement;
" Permitted Encumbrance " means any Encumbrance in favour of the Lender created pursuant to the Security Documents, the Security Documents (as defined in the Existing Loan Agreement) and Permitted Liens;
" Permitted Liens " means any lien on the Collateral Vessel for master's, officers' or crew's wages outstanding in the ordinary course of trading, any lien for salvage, any ship repairer's or outfitter's possessory lien for a sum not (except with the prior written consent of the Lender) exceeding the Major Casualty Amount, broker's liens on policies of insurance in respect of the Collateral Vessel and Encumbrances over the Collateral Vessel created by the Security Documents;
" Pre-Delivery Security Assignment " means the assignment of the Contract and the Refund Guarantee executed or (as the context may require) to be executed by the Borrower in favour of the Lender, in form and substance as the Lender may approve or require, as the same may from time to time be amended and/or supplemented;
" Pre-Delivery Security Documents " means the Pre-Delivery Security Assignment, the Contract Assignment Acknowledgement, the Refund Guarantee Assignment Consent and Acknowledgement and any other document which will be granted to the Lender during the Security Period as security for the Outstanding Indebtedness under this Agreement;
" Quotation Day " means, in respect of any period in respect of which LIBOR falls to be determined under this Agreement, the second Banking Day before the first day of such period;
" Refund Guarantee " means the letter of guarantee No. 41725 and dated January 31, 2018 issued by the Refund Guarantor to the Borrower in respect of the Builder's obligations under the Contract and any further guarantee(s) to be issued by the Refund Guarantor in respect of such obligations, pursuant to any agreement supplemental to the Contract, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated 22nd May, 2018, and includes any extensions, renewals or replacements thereto or thereof;
" Refund Guarantee Assignment Consent and Acknowledgement " means an acknowledgement of notice of, and consent to, the assignment in respect of the Refund Guarantee to be given by the Refund Guarantor, substantially in the form scheduled to the Pre-Delivery Security Assignment;
" Refund Guarantor " means Swiss RE International SA Singapore Branch , of 12 Marina View, #16-01 Asia Square Tower 2, Singapore 018961, and includes its successors in title;
15


" Registry " means the offices of such registrar, commissioner or representative of the Flag State who is duly authorised to register the Collateral Vessel, the Collateral Owner's title to the Collateral Vessel and the Collateral Mortgage over the Collateral Vessel under the laws and flag of the Flag State;
" Regulatory Agency " means the Government Entity or other organisation in the Flag State which has been designated by the Government of the Flag State to implement and/or administer and/or enforce the provisions of the Code;
" Related Company " of a person means any Subsidiary of such person, any company or other entity of which such person is a Subsidiary and any Subsidiary of any such company or entity;
" Relevant Jurisdiction " means any jurisdiction in which or where any Security Party is incorporated, resident, domiciled, has a permanent establishment, carries on, or has a place of business or is otherwise effectively connected;
" Relevant Party " means the Collateral Owner, the Collateral Owner's Related Companies and any other Security Party and any such Security Party's Related Companies;
" Relevant Ship " means the Collateral Vessel and any other vessel from time to time (whether before or after the date of this Agreement) owned, managed or crewed by, or chartered to, any Relevant Party;
" Requisition Compensation " means all sums of money or other compensation from time to time payable during the Security Period by reason of the Compulsory Acquisition of the Collateral Vessel;
" Sanctions " means any economic, financial or trade sanctions laws, regulations, embargoes or other restrictive measures adopted, administered, enacted or enforced by any Sanctions Authority, or otherwise imposed by any law or regulation compliance with which is reasonable in the ordinary course of business of any of the Security Parties and the Lender or to which the Borrower, any other Security Party and the Lender are subject (which shall include without limitation, any extra-territorial sanctions imposed by law or regulation of the United States of America);
" Sanctions Authority " means:

(a)
the government of the United States of America;

(b)
the United Nations;

(c)
the European Union (or the governments of any of its member states);

(d)
the United Kingdom; or

(e)
the respective governmental institutions and agencies of any of the foregoing including the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the
16


Treasury (" OFAC "), the United States Department of State, the United States Department of Commerce and Her Majesty's Treasury;
" Sanctions Restricted Jurisdiction " means any country or territory which is the target of country-wide or territory-wide Sanctions;
" Sanctions Restricted Person " means a person or vessel:

(a)
that is, or is directly or indirectly, owned or controlled (as such terms are defined by the relevant Sanctions Authority) by, or acting on behalf of, one or more persons or entities on any list (each as amended, supplemented or substituted from time to time) of restricted entities, persons or organisations (or equivalent) published by a Sanctions Authority;

(b)
that is located or resident in or incorporated under the laws of, or owned or controlled by, a person located or resident in or incorporated under the laws of a Sanctions Restricted Jurisdiction; or

(c)
that is otherwise the target or subject of Sanctions;
" Security Documents " means:

(a)
this Agreement;

(b)
the Top Ships Corporate Guarantee;

(c)
the Pre-Delivery Security Documents;

(d)
the Collateral Security Documents; and

(e)
any document or documents (including if the context so requires this Agreement) as may have been or shall from time to time after the date of this Agreement be executed to guarantee and/or secure all or any part of the Outstanding Indebtedness as well as for the performance by the Security Parties of all their respective obligations covenants and agreements pursuant to this Agreement and/or the other Security Documents (whether or not any such document also secures moneys from time to time owing pursuant to any other document or agreement), each such Security Document to be in form and substance as the Lender may approve or require, as the same may from time to time be amended and/or supplemented;
" Security Parties " means collectively the Borrower, the Corporate Guarantors, the Managers and any other person (other than the Lender) which is or may become a party to any of the Finance Documents and " Security Party " means any of them as the context may require;
" Security Period " means the period commencing on and including the date hereof and terminating on and including the date upon which the Outstanding Indebtedness has been paid in full to the Lender;
SMC ” means a safety management certificate issued in respect of the Collateral
17

Vessel in accordance with rule 13 of the ISM Code;
" Subsidiary " of a person means any company or entity directly or indirectly controlled by such person;
" Taxes " includes all present and future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, fees or charges of whatever nature together with interest thereon and penalties in respect thereof (except taxes concerning the Lender and imposed on the net income of the Lender) and " Taxation " shall be construed accordingly;
" Technical Manager " in relation to the Collateral Vessel means for the time being Central Mare Inc. , a company duly incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, whose registered office is at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH 96960 and having an established office in Greece under Greek laws 89/67, 378/68, 25/75 and 814/79 (as amended) at 1, Vassilissis Sofias Str. & Meg. Alexandrou Str. Maroussi, Attica, Greece, and/or any other person nominated by the Collateral Owner and acceptable to the Lender, which shall act as the manager of the Collateral Vessel, and includes its successors in title;
" Top Ships Corporate Guarantee " means the irrevocable and unconditional guarantee executed or (as the context may require) to be executed by the Corporate Guarantor as a security for the Outstanding Indebtedness and any and all other obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Finance Documents, in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender, as the same may from time to time be amended and/or supplemented;
" Total Loss " means:

(a)
actual, constructive, compromised or arranged total loss of the Collateral Vessel; or

(b)
the Compulsory Acquisition of the Collateral Vessel; or

(c)
the condemnation, capture, seizure, confiscation, arrest or detention of the Collateral Vessel (other than where the same amounts to the Compulsory Acquisition of the Collateral Vessel) by any Government Entity, or by persons acting on behalf of any Government Entity or otherwise which deprives the Collateral Owner of the use of the Collateral Vessel for more than thirty (30) days, unless the Collateral Vessel is released and restored to the Collateral Owner from such condemnation, capture, seizure, confiscation arrest or detention or within thirty (30) days after the occurrence thereof; and

(d)
the hijacking, capture, seizure or confiscation of the Collateral Vessel arising as a result of a piracy or related incident unless the Collateral Vessel is released and restored to the Collateral Owner from such hijacking, capture, seizure or confiscation within one hundred fifty (150) days after the occurrence thereof;

18


" Top Ships " means " Top Ships Inc. ", a company duly incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands having its registered office at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH 96960 and which is floating in the NASDAQ;
" Top Ships Group " at any relevant time means Top Ships and its Subsidiaries (whether direct or indirect) from time to time during the Security Period and " member of the Top Ships Group " shall be construed accordingly;
" Transferee " has the meaning ascribed thereto in Clause 15.3 ( Assignment by the Lender );
" Underlying Documents " means the Contract, the Refund Guarantee and the Management Agreement and " Underlying Document " means any of them; and
" US Tax Obligor " means:

(a)
the Borrower, if it is resident for tax purposes in the United States of America; or

(b)
a Security Party some or all of whose payments under the Finance Documents are from sources within the United States for US Federal income tax purposes;
" Vessels " means, together, the Newbuilding Vessel and the Collateral Vessel and " Vessel " means either of them as the context may require; and
" Write-down and Conversion Powers " means:

(a)
in relation to any Bail-In Legislation described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule from time to time, the powers described as such in relation to that Bail-In Legislation in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule; and

(b)
in relation to any other applicable Bail-In Legislation:

(i)
any powers under that Bail-In Legislation to cancel, transfer or dilute shares issued by a person that is a bank or investment firm or other financial institution or affiliate of a bank, investment firm or other financial institution, to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of such a person or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers; and

(ii)
any similar or analogous powers under that Bail-In Legislation.

19


1.3
Interpretation .  In this Agreement:

(a)
" asset " includes every kind of property, asset, interest or right, including any present, future or contingent right to any revenues or other payment;

(b)
" company " includes any partnership, joint venture and unincorporated association;

(c)
" consent " includes an authorisation, consent, approval, resolution, licence, exemption, filing, registration, notarisation and legalisation;

(d)
" control " means either ownership of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting share capital (or equivalent rights of ownership) of such company or entity or the power to direct its policies and management, whether by contract or otherwise and " controlled " shall be construed accordingly;

(e)
" contingent liability " means a liability which is not certain to arise and/or the amount of which remains unascertained;

(f)
" document " includes a deed; also a letter or fax;

(g)
" legal or administrative   action " means any legal proceeding or arbitration and any administrative or regulatory action or investigation;

(h)
" liability " includes every kind of debt or liability (present or future, certain or contingent), whether incurred as principal or surety or otherwise;

(i)
" law " includes any order or decree, any form of delegated legislation, any treaty or international convention and any regulation or resolution of the Council of the European Union, the European Commission, the United Nations or its Security Council;

(j)
" policy ", in relation to any insurance, includes a slip, cover note, certificate of entry or other document evidencing the contract of insurance or its terms;

(k)
" protection and indemnity risks " means the usual risks covered by a protection and indemnity association which is a member of the international group of protection and indemnity associations (" IG "), including pollution risks and the proportion (if any) of any sums payable to any other person or persons in case of collision which are not recoverable under the hull and machinery policies by reason of the incorporation in them of clause 8 of the Institute Time Clauses (Hulls)(1/11/1995) or the Institute Amended Running Down Clause (1/10/71) or any equivalent provision;

(l)
" successor in title " includes any person who is entitled (by assignment, novation, merger or otherwise) to any other person's rights under this Agreement or any other Security Document (or any interest in those rights) or who, as administrator, liquidator or otherwise, is entitled to exercise those rights; and in particular references to a successor in title include a person to
20


whom those rights (or any interest in those rights) are transferred or pass as a result of a merger, division, reconstruction or other reorganisation of it or any other person;

(m)
" War risks " includes the risk of mines, blocking and trapping, missing vessel, confiscation, war P&I and all risks excluded by clause 24 of the Institute Time Clauses (Hulls) (1/11/95);

(n)
reference to:

(i)
any " enactment " shall be deemed to include references to such enactment as re-enacted, amended or extended;

(ii)
a " person " shall be construed as including reference to an individual, firm, company, corporation, unincorporated body of persons or any State, political sub-division of a state and local or municipal authority, any agency of such State and any international organisation and any person includes such person's assignees and successors in title;

(iii)
a " regulation " includes any present or future regulation, rule, directive, requirement, request or guideline (whether or not having the force of law) of any governmental, intergovernmental or national or supranational body, agency, department, central bank or government department or any regulatory, self regulatory or other authority or organisation and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include any Basel II Regulation and Basel III Regulation;

(iv)
a " guarantee " includes references to an indemnity or other assurance against financial loss including, without limitation, an obligation to purchase assets or services as a consequence of a default by any other person to pay any Financial Indebtedness and " guaranteed " shall be construed accordingly;

(v)
this Agreement (or to any specified provisions thereof) and all documents referred to in this Agreement (or to any specified provisions thereof) shall be construed as references to this Agreement, that provision or that document as are in force for the time being and as are amended and/or supplemented from time to time;

(vi)
this Agreement includes all the terms of this Agreement and any schedules, annexes or appendices to this Agreement, which form an integral part of same;

(vii)
clauses, sub-clauses and schedules are to Clauses, Sub-Clauses and schedules in this Agreement;

(viii)
the opinion of the Lender or a determination or acceptance by the Lender or to documents, acts, or persons acceptable or satisfactory to the Lender or the like shall be construed as reference to opinion,
21


determination, acceptance or satisfaction of the Lender at the sole discretion of the Lender and such opinion, determination, acceptance or satisfaction of the Lender shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrower;

(o)
Clause headings and the table of contents are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall be ignored in the interpretation of this Agreement;

(p)
subject to any specific provision of this Agreement or of any assignment and/or participation or syndication agreement of any nature whatsoever, reference to each of the parties hereto and to the other Security Documents shall be deemed to be reference to and/or to include, as appropriate, their respective successors and permitted assigns;

(q)
where the context so admits, words in the singular include the plural and vice versa; and

(r)
the words " including " and " in particular " shall not be construed as limiting the generality of any foregoing words.
1.4
Same meaning
Unless a contrary indication appears, a term used in any other Finance Document or in any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document has the same meaning in that Finance Document or notice as in this Agreement.
1.5
Inconsistency
Unless a contrary indication appears, in the event of any inconsistency or conflict between any provision of this Agreement and any provision of any Finance Document (other than in relation to the creation and/or perfection of security) the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail.
1.5
Finance Documents
Where any other Finance Document provides that Clause 1.3 ( Interpretation ), shall apply to that Finance Document, any other provision of this Agreement which, by its terms, purports to apply to all or any of the Finance Documents and/or any Security Party shall apply to that Finance Document as if set out in it but with all necessary changes.
2.
THE ADVANCES
2.1
Commitment to lend
The Lender, relying upon (inter alia) each of the representations and warranties set forth in Clause 7 ( Representations and warranties ) and in each of the Security Documents, agrees to lend to the Borrower, as borrower, by up to four (4) Advance and upon and subject to the terms of this Agreement, the amount specified in Clause

22


1.1 ( Amount and Purpose ) and the Borrower shall apply all amounts borrowed under the Commitment in accordance with Clause 1.1 ( Amount and Purpose ).
2.2
Drawdown
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Advance shall be made to the Borrower following receipt by the Lender from the Borrower of a Drawdown Notice not later than 10:00 a.m. (London time) on the third Banking Day before the date on which the drawdown is intended to be made, which shall be a Banking Day falling within the Drawdown Period.
2.3
Drawdown Notice irrevocable
A Drawdown Notice must be signed by a duly authorised director or attorney-in-fact or other representative of the Borrower and shall be effective on actual receipt by the Lender and, once given, it, subject as provided in Clause 3.6 ( Market disruption - Non Availability ), cannot be revoked without the prior consent of the Lender.
2.4
Number of Advances Agreed
The Commitment shall be advanced to the Borrower in four (4) Advances and any amount undrawn under the Commitment shall be cancelled and may not be borrowed by the Borrower at a later date.
2.5
Amount, timing, limitation and purpose of the Commitment

(a)
The Advances :  The Commitment will be advanced to the Borrower by four (4) Advances to be used for the purpose of financing part of the third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh instalments of the Newbuilding Vessel under the Contract, provided, however, that the aggregate amount of such Advances shall not exceed $10,140,000 and each such Advance shall be made when the relevant instalment(s) under the Contract has/have become due and payable.

(b)
Drawdown of the Advances :  No Advance may be drawn down after the last day of the Drawdown Period.

(c)
Application of Advances :  The Borrower shall procure that the proceeds of the each of the Advances shall be applied wholly in or towards payment to the Builder of the corresponding installment(s) under the Contract.

(d)
Conditions precedent :  Drawdown of each Advance is subject to (i) fulfilment to the Lender's satisfaction of all of the relevant conditions precedent and (ii) no Event of Default having occurred.  Thus, in relation to drawdown of any Advance, if any such condition precedent has not been fulfilled to the Lender's satisfaction or any such Event of Default has occurred such Advance shall not be available for drawing.  Notwithstanding, the Lender may, in its absolute discretion and by notice to the Borrower, waive compliance with any condition precedent or the occurrence of an Event of Default prior to disbursement, provided, always, that the Borrower hereby covenants in those
23


circumstances to comply with such condition precedent or, as the case may be, to remedy such Event of Default within any period specified in such notice or subsequently notified to the Borrower and failure to do so shall be deemed to constitute an Event of Default hereunder.
2.6
Availability
Upon receipt of a Drawdown Notice complying with the terms of this Agreement the Lender shall, subject to the provisions of Clause 9 ( Conditions precedent ), on the date specified in such Drawdown Notice, make the relevant Advance available to the Borrower, and payment to the Borrower shall be made to the account which the Borrower specifies in such Drawdown Notice.  The Borrower acknowledges that payment of any Advance to the Builder in accordance with Clause 6.2 ( Payment by the Lender ) shall satisfy the obligation of the Lender to lend that Advance to the Borrower under this Agreement.
2.7
Termination of Commitment
Any part of the Commitment which is not drawn down by the end of the Drawdown Period shall thereupon be automatically cancelled unless the Lender shall otherwise agree (upon such amended terms as the Lender may determine).
2.8
No responsibility for application of proceeds
Without prejudice to the Borrower's obligations under Clause 8.1(c) ( Use of Loan proceeds ), the Lender shall have no responsibility for the application of proceeds of the Loan or any part thereof by the Borrower.
2.9
Evidence
It is hereby expressly agreed and admitted by the Borrower that abstracts or photocopies of the books of the Lender as well as statements of accounts or a certificate signed by an authorised officer of the Lender (save for manifest error) shall be conclusive binding and full evidence on the Borrower as to the existence and/or the amount of the at any time Outstanding Indebtedness, of any amount due under this Agreement, of the applicable interest rate or Default Rate or any other rate provided for or referred to in this Agreement, the Interest Period, the payment or non payment of any amount and/or the occurrence of any other Event of Default.  Nevertheless, enforcement procedures or any other court or out-of-court procedure can be commenced by the Lender on the basis of the above mentioned means of evidence including written statements or certificates of the Lender.
2.10
Cancellation
The Borrower may, cancel any undrawn part of the Commitment under this Agreement upon giving the Lender not less than five (5) Banking Days' notice in writing to that effect, provided that no Drawdown Notice has been given to the Lender under Clause 2.2 ( Drawdown ) for the full amount of the Commitment or in
24


respect of the portion thereof in respect of which cancellation is required by the Borrower.  Any such notice of cancellation, once given, shall be irrevocable.  Any amount cancelled may not be drawn.  Notwithstanding any such cancellation pursuant to this Clause the Borrower shall continue to be liable for any and all amounts due to the Lender under this Agreement including without limitation any amounts due to the Lender under Clause 11 ( Indemnities ).
3.
INTEREST AND INTEREST PERIODS
3.1
Normal interest rate
The Borrower shall pay interest on the Loan (or as the case may be, each portion thereof to which a different Interest Period relates) in respect of each Interest Period related thereto on each Interest Payment Date.  The interest rate for the calculation of interest shall be the rate per annum determined by the Lender to be the aggregate of (i) the Margin and (ii) the LIBOR for such Interest Period, unless there is an Alternative Rate in which case the interest rate for the calculation of interest shall be the rate per annum determined by the Lender to be the aggregate of (i) the Margin and (ii) the Alternative Rate.
3.2
Selection of Interest Periods
The Borrower may by notice received by the Lender not later than 10 a.m. on the second Banking Day before the beginning of each Interest Period specify whether such Interest Period shall have a duration (subject to availability which will be determined solely by the Lender) of one (1), two (2) or three (3) months (or such other longer period as may be selected by the Borrower subject to Bank's approval, provided that no additional funding cost is involved and market availability exists).
3.3
Determination of Interest Periods
Every Interest Period shall be of the duration specified by the Borrower pursuant to Clause 3.2 ( Selection of Interest Periods ) but so that:

(a)
the first Interest Period shall commence on the Drawdown Date of the first Advance and each subsequent Interest Period in respect thereof shall commence on the last day of the previous Interest Period;

(b)
the initial Interest Period in respect of each Advance after the first Advance shall end on the same day as the then current Interest Period for the previous Advance and, on the last day of such Interest Period, such Advances shall be consolidated into, and shall thereafter constitute the Loan; and

(c)
if the Borrower fails to specify the duration of an Interest Period in accordance with the provisions of Clause 3.2 ( Selection of Interest Periods ) and this Clause 3.3 such Interest Period shall have duration of three (3) months or such other period as shall comply with this Clause 3.3.

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3.4
Default interest

(a)
Default Interest :  If the Borrower fails to pay any sum (including, without limitation, any sum payable pursuant to this Clause 3.4) on its due date for payment under any of the Finance Documents, the Borrower shall pay interest on such sum on demand from the due date up to the date of actual payment (as well after as before judgment) at a rate determined by the Lender pursuant to this Clause 3.4.  The period beginning on such due date and ending on the date of actual payment shall be divided at the discretion of the Lender into successive periods of not more than three (3) months as selected by the Lender each of which (other than the first, which shall commence on such due date) shall commence on the last day of the preceding such period.  The rate of interest applicable to each such period shall be the aggregate (as determined by the Lender) of (a) two per cent (2%) per annum, (b) the Margin, and (c) LIBOR for such period.  Such interest shall be due and payable on the last day of each such period as determined by the Lender and each such day shall, for the purposes of this Agreement, be treated as an Interest Payment Date, provided that if such unpaid sum is an amount of principal which became due and payable, by reason of a declaration by the Lender under Clause 10.2 ( Consequences of Default - Acceleration ) or a prepayment pursuant to Clauses 4.2 ( Voluntary prepayment ), 4.3 ( Compulsory Prepayment in case of Total Loss or sale of the Collateral Vessel ) or 12 ( Unlawfulness  and increased cost ), on a date other than an Interest Payment Date relating thereto, the first such period selected by the Lender shall be of a duration equal to the period between the due date of such principal sum and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date and interest shall be payable on such principal sum during such period at a rate of two per cent (2%) above the rate applicable thereto immediately before it shall have become so due and payable.  If, for the reasons specified in Clause 3.6 ( Market disruption; non-availability ), the Lender is unable to determine a rate in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Clause 3.4, interest on any sum not paid on its due date for payment shall be calculated at a rate determined by the Lender to be two per cent (2%) per annum above the aggregate of (i) the Margin and (ii) the Alternative Rate.

(b)
Compounding of default interest :  Any such interest which is not paid at the end of the period by reference to which it was determined shall thereupon be compounded.
3.5
Notification of Interest Periods and interest rate
The Lender shall notify the Borrower promptly of the duration of each Interest Period and of each rate of interest determined by it under this Clause 3, but this shall not be taken to imply that the Borrower is liable to pay such interest only with effect from the date of the Lender's notification.

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3.6
Market disruption; non-availability

(a)
Market disruption :  If and whenever, at any time prior to the commencement of any Interest Period, the Lender (in its reasonable discretion) shall have determined (which determination shall be conclusive) that a Market Disruption Event has occurred in relation to the Loan (or the relevant part thereof) for any such Interest Period, then the Lender shall forthwith give notice thereof (a " Determination Notice ") to the Borrower and the rate of interest on the Loan (or the relevant part thereof) for that Interest Period shall be the percentage rate per annum which is the sum of:

(i)
the Margin; and

(ii)
the rate which expresses as a percentage rate per annum the cost to the Lender of funding the Loan (or the relevant part thereof) from whatever source it may reasonably select.

(b)
Suspension of drawdown :  If the Determination Notice is given before the Commitment (or a part thereof) is advanced, the Lender's obligation to make the Commitment (or a part thereof) available shall be suspended while the circumstances referred to in the Determination notice continue.

(c)
Meaning of "Market Disruption Event" :  In this Agreement " Market Disruption Event " means:

(i)
at or about noon on the Quotation Day for the relevant Interest Period the Screen Rate is not available; and/or

(ii)
before close of business in London on the Quotation Day for the relevant Interest Period, the Lender determines (in its sole discretion) that the cost to it of obtaining matching deposits in the London Interbank Market to fund the Loan (or the relevant part thereof) for such Interest Period would be in excess of the LIBOR for such Interest Period; and/or

(iii)
before close of business in London on the Quotation Day for the relevant Interest Period, deposits in Dollars are not available to the Lender in the London Interbank Market in the ordinary course of business in sufficient amounts to fund the Loan (or the relevant part thereof) for such Interest Period.

(d)
Negotiation of alternative rate of interest :  If the Determination Notice is served after the Loan is borrowed, the Borrower and the Lender shall enter into negotiations (for a period of not more than within 15 days after the date on which the Lender serves the Determination Notice (the " Negotiation Period ") and shall use reasonable endeavours to agree, an alternative interest rate or (as the case may be) an alternative basis for the Lender to fund or continue to fund the Loan during the Interest Period concerned.  During the

27


Negotiation Period the Lender shall set an Interest Period and interest rate representing the Cost of Funding of the Lender in Dollars, in each case as determined by the Lender, of the Loan plus the Margin.

(e)
Application of agreed alternative rate of interest :  Any alternative interest rate or an alternative basis which is agreed during the Negotiation Period shall be binding on the Lender and all Security Parties and shall take effect in accordance with the terms agreed.

(f)
Alternative basis of interest in absence of agreement :  If the Lender and the Borrower will not enter into negotiations as provided in Clause 3.6(d) ( Negotiation of alternative rate of interest ) or if an alternative interest rate or alternative basis is not agreed within the Negotiation Period, and the relevant circumstances are continuing at the end of the Negotiation Period, then the Lender shall set the following Interest Period and an interest rate representing the cost of funding of the Lender in Dollars of the Loan (or the relevant part thereof) plus the Margin for such Interest Period; if the relevant circumstances are continuing at the end of the Interest Period so set by the Lender, the Lender shall continue to set the following Interest Period and an interest rate representing its cost of funding in Dollars of the Loan (or the relevant part thereof) plus the Margin for such Interest Period.

(g)
Notice of prepayment : If the Borrower does not agree with an interest rate set by the Lender under Clause 3.6(e) ( Notice of prepayment ), the Borrower may give the Lender not less than 5 Banking Days' notice of its intention to prepay the Loan at the end of the interest period set by the Lender.

(h)
Prepayment; termination of Commitment :  A notice under Clause 3.6(f) ( Alternative basis of interest or funding ) shall be irrevocable; and on the last Banking Day of the interest period set by the Lender the Borrower shall prepay (without premium or penalty) the Loan, together with accrued interest thereon at the applicable rate plus the Margin and the balance of the Outstanding Indebtedness.

(i)
Application of prepayment :  The provisions of Clause 4 ( Repayment-Prepayment ) shall apply in relation to the prepayment made hereunder.
4.
REPAYMENT AND PREPAYMENT
4.1
Repayment
The Borrower shall and it is expressly undertaken by the Borrower to repay the Loan on the Final Maturity Date, on which date the Borrower shall also pay to the Bank any and all other sums of money then due and payable to the Bank, Provided that if the Final Maturity Date is a day which is not a Banking Day, the due date therefore shall be extended to the next succeeding Banking Day unless such Banking Day falls in the next calendar month in which event such due date shall be the immediately preceding Banking Day.
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4.2
Voluntary prepayment
The Borrower shall have the right, to prepay (without any penalty or premium whatsoever) part or all of the Loan in each case together with all unpaid interest accrued thereon and all other sums of money whatsoever due and owing from the Borrower to the Lender hereunder or pursuant to the other Finance Documents and all interest accrued thereon, provided that :

(a)
the Lender shall have received from the Borrower not less than five (5) Banking Days' prior notice (which shall be irrevocable) of its intention to make such prepayment and specify the amount and the date on which such prepayment is to be made;

(b)
such prepayment may take place on any Banking Day provided, however , that if the Borrower shall request consent to make such prepayment on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period relating to the relevant part of the Loan to be prepaid or the whole of the Loan (as the case may be) the Borrower will pay in addition to the amount to be prepaid, any such sum as may be payable to the Lender pursuant to Clause 11.1 ( Miscellaneous indemnities );

(c)
each such prepayment shall be equal to the amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple thereof or the balance of the Loan;

(d)
every notice of prepayment shall be effective only on actual receipt by the Lender, shall be irrevocable and shall oblige the Borrower to make such prepayment on the date specified;

(e)
no amount prepaid may be re-borrowed; and

(f)
the Borrower may not prepay the Loan or any part thereof save as expressly provided in this Agreement.
4.3
Compulsory Prepayment on Total Loss or sale of the Collateral Vessel

(a)
Before drawdown :  On the Collateral Vessel becoming a Total Loss or suffering damage or being involved in an incident which in the reasonable opinion of the Lender may result in the Collateral Vessel being subsequently determined to be a Total Loss or being sold before an Advance is drawn down, the obligation of the Lender to advance the Commitment (or any part thereof) shall immediately cease and the Commitment shall be reduced to zero.

(b)
Thereafter :

(i)
On the Collateral Vessel becoming a Total Loss or suffering damage or being involved in an incident which in the opinion of the Lender may result in the Collateral Vessel being subsequently determined to be a Total Loss or being sold following the drawdown of the first Advance,
29


then on the date falling One hundred and eighty (180) days after the date on which the Collateral Vessel became a Total Loss or simultaneously with the completion of the sale of the Collateral Vessel by delivery of the Collateral Vessel to the relevant buyer in exchange of the sale price or, if earlier, on the date when the insurance proceeds in respect of such Total Loss are or Requisition Compensation is received by the Borrower (or the Lender pursuant to the Security Documents), the Borrower shall pay to the Lender the full amount of the Outstanding Indebtedness together with all sums payable by the Borrower to the Lender under Clause 4.4 ( Amounts payable on prepayment ).

(c)
Total loss :  For the purpose of this Agreement, a Total Loss shall be deemed to have occurred:

(i)
in the case of an actual total loss of the Collateral Vessel, at the actual date and time the Collateral Vessel was lost but in the event of the date of the loss being unknown then the actual total loss shall be deemed to have occurred on the date falling twenty one (21) days after the date on which the Collateral Vessel was last reported;

(ii)
in the case of a constructive total loss of the Collateral Vessel, at the date and time notice of abandonment (the " NOA date ") of the Collateral Vessel is given to the insurers of the Collateral Vessel for the time being (provided a claim for such Total Loss is admitted by such insurers) or, if such insurers do not admit such a claim on the earlier of (aa) the date when either the total loss is subsequently admitted by the insurers, or (bb) a total loss is subsequently adjudged by a competent court of law or arbitration tribunal to have occurred or (cc) the date falling one hundred and eighty days (180) days after the NOA date, or, in the event that such notice of abandonment is not given by the Collateral Owner to the insurers of the Collateral Vessel, at the date and time on which the incident occurred which may result, in the reasonable opinion of the Lender, in the Collateral Vessel being subsequently determined to be a Total Loss;

(iii)
in the case of a compromised or arranged total loss of the Collateral Vessel, on the date upon which a binding agreement as to such compromised or arranged total loss has been entered into by the then insurers of the Collateral Vessel;

(iv)
in the case of Compulsory Acquisition of the Collateral Vessel, on the date upon which the relevant requisition of title or other compulsory acquisition occurs excluding a requisition for hire;

(v)
in the case of, condemnation, capture, seizure, confiscation, arrest, or detention of the Collateral Vessel (other than where the same amounts to Compulsory Acquisition of the Collateral Vessel) by any
30


Government Entity, or by persons acting on behalf of any Government Entity or otherwise, which deprives the Collateral Owner of the use of the Collateral Vessel for more than ninety (90) days, upon the expiry of the period of ninety (90) after the date upon which the relevant, condemnation, capture, seizure or confiscation, arrest or detention; and

(vi)
in the case of hijacking, capture, seizure or confiscation of the Collateral Vessel arising as a result of a piracy or related incident unless the Collateral Vessel be released and restored to the Collateral Owner from such hijacking, capture, seizure or confiscation within One hundred and fifty (150) days after the occurrence thereof.

(d)
Refinancing :  In case of refinancing by another bank or if the Borrower requests the Lender's consent for the discharge of the Collateral Mortgage registered on the Collateral Vessel, the Borrower shall pay to the Lender the full amount of the Outstanding Indebtedness together with all sums payable by the Borrower to the Lender under Clause 4.4 ( Amounts payable on prepayment ).
4.4
Amounts payable on prepayment

(a)
Any prepayment of all or part of the Loan under this Agreement shall be made together with (a) accrued interest on the amount to be prepaid to the date of such prepayment (calculated, in the case of a prepayment pursuant to Clause 3.6 ( Market disruption - Non Availability ) at a rate equal to the aggregate of the Margin and the cost to the Lender of funding the Loan), (b) any additional amount payable under Clause 6.6 ( Gross-up ) or Clause12.2 ( Increased cost ), (c) all other sums payable by the Borrower to the Lender under this Agreement or any of the other Finance Documents including, without limitation, any accrued Commitment Fee payable under Clause 5.1(b) any amounts payable under Clause 11 ( Indemnities ) and (d) in relation to any prepayment made on a date other than an Interest Payment Date in respect of the whole of the Loan, it shall, in addition to the amount prepaid and accrued interest, pay to the Lender any amount which the Lender may certify is necessary to compensate the Lender for any Break Costs incurred by the Lender as a result of making the prepayment in question.
4.5
Termination of Contract or Refund Guarantee

(a)
If:

(i)
the Contract is terminated or rescinded for any reason whatsoever or the Contract is frustrated or the Contract is (in the opinion of the Lender) materially varied in any manner not permitted by or pursuant to the Pre-Delivery Security Assignment or this Agreement; or

(ii)
the Refund Guarantee is repudiated, cancelled, rescinded or otherwise
31


terminated or expires (other than by the return of the Refund Guarantee by the Borrower or the Lender to the Builder and/or the Refund Guarantor, following the delivery of the Newbuilding Vessel to the Borrower pursuant to the Contract); or

(iii)
the Newbuilding Vessel is not delivered to, and accepted by, the Borrower under the Contract or Cargill does not intend (at the Lender's opinion) to pay the Net Sale Proceeds (as defined in the MOA) to the Borrower's account with the Lender, in either case, on or before the last day of the Drawdown Period; or

(iv)
any claim made under the Refund Guarantee is not paid within thirty (30) days of it being made,

(v)
the MOA is repudiated, cancelled, rescinded or otherwise terminated; or
the Borrower shall within thirty (30) days after the occurrence of any of the events referred to in this Clause 4.5 (or, in the case of paragraph (iv), within ten (10) Banking Days from the expiry of the grace period referred to in that paragraph) prepay in full the Outstanding Indebtedness as provided in Clause 4.3(b)(iv).
5.
FEES, EXPENSES, VAT, STAMP DUTY ETC.
5.1
Fees and commissions

(a)
Arrangement fee :  The Borrower shall pay to the Lender a non-refundable arrangement fee (the " Arrangement Fee ") in the amount equal to one point two five per cent (1.25%) of the amount of the Commitment payable on the first Drawdown Date.

(b)
Commitment Fee :  The Borrower shall pay to the Lender a commitment fee (the " Commitment Fee "), payable quarterly in arrears until the last day of the Drawdown Period on each of the dates falling at three (3) monthly intervals after the 5 th July, 2018 until the last day of the Drawdown Period and on the last day of the Drawdown Period, computed from the 5 th July, 2018 (in the case of the first payment of the Commitment Fee) and from the date of the preceding payment of the Commitment Fee (in the case of each subsequent payment) at the rate of one per cent (1%) per annum on the daily undrawn and un-cancelled amount of the Commitment, until the lapse of the Drawdown Period.

(c)
Non-refundable :  The Arrangement Fee and the Commitment Fee shall be payable by the Borrower to the Lender whether or not any part of the Commitment is ever advanced (irrespective of utilisation/cancellation in part or in whole and/or Contract cancellation, non Delivery of the Newbuilding Vessel or sale of the Newbuilding Vessel prior to her Delivery to the
32


Borrower) and shall be non-refundable.
5.2
Expenses
The Borrower shall pay to the Lender on a full indemnity basis on demand all expenses incurred by the Lender:

(a)
Initial and Amendment expenses :  all expenses (including legal, printing and out-of-pocket expenses) reasonably incurred by the Lender in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and, where relevant, registration of this Agreement and the other Security Documents and of any amendment or extension of or the granting of any waiver or consent under this Agreement and/or any of the Security Documents, whether any such security shall in fact be constituted or not or the granting of any waiver or consent under, any of the Security Documents and the syndication of the Loan; and

(b)
Enforcement expenses :  all expenses (including legal and out-of-pocket expenses) incurred by the Lender in contemplation of, or otherwise in connection with, the enforcement of, or preservation of any rights under, this Agreement and/or any of the other Security Documents, or otherwise in respect of the moneys owing under this Agreement and/or any of the other Security Documents or the contemplation or preparation of the above, whether they have been effected or not; and
together with interest at the rate referred to in Clause 3.4 ( Default interest ) from the date on which such expenses were incurred to the date of payment (as well after as before judgment).

(c)
Mortgagee's Interest costs :  reimburse the Lender on demand for any and all costs incurred by the Lender (as supported by vouchers/invoices ) in effecting and keeping effected on the basis of the Lender's open cover (a) a mortgagee's interest insurance which the Lender may at any time effect for an amount of 120% of the amount of the Loan at the Lender's wording or upon such terms as shall from time to time be determined by the Lender (herein " MII ") and (b) a mortgagee's interest additional perils (pollution) insurance policy (herein " MAPI ") for an amount of 120% of the amount of the Loan, of which the Lender may at any time effect on such terms, and with such insurers as shall from time to time be approved by the Lender, provided however, that the Lender shall in its absolute discretion appoint and instruct in respect of any such MII and MAPI the insurance brokers in respect of such insurance and provided, further, that the Borrower shall pay on demand to the Lender the proportion of premium due in respect of the Collateral Vessel for which such insurance cover has been effected by the Lender, and any certificate of the Lender in respect of any such premium due by the Borrower (as supported by the necessary invoices/vouchers) shall (save for manifest error) be conclusive and binding upon the Borrower.

(d)
Other expenses :  any and all other Expenses as defined in Clause 1.2
33


( Definitions ).

(e)
Legal costs :  the legal costs of the Lender's appointed lawyer, in respect of the preparation of this Agreement and the other Security Documents as well as the legal costs of the foreign lawyers in respect of the registration of the Security Documents or any search or opinion given to the Lender in respect of the Security Parties or the Vessels or the Finance Documents.  The said legal costs shall be due and payable as incurred.
5.3
Value Added Tax
All fees and expenses payable pursuant to Clause 5.2 ( Expenses ) shall be paid together with value added tax or any similar tax (if any) properly chargeable thereon.  Any value added tax chargeable in respect of any services supplied by the Lender under this Agreement shall, on delivery of the value added tax invoice, be paid in addition to any sum agreed to be paid hereunder.
5.4
Stamp and other duties
The Borrower shall pay all stamp, documentary, registration or other like duties or Taxes (including any duties or taxes payable by the Lender other than taxes on the net income of the Lender) imposed on or in connection with any of the Underlying Documents, the Security Documents or the Loan and shall indemnify the Lender against any liability arising by reason of any delay or omission by the Borrower to pay such duties or taxes.
6.
PAYMENTS AND TAXES; ACCOUNTS AND CALCULATIONS
6.1
No set-off or counterclaim

(a)
The Borrower acknowledges that in performing its obligations under this Agreement, the Lender will be incurring liabilities to third parties in relation to the funding of amounts to the Borrower, such liabilities matching the liabilities of the Borrower to the Lender and that it is reasonable for the Lender to be entitled to receive payments from the Borrower gross on the due date in order that the Lender is put in a position to perform its matching obligations to the relevant third parties.  Accordingly, all payments to be made by the Borrower under this Agreement and/or any of the other Finance Documents shall be made in full, without any set-off or counterclaim whatsoever and, subject as provided in Clause 6.6 ( Gross-up ), free and clear of any deductions or withholdings or Governmental Withholdings whatsoever, in Dollars on the due date to the account of the Lender at such bank and in such place as the Lender may from time to time specify for that purpose, reference:  " PCH Dreaming Inc. /Loan Agreement dated :  11 th July, 2018 ", or to such other account at such other bank in such place as the Lender may from time to time specify for this purpose.

(b)
If at any time it shall become unlawful or impracticable for the Borrower to
34


make payment under this Agreement to the relevant account or bank referred to in Clause 6.1(a), the Borrower may request and the Lender may agree to alternative arrangements for the payment of the amounts due by the Borrower to the Lender under this Agreement or the other Finance Documents.
6.2
Payment by the Lender
All sums to be advanced by the Lender to the Borrower under this Agreement shall be remitted in Dollars on the Drawdown Date for the relevant Advance to the account specified in the Drawdown Notice for that Advance.
6.3
Non-Banking Days
All payments due under any of the Security Documents shall be made on a Banking Day.  When any payment under any of the Security Documents would otherwise be due on a day which is not a Banking Day, the due date for payment shall be extended to the next following Banking Day unless such Banking Day falls in the next calendar month in which case payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Banking Day.
6.4
Calculations
All interest and other payments of an annual nature under any of the Security Documents shall accrue from day to day and be calculated on the basis of actual days elapsed and a three hundred and sixty (360) day year.
6.5
Certificates conclusive
Any certificate or determination of the Lender as to any rate of interest or any other amount pursuant to and for the purposes of any of the Security Documents shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on the Borrower.
6.6
Gross-up
If at any time any law, regulation, regulatory requirement or requirement of any governmental authority, monetary agency, central bank or the like compels the Borrower to make payment subject to Governmental Withholdings (other than a FATCA Deduction), the Borrower shall pay to the Lender such additional amounts as may be necessary to ensure that there will be received by the Lender a net amount equal to the full amount which would have been received had payment not been made subject to such Governmental Withholdings.  The Borrower shall indemnify the Lender against any losses or costs incurred by the Lender by reason of any failure of the Borrower to make any such deduction or withholding or by reason of any increased payment not being made on the due date for such payment.  The Borrower shall, not later than thirty (30) days after each deduction, withholding or payment of any Governmental Withholdings (other than a FATCA Deduction), forward to the Lender official receipts and any other documentary receipts and any other documentary evidence reasonably required by the Lender in respect of the payment
35


made or to be made of any deduction or withholding or Governmental Withholding (other than a FATCA Deduction).  The obligations of the Borrower under this provision shall, subject to applicable law, remain in force notwithstanding the repayment of the Loan and the payment of all interest due thereon pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.
6.7
Loan account
The Lender shall maintain, in accordance with its usual practice, a separate loan account evidencing the amounts from time to time lent by, owing to and paid to it under the Security Documents.  All sums advanced by the Lender to the Borrower under this Agreement and all interest accrued thereon and all other amounts due under this Agreement from time to time and all repayments and/or payments thereof shall be debited and credited respectively to such loan account.  The Lender may, however, in accordance with its usual practices or for its accounting needs, maintain more than one account, consolidate or separate them but all such accounts shall be considered parts of one single loan account maintained under this Agreement.  Such account shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive as to the amount from time to time owing by the Borrower under the Security Documents.  In case that a ship mortgage in the form of Account Current is granted as security under this Agreement, the account(s) referred to in this Clause shall be the Account Current referred to in such mortgage.
7.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
7.1
Representations and warranties
The Borrower represents and warrants to the Lender that:

(a)
Due Incorporation/Valid Existence :  each of the Borrower and the other corporate Security Parties is duly incorporated and validly existing and in good standing under the laws of their respective countries of incorporation, and have power to own their respective property and assets, to carry on their respective business as the same are now being lawfully conducted and to purchase, own, finance and operate vessels, or, as the case may be, manage vessels, as well as to undertake the obligations which they have undertaken or shall undertake pursuant to the Finance Documents;

(b)
Due Corporate Authority :  the Borrower and the other corporate Security Parties has power to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Underlying Documents to which it is or is to be a party, the Finance Documents to which it is a party and to borrow the Commitment under this Agreement and to make all the payments contemplated by, and to comply with, those Finance Documents to which it is or is to be a party, and each of the corporate Security Parties has power to execute and deliver and perform its obligations under the Underlying Documents to which it is or is to be a party and the Finance Documents to which it is or is to be a party; all necessary corporate, shareholder and other action has been taken to authorise
36


the execution, delivery and performance of the same and no limitation on the powers of the Borrower to borrow will be exceeded as a result of borrowing the Loan;

(c)
Binding obligations :  the Finance Documents and the Underlying Documents constitute (or upon their execution - and in the case of any Mortgage upon its registration at the Registry - will constitute) valid and legally binding obligations of the relevant Security Parties enforceable against the Borrower and the other Security Parties in accordance with their respective terms and that there are no other agreements or arrangements which may adversely affect or conflict with the Finance Documents or the security thereby created;

(d)
No conflict with other obligations :  the execution and delivery of, the performance of their obligations under, and compliance with the provisions of, the Finance Documents and the Underlying Documents by the relevant Security Parties will not (i) contravene any existing applicable law, statute, rule or regulation or any judgment, decree or permit to which the Borrower or any other Security Party is subject, (ii) conflict with, or result in any breach of any of the terms of, or constitute a default under, any agreement or other instrument to which the Borrower or any other Security Party is a party or is subject or by which it or any of its property is bound, (iii) contravene or conflict with any provision of the constitutional documents of the Borrower or any other Security Party or (iv) result in the creation or imposition of or oblige the Borrower or any other Security Party to create any Encumbrance (other than a Permitted Encumbrance) on any of the undertakings, assets, rights or revenues of the Borrower or any other Security Party;

(e)
No litigation :  no litigation or arbitration, tax claim or administrative proceeding (including action relating to any alleged or actual breach of the ISM Code and the ISPS Code) relating to sums exceeding Three hundred thousand Dollars ($300,000) involving a potential liability of the Borrower or any other Security Party is current or pending or (to its or its officers' knowledge) threatened against the Borrower or such other Security Party, which, if adversely determined, would have a material adverse effect on the business, position, profitability, assets or the financial condition of any of them;

(f)
No Notarisation/Filing/Recording :  to the best of the Borrower's knowledge, save for the registration of the Collateral Mortgage at the Registry, it is not necessary to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of any of the Finance Documents and the Underlying Documents that they or any other instrument be notarised, filed, recorded, registered or enrolled in any court, public office or elsewhere in any Relevant Jurisdiction or that any stamp, registration or similar tax or charge be paid in any Relevant Jurisdiction on or in relation to the Finance Documents and the Underlying Documents and each of the Finance Documents and the Underlying Documents is in proper form for its enforcement in the courts of
37


each Relevant Jurisdiction;

(g)
Choice of law :  to the best of the Borrower's knowledge, the choice of law agreed to govern this Agreement and/or any other Finance Document and the submission to the jurisdiction of the courts agreed in each of the Finance Documents are or will be, on execution of the respective Finance Documents, valid and binding on the Borrower and any other Security Party which is or is to be a party thereto;

(h)
No immunity :  neither the Borrower nor any other Security Party nor any of their respective assets is entitled to immunity on the grounds of sovereignty or otherwise from any legal action or proceeding (which shall include, without limitation, suit, attachment prior to judgement, execution or other enforcement);

(i)
Shipping Company :  each of the Borrower, the Collateral Owner and the Managers is a shipping company involved in the owning or, as the case may be, managing of ships engaged in international voyages and earning profits in free foreign currency;

(j)
Licences/Authorisation :  every consent, authorisation, license or approval of, or registration with or declaration to, governmental or public bodies or authorities or courts required by any Security Party to authorise, or required by any Security Party in connection with, the execution, delivery, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of each of the Finance Documents and the Underlying Documents or the performance by each Security Party of its obligations under the Finance Documents and the Underlying Documents to which such Security Party is or is to be a party has been obtained or made and is in full force and effect and there has been no default in the observance of any of the conditions or restrictions (if any) imposed in, or in connection with, any of the same so far as the Borrower is aware;

(k)
Perfected Securities :  when duly executed, the Finance Documents will create a perfected security interest in favour of the Lender, with the intended priority, over the assets and revenues intended to be covered, valid and enforceable against the Borrower and the other Security Parties;

(l)
Sanctions:

(i)
neither any Security Party nor any other member of the Group:

a)
is a Sanctions Restricted Person;

b)
owns or controls directly or indirectly a Sanctions Restricted Person or is controlled or owned by a Sanction Restricted Person; or

c)
has a Sanctions Restricted Person serving as a director, officer or, to the best of its knowledge, employee; and
38



(ii)
no proceeds of the Loan shall be made available, directly or to the knowledge of the Security Parties, or any of them (after reasonable enquiry) indirectly, to or for the benefit of a Sanctions Restricted Person contrary to Sanctions or for transactions in a Sanctions Restricted Jurisdiction nor shall they be otherwise directly or indirectly, applied in a manner or for a purpose prohibited by Sanctions;

(m)
Direct obligations - Pari Passu :  the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement are direct, general and unconditional obligations of the Borrower and rank at least pari passu with all other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated Financial Indebtedness of the Borrower (with the exception of any obligations which are mandatorily preferred by law and not by contract);

(n)
No default under other Financial Indebtedness :  neither the Borrower nor any other Security Party is (nor would with the giving of notice or lapse of time or the satisfaction of any other condition or combination thereof be) in breach of or in default under any agreement relating to Financial Indebtedness to which it is a party or by which it may be bound;

(o)
Information :  all information, accounts, statements of financial position, exhibits and reports furnished by or on behalf of any Security Party to the Lender in connection with the negotiation and preparation of this Agreement and each of the other Finance Documents are true and accurate in all material respects and not misleading, do not omit material facts and all reasonable enquiries have been made to verify the facts and statements contained therein; to the best knowledge of the Directors/Officers or shareholders of the Borrower, there are no other facts the omission of which would make any fact or statement therein misleading and, in the case of accounts and statements of financial position, they have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles which have been consistently applied;

(p)
No Taxes :  no Taxes are imposed by deduction, withholding or otherwise on any payment to be made by any Security Party under this Agreement and/or any other of the Finance Documents and/or the Underlying Documents or are imposed on or by virtue of the execution or delivery of this Agreement and/or any other of the Finance Documents and/or the Underlying Documents or any document or instrument to be executed or delivered hereunder or thereunder.  In case that any Tax exists now or will be imposed in the future, such Tax will be borne by the Borrower;

(q)
No Default :  no Default has occurred and is continuing;

(r)
No Default under other Financial Indebtedness :  the Borrower has not been declared in default under any agreement relating to Financial Indebtedness to which it is a party or by which it may be bound;
39



(s)
No Default under the Contract or the Refund Guarantee :  the Borrower is not in default of any of its obligations under the Contract or any of its obligations upon the performance or observance of which depend the continued liability of the Refund Guarantor in accordance with the terms of the Refund Guarantee;

(t)
No Encumbrance in respect of Pre-Delivery security :  the Borrower has not previously charged, encumbered or assigned the benefit of any of its rights, title and interest in or to the Contract or the Refund Guarantee and such benefit and all such rights, title and interest are freely assignable and chargeable in the manner contemplated by the Finance Documents;

(u)
Ownership/Flag/Seaworthiness/Class/Insurance of the Collateral Vessel :  the Collateral Vessel is and will on the first Drawdown Date and throughout the Security Period be:

(i)
in the absolute and free from Encumbrances (other than in favour of the Lender) ownership of the Collateral Owner, who is and will on the first Drawdown Date and throughout the Security Period be the sole legal and beneficial owner of the Collateral Vessel;

(ii)
registered in the name of the Collateral Owner through the Registry under the laws and flag of the Flag State;

(iii)
operationally seaworthy and in every way fit for service; and

(iv)
classed with the Classification free of all notations, requirements and recommendations of the Classification Society;

(v)
insured in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the Collateral Mortgage;

(vi)
managed by the Managers; and

(vii)
in full compliance with the ISM and the ISPS Code;

(v)
Collateral Vessel's employment :  unless otherwise permitted in writing by the Lender, the Collateral Vessel is not and will not, on or before the first Drawdown Date, be subject to any charter or contract or to any agreement to enter into any charter or contract which, if entered into after the date of signing the Security Documents would have required the consent of the Lender and, on or before such Drawdown Date, there will not be any agreement or arrangement whereby the Earnings may be shared with any other person;

(w)
Freedom from Encumbrances :  neither the Collateral Vessel, nor her Earnings, Insurances nor the Earnings Account nor any other properties or rights which are, or are to be, the subject of any of the Security Documents nor any part thereof will be, on each Drawdown Date, subject to any Encumbrances other
40


than Permitted Encumbrances or otherwise permitted by the Security Documents;

(x)
Compliance with Environmental Laws and Environmental Approvals :  except as may already have been disclosed by the Borrower in writing to, and acknowledged in writing by, the Lender:

(i)
the Collateral Owner, the Managers and their Related Companies and, to the best of the Borrower's knowledge and belief (having made due enquiry), their respective Environmental Affiliates have complied with the provisions of all Environmental Laws;

(ii)
the Collateral Owner, the Managers and their Related Companies and, to the best of the Collateral Owner's knowledge and belief (having made due enquiry), their respective Environmental Affiliates have obtained all Environmental Approvals and are in compliance with all such Environmental Approvals; and

(iii)
neither the Collateral Owner nor the Managers (or either of them) nor, to the best of the Collateral Owner's knowledge and belief (having made due enquiry), any of their respective Environmental Affiliates has received notice of any Environmental Claim that the Collateral Owner or any other Relevant Party or any such Environmental Affiliate is not in compliance with any Environmental Law or any Environmental Approval;

(y)
No Environmental Claims :  except as may already have been disclosed by the Borrower in writing to, and acknowledged in writing by, the Lender:

(i)
there is no Environmental Claim pending or, to the best of the Borrower's knowledge and belief, threatened against the Collateral Owner or the Collateral Vessel or their respective Environmental Affiliates/Related Companies or any other Relevant Ship; and

(ii)
there has been no emission, spill, release or discharge of a Material of Environmental Concern from the Collateral Vessel or any other Relevant Ship or any vessel owned by, managed or crewed by or chartered to the Collateral Owner which could give rise to an Environmental Claim;

(z)
No potential Environmental Claims :  except as may already have been disclosed by the Borrower in writing to, and acknowledged in writing by, the Lender, there has been no emission, spill, release or discharge of a Material of Environmental Concern from the Collateral Vessel which could give rise to an Environmental Claim;

(aa)
No material adverse change :  there has been no material adverse change in the financial position of the Borrower or the Group from that described by the
41


Borrower to the Lender in the negotiation of this Agreement;

(bb)
Originals and copies true and complete :  the copies of each of the Underlying Documents delivered or to be delivered to the Lender pursuant to Clause 9.1 ( Documents and evidence ) are, or will when delivered be, true and complete copies of such documents; each such document will when delivered constitute valid and binding obligations of the parties thereto enforceable in accordance with its terms and there will have been no amendments or variations thereof or defaults thereunder;

(cc)
Compliance with the ISM code :  the Collateral Vessel will comply on the Drawdown Date and the Operator complies with the requirements of the ISM Code and the SMC which has been or, as the case may be, shall be issued in respect of the Collateral Vessel and shall remain valid on the Drawdown Date and thereafter throughout the Security Period;

(dd)
Compliance with ISPS Code :  the Collateral Owner has a valid and current ISSC in respect of the Collateral Vessel and is in full compliance with the ISPS Code;

(ee)
No US Tax Obligor :  Neither the Borrower nor any Security Party is a US Tax Obligor;

(ff)
Shareholding :  the shares in each of the Borrower, the Corporate Guarantor and the Collateral Owner are legally and ultimately beneficially owned by such person or persons as disclosed to and approved by the Lender in the negotiation of this Agreement;

(gg)
Taxes paid :  the Collateral Owner has paid all taxes applicable to, or imposed on or in relation to itself, its business or the Collateral Vessel;

(hh)
Contract Valid :  the copy of the Contract delivered to the Lender concerning the purchase of the Collateral Vessel is a true and complete copy of such document constituting valid and binding obligations of the parties thereto enforceable in accordance with its terms and no amendments thereto or variations thereof will be agreed nor will any action be taken by the parties thereto which would in any way render such document inoperative or unenforceable;

(ii)
No Rebates :  there are and there will be no commissions, rebates, premiums or other payments by or to or on account of the Borrower, any other Security Party or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any other person in connection with the Contract other than as disclosed to the Lender by the Borrower in writing.
7.2
Money laundering - acting for own account
The Borrower represents and warrants and confirms that it is the beneficiary of the Loan made or to be made available to it and it will promptly inform the Lender by
42


written notice if it is not, or ceases to be, the beneficiary and notify the Lender in writing of the name and the address of the new beneficiary/beneficiaries; the Borrower is aware that under applicable money laundering provisions, it has an obligation to state for whose account the Loan is obtained; the Borrower confirms that, by entering into this Agreement and the other Finance Documents, it is acting on its own behalf and for its own account and it is obtaining the Loan for its own account.  In relation to the borrowing by the Borrower of the Loan, the performance and discharge of its obligations and liabilities under this Agreement or any of the other Finance Documents and the transactions and other arrangements effected or contemplated by this Agreement or any of the Documents to which the Borrower is a party, it is acting for its own account and that the foregoing will not involve or lead to a contravention of any law, official requirement or other regulatory measure or procedure which has been implemented to combat " money laundering " (as defined in Article 1 of the Directive (91/308/EEC) of the Council of the European Community).
7.3
Representations Correct
At the time of entering into this Agreement all above representations and warranties or any other information given by the Borrower and/or any other Security Party to the Lender are true and accurate.
7.4
Repetition of Representations and Warranties.
The representations and warranties in this Clause 7 shall be deemed to be repeated by the Borrower on the Drawdown Date and on each Interest Payment Date throughout the Security Period as if made with reference to the facts and circumstances existing on each such day.
8.
UNDERTAKINGS
8.1
General
The Borrower hereby undertakes with the Lender that, from the date of this Agreement and as long as any moneys are due and/or owing and/or outstanding under this Agreement or any of the other Finance Documents and until the full and complete payment and discharge of the Outstanding Indebtedness, the Borrower will:

(a)
Notice on adverse change or Default :  immediately inform the Lender upon becoming aware of any occurrence which might adversely affect the ability of any Security Party to perform its obligations under any of the Finance Documents and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, will inform the Lender of any Default forthwith upon becoming aware thereof and will from time to time, if so requested by the Lender, confirm to the Lender in writing that, save as otherwise stated in such confirmation, no Default has occurred and is continuing;

(b)
Consents and licenses :  without prejudice to Clause 7 ( Representations and
43


warranties ) and Clause 9 ( Conditions precedent ), obtain or cause to be obtained, maintain in full force and effect and comply in all material respects with the conditions and restrictions (if any) imposed in, or in connection with, every consent, authorisation, license or approval of governmental or public bodies or authorities or courts and do or cause to be done, all other acts and things which may from time to time be necessary or desirable under applicable law for the continued due performance of all the obligations of the Security Parties under each of the Finance Documents;

(c)
Use of Loan proceeds :  use the Loan exclusively for the purposes specified in Clause 1.1 ( Amount and Purpose );

(d)
Pan passu :  ensure that its obligations under this Agreement shall, without prejudice to the provisions of this Clause 8.1, at all times rank at least pari passu with all its other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated Financial Indebtedness with the exception of any obligations which are mandatorily preferred by law and not by contract;

(e)
Financial statements-Compliance Certificate :  The Borrower shall procure that the Corporate Guarantor and the Collateral Owner shall fully comply with their respective obligations under the Existing Loan Agreement and the corporate guarantee granted by Top Ships in security of the obligations of the Collateral Owner under the Existing Loan Agreement and in particular, without limitation, with their respective obligations under Clause 8.1(e) ( Financial statements-Compliance Certificate ) and Clause 16.11(d) ( Financial covenants-Compliance Certificate ) of the Existing Loan Agreement;

(f)
Provision of further information :  promptly, when requested, provide the Lender with such financial and other information and accounts relating to the business, undertaking, assets, liabilities, revenues, financial condition or affairs of any Security Party and such other further general information relating to any Security Party as the Lender from time to time may reasonably require;

(g)
Financial Information :  provide the Lender from time to time as the Lender may reasonably request with information on all major financial developments of the Borrower, the Collateral Owner and the Group, such as sales and/or purchases of vessels, new loans, refinancing restructuring of existing loans, contracts for term employments of vessels within the group of companies owned and/or controlled by the same persons who own/control the Borrower, the financial condition, actual and projected for the following 12 month period, cash flow position, commitments and operations of the Borrower including cash flow analysis and voyage accounts of the Collateral Vessel with a breakdown of income and running expenses showing net trading profit, trade payables and trade receivables such financial details to be certified by an authorized signatory of the Borrower as to their correctness;
44



(h)
Information on the employment of the Collateral Vessel :  provide the Lender from time to time as the Lender may request with information on the employment of the Collateral Vessel, as well as on the terms and conditions of any charterparty, contract of affreightment, agreement or related document in respect of the employment of the Collateral Vessel; such information to be certified by one of the directors of the Borrower as to their correctness;

(i)
Banking operations :  ensure that all banking operations in connection with the Collateral Vessel are carried out through the Lending Office of the Lender;

(j)
Legal title :  hold the legal title to, and own the entire beneficial interest in the Collateral Vessel, its Insurances and Earnings, free from all Encumbrances and other interests and rights of every kind, except for those created by the Finance Documents and the effect of assignments contained in the Finance Documents;

(k)
Subordination :  ensure that all Financial Indebtedness of the Borrower to its shareholders, or to any of its Related Companies is fully subordinated to the rights of the Lender under the Finance Documents, in a form acceptable to the Lender, and to subordinate to the rights of the Lender under the Finance Documents any Financial Indebtedness issued to it by its shareholders, or to any of its Related Companies, in a form acceptable to the Lender;

(l)
Obligations under Finance Documents :  duly and punctually perform each of the obligations expressed to be assumed by it under the Finance Documents to which it is a party;

(m)
Payment on demand :  pay to the Lender on demand any sum of money which is payable by the Borrower to the Lender under this Agreement but in respect of which it is not specified in any other Clause when it is due and payable;

(n)
Compliance with Laws and Regulations :  to comply, or procure compliance with all laws or regulations relating to the Collateral Owner and/or the Collateral Vessel, its ownership, operation and management or to the business of the Borrower and cause this Agreement and the other Finance Documents to comply with and satisfy all the requirements and formalities established by the applicable laws to perfect this Agreement and the other Finance Documents as valid and enforceable Finance Documents;

(o)
Compliance with ISM Code :  procure that each Manager and any Operator:

(i)
will comply with and ensure that the Collateral Vessel and any Operator by no later than the Drawdown Date complies with the requirements of the ISM Code, including (but not limited to) the maintenance and renewal of valid certificates pursuant thereto throughout the Security Period;
45



(ii)
immediately inform the Lender if there is any threatened or actual withdrawal of the Borrower's, either Manager's or an Operator's DOC or the SMC in respect of the Collateral Vessel; and

(iii)
promptly inform the Lender upon the issue to the Borrower, either Manager or any Operator of a DOC and to the Collateral Vessel of an SMC or the receipt by the Borrower, the Managers (or either of them) or any Operator of notification that its application for the same has been realised;

(p)
Compliance with ISPS Code :  procure that each Manager or any Operator will:

(i)
maintain at all times a valid and current ISSC in respect of the Collateral Vessel;

(ii)
immediately notify the Lender in writing of any actual or threatened withdrawal, suspension, cancellation or modification of the ISSC in respect of the Collateral Vessel; and

(iii)
procure that the Collateral Vessel will comply at all times with the ISPS Code in every respect;

(q)
Maintenance of Encumbrances :

(i)
at its own cost, do all that it reasonably can to ensure that any Finance Document validly creates the obligations and the Encumbrances which it purports to create; and

(ii)
without limiting the generality of paragraph (i) above, at its own cost, promptly register, file, record or enrol any Finance Document with any court or authority in all Relevant Jurisdictions, pay any stamp, registration or similar tax in all Relevant Jurisdictions in respect of any Finance Document, give any notice or take any other step which may be or has become necessary or desirable for any Finance Document to be valid, enforceable or admissible in evidence or to ensure or protect the priority of any Encumbrance which it creates;

(r)
Inspections/Surveys :  at any time that the Lender might consider to be necessary or useful, have the Collateral Vessel inspected and/or surveyed at the expense of the Borrower by surveyors and/or inspectors appointed by the Lender and the Borrower hereby duly authorises the Lender to review the insurance and operating records of the Borrower, provided that all such inspections and surveys will not interfere with the smooth operation of the Collateral Vessel;

(s)
Notification of litigation :  provide the Lender with details of any legal or administrative action involving the Borrower, any Security Party, the Managers, the Collateral Vessel, her Earnings or her Insurances as soon as
46


such action is instituted or it becomes apparent to the Borrower that it is likely to be instituted, unless it is clear that the legal or administrative action cannot be considered material in the context of any Finance Document.

(t)
Principal place of business :  maintain its place of business, and keep its corporate documents and records, at the address notified to the Lender at the negotiation of this Agreement and will not establish, or do anything as a result of which it would be deemed to have, a place of business in the United Kingdom or the United States of America but in case of a change of its place of business such change should not be unreasonably denied;

(u)
Compliance with Covenants :  duly and punctually perform all obligations under this Agreement and the other Finance Documents; and

(v)
No US Tax Obligor :  procure that, unless otherwise agreed by the Lender, no Security Party shall become a US Tax Obligor.
8.2
Negative undertakings
The Borrower hereby undertakes with the Lender that, from the date of this Agreement and so long as any moneys are owing under the Finance Documents (or any of them) and until the full and complete payment and discharge of the Outstanding Indebtedness, it will not, without the prior written consent of the Lender :

(a)
Negative pledge :  permit any Encumbrance (other than a Permitted Encumbrance) to subsist, arise or be created or extended over all or any part of its present or future undertakings, assets, rights or revenues to secure or prefer any present or future Financial Indebtedness or other liability or obligation of the Borrower or any other person;

(b)
No further Financial Indebtedness :  incur any further Financial Indebtedness nor authorise or accept any capital commitments nor enter into any agreement for payment on deferred terms or hire agreement;

(c)
No merger :  merge or consolidate with any other person;

(d)
No Disposals :

(i)
sell, transfer, abandon, lend, lease or otherwise dispose of or cease to exercise direct control over any part (being, either alone or when aggregated with all other disposals falling to be taken into account pursuant to this Clause 8.2(d), material in the opinion of the Lender in relation to the undertakings, assets, rights and revenues of the Borrower) of its present or future undertaking, assets, rights or revenues (otherwise than by transfers, sales or disposals for full consideration in the ordinary course of trading) whether by one or a series of transactions related or not;
47



(ii)
transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of any debt payable to it or any other right (present, future or contingent right) to receive a payment, including any right to damages or compensation;

(e)
No other business :  undertake any type of business other than the construction of the Newbuilding Vessel;

(f)
No investments :  make any investments in any person, asset, firm, corporation, joint venture or other entity;

(g)
No acquisitions :  acquire any further assets other than the Newbuilding Vessel and rights arising under contracts entered into by or on behalf of the Borrower in the ordinary course of its current business of constructing the Newbuilding Vessel;

(h)
No other obligations :  incur any liability or obligations except liabilities and obligations arising under the Finance Documents or contracts entered into in the ordinary course of its business of constructing the Newbuilding Vessel;

(i)
No borrowing :  incur any Borrowed Money except for Borrowed Money pursuant to the Finance Documents;

(j)
No repayment of borrowings :  repay the principal of, or pay interest on or any other sum in connection with, any of its Borrowed Money except for Borrowed Money pursuant to the Finance Documents;

(k)
No Payments :  except pursuant to this Agreement and the other Finance Documents (and then only to the extent expressly permitted by the same) pay out any funds to any company or person except in connection with its administration and the construction of the Newbuilding Vessel;

(l)
No guarantees :  issue any guarantees or indemnities or otherwise become directly or contingently liable for the obligations of any person, firm, or corporation except pursuant to the Finance Documents;

(m)
No Loans :  make any loans or advances to, or any investments in any person, firm, corporation, joint venture or other entity including (without limitation) any loan or advance or grant any credit (save for normal trade credit in the ordinary course of business) to any officer, director, stockholder or employee or any other company managed by the Managers (or either of them) directly or through the Managers (or either of them) or agree to do so;

(n)
No securities :  permit any Financial Indebtedness of the Borrower to any person (other than the Lender) to be guaranteed by any person;

(o)
No distributions :  declare or pay any dividends or distribute any of its present or future assets, undertakings, rights or revenues (which are all assigned to the Lender) to any of its shareholders;
48



(p)
No subsidiaries :  form or acquire any Subsidiaries;

(q)
Maintenance of Business Structure :  change the nature, organisation and conduct of the business of the Borrower as prospective owner of the Newbuilding Vessel or carry on any business other than the business carried on at the date of this Agreement;

(r)
Maintenance of Legal Structure :  permit that any of the documents defining the constitution of the Borrower shall be materially (in the Lender's opinion) altered in any manner whatsoever;

(s)
No Encumbrance of Assets :  allow any part of its undertaking, property, assets or rights, whether present or future, to be mortgaged, charged, pledged, used as a lien or otherwise encumbered without the prior written consent of the Lender; and

(t)
Control :  ensure that no change shall be made directly or indirectly in the ownership, beneficial ownership, control or management of the Borrower, the Corporate Guarantors and the Managers or of the Vessels or any share therein from that disclosed to the Lender at the negotiation of this Agreement, Provided however that in the case of Top Ships no change shall be made directly or indirectly in the legal ownership, ultimate beneficial ownership and control of Top Ships as a result of which members of the Evangelos Pistiolis family shall hold, directly or indirectly, less than 40% of the entire issued and outstanding shares/stock of Top Ships.
8.3
Undertakings concerning the Collateral Vessel
The Borrower shall procure that the provisions of Clause 8.3 ( Undertakings concerning the Collateral Vessel ) of the Existing Loan Agreement shall apply to this Agreement as if they were expressly incorporated herein with any necessary modifications and shall ensure that same are fully complied with by the Collateral Owner.
8.4
Negative undertakings in respect of the Collateral Vessel .  The Borrower shall procure that the provisions of Clause 8.4 ( Negative undertakings in respect of the Collateral Vessel ) of the Existing Loan Agreement shall apply to this Agreement as if they were expressly incorporated herein with any necessary modifications and shall ensure that same are fully complied with by the Collateral Owner.
8.5
Validity of Securities - Earnings - Taxes etc.
The Borrower undertakes with the Lender that, from the date of this Agreement and throughout the Security Period, it, it will:

(a)
Validity :  ensure and procure that all governmental or other consents required by law and/or any other steps required for the validity, enforceability and legality of this Agreement and the other Finance Documents are maintained in full force and effect and/or appropriately taken;
49



(b)
Earnings :  ensure and procure that, unless and until directed by the Lender otherwise (i) all the Earnings of the Collateral Vessel shall be paid to the Earnings Account and (ii) the persons from whom the Earnings are from time to time due are irrevocably instructed to pay them to the said Earnings Account or to such account in the name of the Collateral Owner as shall be from time to time determined by the Lender in accordance with the provisions hereof and of the relevant Security Documents;

(c)
Taxes :  pay all Taxes, assessments and other governmental charges when the same fall due, except to the extent that the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and adequate reserves have been set aside for their payment if such proceedings fail;

(d)
Additional Documents :  from time to time at the request of the Lender execute and deliver to the Lender or procure the execution and delivery to the Lender of all such documents as shall be deemed desirable at the reasonable discretion of the Lender for giving full effect to this Agreement, and for perfecting, protecting the value of or enforcing any rights or securities granted to the Lender under any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement, the other Finance Documents and any other documents executed pursuant hereto or thereto and in case that any conditions precedent (with the Lender's consent) have not been fulfilled prior to the Drawdown Date, such conditions shall be complied with within five (5) Banking Days after the Lender's written request (unless the Lender agrees otherwise in writing) and failure to comply with this covenant shall be an Event of Default.
8.6
Sanctions

(a)
Without limiting Clause 8.7 ( Compliance with laws etc. ), the Borrower hereby undertakes with the Lender that, from the date of this Agreement and until the date that the Outstanding Indebtedness is paid in full, it shall ensure that the Collateral Vessel:

(i)
will not be used by or for the benefit of a Sanctions Restricted Person contrary to Sanctions; and/or

(ii)
will not be used in trading in any Sanctions Restricted Jurisdiction or in any manner contrary to Sanctions; and/or

(iii)
will not be traded in any manner which would trigger the operation of any sanctions limitation or exclusion clause (or similar) in the Insurances.

(b)
Each Borrower shall:

(i)
not directly or to its knowledge (after reasonable enquiry) indirectly use or permit to be used all or any part of the proceeds of the Loan, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds directly or
50


to its knowledge (after reasonable enquiry) indirectly, to any person or entity (i) to finance or facilitate any activity or transaction of or with any Sanctions Restricted Person contrary to Sanctions or in any Sanctions Restricted Country, or (ii) in any other manner that would result in a violation of any Sanctions by any Party;

(ii)
shall not fund all or part of any payment under the Loan out of proceeds derived directly or to its knowledge (after reasonable enquiry) indirectly from any activity or transaction with a Sanctions Restricted Person contrary to Sanctions or in a Sanctions Restricted Jurisdiction or which would otherwise cause any party to be in breach of any Sanctions; and

(iii)
procure that no proceeds to its knowledge (after reasonable enquiry) from activities or business with a Sanctions Restricted Person contrary to Sanctions or in a Sanctions Restricted Jurisdiction are credited to the its account maintained with the Lender.
8.7
Compliance with laws etc.
The Borrower shall:

(a)
comply, or procure compliance with all laws or regulations by the relevant Security Party:

(i)
relating to its respective business generally; and

(ii)
relating to the Collateral Vessel, its ownership, employment, operation, management and registration including, but not limited to, the ISM Code, the ISPS Code, all Environmental Laws and the laws of the Flag State; and

(iii)
all Sanctions;

(b)
obtain, comply with and do all that is necessary to maintain in full force and effect any Environmental Approvals; and

(c)
without limiting paragraph (a) above, will procure that the Collateral Vessel not to be employed nor be allowed its employment, operation or management in any manner contrary to any law or regulation including, but not limited to, the ISM Code, the ISPS Code and all Environmental Laws which has or is likely to have a material adverse effect on the business, position, profitability, assets or the financial condition of any of the Security Parties and Sanctions.
8.8
Covenants for the Securities Parties
The Borrower hereby undertakes with the Lender that, from the date of this Agreement and so long as any moneys are owing under the Finance Documents and
51


while all or any part of the Commitment remains outstanding, it will ensure and procure that all other Security Parties (other than the Managers, except where appropriate in their capacity as Manager) and each of them duly and punctually comply, with the covenants in Clause 8 ( Covenants ) which are applicable to them mutatis mutandis.
8.9
No security or lien from other person
The Borrower has not taken or received, and the Borrower undertakes that until all moneys, obligations and liabilities due, owing or incurred by the Borrower under this Agreement and the Security Documents have been paid in full, it will not take or receive, any security or lien from any other person liable or for any liability whatsoever.
8.10
Stock-holding
The Borrower shall ensure that throughout the Security Period 100% of the shares of the Borrower shall be directly or indirectly held by persons disclosed to the Lender on the date hereof.
8.11
Know your customer and money laundering compliance
The Borrower hereby undertakes with the Lender that, from the date of this Agreement and so long as any moneys are owing under the Finance Documents and while all or any part of the Commitment remains outstanding, it will provide the Lender, or procure the provision of, such documentation and other evidence as the Lender shall from time to time require, based on applicable law and regulations from time to time and the Lender's own internal guidelines from time to time to identify the Borrower and the other Security Parties, including the disclosure in writing of the ultimate legal and beneficial owner or owners of such entities, and any other persons involved or affected by the transaction(s) contemplated by this Agreement in order for the Lender to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with all necessary " know your customer " or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents.
9.
CONDITIONS
9.1
Documents and evidence
The obligation of the Lender to make an Advance available shall be subject to the condition that the Lender or its duly authorised representative shall have received, before or on the relevant Drawdown Date, the documents and evidence specified in Parts 1 and 2 of Schedule 2 in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender.
9.2
General conditions precedent

(a)
The obligation of the Lender to make an Advance available shall be subject to the further conditions that, at the time of the giving of the Drawdown Notice in respect thereof and at the time of the making of such Advance:
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(b)
the representations and warranties contained in Clause 7.1 ( Representations and warranties ), and as may be repeated in Clause 7.4 ( Repetition of representations and warranties ) are true and correct on and as of each such time as if each was made with respect to the facts and circumstances existing at such time; and

(c)
no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from the making of the Commitment.
9.3
Waiver of conditions precedent
The conditions specified in this Clause 9 are inserted solely for the benefit of the Lender and may be waived by the Lender in whole or in part and with or without conditions.
9.4
Further conditions precedent
Not later than five (5) Banking Days prior to the Drawdown Date and not later than ten (10) Banking Days prior to each Interest Payment Date, the Lender may request and the Borrower shall, not later than two (2) Banking Days prior to such date, deliver to the Lender on such request further favourable certificates and/or opinions as to any or all of the matters which are the subject of Clause 7 ( Representations and warranties ), Clause 8 ( Undertakings ) and Clause 9 ( Conditions precedent ) of this Agreement provided always that any such request prior to any Interest Payment Date must be reasonable.
10.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
10.1
Events
There shall be an Event of Default if:

(a)
Non-payment :  any Security Party fails to pay any sum payable by it under any of the Finance Documents at the time, in the currency and in the manner stipulated in the Security Documents (and, for this purpose, sums payable on demand shall be treated as having been paid at the stipulated time if paid within three (3) Banking Days of demand); or

(b)
Breach of Insurance and certain other obligations :  the Borrower fails to obtain and/or maintain the Insurances (in accordance with the requirements of the Security Documents) or if any insurer in respect of such Insurances cancels the Insurances or disclaims liability by reason, in either case, of misstatement in any proposal for the Insurances or for any other failure or default on the part of the Borrower (unless the Borrower at the time arranges and has fully in place insurance covenants satisfying the terms of this Agreement and the terms of the other Security Documents in substitution for the Insurances which have been cancelled or in respect of which an insurer has disclaimed liability) or any other person or the Borrower commits any breach of or omits to observe any of
53


the obligations or undertakings expressed to be assumed by it under Clause 8 ( Undertakings ) and, in respect of any such breach or omission which in the opinion of the Lender is capable of remedy, such action as the Lender may require shall not have been taken within five (5) banking days of the Lender notifying the relevant Security Party of such default and of such required action; or

(c)
Breach of other obligations :  any Security Party commits any breach of or omits to observe any of its obligations or undertakings expressed to be assumed by it under any of the Finance Documents or any of the Underlying Documents (other than those referred to in Clauses 10.1(a) ( Non payment ) and Clause 10.1(b) ( Breach of Insurance and certain other obligations )) and, in respect of any such breach or omission which in the opinion of the Lender is capable of remedy, such action as the Lender may require shall not have been taken within five (5) Banking Days of the Lender notifying the relevant Security Party of such default and of such required action; or

(d)
Misrepresentation :  any representation or warranty made or deemed to be made or repeated by or in respect of any Security Party in or pursuant to any of the Finance Documents or any of the Underlying Documents or in any notice, certificate or statement referred to in or delivered under any of the Security Documents or any of the Underlying Documents is or proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect; or

(e)
Cross-default :  any Financial Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other member of the Group in excess of $500,000 is not paid when due or any Financial Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other member of the Group becomes (whether by declaration or automatically in accordance with the relevant agreement or instrument constituting the same) due and payable prior to the date when it would otherwise have become due (unless as a result of the exercise by the Borrower or such other member of the Group of a voluntary right of prepayment) or any creditor of the Borrower or any other member of the Group becomes entitled to declare any such Financial Indebtedness due and payable or any facility or commitment available to the Borrower or such other member of the Group relating to Financial Indebtedness, is withdrawn, suspended or cancelled by reason of any default (however described) of the person concerned unless the Borrower or such other member of the Group shall have satisfied the Lender that such withdrawal, suspension or cancellation will not affect or prejudice in any way such party's ability to pay its debts as they fall due and fund its commitments, or any guarantee given by the Borrower or any other member of the Group in respect of Financial Indebtedness in excess of $500,000 is not honoured when due and called upon unless, in any such case, the Borrower is contesting in good faith the validity of its obligations to make any payment referred to in this Clause 10.1(e) and the Borrower has provided the Lender with satisfactory evidence that it has set aside adequate resources with respect to the amount being claimed of it and to finance any actions it is taking to contest such claim; or
54



(f)
Legal process :  any judgment or order made or commenced in good faith by a person against any of the Security Parties relating to an amount over $500,000 is not stayed or complied with within fifteen (15) days or a good faith creditor attaches or takes possession of, or a distress, execution, sequestration or other bone fide process is levied or enforced upon or sued out against, any of the undertakings, assets, rights or revenues of any Security Party and is not discharged within fifteen (15) days; or

(g)
Insolvency :  any Security Party is unable or admits inability to pay its debts as they fall due; suspends making payments on any of its debts or announces an intention to do so; becomes insolvent; has assets the value of which is less than the value of its liabilities (taking into account contingent and prospective liabilities); or suffers the declaration of a moratorium in respect of any of its Financial Indebtedness; or

(h)
Reduction or loss of capital :  a meeting is convened by any corporate Security Party for the purpose of passing any resolution to purchase, reduce or redeem any of its share capital (excluding, in the case of Top Ships, share buybacks or return of capital as a dividend ); or

(i)
Winding up :  any corporate action, legal proceedings or other procedure or step is taken for the purpose of winding up any corporate Security Party or an order is made or resolution passed for the winding up of any Security Party or a notice is issued convening a meeting for the purpose of passing any such resolution; or

(j)
Administration :  any petition is presented, notice given or other step is taken for the purpose of the appointment of an administrator of any corporate Security Party or the Lender reasonably believes that any such petition or other step is imminent or an administration order is made in relation to any corporate Security Party; or

(k)
Appointment of receivers and managers :  any administrative or other receiver is appointed of any Security Party or any part of its assets and/or undertaking or any other steps are taken to enforce any Encumbrance over all or any part of the assets of any Security Party; or

(l)
Compositions :  any corporate action, legal proceedings or other procedures or steps are taken, or negotiations commenced, by any Security Party or by any of its creditors with a view to the general readjustment or rescheduling of all or part of its indebtedness (save in the case of Top Ships of rescheduling of all or part of its unsecured indebtedness), or to proposing any kind of composition, compromise or arrangement involving such company and any of its creditors provided however that if the Borrower is able to provide evidence satisfactory in all respect to the Lender, that not withstanding such readjustment or rescheduling, composition, compromise or arrangement, it will still, in the Lender's sole opinion, be able to satisfy its permanent obligations as they fall due, the same shall not constitute an event of default; or
55



(m)
Analogous proceedings :  there occurs, in relation to any Security Party, in any country or territory in which any of them carries on business or to the jurisdiction of whose courts any part of their respective assets is subject, any event which, in the reasonable opinion of the Lender, appears in that country or territory to correspond with, or have an effect equivalent or similar to, any of those mentioned in Clause 10.1(f) ( Legal process ) to Clause 10.1(1) ( Compositions ) (inclusive) or any Security Party otherwise becomes subject, in any such country or territory, to the operation of any law relating to insolvency, bankruptcy or liquidation; or

(n)
Cessation of business :  any Security Party suspends or ceases or threatens to suspend or cease to carry on its business; or

(o)
Seizure :  all or a material part of the undertaking, assets, rights or revenues of, or shares or other ownership interests in, any Security Party are seized, nationalised, expropriated or compulsorily acquired by or under the authority of any government; or

(p)
Invalidity :  any of the Security Documents shall at any time and for any reason become invalid or unenforceable or otherwise cease to remain in full force and effect, or if the validity or enforceability of any of the Security Documents shall at any time and for any reason be contested by any Security Party which is a party thereto, or if any such Security Party shall deny that it has any, or any further, liability thereunder; or

(q)
Unlawfulness :  it becomes impossible or unlawful at any time for any Security Party, to fulfil any of the covenants and obligations expressed to be assumed by it in any of the Security Documents or for the Lender to exercise the rights or any of them vested in it under any of the Security Documents or otherwise; or

(r)
Repudiation :  any Security Party repudiates any of the Security Documents or does or causes or permits to be done any act or thing evidencing an intention to repudiate any of the Security Documents; or

(s)
Encumbrances enforceable :  any Encumbrance (other than Permitted Liens) in respect of any of the property (or part thereof) which is the subject of any of the Security Documents becomes enforceable; or

(t)
Material adverse change :  there occurs, in the opinion of the Lender, a material adverse change in the financial condition of any Security Party from the financial and other information disclosed by the Borrower to the Lender in the negotiation of this Agreement, which might, in the opinion of the Lender, materially impair the ability of such Security Party to perform their respective obligations under this Agreement and the Finance Documents to which is or is to be a party; or

(u)
Arrest :  the Collateral Vessel is arrested, confiscated, seized, taken in execution, impounded, forfeited, detained in exercise or purported exercise of any
56


possessory lien or other claim or otherwise taken from the possession of the Collateral Owner (other than in circumstances covered by the definition of Total Loss) and the Collateral Owner shall fail to procure the release of the Collateral Vessel within a period of thirty (30) days thereafter; or

(v)
Registration :  the registration of the Collateral Vessel under the laws and flag of the Flag State is cancelled or terminated without the prior written consent of the Lender or, if the Collateral Vessel is only provisionally registered on the Delivery Date, the Collateral Vessel is not permanently registered under the laws and flag of the Flag State within three (3) months of the Delivery Date, or if such registration of the Collateral Vessel is not renewed at least within fifteen (15) days prior to the expiry of such registration; or

(w)
Unrest :  the Flag State of the Collateral Vessel becomes involved in hostilities or civil war or there is a seizure of power in such Flag State by unconstitutional means if, in any such case, such event could in the opinion of the Lender reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the security constituted by any of the Security Documents and the Collateral Owner fails to register the Collateral Vessel at a flag acceptable to the Lender upon the Lender's request within the period prescribed in such request; or

(x)
Mortgage contested :  the registration of the Collateral Mortgage is contested or becomes void or voidable or liable to cancellation or termination, or if the validity or priority of the Collateral Mortgage is contested; or

(y)
Material events :  any other event occurs or circumstance arises which, in the opinion of the Lender, is likely materially and adversely to affect either (i) the ability of any Security Party to perform all or any of its obligations under or otherwise to comply with the terms of any of the Security Documents or (ii) the security created by any of the Security Documents; or

(z)
Earnings Account :  any moneys are withdrawn from the Earnings Account other than in accordance with Clause 14 ( Earnings Account ) of the Existing Loan Agreement; or

(aa)
Change in shareholding :  there is a change in the legal and/or ultimate beneficial ownership of the shares in any of the Borrower and the Corporate Guarantors from that existing on the date of this Agreement as specified in Clause 7.1(ff) ( Shareholding ) and witnessed by Ultimate Beneficial Declaration (" UBO ") declaration without the prior written consent of the Lender); or

(bb)
Security Documents :  any event of default (as howsoever described or defined therein) occurs under the Security Documents (or any of them); or

(cc)
Existing Loan Agreement :  any event of default (as howsoever described or defined therein) occurs under Existing Loan Agreement and/or the Security Documents (or any of them) relative thereto.
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10.2
Consequences of Default - Acceleration
The Lender may, without prejudice to any other rights of the Lender (which will continue to be in force concurrently with the following), at any time after the happening of an Event of Default:

(a)
by notice to the Borrower declare that the obligation of the Lender to make the Commitment available shall be terminated, whereupon the Commitment shall be reduced to zero forthwith; and/or

(b)
by notice to the Borrower declare that the Loan and all interest and commitment commission accrued and all other sums payable under the Security Documents have become due and payable, whereupon the same shall, immediately or in accordance with the terms of such notice, become due and payable without any further diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest or notice or any other procedure from the Lender which are expressly waived by the Borrower; and/or

(c)
put into force and exercise all or any of the rights, powers and remedies possessed by it under this Agreement and/or any other Security Document and/or as mortgagee of the Collateral Vessel, mortgagee, chargee or assignee or as the beneficiary of any other property right or any other security (as the case may be) of the assets charged or assigned to it under the Security Documents or otherwise (whether at law, by virtue of any of the Security Documents or otherwise).
10.3
Multiple notices; action without notice
The Lender may serve notices under Clause 10.2(a) and (b) simultaneously or on different dates and it may take any action referred to in that Clause even if no such notice is served or simultaneously with or at any time after service of both or either of such notices, it being understood and agreed that the non-service of a notice in respect of an Event of Default hereunder, or under any of the Finance Documents (whether known to the Lender or not), shall not be construed to mean that the Event of Default shall cease to exist and to bring about its lawful consequences.
10.4
Demand basis
If, pursuant to Clause 10.2(b), the Lender declares the Loan to be due and payable on demand, the Lender may by written notice to the Borrower (a) call for repayment of the Loan on such date as may be specified whereupon the Loan shall become due and payable on the date so specified together with all interest and commitment commission accrued and all other sums payable under this Agreement or (b) withdraw such declaration with effect from the date specified in such notice.
10.5
Proof of Default
It is agreed that (a) the non-payment of any sum of money in time will be proved conclusively by mere passage of time and (b) the occurrence of this (non payment)
58


shall be proved conclusively by a mere written statement of the Lender (save for manifest error).
10.6
Exclusion of Lender's liability
Neither the Lender nor any receiver or manager appointed by the Lender, shall have any liability to the Borrower or a Security Party:

(a)
for any loss caused by an exercise of rights under, or enforcement of an Encumbrance created by, a Security Document or by any failure or delay to exercise such a right or to enforce such an Encumbrance; or

(b)
as mortgagee in possession or otherwise, for any income or principal amount which might have been produced by or realised from any asset comprised in such an Encumbrance or for any reduction (however caused) in the value of such an asset,
except that this does not exempt the Lender or a receiver or manager from liability for losses shown to have been caused by the wilful misconduct or gross negligence of the Lender's own officers and employees or (as the case may be) such receiver's or manager's own partners or employees.
11.
INDEMNITIES
11.1
Miscellaneous indemnities
The Borrower shall on demand (and it is hereby expressly undertaken by the Borrower to) indemnify the Lender, without prejudice to any of the other rights of the Lender under any of the Security Documents, against any loss (including, without limitation, loss of Margin and any Break Costs) or expense which the Lender shall certify as sustained or incurred as a consequence of:

(a)
any default in payment by the Borrower of any sum under any of the Security Documents when due;

(b)
the occurrence of any other Event of Default;

(c)
any prepayment of the Loan or part thereof being made under Clause 4.2 ( Voluntary prepayment ), Clause 4.3 ( Compulsory Prepayment in case of Total Loss  or sale of the Collateral Vessel ), or Clause 12 ( Unlawfulness-Increase cost ), or any other repayment or prepayment of the Loan or part thereof being made otherwise than on an Interest Payment Date relating to the part of the Loan prepaid or repaid; or

(d)
the Commitment not being made for any reason (excluding any default by the Lender) after the Drawdown Notice in relation thereto has been given.
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11.2
Extend of indemnity
Without limiting its generality, Clause 11.1 ( Miscellaneous indemnities ) covers any claim, expense, liability or loss, including a loss of a prospective profit, incurred by the Lender in liquidating or employing deposits from third parties acquired or arranged to fund or maintain all or any part of the Loan and/or any overdue amount (or an aggregate amount which includes the Loan or any overdue amount); and
11.3
Currency indemnity
If any sum due from the Borrower under any of the Security Documents or any order or judgment given or made in relation thereto has to be converted from the currency (the " first currency ") in which the same is payable under the relevant Security Document or under such order or judgment into another currency (the " second currency ") for the purpose of (a) making or filing a claim or proof against the Borrower, (b) obtaining an order or judgment in any court or other tribunal or (c) enforcing any order or judgment given or made in relation to any of the Security Documents, the Borrower shall indemnify and hold harmless the Lender from and against any loss suffered as a result of any difference between (i) the rate of exchange used for such purpose to convert the sum in question from the first currency into the second currency and (ii) the rate or rates of exchange at which the Lender may in the ordinary course of business purchase the first currency with the second currency upon receipt of a sum paid to it in satisfaction, in whole or in part, of any such order, judgment, claim or proof.  Any amount due from the Borrower under this Clause 11.3 shall be due as a separate debt and shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sums due under or in respect of any of the Security Documents and the term " rate of exchange " includes any premium and costs of exchange payable in connection with the purchase of the first currency with the second currency.
11.4
Environmental indemnity
The Borrower shall indemnify the Lender on demand and hold the Lender harmless from and against all costs, expenses, payments, charges, losses, demands, liabilities, actions, proceedings (whether civil or criminal) penalties, fines, damages, judgements, orders, sanctions or other outgoings of whatever nature which may be suffered, incurred or paid by, or made or asserted against the Lender at any time, whether before or after the repayment in full of principal and interest under this Agreement, relating to, or arising directly or indirectly in any manner or for any cause or reason out of an Environmental Claim made or asserted against the Lender if such Environmental Claim would not have been, or been capable of being, made or asserted against the Lender if it had not entered into any of the Finance Documents and/or exercised any of its rights, powers and discretions thereby conferred and/or performed any of its obligations thereunder and/or been involved in any of the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents.
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11.5
Maintenance of the Indemnities
The indemnities contained in this Clause 11 shall apply irrespective of any indulgence granted to the Borrower or any other party from time to time and shall continue to be in full force and effect notwithstanding any payment in favour of the Lender and any sum due from the Borrower under this Clause 11 will be due as a separate debt and shall not be affected by judgement being obtained for any other sums due under any one or more of this Agreement, the other Security Documents and any other documents executed pursuant hereto or thereto.
11.6
11.6 Communications Indemnity
It is hereby agreed in connection with communications that:

(a)
Express authority is hereby given by the Borrower to the Lender to accept all tested or untested communications given by facsimile, electronic mail or otherwise, regarding any or all of the notices (as defined in Clause 17.4 ( Meaning of "notice" ) under this Agreement, subject to any restrictions imposed by the Lender relating to such notices including, without limitation (if so required by the Lender), the obligation to confirm such notices by letter.

(b)
The Borrower shall recognise any and all of the said notices as legal, valid and binding, when these notices come from the fax number or electronic mail address mentioned in Clause 17.1 ( Notices ) or any other fax or electronic mail address usually used by it or the Approved Manager and are duly signed or in case of emails are duly sent by the person appearing to be sending such notice.

(c)
The Borrower hereby assumes full responsibility for the execution of the said notices, and promises and recognises that the Lender shall not be held responsible for any loss, liability or expense that may result from such notices.  It is hereby undertaken by the Borrower to indemnify in full the Lender from and against all actions, proceedings, damages, costs, claims, demands, expenses and any and all direct and/or indirect losses which the Lender may suffer, incur or sustain by reason of the Lender following such notices.

(e)
With regard to notices (as defined in Clause 16.4 ( Meaning of "notice" ) issued by electronic and/or mechanical processes (e.g. by facsimile or electronic mail) the following are applicable:

(i)
The Borrower hereby acknowledges and accepts the risks associated with the use of unsecured electronic mail communication including, without limitation, risk of delay, loss of data, confidentiality breach, forgery, falsification and malicious software.  The Lender shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage or any other disadvantage suffered by the Borrower resulting from such unsecured electronic mail communication.
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(ii)
If the Borrower or any other Security Party wishes to cease all electronic communication, it shall give written notice to the Lender accordingly after receipt of which notice the Parties shall cease all electronic communication.

(iii)
For as long as electronic communication is an accepted form of communication, the Parties shall:

a)
notify each other in writing of their electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the sending and receipt of information by that means; and

b)
notify each other of any change to their respective addresses or any other such information supplied to them; and

(iv)
in case electronic communication is sent to recipients with the domain < Louka@loukapartners.com >, the parties shall without undue delay inform each other if there are changes to the said domain or if electronic communication shall thereafter be sent to individual electronic mail addresses.

(f)
The risks of misunderstandings and errors resulting from notices (as defined in Clause 17.4 ( Meaning of " notice " ) being given as mentioned above, are for the Borrower and the Lender will be indemnified in full pursuant to this Clause save in case of Lender's wilful misconduct.

(g)
The Lender shall have the right to ask the Borrower to furnish any information the Lender may require to establish the authority of any person purporting to act on behalf of the Borrower for these notices, but it is expressly agreed that there is no obligation for the Lender to do so.  The Lender shall be fully protected in, and the Lender shall incur no liability to the Borrower for acting upon the said notices, which were believed by the Lender in good faith to have been given by the Borrower or by any of its authorised representative(s).

(d)
It is undertaken by the Borrower to use its best endeavours to safeguard the function and the security of the electronic and mechanical appliance(s) such as fax(es), electronic mail(s) etc.  The Borrower shall hold the Lender harmless and indemnified from all claims, losses, damages and expenses which the Lender may incur by reason of the failure of the Borrower to comply with the obligations under this Clause.
11.7
Electronic communication.
Any communication from the Lender made by electronic means will be sent unsecured and without electronic signature, however, the Borrower may request the Lender at any time in writing to change the method of electronic communication from unsecured to secured electronic mail communication.
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(a)
The Borrower hereby acknowledge and accept the risks associated with the use of unsecured electronic mail communication including, without limitation, risk of delay, loss of data, confidentiality breach, forgery, falsification and malicious software.  The Lender shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage or any other disadvantage suffered by the Borrower resulting from such unsecured electronic mail communication.

(b)
If the Borrower or any other Security Party wishes to cease all electronic communication, it shall give written notice to the Lender accordingly after receipt of which notice the Parties shall cease all electronic communication.

(c)
For as long as electronic communication is an accepted form of communication, the Parties shall:

(i)
notify each other in writing of their electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the sending and receipt of information by that means; and

(ii)
notify each other of any change to their respective addresses or any other such information supplied to them; and

(d)
in case electronic communication is sent to recipients with the domain Louka@loukapartners.com , the parties shall without undue delay inform each other if there are changes to the said domain or if electronic communication shall thereafter be sent to individual e-mail addresses.
11.8
FATCA Deduction

(a)
Each Party may make any FATCA Deduction it is required to make by FATCA, and any payment required in connection with that FATCA Deduction, and no Party shall be required to increase any payment in respect of which it makes such a FATCA Deduction or otherwise compensate the recipient of the payment for that FATCA Deduction.

(b)
Each Party shall promptly, upon becoming aware that it must make a FATCA Deduction (or that there is any change in the rate or the basis of such FATCA Deduction), notify the Party to whom it is making the payment.
11.9
FATCA status

(a)
The Lender hereby confirms to the Borrower that it is a FATCA Exempt Party.  If, after the date of this Agreement the Lender becomes aware that it has ceased to be a FATCA Exempt Party, it will notify the Borrower reasonably promptly.

(b)
Subject to Clause 11.9(d) below, each party shall, within ten (10) Banking Days of a reasonable request by another party:

(i)
confirm to that other party whether it is:
63



a.
a FATCA Exempt Party; or

b.
not a FATCA Exempt Party; and

(ii)
supply to that other party such forms, documentation and other information relating to its status under FATCA (including its applicable passthru percentage or other information required under the Treasury Regulations or other official guidance including intergovernmental agreements) as that other party reasonably requests for the purposes of that other party's compliance with FATCA.

(c)
If a party confirms to another party pursuant to Clause 11.9(b)(i) above that it is a FATCA Exempt Party and it subsequently becomes aware that it is not, or has ceased to be a FATCA Exempt Party, that party shall notify that other party reasonably promptly.

(d)
Clause 11.9(b)(i) above shall not oblige the Lender to do anything which would or might in its reasonable opinion constitute a breach of:

(i)
any law or regulation;

(ii)
any policy of the Lender;

(iii)
any fiduciary duty; or

(iv)
any duty of confidentiality.

(e)
If a party fails to confirm its status or to supply forms, documentation or other information requested in accordance with Clause 11.9(b) above (including, for the avoidance of doubt, where Clause 11.9(d) above applies), then:

(i)
if that party failed to confirm whether it is (and/or remains) a FATCA Exempt Party then such party shall be treated for the purposes of the Security Documents as if it is not a FATCA Exempt Party; and

(ii)
if that party failed to confirm its applicable passthru percentage then such party shall be treated for the purposes of the Security Documents (and payments made thereunder) as if its applicable passthru percentage is 100%,

(iii)
until (in each case) such time as the party in question provides the requested confirmation, forms, documentation or other information.
12.
UNLAWFULNESS, INCREASED COST AND BAIL-IN
12.1
Unlawfulness
If it is or becomes contrary to any law or regulation for the Lender to make the
64


Commitment or to maintain the Commitment or fund the Loan, the Lender shall promptly give notice to the Borrower whereupon (a) the Commitment shall be reduced to zero and (b) the Borrower shall be obliged to prepay the Loan either (i) forthwith, if so required pursuant to such law or regulation, or (ii) on a future specified date not being earlier than the latest date permitted by the relevant law or regulation together with interest and commitment commission accrued to the date of prepayment and all other sums payable by the Borrower under any of the Security Documents;
12.2
Increased cost
If the result of any change in, or in the interpretation, implementation or application of, or the introduction of, any law or any regulation (whether or not having the force of law, but, if not having the force of law, with which the Lender or, as the case may be, its holding company habitually complies), including (without limitation) those relating to Taxation, capital adequacy, liquidity, reserve assets, cash ratio deposits and special deposits or other banking or monetary controls or requirements which affect the manner in which the Lender allocates capital resources to its obligations hereunder (including, without limitation, those resulting from the implementation or application of or compliance with the Basel II Accord or the Basel III Accord or any Basel II Regulation or the Basel III Accord or any Basel III Regulation or any subsequent accord, approach or regulation thereto) (collectively, " Capital Adequacy Law ") or compliance by the Lender with any such Capital Adequacy Law or , is to:

(a)
subject the Lender to Taxes or change the basis of Taxation of the Lender with respect to any payment under any of the Security Documents (other than Taxes or Taxation on the overall net income, profits or gains of the Lender imposed in the jurisdiction in which its principal or lending office under this Agreement is located); and/or

(b)
increase the cost to, or impose an additional cost on, the Lender or its holding company in making or keeping the Commitment available or maintaining or funding all or part of the Loan; and/or

(c)
reduce the amount payable or the effective return to the Lender under any of the Security Documents; and/or

(d)
reduce the Lender's or its holding company's rate of return on its overall capital by reason of a change in the manner in which it is required to allocate capital resources to the Lender's obligations under any of the Security Documents; and/or

(e)
require the Lender or its holding company to make a payment or forgo a return on or calculated by reference to any amount received or receivable by the Lender under any of the Security Documents; and/or

(f)
require the Lender or its holding company to incur or sustain a loss (including a loss of future potential profits) by reason of being obliged to deduct all or part
65


of the Commitment or the Loan from its capital for regulatory purposes,
then and in each such case (subject to Clause 12.4 ( Exception )):

(i)
the Lender shall notify the Borrower in writing of such event promptly upon its becoming aware of the same; and

(ii)
the Borrower shall on demand pay to the Lender the amount which the Lender specifies (in a certificate setting forth the basis of the computation of such amount but not including any matters which the Lender or its holding company regards as confidential) is required to compensate the Lender and/or (as the case may be) its holding company for such liability to Taxes, cost, reduction, payment, forgone return or loss.
For the purposes of this Clause 12.2 " holding company " means the company or entity (if any) within the consolidated supervision of which the Lender is included.
12.3
Claim for increased cost
The Lender will promptly notify the Borrower of any intention to claim indemnification pursuant to Clause 12.2 ( Increased Cost ) and such notification will be a conclusive and full evidence binding on the Borrower as to the amount of any increased cost or reduction and the method of calculating the same and the Borrower shall be allowed to rebut such evidence by any means of evidence save for witness.  A claim under Clause 12.2 ( Increased Cost ) may be made at any time and must be discharged by the Borrower within fifteen (15) days of demand.  It shall not be a defence to a claim by the Lender under this Clause 12.3 that any increased cost or reduction could have been avoided by the Lender.  Any amount due from the Borrower under Clause 12.2 ( Increased Cost ) shall be due as a separate debt and shall not be affected by judgement being obtained for any other sums due under or in respect of this Agreement
12.4
Option to prepay
If any additional amounts are required to be paid by the Borrower to the Lender by virtue of Clause 12.2 ( Increased cost ), the Borrower shall be entitled, on giving the Lender not less than fourteen (14) days prior notice in writing, to prepay the Loan and accrued interest thereon, together with all other Outstanding Indebtedness, on the next Interest Payment Date.  Any such notice, once given, shall be irrevocable.
12.5
Exception
12.6
Nothing in Clause 12.2 ( Increased cost ) shall entitle the Lender to receive any amount in respect of compensation for any such liability to Taxes, increased or additional cost, reduction, payment, foregone return or loss to the extent that the same is the subject of an additional payment under Clause 6.6 ( Gross up ).
12.7
Contractual recognition of bail-in .  Notwithstanding any other term of any Finance
66


Document or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding between the Parties, each Party acknowledges and accepts that any liability of any Party to any other Party under or in connection with the Finance Documents may be subject to Bail-In Action by the relevant Resolution Authority and acknowledges and accepts to be bound by the effect of:

(a)
any Bail-In Action in relation to any such liability, including (without limitation):

(i)
a reduction, in full or in part, in the principal amount, or outstanding amount due (including any accrued but unpaid interest) in respect of any such liability;

(ii)
a conversion of all, or part of, any such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership that may be issued to, or conferred on, it; and

(iii)
a cancellation of any such liability; and

(b)
a variation of any term of any Finance Document to the extent necessary to give effect to any Bail-In Action in relation to any such liability.
13.
SECURITY, APPLICATION AND SET-OFF
13.1
Securities
As security for the due and punctual repayment of the Outstanding Indebtedness, the Borrower shall ensure and procure that the following Security Documents are duly executed and, where required, registered in favour of the Lender in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender at the time specified herein or otherwise as required by the Lender and ensure that such security consists of the Security Documents as defined herein.
13.2
Application of moneys

(a)
Order of application :  Except as any Security Document may otherwise provide, all moneys received by the Lender under or pursuant to any of the Finance Documents and expressed to be applicable in accordance with this Clause 13.2 shall be applied by the Lender in the following manner:

(i)
Firstly , in or towards payment of Expenses and all sums other than principal or interest which may be due to the Lender under this Agreement and the other Finance Documents or any of them at the time of application;

(ii)
Secondly , in or towards payment of any default interest;

(iii)
Thirdly , in or towards payment of any arrears of interest (other than default interest) due in respect of the Loan or any part thereof;
67



(iv)
Fourthly , in or towards repayment of the Loan whether the same is due and payable or not;

(v)
Fifthly , in or towards payment to the Lender for any loss suffered by reason of any such payment in respect of principal not being effected on an Interest Payment Date relating to the part of the Loan repaid; and

(vi)
Sixthly , the surplus (if any) shall be paid to the Borrower or to whomsoever else shall be entitled to receive such surplus.

(b)
Notice of variation of order of application :  The Lender may, by notice to the Borrower and the Security Parties, provide, at its sole discretion, for a different order of application from that set out in Clause 13.2(a) ( Order of application ) either as regards a specified sum or sums or as regards sums in a specified category or categories, without affecting the obligations of the Borrower to the Lender.

(c)
Effect of variation notice :  The Lender may give notices under Clause 13.2(b) ( Notice of variation of order of application ) from time to time; and such a notice may be stated to apply not only to sums which may be received or recovered in the future, but also to any sum which has been received or recovered on or after the third Banking Day before the date on which the notice is served.

(d)
Insufficient balance :  For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that such balance is insufficient to pay in full the whole of the Outstanding Indebtedness, the Lender shall be entitled to collect the shortfall from the Borrower or any other person liable therefor.

(e)
Appropriation rights overridden : This Clause 13.2 and any notice which the Lender gives under Clause 13.2(b) ( Notice of variation of order of application ) shall override any right of appropriation possessed, and any appropriation made, by the Borrower or any other Security Party.
13.3
Set-off

(a)
Express authority is hereby given by the Borrower to the Lender without prejudice to any of the rights of the Lender at law, contractually, in equity or otherwise, at any time and without notice to the Borrower upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, which is continuing and without prior notice to the Borrower:

(b)
to apply any credit balance standing upon any account of the Borrower with any branch of the Lender and in whatever currency in or towards satisfaction of any sum due to the Lender from the Borrower under this Agreement, the Collateral General Assignment and/or any of the other Security Documents;

(c)
in the name of the Borrower and/or the Lender to do all such acts and execute
68


all such documents as may be necessary or expedient to effect such application; and

(d)
to combine and/or consolidate all or any accounts in the name of the Borrower or the other Security Parties or any of them with the Lender.

(e)
For all or any of the above purposes authority is hereby given to the Lender to purchase with the moneys standing to the credit of any such account or accounts such other currencies as may be necessary to effect such application.  The Lender shall not be obliged to exercise any right given by this Clause.  The Lender shall notify the Borrower forthwith upon the exercise of any right of set-off giving full details in relation thereto.
13.4
Further assurance
The Borrower undertakes that the Security Documents shall both at the date of execution and delivery thereof and so long as any moneys are owing under any of the Security Documents be valid and binding obligations of the respective parties thereto and rights of the Lender enforceable in accordance with their respective terms and that it will, at its expense, execute, sign, perfect and do, and will procure the execution, signing, perfecting and doing by each of the other Security Parties of, any and every such further assurance, document, act or thing as in the reasonable opinion of the Lender may be necessary or desirable for perfecting the security contemplated or constituted by the Security Documents.
14.
EARNINGS ACCOUNT
14.1
General
The provisions of Clause 14 ( Earning Account ) of the Existing Loan Agreement shall apply to this Agreement as if they were expressly incorporated herein with any necessary modifications and shall ensure that same are fully complied with by the Collateral Owner.
15.
ASSIGNMENT, TRANSFER, PARTICIPATION, LENDING OFFICE
15.1
Benefit and burden
This Agreement shall be binding upon, and enure for the benefit of, the Lender and the Borrower and their respective successors.
15.2
No assignment by Security Parties
The Borrower and any other Security Party may not assign any rights and/or obligations under this Agreement or any of the other Security Documents or any documents executed pursuant to this Agreement and/or the other Security Documents.
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15.3
Assignment by the Lender
The Lender may at any time without the consent of the Borrower other than in the circumstances referred to in Clause 15.7 ( Securitisation ), in respect of which the terms of Clause 15.7 ( Securitisation ) shall apply), cause all or any part of its rights, benefits and/or obligations under this Agreement and the other Security Documents to be assigned or transferred to (i) another branch, subsidiary or affiliate of, or company controlled by, the Lender, (ii) another first class international bank or financial institution, insurer, social security fund, pension fund, capital investment company, financial intermediary or special purpose vehicle associated to any of them (iii) a trust corporation, fund or other person which is regularly engaged in or established for the purpose of making, purchasing or investing in loans, securities or other financial assets, which are managed or serviced by the Lender (in each case an " Assignee " or a " Transferee ").  The Lender may sub-participate all or any part of its rights, benefits and/or obligations under this Agreement and the other Security Documents without the consent of, or consultation with or notice to the Borrower and the other Security Parties; provided that the Assignee or Transferee, shall deliver to the Lender such undertaking as the Lender may approve, whereby it becomes bound by the terms of this Agreement and agrees to perform all or, as the case may be, part of the Lender's obligations under this Agreement.  Any cost of such assignment or transfer or granting sub-participation shall be for the account of the Lender and/or the assignee, transferee or sub-participant unless any such assignment, transfer or sub-participation is undertaken at the request of the Borrower in which case any cost arising therefrom shall be for the account of the Borrower.
15.4
Disclosure of information

(a)
The Lender may disclose (on a confidential basis) to a prospective assignee, substitute or transferee or to any other person (such person together with any prospective assignee, substitute or transferee being hereinafter described as the " Prospective Assignee ") who may propose entering into contractual relations with the Lender in relation to this Agreement such information about the Security Parties, as the Lender shall consider appropriate if the Lender first procures that the Prospective Assignee shall undertake to the Borrower to keep secret and confidential and, without the Borrower's consent , disclose to any third party any of the information, reports or documents supplied by the Lender, provided however that the Prospective Assignee shall be entitled to disclose such information, reports or documents in the following situations:

(i)
in relation to any proceedings arising out of this Agreement or the other Security Documents to the extent considered necessary by the Prospective Assignee to protect its interest; or

(ii)
pursuant to a court order relating to discovery or otherwise; or

(iii)
pursuant to any law or regulation or to any fiscal, monetary, tax,
70


governmental or other competent authority; or

(iv)
to its auditors, legal or other professional advisers.
In addition the Prospective Assignee shall be entitled to disclose or use any such information, reports or documents if the information contained therein shall have emanated in conditions free from confidentiality, bona fide from some person other than the Lender or the Borrower.
15.5
Documenting assignments and transfers
If the Lender assigns, transfers or in any other manner grants participation in respect of all or any part of its rights or benefits or transfers all or any of its obligations as provided in this Clause 15.4 the Borrower undertakes, immediately on being requested to do so by the Lender, to enter at the expense of the Lender into and procure that each Security Party enters into such documents as may be necessary or desirable to transfer to the Assignee, Transferee or participant all or the relevant part of the interest of the Lender in the Security Documents and all relevant references in this Agreement to the Lender shall thereafter be construed as a reference to the Lender and/or assignee, transferee or participant of the Lender to the extent of their respective interests and, in the case of a transfer of all or part of the obligations of the Lender, the Borrower shall thereafter look only to the Assignee, Transferee or participant in respect of that proportion of the obligations of the Lender under this Agreement assumed by such assignee, transferee or participant.  The Borrower hereby expressly consents to any subsequent transfer of the rights and obligations of the Lender and undertake that they shall join in and execute such supplemental or substitute agreements as may be necessary to enable the Lender to assign and/or transfer and/or grant participation in respect of its rights and obligations to another branch or to one or more banks or financial institutions in a syndicate or otherwise.
15.6
Changes in constitution or reorganisation of the Lender
For the avoidance of doubt and without prejudice to the provisions of Clause 15.1 ( Benefit and burden ), this Agreement shall remain binding on the Borrower and the other Security Parties notwithstanding any change in the constitution of the Lender or its absorption in, or amalgamation with, or the acquisition of all or part of its undertaking or assets by, any other person, or any reconstruction or reorganisation of any kind, to the intent that this Agreement shall remain valid and effective in all respects in favour of any Assignee, Transferee or other successor in title of the Lender in the same manner as if such Assignee, Transferee or other successor in title had been named in this Agreement as a party instead of, or in addition to, the Lender.
15.7
Securitisation
The Lender may include all or any part of the Loan in a securitisation (or similar transaction) without the consent of, or consultation with, but after giving 30-day notice to the Borrower.  The Borrower will assist the Lender as necessary to achieve a
71


successful securitisation (or similar transaction) provided that the Borrower shall not be required to bear any third party costs related to any such securitisation (or similar transaction) and need only provide any such information which any third parties may reasonably require.
15.8
Lending Office
The Lender shall lend through its office at the address specified in the preamble of this Agreement or through any other office of the Lender selected from time to time by it through which the Lender wishes to lend for the purposes of this Agreement.  If the office through which the Lender is lending is changed pursuant to this Clause 15.8, the Lender shall notify the Borrower promptly of such change and upon notification of any such transfer, the word " Lender " in this Agreement and in the other Security Documents shall mean the Lender, acting through such branch or branches and the terms and provisions of this Agreement and of the other Security Documents shall be construed accordingly.
16.
MISCELLANEOUS
16.1
Cumulative Remedies
The rights and remedies of the Lender contained in this Agreement and the other Security Documents are cumulative and neither exclusive of each other nor of any other rights or remedies conferred by law.
16.2
16.2 No implied waivers
No failure, delay or omission by the Lender to exercise any right, remedy or power vested in the Lender under this Agreement and/or the other Security Documents or by law shall impair such right or power, or be construed as a waiver of, or as an acquiescence in any default by the Borrower nor shall any single or partial exercise by the Lender of any power, right or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other power, right or remedy.  In the event of the Lender on any occasion agreeing to waive any such right, remedy or power, or consent to any departure from the strict application of the provisions of this Agreement or of any Security Document, such waiver shall not in any way prejudice or affect the powers conferred upon the Lender under this Agreement and the other Security Documents or the right of the Lender thereafter to act strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the other Security Documents.  No modification or waiver by the Lender of any provision of this Agreement or of any of the other Security Documents nor any consent by the Lender to any departure therefrom by any Security Party shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and then shall only be effective in the specific case and for the specific purpose for which given.  No notice to or demand on any such party in any such case shall entitle such party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.  The rights and remedies of the Lender contained in this Agreement and the other Security Documents are cumulative and neither exclusive of each other nor of any other rights or remedies conferred by law.
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16.3
Integration of Terms
This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties and its provisions supersede the provisions of the Commitment Letter and any and all other prior correspondence and oral negotiation by the parties in respect of the matters regulated by this Agreement.
16.4
Invalidity of Terms
In the event of any provision contained in one or more of this Agreement, the other Security Documents and any other documents executed pursuant hereto or thereto being invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law in any jurisdiction whatsoever, such provision shall be ineffective as to the jurisdiction only without affecting the remaining provisions hereof or thereof.  If, however, this event becomes known to the Lender prior to the drawdown of the Commitment or of any part thereof the Lender shall be entitled to refuse drawdown until this discrepancy is remedied.  Where, however, the provisions of any such applicable law may be waived, they are hereby waived by the parties hereto to the full extent permitted by the law to the intent that this Agreement, the other Security Documents and any other documents executed pursuant hereto or thereto shall be deemed to be valid binding and enforceable in accordance with their respective terms.
16.5
Amendments
This Agreement and any other Security Documents shall not be amended or varied in their respective terms by any oral agreement or representation or in any other manner other than by an instrument in writing of even date herewith or subsequent hereto executed by or on behalf of the parties hereto or thereto.
16.6
Inconsistency of Terms
In the event of any inconsistency or conflict between this Agreement and the provisions of any of the other Security Documents, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail.
16.7
Language and genuineness of documents

(a)
Language :  All certificates, instruments and other documents to be delivered under or supplied in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Security Documents shall be in the English language.

(b)
Certification of documents :  Any copies of documents delivered to the Lender shall be duly certified as true, complete and accurate copies by appropriate authorities or legal counsel practicing in Greece or otherwise as it will be acceptable to the Lender at the sole discretion of the Lender.

(c)
Certification of signature :  Signatures on Board or shareholder resolutions, Secretary's certificates and any other documents are, at the discretion of the Lender, to be verified for their genuineness by appropriate Consul or other
73


competent authority.
16.8
Counterparts
Each Finance Document may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of the Finance Document.
16.9
Confidentiality

(a)
Each of the parties hereto agrees and undertakes to keep confidential any documentation and any confidential information concerning the business, affairs, directors or employees of the other which comes into its possession during this Agreement and not to use any such documentation, information for any purpose other than for which it was provided.

(b)
The Borrower acknowledges and accepts that the Lender may be required by law to disclose information and deliver documentation relating to the Borrower and the transactions and matters in relation to this Agreement and/or the other Security Documents to governmental or regulatory agencies and authorities.

(c)
The Borrower acknowledges and accepts that in case of occurrence of any of the Events of Default the Lender may disclose information and deliver documentation relating to the Borrower and the transactions and matters in relation to this Agreement and/or the other Security Documents to third parties to the extend that this is necessary for the enforcement or the contemplation of enforcement of the Lender's rights or for any other purpose for which in the opinion of the Lender, such disclosure should be useful or appropriate for the interests of the Lender or otherwise and the Borrower expressly authorises any such disclosure and delivery.

(d)
The Borrower acknowledges and accepts that the Lender may be prohibited or it may be inappropriate for the Lender to disclose information to the Borrower by reason of law or duties of confidentiality owed or to be owed to other persons.
16.10
Process Agent in Greece
Mr. Andreas Louka , an attorney-at-law, c/o Central Mare Inc., of 1, Vassilissis Sofias Str. & Meg. Alexandrou Str. Maroussi, Attica, Greece, is hereby appointed by the Borrower as agent to accept service (hereinafter " Process Agent for Greek Proceedings ") upon whom any judicial or extrajudicial process may be served (including but without limitation any documents initiating legal proceedings) and any notice, request, demand payment order, announcement of claim, any enforcement process or other communication under this Agreement or any of the Security Documents.  In the event that the Process Agent for Greek Proceedings (or any substitute process agent notified to the Lender in accordance with the foregoing) cannot be found at the
74


address specified above (or, as the case may be, notified to the Lender), which will be conclusively proved by the affidavit of a process server to that effect, the authority of the Process Agent for Greek Proceedings as agent to accept service shall be deemed to have ceased and service of documents may be effected in accordance with the procedure provided by the relevant provisions on service of process provided by the Hellenic Procedural Code.  In case, however, that such Process Agent for Greek Proceedings is found at any other address, the Lender shall have the right to serve the documents either on the Process Agent for Greek Proceedings at such address or in accordance with the procedure provided by the relevant law.
17.
COMMUNICATIONS
17.1
Notices and communications
Every notice under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Finance Document shall be given by letter, electronic mail or fax; and references in the Finance Documents to written notices, notices in writing and notices signed by particular persons shall be construed accordingly:

(a)
every such notice in the case of a letter shall be in writing delivered personally or be first-class prepaid letter, or shall be served through a process server or subject to Clause 10.9 ( Communications Indemnity ) by fax or electronic mail;

(b)
be deemed to have been received, subject as otherwise provided in this Agreement or the relevant Finance Document, in the case of a letter, when delivered personally or five (5) days after it has been put in to the post and, in the case of a facsimile transmission or other means of telecommunication in permanent written form, at the time of despatch ( provided that if the date of despatch is not a business day in the country of the addressee or if the time of despatch is after the close of business in the country of the addressee it shall be deemed to have been received at the opening of business on the next such business day); and

(c)
be sent:

(i)
if to be sent to any Security Party:
c/o Central Mare Inc.,
1, Vassilissis Sofias Str. & Meg. Alexandrou Str.,
Maroussi, Attica, Greece,
Facsimile No:  + 30 210 8128320
Attention:         Andreas Louka Legal Advisor
E-mail:              L ouka@loukapartners.com

(ii)
to the Lender at:
Alpha Bank A.E. ,
93 Akti Miaouli, Piraeus, Greece
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Fax No.        + 30 210 42 90 268
Attention:     The Manager
E-mail:        k onstantinos.sotiriou@alpha.gr
or to such other person, address or fax number or electronic mail address as is notified by the relevant Security Party or the Lender (as the case may be) to the other parties to this Agreement and, in the case of any such change of address or fax number or electronic mail address notified to the Lender, the same shall not become effective until notice of such change is actually received by the Lender and a copy of the notice of such change is signed by the Lender.
17.2
Illegible notices
Clause 17.1 ( Notices ) does not apply if the recipient of a notice notifies the sender within one hour after the time at which the notice would otherwise be deemed to be served that the notice has been received in a form which is illegible in a material respect.
17.3
Valid notices
A notice under or in connection with a Finance Document shall not be invalid by reason that its contents or the manner of serving it do not comply with the requirements of this Agreement or, where appropriate, any other Finance Document under which it is served if:

(a)
the failure to serve it in accordance with the requirements of this Agreement or other Finance Document, as the case may be, has not caused any party to suffer any significant loss or prejudice; or

(b)
in the case of incorrect and/or incomplete contents, it should have been reasonably clear to the party on which the notice was served what the correct or missing particulars should have been.
17.4
Meaning of "notice"
In this Clause 17, " notice " includes any demand, consent, authorisation, approval, instruction, waiver or other communication.
18.
GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION
18.1
18.1 Law

(a)
Applicable Law :  This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations connected with it shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English Law.

(b)
Enforcement in Greece :  For the purposes of enforcement in Greece, it is hereby expressly agreed that English law as the governing law of this
76


Agreement will be proved by an affidavit of a solicitor from an English law firm to be appointed by the Lender and the said affidavit shall constitute full and conclusive evidence binding on the Borrower but the Borrower shall be allowed to rebut such evidence save for witness.
18.2
Jurisdiction

(a)
Exclusive English jurisdiction :  The courts of England have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any non-contractual obligations connected with it (including a dispute regarding the existence, validity or termination of this Agreement) (a " Dispute ").  The Borrower irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the jurisdiction of such courts.

(b)
Waiver :  The Parties agree that the courts of England are the most appropriate and convenient courts to settle Disputes and accordingly no Party will argue to the contrary and waives any objections to the inconvenience of England as a forum.

(c)
Choice of forum for the exclusive benefit of the Lender :  This Clause 18.2 is for the benefit of the Lender only.  As a result, the Lender shall not be prevented from taking proceedings relating to a Dispute in any other courts with jurisdiction.  To the extent allowed by law, the Lender may take concurrent proceedings in any number of jurisdictions.
18.3
Process Agent for English Proceedings
Without prejudice to any other mode of service allowed under any relevant law the Borrower irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers Messrs. Top Properties (London) Limited (attention:  Mr. Stylianos Giamanis) at their office for the time being at 247 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X8QZ, England (hereinafter called the " Process Agent for English Proceedings "), to receive for it and on its behalf, service of process issued out of the English courts in relation to any proceedings before the English courts in connection with any Security Document, provided, however, that :

(a)
the Borrower hereby agrees and undertakes to maintain a Process Agent for English Proceedings throughout the Security Period and hereby agrees that in the event that if any Process Agent for English Proceedings is unable for any reason to act as agent for service of process, the Borrower must immediately (and in any event within ten (10) days of such event taking place) appoint another agent on terms acceptable to the Lender.  Failing this, the Lender may appoint for this purpose a substitute Process Agent for English Proceedings and the Lender is hereby irrevocably authorised to effect such appointment on Borrower's behalf.  The appointment of such Process Agent for English Proceedings shall be valid and binding from the date notice of such appointment is given by the Lender to the Borrower in accordance with Clause 17.1 ( Notices and communications ); and
77



(b)
the Borrower hereby agrees that failure by a Process Agent for English Proceedings to notify the Borrower of the process will not invalidate the proceedings concerned.
18.4
Lender's rights unaffected
Nothing in this Clause 18 shall exclude or limit any right which the Lender may have (whether under the law of any country, an international convention or otherwise) with regard to the bringing of proceedings, the service of process, the recognition or enforcement of a judgment or any similar or related matter in any jurisdiction.
18.5
Proceedings in any other country
If it is decided by the Lender that any such proceedings should be commenced in any other country, then any objections as to the jurisdiction or any claim as to the inconvenience of the forum is hereby waived by the Borrower and it is agreed and undertaken by the Borrower to instruct lawyers in that country to accept service of legal process and not to contest the validity of such proceedings as far as the jurisdiction of the court or courts involved is concerned and the Borrower agrees that any judgement or order obtained in courts of Piraeus shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrower and shall be enforceable without review in the courts of any other jurisdiction.
18.6
Third Party rights
No term of this Agreement is enforceable under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 by a person who is not a party to this Agreement.
18.7
Meaning of "proceedings"
In this Clause 18 " proceedings " means proceedings of any kind, including an application for a provisional or protective measure.



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78


Schedule 1
Form of Drawdown Notice
(referred to in Clause 2.2)
Date:  [•]
To:
ALPHA BANK A.E. ,
93 Akti Miaouli,
Piraeus, Greece
(the " Lender ")
Re:  Loan Agreement dated [•] July, 2018 made between (A) PCH Dreaming Inc . (the " Borrower ") and (B) the Lender (the " Loan Agreement ") for a secured loan facility of up to $10,140,000.

We refer to the Loan Agreement and hereby give you notice that we wish to draw down [first/second/third/fourth/sixth] Advance in the amount of $[•] on [ date ] and select a first Interest Period in respect thereof of [•] months.  The funds should be credited to [ name and number of account ] with [ details of bank in New York City ].
We confirm that:
(a)
no event or circumstance has occurred and is continuing which constitutes a Default;
(b)
the representations and warranties contained in Clause 7 of the Loan Agreement are true and correct at the date hereof as if made with respect to the facts and circumstances existing at such date;
(c)
the borrowing to be effected by the drawdown of the Commitment is within our corporate powers, has been validly authorised by appropriate corporate action and will not cause any limit on our borrowings (whether imposed by statute, regulation, agreement or otherwise) to be exceeded; and
(d)
there has been no material adverse change in our financial position from that described by us to the Lender in the negotiation of the Loan Agreement.
Words and expressions defined in the Loan Agreement shall have the same meanings where used herein.

For and on behalf of
PCH DREAMING INC .
   

By:
       
Name:
   
Title:         Attorney-in-fact
   
79


Schedule 2
Documents and evidence required as conditions precedent
(referred to in Clause 9.1)
Part 1
(Conditions precedent required in relation to the signing of this Agreement)
(a)
Constitutional documents
copies, certified by an officer of each Security Party as true, complete and up to date copies of all documents which contain or establish or relate to the constitution of that Security Party;
(b)
Corporate authorisations
copies of resolutions of the directors and shareholders of each Security Party approving such of the Security Documents to which such Security Party is, or is to be, party and authorising the signature, delivery and performance of such Security Party's obligations thereunder, certified by an officer of such Security Party as:

(i)
being true and correct;

(ii)
being duly passed at meetings of the directors of such Security Party and of the shareholders of such Security Party each duly convened and held;

(iii)
not having been amended, modified or revoked;

(iv)
being in full force and effect; and

(v)
together with originals or certified copies of any powers of attorney issued by any Security Party pursuant to such resolutions;
(c)
Certificate of incumbency
a list of directors and officers of each Security Party specifying the names and positions of such persons, certified by an officer of such Security Party to be true, complete and up to date;
(d)
Borrower's consents and approvals
a certificate from an officer of the Borrower that no consents, authorisations, licences or approvals are necessary for the Borrower to authorise or are required by the Borrower in connection with the borrowing by the Borrower of the Loan pursuant to this Agreement or the execution, delivery and performance of the Security Documents;
(e)
Security Parties' process agents
letters from the Security Parties' agents for receipt of service of proceedings referred to
80


in Clauses 16.10 ( Process Agent in Greece ) and 18.3 ( Process Agent for English Proceedings ) accepting its/their appointment under the said Clauses and under each of the other Security Documents in which it is or is to be appointed as agent to receive legal process;
(f)
Know your customer and money laundering compliance
All documents required by the Lender in relation to the Borrower pursuant to the Lender's " know your customer " requirements.
(g)
Contract
a certified true copy of the Contract and any addenda thereto duly executed and in a form and substance acceptable to the Lender in its sole discretion;
(h)
Share certificates
copies of the share certificates representing the entire issued share capital of the Borrower;
(i)
Shareholding
a statement to the Lender from individual(s) acceptable to the Lender confirming the identity of the Beneficial Shareholders of the Borrower in line with " know your customer " procedures of the Lender for opening account purposes;



[ INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK ]
81


Part 2
Conditions precedent required in relation to the drawdown of an Advance (the " Relevant Advance ").
(a)
Drawdown notice
the Drawdown Notice in respect of the Relevant Advance duly executed;
(b)
Conditions precedent
evidence that the conditions precedent set out in Part 1 of Schedule 2 remain fully satisfied;
(c)
Approval of Contract and Refund Guarantee
review and acceptance by the Lender of the Contract, the Refund Guarantee and any related documents;
(d)
No claim
evidence satisfactory to the Lender that neither the Builder nor any other party who may have a claim pursuant to the Contract has any claims against the Newbuilding Vessel or the Borrower and that there have been no breaches of the terms of the Contract or the Refund Guarantee or any default thereunder;
(e)
No variations to Contract
evidence satisfactory to the Lender that there have been no amendments or variations agreed to the Contract without the prior written consent of the Lender and that no action has been taken by the Builder which would in any way render the Contract inoperative or unenforceable, in whole or in part and that the Contract is in full force and effect;
(f)
No variations to MOA
evidence satisfactory to the Lender that there have been no amendments or variations agreed to the MOA without the prior written consent of the Lender and that no action has been taken by the Buyer which would in any way render the MOA inoperative or unenforceable, in whole or in part and that the MOA is in full force and effect;
(g)
Collateral Vessel's conditions
evidence that the Collateral Vessel:

(i)
Registration and Encumbrances
is definitively and permanently registered in the name of the Collateral Owner through the Registry under the laws and flag of the Flag State and that the Collateral Vessel and its Earnings, Insurances and Requisition Compensation are
82


free of Encumbrances, save as contemplated by the Security Documents;

(ii)
Classification
is in class as provided in the Collateral Mortgage free of any overdue requirements and recommendations of the Classification Society;

(iii)
Insurance
is insured in accordance with the provisions of the Security Documents and all requirements of the Security Documents in respect of such insurance have been complied with (including without limitation, confirmation from the protection and indemnity association or other insurer with which the Collateral Vessel is, or is to be, entered for insurance or insured against protection and indemnity risks (including oil pollution risks) that any necessary declarations required by the association or insurer for the removal of any oil pollution exclusion have been made and that any such exclusion does not apply to the Collateral Vessel), to be followed by full copies of cover notes, policies, certificates of entry or other contracts of insurance and irrevocable authority is hereby given to the Lender at any time at its discretion to obtain copies of the policies, certificates of entry or other contracts of insurance from the insurers and/or obtain any information in relation to the Insurances relating to the Collateral Vessel;
(h)
No claim
evidence satisfactory to the Lender that neither the Builder nor any other party who may have a claim pursuant to the Contract have any claims against the Collateral Vessel or the Borrower and that there have been no breaches of the terms of the Contract or any default thereunder;
(i)
Collateral Mortgage
the Collateral Mortgage has been duly registered against the Collateral Vessel as a valid third preferred ship mortgage in accordance with the laws of the Flag State;
(j)
Beneficial ownership
Lender's UBO form as to the beneficial ownership of each corporate Security Party duly signed;
(k)
Invoice and receipt
an invoice from the Builder demanding the payment of the 4 th instalment of the Contract Price payable under the Contract in relation to the Pre-delivery Advance;
(l)
Refund Guarantee and Refund Guarantee Consent and Acknowledgement

(i)
the original of the Refund Guarantee has been delivered to the Lender;

(ii)
the Refund Guarantee Assignment Consent and Acknowledgment duly
83

executed by the Refund Guarantor; and

(iii)
a legal opinion by special legal advisers appointed by the Lender on matters of Singapore law to the Lender, in relation to the Refund Guarantee and the Refund Guarantee Consent and Acknowledgement referred to above, in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender in its discretion;
(m)
Contract Assignment and Acknowledgement
the Contract Assignment Consent and Acknowledgment duly executed Builder ; and
(n)
Security Documents, letters and other documents
each of the Pre-Delivery Security Documents, the Collateral Security Documents, the Insurance Letter and the Intercreditor Deed, duly executed and delivered by the respective parties thereto and where appropriate duly registered with the Registry or any other competent authority (as required);
(o)
Notices of assignment
duly executed notices of assignment required by the terms and in the forms prescribed by the relevant Security Documents;
(p)
Acknowledgement of Receipt
a receipt in writing in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender including an acknowledgement and admission of the Borrower and/or any other Security Party to the effect that the Pre-Delivery Advance was drawn by the Borrower and a declaration by the Borrower that all conditions precedent have been fulfilled, that there is no Event of Default and that all the representations and warranties are true and correct;
(q)
Security Parties' process agents
letters from the Security Parties' agents for receipt of service of proceedings referred to in Clauses 16.10 ( Process Agent in Greece ) and 18.3 ( Process Agent for English Proceedings ) accepting his/their appointment under the said Clauses and under each of the other Security Documents in which it is or is to be appointed as agent to receive legal process;
(r)
Collateral Mortgage registration
evidence that the Collateral Mortgage has been registered against the Collateral Vessel through the Registry under the laws and flag of the Flag State;
(s)
Management Agreement
a copy, certified as a true and complete copy by an officer of the Collateral Owner or the Borrower's lawyer, of the Management Agreements;
(t)
ISM Code and ISPS Code
84


(i)   e vidence satisfactory to the Lender that the Operator (aa) complies with the requirements of the ISM Code, (bb) has obtained a DOC for itself (a certified copy of which DOC has been delivered to the Lender), (iii) a copy of the SMC in respect of the Collateral Vessel issued pursuant to the ISM Code and (iv) the ISSC (International Ship Security Certificate) issued by the Flag State in accordance with the ISPS Code for the Collateral Vessel;
(u)
Insurers confirmations
all necessary confirmations from the insurers of the Collateral Vessel that they will issue letters of undertaking and endorse notice of assignment and loss payable clauses on the Insurances, in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender in its sole discretion and - in the event of fleet cover - accompanied by waivers for liens for unpaid premium of other vessels managed by the Managers and which are not subject to any mortgage in favour of the Lender) and (if required by the Lender);
(v)
Insurance opinion
an opinion signed by an independent firm of marine insurance brokers appointed and/or approved by the Lender at the expenses of the Borrower confirming the adequacy of the Insurances maintained on the Collateral Vessel;
(w)
Representations and warranties
the representations and warranties set out in Clause 7 ( Representations and warranties ) and in each of the Security Documents are true and correct on and as of each such time as if each was made with respect to the facts and circumstances existing at such time;
(x)
No Event of Default
no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from the drawdown;
(y)
No change
the Lender shall be satisfied that there has been no change in the ownership, management, operations of the Borrower and/or adverse change financial condition of any Security Party, which (change) might, in the sole opinion of the Lender, be detrimental to the interests of the Lender;
(z)
No Market disruption Event
the interest rate applicable to the Loan during the first Interest Period would not fall to be determined pursuant to Clause 3.6 ( Market disruption - Non Availability );
(aa)
Fees and commissions
payment of the Arrangement Fee and the Commitment Fee due from the Borrower to the Lender pursuant to the terms of Clause 5.1 ( Fees and commissions );
85


(bb)
Cargill purchase of the Newbuilding Vessel
evidence satisfactory to the Lender that Cargill has agreed to purchase and the Borrower has agreed to sell the Newbuilding Vessel upon her Delivery to Cargill pursuant to the terms and conditions of the MOA and that the Net Sale Proceeds (as defined in the MOA) in an amount not less than the amount of the Loan shall prior to or upon Delivery of the Newbuilding Vessel shall be paid to the account of the Borrower with the Lender;
(cc)
Borrower's equity
evidence satisfactory to the Lender that the Borrower the 1 st and 2 nd instalments in the aggregate amount of Dollars Three million three hundred eighty thousand ($3,380,000) have been duly and promptly paid to the Builder;
(dd)
Legal   opinions
favourable opinions of the legal advisers appointed by the Lender as to such aspects of law as the Lender shall deem relevant to this Agreement and the other Finance Documents;
(ee)
Further   opinions
such further opinions as the Lender may require;
(ff)
Acknowledgement of receipt
a receipt in writing in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender including an acknowledgement and admission of the Borrower and/or any other Security Party to the effect that the Commitment or relevant part thereof (as the case may be) was drawn by the Borrower and a declaration by the Borrower that all conditions precedent have been fulfilled, that there is no Event of Default and that all the representations and warranties are true and correct; and
(gg)
Further conditions precedent
such further conditions precedent as the Lender may require.



[ INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK ]
86


Schedule 3
Form of Insurance Letter
To:           
[ P&I Club ]
[•]
[•]
From:   ECO SEVEN INC .
of the Marshall Islands,
c/o Central Mare Inc.,
1, Vassilissis Sofias Str. & Meg. Alexandrou Str.,
Maroussi, Attica, Greece,
Attention: 
[Chief Financial Officer]
[•] 20[•]
Dear Sirs
m.v. "STENAWECO ELEGANCE" (the "Vessel")
We refer to the loan finance obtained by PCH Dreaming Inc. , a Marshall Islands corporation, as Borrower, from Alpha Bank A.E. , of Greece (the " Lender ") secured ( inter alia ) by a third preferred ship mortgage granted by us over the Vessel.  The Vessel's insurances will also be assigned to the Lender.
You are hereby authorised to send a copy of the Certificate of Entry for the Vessel to the Lender, c/o their lawyers, namely, Theo V. Sioufas & Co. Law Offices , of 13 Defteras Merarchias Street, 185 35 Piraeus, Greece.  Further, you are also irrevocably authorised to provide the Lender from time to time with any other information whatsoever which they may require relating to the entry of the Vessel in the association.
This letter and any non contractual obligations arising out of or connected with it shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English Law.

       
Andreas Louka
   
Attorney-in-fact
   
For and on behalf of
PCH DREAMING INC .
   

87


IN WITNESS whereof the parties to this Agreement have caused this Agreement to be duly executed on the date first above written.



[ INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK ]
88


EXECUTION PAGE

THE BORROWER
       

SIGNED by
)
   
Mr. Andreas Louka
)
   
for and on behalf of
)
   
PCH DREAMING INC. ,
)
   
of the Marshall Islands
)
/s/ Andreas Louka
   
in the presence of:
)
Attorney-in-fact
 



Witness:
/s/ Lilian Kouleri
     
Name:             L ilian Kouleri
     
Address:       13 Defteras Merarchias Street
                      Piraeus, Greece
   
Occupation:   A ttorney-at-law
     




THE LENDER
       

SIGNED by
)
   
Mr. Konstantinos Flokos and
Mrs. Evangelia Makri
)
)

/s/ Konstantinos Flokos
   
for and on behalf of
)
   
ALPHA BANK A.E. ,
)
/s/ Evangelia Makri
   
 
in the presence of:
)
Attorney-in-fact
 



Witness:
/s/ Lilian Kouleri
     
Name:             L ilian Kouleri
     
Address:       13 Defteras Merarchias Street
                      Piraeus, Greece
   
Occupation:   A ttorney-at-law
     


89


Exhibit 4.87

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
 
Norwegian Shipbrokers’ Association’s
 
Memorandum of Agreement for sale and
 
purchase of ships. Adopted by BIMCO in 1956.
 
Code-name
 
SALEFORM 2012
 
Revised 1966, 1983 and 1986/87, 1993 and 2012

Dated:  3 Dec 2018

SOUTH CALIFORNIA INC. (Name of sellers), ,   a corporation incorporated under the laws of Marshall Islands with registration number 94705 whose registered office is at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960, hereinafter called the "Sellers", have agreed to sell, and SEA 103 LEASING CO. LIMITED (Name of buyers) , a company incorporated under the laws of Hong Kong with registration number 2718796 whose registered office is at 46/F., Champion Tower, 3 Garden
Name of vessel:  ECO BEL AIR with Builder’s Hull No. S874

IMO Number:  TBA

Classification Society:  DNV-GL

Class Notation:  +1A,   Tanker for oil, ESP, CSR, CMON, BIS, BWM(E(s,f)), BWM(T), VCS(2), COAT-PSPC(B,C), LCS, E0, TMON, SPM, CLEAN, Recyclable, FUEL.


Year of Build: 2019
Builder/Yard: Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.

Flag:  Marshall Islands or any other state or jurisdiction approved to the Buyers
Place of Registration:  Marshall Islands or any other state or jurisdiction approved to the Buyers
          GT/NT: TBA/)______        
hereinafter called the “Vessel”, on the following terms and conditions:

Definitions – see also clause 30
“Agreement” means this memorandum of agreement which shall for the avoidance of doubt, include the rider provisions from Clauses 19 to 30.
“Banking Days” are days on which banks are open both in the country of the currency stipulated for the Purchase Price in Clause 1 (Purchase Price) and in the place of closing stipulated in Clause 8 (Documentation) and ________ (add additional jurisdictions as appropriate) .

“Buyers’ Nominated Flag State” means Marshall Islands or Liberia or Malta (state flag state).

“Class” means the class notation referred to above.

“Classification Society” means the Society referred to above.

“Dollars” or “$” means United States Dollars, being the lawful currency of the United States of America.
“Deposit” shall have the meaning given in Clause 2 (Deposit)
“Deposit Holder” means ______   ( state name and location of Deposit Holder) or, if left blank, the Sellers’ Bank, which shall hold and release the Deposit in accordance with this Agreement.

“In writing” or “written” means a letter handed over from the Sellers to the Buyers or vice versa, a registered letter, e-mail or telefax.

“Parties” means the Sellers and the Buyers.

“Scheduled Delivery Date” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 8(d).
“Purchase Price” means the price for the Vessel as stated in Clause 1 (Purchase Price).

“Sellers’ Account” means _______ (state details of bank account) at the Sellers' Bank.

“Sellers’ Bank” means ________ (state name of bank, branch and details) or, if left blank, the bank notified by the Sellers to the Buyers for receipt of the balance of the Purchase Price.

1.
Purchase Price See Clause 19
 
The Purchase Price is ________ ( state currency and amount both in words and figures).
   
2.
Deposit – See Clause 19
 
As security for the correct fulfilment of this Agreement the Buyers shall lodge a deposit of __ % ( __ per cent)   or, if left blank, 10% (ten per cent), of the Purchase Price (the





 
“Deposit”) in an interest bearing account for the Parties with the Deposit Holder within three (3) Banking Days after the date that:
   
 
(i)
this Agreement has been signed by the Parties and exchanged in original or by e-mail or telefax; and
     
 
(ii)
the Deposit Holder has confirmed in writing to the Parties that the account has been opened.
   
 
The Deposit shall be released in accordance with joint written instructions of the Parties. Interest, if any, shall be credited to the Buyers. Any fee charged for holding and releasing the Deposit shall be borne equally by the Parties. The Parties shall provide to the Deposit Holder all necessary documentation to open and maintain the account without delay.
   
3.
Payment – See Clause 19
   
 
On delivery of the Vessel, but not later than three (3) Banking Days after the date that Notice of Readiness has been given in accordance with Clause 5 (Time and place of delivery and notices):
   
 
(i)
the Deposit shall be released to the Sellers; and
     
 
(ii)
the balance of the Purchase Price and all other sums payable on delivery by the Buyers to the Sellers under this Agreement shall be paid in full free of bank charges to the Sellers’ Account.
     
4.
Inspection – Intentionally omitted.
 
( a) * The Buyers have inspected and accepted the Vessel’s classification records. The Buyers have also inspected the Vessel at/in                  (state place) on                  (state date) and have accepted the Vessel following this inspection. and the sale is outright and definite, subject only to the terms and conditions of this Agreement .
   
 
(b) * The Buyers shall have the right to inspect the Vessel’s classification records and declare whether same are accepted or not within                          (state date/period).
   
 
The Sellers shall make the Vessel available for inspection at/in               (state place/range) within             (state date/period) .
   
 
The Buyers shall undertake the inspection without undue delay to the Vessel. Should the Buyers cause undue delay they shall compensate the Sellers for the losses thereby incurred.
   
 
The Buyers shall inspect the Vessel without opening up and without cost to the Sellers.
   
 
During the inspection, the Vessel’s dock and engine log books shall be made available for examination by the Buyers.
   
 
The sale shall become outright and definite, subject only to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, provided that the Sellers receive written notice of acceptance of the Vessel from the Buyers within seventy two (72) hours after completion of such inspection or after the date/last day of the period stated in Line 59 , whichever is earlier.
   
 
Should the Buyers fail to undertake the inspection as scheduled and/or notice of acceptance of the Vessel’s classification records and/or of the Vessel not be received by the Sellers as aforesaid, the Deposit together with interest earned, if any, shall be released immediately to the Buyers, whereafter this Agreement shall be null and void.
   
 
* 4(a) and 4(b) are alternatives; delete whichever is not applicable. In the absence of deletions, alternative 4(a) shall apply.
   
5.
Time and place of delivery and notices
   
 
(a)  The Vessel shall be delivered at the Builder’s shipyard in South Korea, safely afloat at a quay. and taken over safely afloat at a safe and accessible berth or anchorage at/in                          ( state place/range) in the Sellers’ option.
   
 
Notice of Readiness shall not be tendered before:   __________  (date)
   
 
Cancelling Date (see Clauses 5(c), 6 (a)(i), 6 (a)(iii) and 14) :   __________________                   
   
 
(b)  The Sellers shall keep the Buyers well informed of the Vessel’s itinerary and shall provide the Buyers with provide the Buyers with seventy (70), twenty (20), ten   (10), days’ and five (5) and three (3) Business d Days' notice of the date the Sallers intend to tender Notice of Readiness and of the intended date and place of delivery.
   
 
When the Vessel is at the place of delivery and physically ready for delivery in accordance with



2



 
this Agreement, the Sellers shall give the Buyers a written Notice of Readiness for delivery.
   
 
(c)   If the Sellers anticipate that, notwithstanding the exercise of due diligence by them, the Vessel will not be ready for delivery by the Cancelling Date they may notify the Buyers in writing stating the date when they anticipate that the Vessel will be ready for delivery and proposing a new Cancelling Date. Upon receipt of such notification the Buyers shall have the option of e ither cancelling this Agreement in accordance with Clause 14 (Sellers’ Default) within three (3) B usiness anking Days of receipt of the notice or of accepting the new date as the new Canceling Date.   If the Buyers have not declared their option within three (3) B usiness anking Days of receipt of the Sellers' notification or if the Buyers accept the new date, the date proposed in the Sellers' notification shall be deemed to be the new Cancelling Date and shall be substituted for the Cancelling Date stipulated in   line 79 .
   
 
If this Agreement is maintained with the new Cancelling Date all other terms and conditions hereof including those contained in Clauses 5(b ) and 5(d) shall remain unaltered and in full force and effect.
   
 
(d)  Cancellation, failure to cancel or acceptance of the new Cancelling Date shall be entirely without prejudice to any claim for damages the Buyers may have under Clause 14 (Sellers’ Default) for the Vessel not being ready by the original Cancelling Date.
   
 
(e) Should the Vessel become a Total Loss an actual, constructive or compromised total loss before delivery this Agreement shall terminate (provided that any provision hereof expressed to survive such termination shall so do in accordance with its terms). the Deposit together with interest earned, if any, shall be released immediately to the Buyers whereafter this Agreement shall be null and void.
   
6.
Divers Inspection / Drydocking – Intentionally omitted.
 
(a)*
 
(i)
The Buyers shall have the option at their cost and expense to arrange for an underwater inspection by a diver approved by the Classification Society prior to the delivery of the Vessel. Such option shall be declared latest nine (9) days prior to the Vessel’s intended date of readiness for delivery as notified by the Sellers pursuant to Clause 5(b) of this Agreement. The Sellers shall at their cost and expense make the Vessel available for such inspection. This inspection shall be carried out without undue delay and in the presence of a Classification Society surveyor arranged for by the Sellers and paid for by the Buyers. The Buyers’ representative(s) shall have the right to be present at the diver’s inspection as observer(s) only without interfering with the work or decisions of the Classification Society surveyor. The extent of the inspection and the conditions under which it is performed shall be to the satisfaction of the Classification Society. If the conditions at the place of delivery are unsuitable for such inspection, the Sellers shall at their cost and expense make the Vessel available at a suitable alternative place near to the delivery port, in which event the Cancelling Date shall be extended by the additional time required for such positioning and the subsequent re-positioning. The Sellers may not tender Notice of Readiness prior to completion of the underwater inspection.
     
 
(ii)
If the rudder, propeller, bottom or other underwater parts below the deepest load line are found broken, damaged or defective so as to affect the Vessel’s class,   then (1) unless repairs can be carried out afloat to the satisfaction of the Classification Society, the Sellers shall arrange for the Vessel to be drydocked at their expense for inspection by the Classification Society of the Vessel’s underwater parts below the deepest load line, the extent of the inspection being in accordance with the Classification Society’s rules (2) such defects shall be made good by the Sellers at their cost and expense to the  satisfaction of the Classification Society without condition/recommendation** and (3) the Sellers shall pay for underwater inspection and the Classification Society’s attendance.
     
   
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if the Classification Society do not require the aforementioned defects to be rectified before the next class  drydocking survey, the Sellers shall be entitled to deliver the Vessel with these defects against a deduction from the Purchase Price of the estimated direct cost (of labour and materials) of carrying out the repairs to the satisfaction of the Classification Society, whereafter the Buyers shall have no further rights whatsoever in respect of the defects and/or repairs. The estimated direct cost of the repairs shall be the average of quotes for the repair work obtained from two reputable independent shipyards at or in the vicinity of the port of delivery, one to be obtained by each of the Parties within two (2) Banking Days from the date of the imposition of the condition/recommendation, unless the Parties agree otherwise. Should either of the Parties fail to obtain such a quote within the stipulated time then the quote duly obtained by the other Party shall be the sole basis



3



   
for the estimate of the direct repair costs. The Sellers may not tender Notice of Readiness prior to such estimate having been established.
     
 
(iii)
If the Vessel is to be drydocked pursuant to Clause 6(a)(ii) and no suitable dry-docking facilities are available at the port of delivery, the Sellers shall take the Vessel to a port where suitable drydocking facilities are available, whether within or outside the delivery range as per Clause 5(a) . Once drydocking has taken place the Sellers shall deliver the Vessel at a port within the delivery range as per Clause 5(a) which shall, for the purpose of this Clause, become the new port of delivery. In such event the Cancelling Date shall be extended by the additional time required for the drydocking and extra steaming, but limited to a maximum of fourteen (14) days.
     
 
(b)* The Sellers shall place the Vessel in drydock at the port of delivery for inspection by the Classification Society of the Vessel’s underwater parts below the deepest load line, the extent of the inspection being in accordance with the Classification Society’s rules. If the rudder, propeller, bottom or other underwater parts below the deepest load line are found broken, damaged or defective so as to affect the Vessel’s class, such defects shall be made good at the Sellers’ cost and expense to the satisfaction of the Classification Society without condition/recommendation**. In such event the Sellers are also to pay for the costs and expenses in connection with putting the Vessel in and taking her out of drydock, including the drydock dues and the Classification Society’s fees. The Sellers shall also pay for these costs and expenses if parts of the tailshaft system are condemned or found defective or broken so as to affect the Vessel’s class. In all other cases, the Buyers shall pay the aforesaid costs and expenses, dues and fees.
   
 
Sellers’ cost and expense to the satisfaction of the Classification Society without condition/recommendation**. In such event the Sellers are also to pay for the costs and expenses in connection with putting the Vessel in and taking her out of drydock, including the drydock dues and the Classification Society’s fees. The Sellers shall also pay for these costs and expenses if parts of the tailshaft system are condemned or found defective or broken so as to affect the Vessel’s class. In all other cases, the Buyers shall pay the aforesaid costs and expenses, dues and fees.
   
 
(c)  If the Vessel is drydocked pursuant to Clause 6(a)(ii) or 6(b) above:
   
 
(i)
The Classification Society may require survey of the tailshaft system, the extent of the survey being to the satisfaction of the Classification surveyor. If such survey is not required by the Classification Society, the Buyers shall have the option to require the tailshaft to be drawn and surveyed by the Classification Society, the extent of the survey being in accordance with the Classification Society’s rules for tailshaft survey and  consistent with the current stage of the Vessel’s survey cycle. The Buyers shall declare whether they require the tailshaft to be drawn and surveyed not later than by the completion of the inspection by the Classification Society. The drawing and refitting of the tailshaft shall be arranged by the Sellers. Should any parts of the tailshaft system be condemned or found defective so as to affect the Vessel’s class, those parts shall be renewed or made good at the Sellers’ cost and expense to the satisfaction of Classification Society without condition/recommendation**.
     
 
(ii)
The costs and expenses relating to the survey of the tailshaft system shall be borne by the Buyers unless the Classification Society requires such survey to be carried out or if parts of the system are condemned or found defective or broken so as to affect the Vessel’s class, in which case the Sellers shall pay these costs and expenses.
     
 
(iii)
The Buyers’ representative(s) shall have the right to be present in the drydock, as observe(s) only without interfering with the work or decisions of the Classification Society surveyor.
     
 
(iv)
The Buyers shall have the right to have the underwater parts of the Vessel cleaned and painted at their risk, cost and expense without interfering with the Seller’s or the Classification Society surveyor’s work, if any, and without affecting the Vessel’s timely delivery. If, however, the Buyers’ work in drydock is still in progress when the Sellers have completed the work which the Sellers are required to do, the additional docking time needed to complete the Buyers’ work shall be for the Buyers’ risk, cost and expense. In the event that the Buyers’ work required such additional time, the Sellers may upon completion of the Sellers’ work tender Notice of Readiness for delivery whilst the Vessel is still in drydock and, notwithstanding Clause 5(a) , the Buyers shall be obliged to take delivery in accordance with Clause 3 (Payment), whether the Vessel is in drydock or not.
     
 
* 6(a) and 6 (b) are alternatives; delete whichever is not applicable. In the absence of deletions, alternative 6 (a) shall apply.
   
 
**Notes or memoranda, if any, in the surveyor’s report which are accepted by the Classification Society without condition/recommendation are not to be taken into account.
   
7.
Spares, bunkers and other items
 
The Sellers shall deliver the Vessel to the Buyers with everything belonging to her on board and on shore. All spare parts and spare equipment including spare tail-end shaft(s) and/or



4



 
spare propeller(s)/propeller blade(s), if any, belonging to the Vessel at the time of inspection delivery used or unused, whether on board or not shall become the Buyers’ property, but spares on order are excluded.   Forwarding charges, if any, shall be for the Buyers’ account. The Sellers are not required to replace spare parts including spare tail-end shaft(s) and   spare propeller(s)/propeller blade(s) which are taken out of spare and used as replacement prior to delivery, but the replaced items shall be the property of the Buyers. Unused stores and provisions (if any) shall be included in the sale and be taken over by the Buyers without extra payment.
   
 
Library and forms exclusively for use in the Sellers’ vessel(s) and captain’s, officers’ and crew’s personal belongings including the slop chest are excluded from the sale without compensation, as well as the following additional items: -                  (include list)
 
Items on board which are on hire or owned by third parties, listed as follows, are excluded from the sale without compensation:  ____________  (include list)
   
 
Items on board at the time of delivery inspection which are on hire or owned by third parties, not listed above, shall be replaced or procured by the Sellers prior to delivery at their cost and expense.
   
 
The Buyers shall take over remaining bunkers and  unused lubricating and hydraulic oils   and greases in storage tanks and unopened drums without extra cost and pay either:
   
 
(a) *the actual net price (excluding barging expenses) as evidenced by invoices or vouchers; or
   
 
(b)   *the current net market price (excluding barging expenses) at the port and date of delivery of the Vessel or, if unavailable, at the nearest bunkering port
   
 
for the quantities taken over.
   
 
Payment under this Clause shall be made at the same time and place and in the same currency as the Purchase Price.
   
 
“inspection” in this Clause 7 , shall mean the Buyers’ inspection according to Clause 4(a) or 4(b) (Inspection), if applicable. If the Vessel is taken over without inspection, the date of this Agreement shall be the relevant date.
   
 
*(a) and (b) are alternatives, delete whichever is not applicable. In the absence of deletions alternative (a) shall apply.
   
8.
Documentation – See also Clause 20
 
The place of closing: At the Builder’s Yard
   
 
(a) In exchange for payment of the Purchase Price the Sellers shall provide the Buyers with the following delivery documents:
   
 
(i)
Legal Bill(s) of Sale in a form recordable in the Buyers’ Nominated Flag State, transferring title of the Vessel and stating that the Vessel is free from all mortgages, encumbrances and maritime liens (whether maritime or otherwise) or any other debts whatsoever, duly notarially attested and legalised or apostilled, as required by the Buyers’ Nominated Flag State;
     
 
(ii)
Evidence that all necessary corporate, shareholder and other action has been taken by the Sellers to authorise the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement;
     
 
(iii)
Power of Attorney of the Sellers appointing one or more representatives to act on behalf of the Sellers in the performance of this Agreement, duly notarially attested and legalised or apostilled (as appropriate);
     
 
(iv)
Certificate or Transcript of Registry issued by the competent authorities of the flag state on the date of delivery evidencing the Sellers’ ownership of the Vessel and that the Vessel is free from registered encumbrances and mortgages, to be faxed or e-mailed by such authority to the closing meeting with the original to be sent to the Buyers as soon as possible after delivery of the Vessel;
     
 
(v)
Declaration of Class or (depending on the Classification Society) a Class Maintenance Certificate issued within three (3) Banking Days prior to delivery confirming that the Vessel is in Class free of condition/recommendation;
     
 
(vi)
Certificate of Deletion of the Vessel from the Vessel’s registry or other official evidence of deletion appropriate to the Vessel’s registry at the time of delivery, or, in the event that the registry does not as a matter of practice issue such documentation immediately a written undertaking by the Sellers to effect deletion from the Vessel’s registry forthwith and provide a certificate or other official evidence of deletion to the Buyers promptly and latest within four (4) weeks after the Purchase Price has been paid and the Vessel has
     
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been delivered;
     
 
(vii)
A copy of the Vessel’s Continuous Synopsis Record certifying the date on which the Vessel ceased to be registered with the Vessel’s registry, or, in the event that the registry does not as a matter of practice issue such certificate immediately, a written undertaking from the Sellers to provide the copy of this certificate promptly upon it being issued together with evidence of submission by the Sellers of a duly executed Form 2 stating the date on which the Vessel shall cease to be registered with the Vessel’s registry;
     
 
(vi ii )
Commercial Invoice for the Vessel;
     
 
(vii x )
Commercial Invoice(s) for bunkers, lubricating and hydraulic oils and greases (which will be taken over by the Buyers at no extra cost in accordance with Clause 7) ;
     
 
(x)
A copy of the Sellers’ letter to their satellite communication provider cancelling the Vessel’s communication contract which is to be sent immediately after delivery of the Vessel;
     
 
( x viii)

      Any additional documents as may reasonably be required by the competent authorities of the Buyers’ Nominated Flag State for the purpose of registering the Vessel, provided the Buyers notify the Sellers of any such documents as soon as possible after the date of this Agreement; and
     
 
(ix ii )
The Sellers’ letter of confirmation that to the best of their knowledge, the Vessel is not black listed by any nation or international organisation
     
 
The items set out in this Clause 8(a) are inserted for the sole benefit of the Buyers and may be waived in whole or in part with or without conditions by the Buyers.
     
 
(b) At the time delivery the Buyers shall provide the Sellers with:
     
 
(i)
Evidence that all necessary corporate, shareholder and other action has been taken by the Buyers to authorise the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement; and
     
 
(ii)
Power of Attorney of the Buyers appointing one or more representatives to act on behalf of the Buyers in the performance of this Agreement. , duly notarially attested and legalised or apostilled (as appropriate).
     
 
(c)  If any of the documents listed in Sub clauses (a) and (b) above are not in the English language they shall be accompanied by an English translation by an authorised translator or certified by a lawyer qualified to practice in the country of the translated language.
   
 
(d)  The Parties shall to the extent possible exchange copies, drafts or samples of the documents listed in Sub-clause (a) and Sub-clause (b) above for review and comment by the other party not later than one(1) Business Day (or such later date as the Buyers may agree) prior to the notice to be sent to the Buyers from the Sellers five (5) Business Days before delivery in accordance with Vessel’s intended date of readiness for delivery as notified by the Sellers pursuant to Clause 5(b) (the “Scheduled Delivery date”)   (state number of days) , or if left blank, nine (9) days prior to the Vessel’s intended date of readiness for delivery as notified by the Sellers pursuant to Clause 5(b) of this Agreement.
   
 
(e)  Concurrent with the exchange of documents in Sub-clause (a) and Sub-clause (b) above delivery of the Vessel , the Sellers shall also hand to the Buyers shall gain title and ownership to the classification certificate(s) as well as all plans, drawings and manuals, (excluding ISM/ISPS manuals), which are on board the Vessel. Other certificates which are on board the Vessel shall also be handed over to the Buyers unless the Sellers are required to retain same, in which case the Buyers have the right to take copies.
   
 
(f)  Other technical documentation which may be in the Sellers’ possession shall promptly after delivery be forwarded to the Buyers at Sellers’ their expense, if they so request. The Sellers may keep the Vessel’s log books but the Buyers have the right to take copies of same.
   
 
(g)  The Parties shall sign and deliver to each other a Protocol of Delivery and Acceptance confirming the date and time of delivery of the Vessel from the Sellers to the Buyers (the “PDA”) .
   
9.
Encumbrances
 
The Sellers warrant that the Vessel, at the time of delivery Delivery , is free from all charters (other than the Bareboat Charters) , encumbrances, mortgages and maritime liens (whether maritime or otherwise) or any other debts whatsoever, and is not subject
   


6



 
to Port State or other administrative detentions. The Sellers hereby undertake to indemnify the Buyers against all consequences of claims made against the Vessel which have been incurred prior to the time of delivery Delivery .
   
10.
Taxes, fees and expenses
 
Any taxes, fees and expenses in connection with the purchase of the Vessel and registration in the Buyers’ Nominated Flag State shall be for the Buyers’ account, whereas similar charges and in connection with the closing of the Sellers’ register shall be for the Sellers’ account.
   
11.
Condition on delivery  See also Clause 34 of the Bareboat Charter
 
The Vessel with everything belonging to her shall be at the Sellers’ risk and expense until she is delivered to the Buyers, but subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement she shall be delivered and taken over as she was at the time of Delivery inspection , fair wear and tear excepted .
   
 
However, t T he Vessel shall be delivered free of cargo and free of stowaways with her Class maintained without condition/recommendation*, free of average damage affecting the Vessel’s class, and with her classification certificates and national, certificates, as well as all other certificates the Vessel had at the time of inspection Delivery , valid and unextended without condition/recommendation* by the Classification Society or the relevant authorities at the time of delivery Delivery .
   
 
“inspection” in this Clause 11 , shall mean the Buyers’ inspection according to Clause 4(a) or 4(b) (Inspections), if applicable. If the Vessel is taken over without inspection, the date of this Agreement shall be the relevant date.
   
 
*Notes and memoranda, if any, in the surveyor’s report which are accepted by the Classification Society without condition/recommendation are not to be taken into account.
   
  12.
Name/markings – Intentionally omitted
 
Upon delivery the Buyers undertake to change the name of the Vessel and alter funnel markings.
   
13.
Buyers’ default – Intentionally omitted
 
Should the Deposit not be lodged in accordance with Clause 2 (Deposit), the Sellers have the right to cancel this Agreement, and they shall be entitled to claim compensation for their losses and for all expenses incurred together with interest.
   
 
Should the Purchase Price not be paid in accordance with Clause 3 (Payment), the Sellers have the right to cancel this Agreement, in which case the Deposit together with interest earned, if any, shall be released to the Sellers. If the Deposit does not cover their loss, the Sellers shall be entitled to claim further compensation for their losses and for all expenses incurred together with interest.
   
14.
Sellers’ default – See also Clause 19(c) and Clauses 33.1, 48 and 48A of the Bareboat Charter
 
Should the Sellers fail to give Notice of Readiness in accordance with Clause 5(b) or fail to be ready to validly complete a legal transfer by the Cancelling Date the Buyers shall have the option of cancelling this Agreement. If after Notice of Readiness has been given but before the Buyers have taken delivery, the Vessel ceases to be physically ready for delivery and is not made physically ready again by the Cancelling Date and new Notice of Readiness given, the Buyers shall retain their option to cancel. In the event that the Buyers elect to cancel this Agreement, the Deposit together with interest earned, if any, shall be released to them immediately.
   
 
Without prejudice to Clause 19(c) and Clauses 33.1, 48 and 48A of the Bareboat Charter and any other rights the Buyer may have under the Leasing Documents, at law or otherwise, S s hould the Sellers fail to give Notice of Readiness by the Cancelling Date or fail to be ready to validly complete a legal transfer as aforesaid they shall make due compensation to the Buyers for their loss and for all expenses together with interest if their failure is due to proven negligence and whether or not the Buyers cancel this Agreement.
   
15.
Buyers’ representatives – Intentionally omitted
 
After this Agreement has been signed by the Parties and the Deposit has been lodged, the Buyers have the right to place two (2) representatives on board the Vessel at their sole risk and expense.
 
These representatives are on board for the purpose of familiarisation and in the capacity of observers only, and they shall not interfere in any respect with the operation of the Vessel. The Buyers and the   Buyers' representatives shall sign the Sellers' P&I Club's standard letter of indemnity prior to their embarkation.



7



16.
Law and Arbitration – See Clause 27
 
(a)   * This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration in London in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996 or any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof save to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Clause.
   
 
The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) Terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
   
 
The reference shall be to three arbitrators. A party wishing to refer a dispute to arbitration shall appoint its arbitrator and send notice of such appointment in writing to the other party requiring the other party to appoint its own arbitrator within fourteen (14) calendar days of that notice and stating that it will appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator unless the other party appoints its own arbitrator and gives notice that it has done so within the fourteen (14) days specified. If the other party does not appoint its own arbitrator and give notice that it has done so within the fourteen (14) days specified, the party referring a dispute to arbitration may, without the requirement of any further prior notice to the other party, appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator and shall advise the other party accordingly. The award of a sole arbitrator shall be binding on both Parties as if the sole arbitrator had been appointed by agreement.
   
 
In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of US$100,000 the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the LMAA Small Claims Procedure current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
   
 
(b) *This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Title 9 of the United States Code and the substantive law (not including the choice of law rules) of the State of New York and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to three (3) persons at New York, one to be appointed by each of the parties hereto, and the third by the two so chosen; their decision or that of any two of them shall be final, and for the purposes of enforcing any award, judgement may be entered on an award by any court of competent jurisdiction. The proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc.
   
 
In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of US$100,000 the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the Shortened Arbitration Procedure of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc.
   
 
(c) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of __________ ( state place ) and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration at _________ ( state place ), subject to the procedures applicable there.
   
 
*16(a), 16(b) and 16(c) are alternatives; delete whichever is not applicable, In the absence of deletions, alternative 16(a) shall apply.
   
17.
Notices
 
All notices to be provided under this Agreement shall be in writing.
   
 
Contact details for recipients of notices are as follows:
   
 
For the Buyers:
c/o CMB Financial Leasing Co., Ltd.
Address:  21/F, China Merchants Bank Building, No. 1088, Lujiazui Ring Road, Shanghai, China
Email: x _ man@cmbchina.com
Tel:  +8621 61061737
Fax: +8621 61059911*1737
   
 
For the Sellers:
c/o Central Mare, Inc.
Address:  1, Vas. Sofias Street & Meg. Alexandrou,
151 24 Maroussi, Greece
Email:  atsirikos@topships.org
Tel:  +302108128180
Fax: +302108056441
   
18.
Entire Agreement
 
The written terms of this Agreement comprise the entire agreement between the Buyers and the Sellers in relation to the sale and purchase of the Vessel and supersede all previous


8



 
agreements whether oral or written between the Parties in relation thereto.
   
 
Each of the Parties acknowledges that in entering into this Agreement it has not relied on and shall have no right or remedy in respect of any statement, representation, assurance or warranty (whether or not made negligently) other than as is expressly set out in this Agreement.
   
 
Any terms implied into this Agreement by any applicable statute or law are hereby excluded to the extent that such exclusion can legally be made. Nothing in this Clause shall limit or exclude any liability for fraud.
   

 
/s/ Andreas Louka
/s/ Zhou Ling
     
 
For and on behalf of the Sellers
For and on behalf of the Buyers
 
Name: Andreas Louka
Name:  Zhou Ling
 
Title:  Attorney-in-fact
Title: Director
     


9

EXECUTION VERSION
RIDER CLAUSES TO MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
DATED 3 December   2018
Clause 19 – Payment of Purchase Price by Buyer

(a)   The Buyers agree to pay the Sellers the Purchase Price in the following manner:

(i)
the Buyers shall pay an amount equivalent to the Advance Charterhire to the Sellers on the Delivery Date provided that such amount shall be set off against the amount of the Advance Charterhire payable to the Buyers as owners under the terms of the Bareboat Charter on the Delivery Date, with the result that the Buyers shall be deemed to have paid such sum to the Sellers forthwith and the Sellers be deemed to have paid the amount of Advance Charterhire to the Buyers pursuant to the terms of the Bareboat Charter; and

(ii)
The Buyers shall pay the balance of the Purchase Price to the Sellers (subject to the terms of sub-paragraph (b) below) by way of the following nine(9) chronological instalments:
 
Instalment
Amount
 
Payment Date
         
 
1st
$2,742,135 (being an amount equal to the first instalment of the Contract Price or, if applicable, the Final Contract Price payable to the Builder under Article X paragraph 2(a) of the Contract, and known as the “ First Instalment ”).
 
Within five (5) Business Days from the date the Buyers confirming receipt of the Refund Guarantee (in form and substance satisfactory to the Buyers)
 
         
 
2nd
$2,742,135(being an amount equal to the second instalment of the Contract Price or, if applicable, Final Contract Price payable to the Builder under Article X paragraph 2(b) of the Contract, and known as the “ Second Instalment ”)
 
 
on the day falling (3) months from the Sellers’ payment of the First Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment as charterers under the Bareboat Charter
 
3rd
$2,742,135(being an amount equal to the third instalment of the Contract Price or, if applicable, Final Contract Price payable to the Builder under Article X paragraph 2(c) of the Contract, and known as the “ Third Instalment ”)
 
on the earlier of (i) the day falling (5) months from the Sellers’ payment of the First Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment as charterers under the Bareboat Charter; and (ii) the Delivery Date
 
 
4th
$2,742,135 (being an amount equal to the  fourth instalment of the Contract Price or,  if applicable, Final Contract Price payable  to the Builder under Article X paragraph
 
on the earlier of (i) the day falling eight (8) months from the Sellers’ payment of the First Pre-delivery
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2(d) of the Contract and known as the “ Fourth Instalment ”)
 
Upfront Charterhire Instalment as charterers under the Bareboat Charter; and (ii) the Delivery Date
         
 
5th
$2,742,135 (being an amount equal to the fifth instalment of the Contract Price or, if applicable, Final Contract Price payable to the Builder under Article X paragraph 2(e) of the Contract and known as the “ Fifth Instalment ”)
 
on the earlier of (i) the day falling eleven (11) months from the Sellers’ payment of the First Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment as charterers under the Bareboat Charter; and (ii) the Delivery Date
         
 
6th
$2,742,135 (being an amount equal to the  sixth instalment of the Contract Price or, if  applicable, Final Contract Price payable to  the Builder under Article X paragraph 2(f) of the Contract and known as the “ Sixth Instalment ”)
 
Within two (2) months of the Delivery Date.
         
 
7th
$5,484,270 (being an amount equal to the  seventh instalment of the Contract Price or, if applicable, Final Contract Price  payable to the Builder under Article X  paragraph 2(g) of the Contract and known as the “ Seventh Instalment ”)
 
Within one (1) month of the Delivery Date.
         
 
8th
$3,000,000 (being an amount equal to the  eighth instalment of the Contract Price or, if applicable, Final Contract Price payable to the Builder under Article X paragraph 2(h) of the Contract and known as the “ Eighth Instalment ”)
 
No later than the day falling (15) days prior to the Delivery Date.
         
 
9th
An amount in Dollars equal to the Final Instalment (being an amount equal to the  last instalment of the Contract Price (disregarding any adjustment pursuant to  the terms of the Contract) payable to the Builder under Article X paragraph 2(i) of  the Contract minus the amount equal to  the Advance Charterhire and is also the “ Final Instalment ” as defined herein)
 
On the Delivery Date.

(b)   The Purchase Price shall be paid as follows:

(i)
with respect to the First Instalment, the Second Instalment, the Third Instalment, the Fourth Instalment and a portion (in an amount equal to the Fifth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment payable by the Sellers as charterers under the Bareboat Charter) of the Fifth Instalment or the Sixth Instalment (whichever payment occurs earlier between these two Instalments) shall be set off, against respectively, against the First Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment, the Second Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment, the Third Pre-delivery
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Upfront Charterhire Instalment, the Fourth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment and the Fifth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment, each payable by the Sellers as charterers under the Bareboat Charter under the terms of the Bareboat Charter on the relevant Payment Date in respect of such Instalment. As from such set off, the Buyers shall be deemed to have paid such Instalments (or in relation the Fifth Instalment or the Sixth Instalment, whichever payment occurs earlier, a portion of equal to the amount of the Fifth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment) and the Sellers shall be deemed to have paid the amount of the relevant Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment to the Buyers pursuant to the terms of the Bareboat Charter;

(ii)
subject to sub-paragraph (iii) below, with respect to the Fifth Instalment or the Sixth Instalment (whichever payment occurs earlier and netting the portion set-off by the Fifth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment as per sub-paragraph (i) above), the Fifth Instalment or the Sixth Instalment (whichever payment occurs later), the Seventh Instalment and the Eighth Instalment the Buyers may directly pay the amount of such Instalments (or any portion of any such Instalment) to the Builder on the relevant Payment Date in accordance with the requirements set out under Article X paragraph 4(a)(i), of the Contract. The Sellers acknowledge that any such payment (whether in part or in whole) by the Buyers of such Instalment (or any portion of such Instalment) directly to the Builder shall be deemed to satisfy the Buyers’ obligation to pay the same to the Sellers under this Clause 19 ( Payment of Purchase Price by Buyer ); and

(iii)
with respect to the Final Instalment, the Buyers shall remit by telegraphic transfer the amount of the Final Instalment to the Builder’s Bank in accordance with the manner set out under Article X paragraph 4(a)(ii) of the Contract no later than three (3) Business Days prior to the Scheduled Delivery Date (or as otherwise agreed) (the date on which the Buyers remit the Final Instalment, the “ Preposition Date ”) and with the release of the Final Instalment to the Builder governed by the terms of a Conditional Payment Instruction, which shall, inter alia, permit the release of the Final Instalment to the Builder only upon presentation within fifteen 15 banking days (as defined in the Contract) by the Builder of (A) a protocol of acceptance and delivery duly signed by authorised representatives of the Builder and the Sellers; and (B) a protocol of acceptance and delivery duly signed by authorised representatives of the Sellers and the Buyers and (if applicable) the Buyers’ financiers.

provided that in respect of each of sub-paragraphs(iii) and(iii)above, the relevant instalment (or where relevant, portion of) of the Purchase Price shall only be payable by the Buyers if the relevant conditions precedent set out under Clause 20 ( Documentation ) are fulfilled.
Interest on the amount of the Final Instalment prepositioned or paid by the Buyers at the rate of the Overnight USD LIBOR plus three hundred and sixty-five basis points (the “ Remittance Interest ”) shall:

(A)
in the event that the Vessel is delivered to the Buyers on the Delivery Date, accrue as of the Preposition Date until the Delivery Date (both dates inclusive); and

(B)
in the event that the Vessel is not delivered to the Buyers on the Delivery Date, accrue as of the Preposition Date until the amount of the Final Instalment prepositioned or paid by the Buyers is returned by the Sellers’ Bank to the Buyers in accordance with the Conditional Payment Instruction (both dates inclusive).
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The Sellers shall pay to the Buyers the applicable amount of Remittance Interest as notified by the Buyers to the Sellers within three (3) Business Days of the Buyers’ demand.
(c)
Subject to clause 6 of the Pre-delivery Assignment and clauses 33, 40, 48 and 48A of the Bareboat Charter, if a Termination Event or events described in clause 48A.1 or 48A.2 or 48A.3 of the Bareboat Charter occurs prior to Delivery then:

(i)
the Buyers shall immediately be released from all obligations under this Agreement;

(ii)
upon receipt of the Pre-delivery Purchase Price by the Buyers pursuant to the terms of the Bareboat Charter this Agreement shall immediately terminate and be cancelled without the need for the Buyers or the Sellers to take any action whatsoever provided that the Buyers shall be entitled to retain all fees paid by the Sellers under the Leasing Documents and such payment shall not be construed as a penalty but shall represent an agreed estimate of the loss and damage suffered by the Buyers in entering into this Agreement upon the terms and conditions contained herein and shall therefore be paid as compensation to the Buyers; and

(iii)
the Sellers shall be obliged to refund in full to the Buyers, all Instalments paid by the Buyers under this Agreement, as at the date the Termination Event or the relevant event described in Clause 48A.1 or 48A.2 or 48A.3 of the Bareboat Charter (as the case may be) occurs, provided that:

(aa)
such obligation of the Sellers shall be waived by the Buyers only upon full payment of the Pre-delivery Purchase Price by the Sellers (in their capacity as bareboat charterers) to the Buyers (in their capacity as owners) under the Bareboat Charter in accordance with its terms;

(bb)
if the Buyers receive any moneys from the Builder or the Refund Guarantor pursuant to the terms of any Leasing Document, such amount received by the Buyers shall be set off against the Sellers’ obligations to refund the Instalments to the Buyers under this paragraph (iii) and if such moneys received by the Buyers exceed the Pre-delivery Purchase Price, then any excess of such moneys received by the Buyers over the Pre-delivery Purchase Price shall be paid over to the Sellers,
and upon full payment of the Pre-delivery Purchase Price to the Buyers by the Sellers, the Buyers shall, at the request and cost of the Sellers, without representation or warranty, re-assign the Buyer’s rights and interests under the Contract and the Refund Guarantee to the Sellers in accordance with the terms of the Pre-delivery Assignment.
(d)
For the avoidance of doubt, any difference between the Purchase Price and the outstanding Contract Price or, if applicable, Final Contract Price shall be for the account of the Sellers (such difference, the “ Final Outstanding Sellers’ Amount ”).
Clause 20 – Documentation
The Buyers’ obligation to pay each Instalment of the Purchase Price and in respect of remittance of the Final Instalment in accordance with Clause 19(b)(iii) shall be conditional upon:
(a)
the relevant Payment Date falling within the Availability Period;
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(b)
the conditions precedent set out in Schedule 1 Part A being fulfilled to the satisfaction of the Buyers on or prior to the date of this Agreement;
(c)
in respect of the Fifth Instalment (netting the portion set-off by the Fifth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment as per clause 19(b)(i) above), the conditions precedent set out in Schedule 1 Part B being fulfilled to the satisfaction of the Buyers on or prior to the date of the Buyers’ payment of the Fifth Instalment;
(d)
in respect of the Sixth Instalment, the conditions precedent set out in Schedule 1 Part C being fulfilled to the satisfaction of the Buyers on or prior to the date of the Buyers’ payment of the Sixth Instalment;
(e)
in respect of the Seventh Instalment, the conditions precedent set out in Schedule 1 Part D being fulfilled to the satisfaction of the Buyers on or prior to the date of the Buyers’ payment of the Seventh Instalment;
(f)
in respect of the Eighth Instalment, the conditions precedent set out in Schedule 1 Part E being fulfilled to the satisfaction of the Buyers on or prior to the date of the Buyers’ payment of the Eighth Instalment; and
(g)
in respect of the Final Instalment, the conditions precedent set out in Schedule 1 Part F being fulfilled to the satisfaction of the Buyers on or prior to the date of the Buyers’ remittance of the Final Instalment in accordance with Clause 19(b)(iii) or, where indicated in Schedule 1 Part G, will, in the opinion of the Buyers, satisfy on or prior to the Delivery Date.
The conditions precedent specified in this Clause 20 are inserted for the sole benefit of the Buyers and may be waived or deferred in whole or in part and with or without conditions by the Buyers.
Clause 21 – Fees
In consideration of the Buyers entering into this Agreement and the Bareboat Charter, the Sellers shall pay to the Buyers or its nominee the fees in accordance with clause 41 of the Bareboat Charter.
Clause 22 – Physical Presence
If there is any change in the flag state from the Buyers’ Nominated Flag State at the date of this Agreement and such new Buyers’ Nominated Flag State requires the Buyers to have a physical presence or office in the new Buyer’s Nominated Flag State, all fees, costs and expenses arising out of or in connection with the establishment and maintenance of such physical presence or office by the Buyers shall be borne by the Sellers.
Clause 23 – Costs and Expense
(a)
The Sellers shall pay such amounts to the Buyers in respect of all costs, claims, expenses, liabilities, losses and fees (including but not limited to any legal fees, vessel registration and tonnage fees) suffered or incurred by or imposed on the Buyers arising from this Agreement or in connection with the Delivery, registration and purchase of the Vessel by the Buyers whether prior to, during or after termination of this Agreement and whether or not the Vessel is in the possession of or the control of the Sellers or otherwise.
(b)
The Sellers shall indemnify and compensate the Buyers against all costs, claims, expenses, liabilities, losses, damages and fees (including but not limited to any legal fees) arising due to any default, improper behaviour and/or negligence of the Sellers under any Leasing Documents and Shipbuilding Documents.
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(c)
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the indemnities provided by the Sellers shall be provided in favour of the Buyers and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any breach of the terms of this Agreement or termination of this Agreement pursuant to the terms hereof.
Clause 24 – Sanctions
The Sellers represent and warrant to the Buyers, as of the date hereof and at the Delivery Date that:
(a) they

(i)
are not a Restricted Person;

(ii)
are not owned or controlled by or acting directly or indirectly on behalf of or for the benefit of, a Restricted Person;

(iii)
do not own or control a Restricted Person; or

(iv)
do not have a Restricted Person serving as a director, officer or, to the best of their knowledge, employee; and
(b)
no proceeds of the Purchase Price shall be made available, directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of a Restricted Person nor shall they be otherwise directly or indirectly, applied in a manner or for a purpose prohibited by Sanctions.
Clause 25 – Anti-Money Laundering Laws
The Sellers represent and warrant to the Buyers, as of the date hereof and at the Delivery Date that, they are not in breach of any Anti-Money Laundering Laws and the Sellers have, instituted and maintained systems, controls, policies and procedures designed to:
(a)
prevent and detect incidences of bribery and corruption, money laundering and terrorism financing; and
(b)
promote and achieve compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Laws including, but not limited to, ensuring thorough and accurate books and records, and utilization of commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that Affiliates acting on behalf of the Sellers shall act in compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Laws.
Clause 26 – Sellers’ Undertakings
(a)
Subject to the Pre-delivery Assignment, the Sellers shall keep and duly exercise where appropriate in accordance with the Contract the Sellers’ rights as buyer under the Contract in relation to:

(i)
approval of plans and drawings;

(ii)
supervision of the construction of the Vessel; and

(iii)
attendance of the tests and sea trial,
in each case at the Sellers’ costs and expenses.
(b)
Any changes and modifications made or requested by the Sellers as buyer under the Contract in respect of the Vessel shall be made or requested with the prior written
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consent of the Buyers and such changes and modifications shall be at the Sellers costs (if not already covered under the Purchase Price).
Clause 27 – Governing Law and Enforcement
(a)
This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising under or in connection with it, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law.
(b)
Any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement (including a dispute regarding the existence, validity or termination of this Agreement or any non-contractual obligation arising out of or in connection with this Agreement) (a “ Dispute ”)) shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration in London in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996 or any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof save to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Clause 25. The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (“ LMAA ”) Terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
(c)
The reference shall be to three arbitrators. A party wishing to refer a Dispute to arbitration shall appoint its arbitrator and send notice of such appointment in writing to the other party requiring the other party to appoint its own arbitrator within 14 calendar days of that notice and stating that it will appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator unless the other party appoints its own arbitrator and gives notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified. If the other party does not appoint its own arbitrator and give notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified, the party referring a Dispute to arbitration may, without the requirement of any further prior notice to the other party, appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator and shall advise the other party accordingly. The award of a sole arbitrator shall be binding on both parties as if he had been appointed by agreement. Nothing herein shall prevent the parties agreeing in writing to vary these provisions to provide for the appointment of a sole arbitrator.
(d)
Where the reference is to three arbitrators the procedure for making appointments shall be in accordance with the procedure for full arbitration stated above.
(e)
The language of the arbitration shall be English.
Clause 28 – Incorporation of Specific Provisions
The following provisions of the Pre-delivery Assignment apply to this Agreement as if they were expressly incorporated in this Agreement with any necessary modifications:
clause 15 (Incorporation of Bareboat Charter provisions ); and
clause 19 ( Changes to the Parties ).
Clause 29 - Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Agreement.
Clause 30 - Definitions
Unless otherwise specified hereunder, capitalised terms in this Agreement shall have the same meaning as in the Bareboat Charter and the Contract:
Anti-Money Laundering Laws ” means all applicable financial record-keeping and reporting requirements, anti-money laundering statutes (including all applicable rules and regulations thereunder) and all applicable related or similar laws, rules, regulations or guidelines, of all
7


jurisdictions including and without limitation, the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China (including Hong Kong for the avoidance of doubt) and which in each case are (a) issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency having jurisdiction over the Sellers or the Buyers; (b) of any jurisdiction in which the Sellers or the Buyers conduct business; or (c) to which the Sellers or Buyers are subjected or subject to.
Availability Period ” means the period commencing from the date of this Agreement to the Pre-delivery Maturity Date.
Business Days ” shall have the same meaning given to the term “business days” under the Contract.
Bareboat Charter ” means the bareboat charter in respect of the Vessel dated the date hereof and made between the Buyers as owners and the Sellers as bareboat charterers.
Builder’s Bank ” means Woori Bank Co LTD with registered office at CBS B/D 1 Floor, 917 Mok Dong, YANGCHEON-gu, Seoul 07997, Korea or such other receiving bank of the Builder notified by the Builder to the Sellers under the Contract and by the Sellers to the Buyers under this Agreement.
Cancelling Date ” means the earlier of (a) 19 April 2019 or the date falling 270 days from 19 April 2019; and (b) 1 September 2019 or such other late dater as permitted and agreed by the BP Charterer pursuant to clause 7 of the BP Charter.
Conditional Payment Instruction ” means a payment instruction in the form of a SWIFT MT 199 or such other format agreed between the Builder and the Buyers.
Contract Price ” means the contract price payable by the Sellers to the Builder for the Vessel under the Contract, being $57,842,700.
Delivery ” means the transfer of the legal and beneficial ownership in the Vessel from the Builder to the Sellers pursuant to the terms of the Contract and the transfer of the legal and beneficial ownership in the Vessel from the Sellers to the Buyers pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
Delivery Date ” means the date on which Delivery occurs.
Eighth Instalment ” shall have the meaning as defined under Clause 19(a)(ii) ( Payment of Purchase Price by Buyer ) of this Agreement.
Fifth Instalment ” shall have the meaning as defined under Clause 19(a)(ii) ( Payment of Purchase Price by Buyer ) of this Agreement.
“Final Contract Price” means the contract price payable to the Builder for the Vessel under the Contract as adjusted in accordance with the terms of the Contract (being $57,842,700 as at the date of this Agreement before any such adjustment) as evidenced in the Sellers’ commercial invoice in form and substance satisfactory to the Buyers.
Final Instalment ” means an amount in Dollars equal to the Purchase Price minus the amount of all the other Instalments paid or payable on or prior to the Delivery Date.
Final Outstanding Sellers’ Amount ” shall have the meaning as defined under Clause 19(d) ( Payment of Purchase Price by Buyer ) of this Agreement.
First Instalment ” shall have the meaning as defined under Clause 19(a)(ii)( Payment of Purchase Price by Buyer ) of this Agreement.
Fourth Instalment ” shall have the meaning as defined under Clause 19(a)(ii)( Payment of Purchase Price by Buyer ) of this Agreement.
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Instalment ” means each or, as the context may require, any of the First Instalment, the Second Instalment, the Third Instalment, the Fourth Instalment, the Fifth Instalment, the Sixth Instalment, the Seventh Instalment, the Eighth Instalment and the Final Instalment and “ Instalments ” means all of them.
Overnight USD LIBOR ” means the London interbank offered rate administered by ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (or any other person which takes over the administration of that rate) for dollars based on a one day maturity rate on the relevant date displayed on page LIBOR 01 of the Thomson Reuters screen (or any replacement Thomson Reuters page which displays that rate) or on the appropriate page of such other information service which publishes that rate from time to time in place of Thomson Reuters, and if such page or service ceases to be available the Buyers may specify another page or service displaying the relevant rate on such day, or if such day is not a Business Day, the Business Day immediately preceding such day (if the rate as determined above is less than zero, the Overnight USD LIBOR shall be deemed to be zero).
Payment Date ” means the due date, in relation to an Instalment, for payment of such Instalment as set out under Article III paragraph 2 of the Contract which, as at the date of this Agreement, correspond to those set out under Clause 19(a)(ii)( Payment of Purchase Price by Buyer ).
Payment Notice ” means a request form to be submitted by the Sellers to the Buyers to request for the Buyers’ payment of an Instalment on the relevant Payment Date, which shall be in the form set out in Schedule 2.
Pre-delivery Maturity Date ” means the earlier of (a) the Delivery Date and (b) the Cancelling Date.
Purchase Price ” means an amount equal to the lower of (a) the Contract Price; (b) the First Market Value; and (c) the Final Contract Price.
Second Instalment ” shall have the meaning as defined under Clause 19(a)(ii)( Payment of Purchase Price by Buyer ) of this Agreement.
Seventh Instalment ” shall have the meaning as defined under Clause 19(a)(ii) ( Payment of Purchase Price by Buyer ) of this Agreement.
Sixth Instalment ” shall have the meaning as defined under Clause 19(a)(ii) ( Payment of Purchase Price by Buyer ) of this Agreement.
Third Instalment ” shall have the meaning as defined under Clause 19(a)(ii) ( Payment of Purchase Price by Buyer ) of this Agreement.
Vessel ” means the 157,000 DWT Class Crude Oil Tanker having Builder’s hull number S874 being constructed by the Builder under the Contract.
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SCHEDULE 1
PART A
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO SIGNING
1     Corporate Authorisation
1.1
A copy of the constitutional documents and statutory registers of each Relevant Party (other than the Refund Guarantor, the BP Charterer, the Builder and each Approved Manager).
1.2
A copy of the resolutions of the board of directors (or equivalent) of each Relevant Party (other than the Refund Guarantor, the BP Charterer, the Builder and each Approved Manager):
(a)
approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Leasing Documents to which it is a party and resolving that it execute the Leasing Documents to which it is a party;
(b)
authorizing a specified person or persons to execute the Leasing Documents to which it is a party on its behalf; and
(c)
authorizing a specified person or persons, on its behalf, to sign and/or dispatch all documents and notices to be signed and/or dispatched by it under, or in connection with, the Leasing Documents to which it is a party.
1.3
If applicable, an original of the power of attorney of each Relevant Party (other than the Refund Guarantor, the BP Charterer, the Builder and each Approved Manager) authorizing a specified person or persons to execute the Leasing Documents to which it is a party.
1.4
A specimen of the signature of each person authorized by the resolution referred to in paragraph 1.2 above.
1.5
A certificate of a director, officer or secretary (as appropriate) of each Relevant Party (other than the Refund Guarantor, the BP Charterer, the Builder and each Approved Manager) certifying that each copy document relating to it specified in this Schedule 1 Part A is correct, complete and in full force and effect as at a date no earlier than the date of this Agreement.
2     Documents

2.1
A duly executed copy of the Contract together with any amendments thereto .
2.2
Duly executed copies of each Leasing Document (other than the General Assignment, the Quiet Enjoyment Agreement and the Manager’s Undertakings provided that each such Leasing Document shall then be in agreed form) and of each document to be delivered under it and evidence of their delivery within the timing prescribed under it.



10


2.3
A duly executed copy of the BP Charter and any amendments thereto in form and substance satisfactory to the Buyers.
2.4
A copy of any other consents, approvals, authorization or other document, opinion or assurance which the Buyers consider to be reasonably desirable in connection with the entry into and performance of the transactions contemplated by the BP Charter or for the validity and enforceability of the BP Charter.
2.5
Receipt by the Buyers of the Refund Guarantee together with any amendments thereto, each in form and substance satisfactory to the Buyers and not having been revoked or purported to be revoked as of the Payment Date of the First Instalment and having a validity period expiring no earlier than the Cancelling Date.
2.6
Evidence that the Operating Account has been opened .
2.7
Such documentary evidence as the Buyers may reasonably require in relation to the due authorization and execution by the Builder of the Contract and/or by the Refund Guarantor of the Refund Guarantee.


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PART B
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO PAYMENT OF FIFTH INSTALMENT
1     Corporate Authorisations
A certificate of an authorized signatory of each Relevant Person (other than the Refund Guarantor, the BP Charterer, the Builder and each Approved Manager) certifying that each copy document provided under paragraph 1 of Part A of Schedule 1 (Conditions Precedent to Signing) remains correct, complete and in full force and effect as on the Payment Date of the Fifth Instalment.
  Documents
2.1
A copy certified as true by an officer of the Sellers of the notification from the Builder demanding the payment of the fifth instalment of the Contract Price pursuant to Article X paragraph 3 of the Contract.
3     Receipt of Sellers’ funded portion
In the event where the Fifth Instalment occurs earlier than the Sixth Instalment:
3.1
Evidence satisfactory to the Buyers that the Sellers have paid and the Builder has received an amount equivalent to the sum of the First Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment, the Second Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment, the Third Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment, the Fourth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment and the Fifth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment.
3.2
Evidence satisfactory to the Buyers that any interest accrued from the delayed payment by the Sellers under the Contract have been settled.
4     Payment Notice
Not later than 7 Business Days prior to the Payment Date of the Fifth Instalment, a duly completed Payment Notice submitted by the Sellers to the Buyers requesting payment of the Fifth Instalment.
5     Others
5.1
Evidence satisfactory to the Buyers that there is no default which is continuing and not remedied under the Contract and there has been no default and/or default occurred under the Contract.
5.2
Documentary evidence that the Security Interests intended to be created by each of the Security Documents (other than the General Assignment and the Managers’ Undertakings) have been duly perfected under applicable law.
5.3
The Buyers’ receipt of full payment of (i) the First Instalment Arrangement Fee Amount (if the Fifth Instalment is payable earlier than the Sixth Instalment); and (ii) all accrued Commitment Fee which are outstanding and payable by the Sellers to the Buyers.
5.4
The Buyers being satisfied with the progress of the construction and conditions of the Vessel upon inspection and/or survey of the Vessel.
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PART C
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO PAYMENT OF SIXTH INSTALMENT
1     Corporate Authorisations
A certificate of an authorized signatory of each Relevant Person (other than the Refund Guarantor, the BP Charterer, the Builder and each Approved Manager) certifying that each copy document provided under paragraph 1 of Part A of Schedule 1 ( Conditions Precedent to Signing ) remains correct, complete and in full force and effect as on the Payment Date of the Sixth Instalment.
2     Documents
2.1
A copy certified as true by an officer of the Sellers of the notification from the Builder demanding the payment of the sixth instalment of the Contract Price pursuant to Article X paragraph 3 of the Contract.
3   Receipt of Sellers’ funded portion

3.1
In the event where the Sixth Instalment occurs earlier than the Fifth Instalment:
(a)
Evidence satisfactory to the Buyers that the Sellers have paid and the Builder has received an amount equivalent to the sum of the First Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment, the Second Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment, the Third Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment, the Fourth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment and the Fifth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment.
(b)
Evidence satisfactory to the Buyers that any interest accrued from the delayed payment by the Sellers under the Contract have been settled.
4   Payment Notice
  Not later than 7 Business Days prior to the Payment Date of the Sixth Instalment, a duly completed Payment Notice submitted by the Sellers to the Buyers requesting payment of the Sixth Instalment.
5   Others
5.1
Evidence satisfactory to the Buyers that there is no default which is continuing and not remedied under the Contract and there has been no default and/or default occurred under the Contract.
5.2
The Buyers’ receipt of full payment of (i) the First Instalment Arrangement Fee Amount (if the Sixth Instalment is payable earlier than the Fifth Instalment); and (ii) all accrued Commitment Fee which is outstanding and payable by the Sellers to the Buyers.
5.3
In the event where the Sixth Instalment occurs earlier than the Fifth Instalment, documentary evidence that the Security Interests intended to be created by each of the Security Documents (other than the General Assignment and the Managers’ Undertakings) have been duly perfected under applicable law.
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PART D
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO PAYMENT OF SEVENTH INSTALMENT
    Corporate Authorisations
A certificate of an authorized signatory of each Relevant Person (other than the Refund Guarantor, the BP Charterer, the Builder and each Approved Manager) certifying that each copy document provided under paragraph 1 of Part A of Schedule 1 (Conditions Precedent to Signing) remains correct, complete and in full force and effect as on the Payment Date of the Seventh Instalment.
2     Documents
A copy certified as true by an officer of the Sellers of the notification from the Builder demanding the payment of the seventh instalment of the Contract Price pursuant to Article X paragraph 3 of the Contract.
3     Payment Notice
Not later than 7 Business Days prior to the Payment Date of the Seventh Instalment, a duly completed Payment Notice submitted by the Sellers to the Buyers requesting payment of the Seventh Instalment.
4     Others
4.1
Evidence satisfactory to the Buyers that there is no default which is continuing and not remedied under the Contract and there has been no default and/or default occurred under the Contract.
4.2
The Buyers’ receipt of full payment of all accrued Commitment Fee which are outstanding and payable by the Sellers to the Buyers.
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PART E
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO PAYMENT OF EIGHTH INSTALMENT
  Corporate Authorisations
A certificate of an authorized signatory of each Relevant Person (other than the Refund Guarantor, the BP Charterer, the Builder and each Approved Manager) certifying that each copy document provided under paragraph 1 of Part A of Schedule 1 ( Conditions Precedent to Signing ) remains correct, complete and in full force and effect as on the Payment Date of the Eighth Instalment.
  Documents
A copy certified as true by an officer of the Sellers of the notification from the Builder demanding the payment of the eighth instalment of the Contract Price pursuant to Article X paragraph 3 of the Contract.
  Payment Notice
Not later than 7 Business Days prior to the Payment Date of the Eighth Instalment, a duly completed Payment Notice submitted by the Sellers to the Buyers requesting payment of the Eighth Instalment.
  Others
4.1
Evidence satisfactory to the Buyers that there is no default which is continuing and not remedied under the Contract and there has been no default and/or default occurred under the Contract.
4.2
The Buyers’ receipt of full payment of all accrued Commitment Fee which are outstanding and payable by the Sellers to the Buyers.
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PART F
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO PREPOSITION OF FINAL INSTALMENT
  Corporate Authorisations
A certificate of an authorized signatory of each Relevant Person (other than the Refund Guarantor, the BP Charterer, the Builder and each Approved Manager) certifying that each copy document provided under paragraph 1 of Part A of Schedule 1 ( Conditions Precedent to Signing ) remains correct, complete and in full force and effect as on the Payment Date of the Final Instalment.
2     Documents
2.1
Notices of Delivery issued by the Sellers to the Buyers under Clause 5 of this Agreement .
2.2
A copy certified as true by an officer of the Sellers of the notification from the Builder demanding the payment of the last instalment of the Contract Price (or, if applicable, the Final Contract Price) pursuant to Article X paragraph 3 of the Contract.
2.3
Duly executed but undated copies of the General Assignment, the Quiet Enjoyment Agreement and each Manager’s Undertaking and of each document to be delivered under it within the timing prescribed under it.
3     Payment Notice
Not later than 7 Business Days prior to the Payment Date of the Final Instalment, a duly completed Payment Notice submitted by the Sellers to the Buyers requesting payment of the Final Instalment.
4     Evidence of Sellers’ funded portion
Evidence satisfactory to the Buyers that the Sellers have paid and the Builder has received an amount equivalent to the Final Outstanding Sellers’ Amount and the Advance Charterhire.
5     I nsurances
5.1
A signed opinion from an independent insurance consultant acceptable to the Buyers on such matters relating to the Insurances as the Buyers may require (obtained at the costs of the Sellers).
5.2
Signed insurance policies or documents from the relevant approved brokers, insurance companies and/or underwriters, war risks and protection and indemnity risks associations confirming that as of the Delivery Date the insurances are placed in accordance with the provisions of the Bareboat Charter and all requirements of the Bareboat Charter in respect of Insurances have been complied with.
6     Management of Vessel
A certified true copy of the management agreement(s) of the Vessel appointing the Commercial Manager as commercial manager and the Technical Manager as technical
17


manager and establishing that the Vessel will, as from the Delivery Date, be managed commercially or technically (as the case may be) by such Approved Managers.
7     Valuation of the Vessel
7.1
Valuation reports of the Vessel for determining the First Market Value of the Vessel, provided at the costs of the Sellers and addressed to the Buyers and dated not earlier than fifteen (15) days before the Scheduled Delivery Date.
7.2
A survey report in form and substance satisfactory to the Buyers (in its sole discretion) (including without limitation the quality and physical conditions of the Vessel) of the Vessel by the surveyor appointed by the Buyers and at the Sellers’ costs.
8     Vessel Documents
8.1
A copy of the valid and current Document of Compliance in respect of the Approved Manager.
8.2
A copy of the valid and current Document of Compliance for the Carriage of Dangerous Goods in respect of the Vessel (if required by the Buyers).
8.3
A copy of the Declaration of Designated Person form under the ISM Code of the Approved Manager in respect of the Vessel.
9     Others
9.1
Evidence satisfactory to the Buyers that there is no default which is continuing and not remedied under the Contract and there has been no default and/or default occurred under the Contract.
9.2
The Buyers’ receipt of full payment of all accrued Commitment Fee which is outstanding and payable by the Sellers to the Buyers and the full Arrangement Fee Amount.
9.3
Documents setting out the Specification (as defined under Article I of the Contract)] of the Vessel.
9.4
Any additional documents as may reasonably be required by the competent authorities of the Buyers’ Nominated Flag State for the purpose of the Buyers’ registration of the Vessel.
9.5
Copies of the Original Financial Statements certified true by an officer of the Sellers and the Guarantor respectively.
9.6
Evidence that all Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire, fees, costs and expenses outstanding and payable from the Sellers to the Buyers pursuant to Clause 41 ( Fees and Expenses ) of the Bareboat Charter have been paid in full.
9.7
Such evidence relating to a Relevant Person as the Buyers may require for their (or their financiers) to be able to satisfy each of their “know your customer” or similar identification procedures in relation to the transactions contemplated by the Pertinent Documents.
18


9.8
A copy of any other consents, approvals, authorization or other document, opinion or assurance which the Buyers consider to be reasonably desirable in connection with the entry into and performance of the transactions contemplated by any of the Leasing Documents and the BP Charter or for the validity and enforceability of such document.
9.9
The Owners being satisfied that all conditions precedent for delivery of the Vessel to the BP Charterer under the BP Charter has been or will be satisfied upon the Delivery Date and that the Vessel shall be delivered to the BP Charterer under the BP Charter on the Delivery Date.
9.10
Such other documents as the Buyers may reasonably require by giving the Sellers not less than three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice.
9.11
The Buyers’ being satisfied that the conditions precedent set out in Part A of Schedule 2 to the Bareboat Charter, have been, or will capable of being, satisfied on the Delivery Date.
10     Legal opinions
10.1
An unsigned legal opinion of Watson Farley & Williams, legal advisers to the Buyers on such matters on the laws of England and Hong Kong as may be satisfactory to the Buyers.
10.2
An unsigned legal opinions by lawyers appointed by the Buyers on such matters on the laws of the Netherlands and the Marshal Islands and any other relevant jurisdictions as may be satisfactory to the Buyers.
19


SCHEDULE 2
FORM OF PAYMENT NOTICE
To:
Sea 103 Leasing Co. Limited

Date:
[ ]

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT DATED [•] (the “Memorandum of Agreement”)
in relation to the vessel with hull no. S874 (the “Vessel”)

We refer to the Memorandum of Agreement made between us in relation to the Vessel.
This is the Payment Notice relating to the [ ] instalment of the Purchase Price, as defined as the [Fifth][Sixth][Seventh][Eighth][Final] Instalment under the Memorandum of Agreement.
Capitalised terms in this Payment Notice have the meanings set out in the Memorandum of Agreement unless otherwise defined herein.
We hereby request that an Instalment of the Purchase Price in an amount of $[ ] be paid on [ insert date ] by remitting such amount directly to the Builder (account number [ ] and such payment shall be deemed satisfaction of your obligation to make a payment of a corresponding amount to us under the Memorandum of Agreement).
We confirm that this payment corresponds with and satisfies our payment obligations in respect of the [fifth (to the extent the Builder has already received the remaining portion directly from us)/sixth/seventh/eighth/final (to the extent the Builder has already received such amount directly from us)] Instalment(s) due and payable under the Contract.
The Contract remains in full force and effect and neither we nor the Builder is in breach of any of the terms of the Contract.
Yours faithfully,

________________________
Name:
Title: for and on behalf of
South California Inc.
Dated:
20

EXECUTION PAGE


SELLERS
       

SIGNED
)
/s/ Andreas Louka  
By Andreas Louka
)
   
As an attorney-in-fact
)
   
for and on behalf of
)
   
SOUTH CALIFORNIA INC.
)
   
in the presence of:
)

 
  )
   
Witness' signature:
)
/s/ Alexandros Tsirikos
 
Witness' name:
)
Alexandros Tsirikos
 
Witness address:
)
12 N. Perizsi St, Athens, Greece
 


BUYERS

SIGNED
)

 
by)

   
as an attorney-in-fact
)
   
for and on behalf of
)
   
SEA 103 LEASING CO., LIMITED
)
   
in the presence of:
)

 
  )
   
Witness' signature:
)
/s/ Wang Wei
 
Witness' name:
)
Wang Wei
 
Witness address:
)
22F, China Mercahnts Bank Building, NO. 1088
Lujiazui Ring Road, Shanghai, China
 









21
Exhibit 4.88



1. Shipbroker
N/A
 
BIMCO STANDARD BAREBOAT CHARTER
CODE NAME: "BARECON 2001"
BIMCO
 
 
PART I
2. Place and date
 
3 December 2018
3. Owners/Place of business ( Cl. 1 )
Sea 103 Leasing Co. Limited / 46/F., Champion Tower, 3 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong
 
 
4. Bareboat Charterer/Place of Business ( Cl. 1 )
South California, Inc. / Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960
5. Vessel’s name, call sign and flag ( Cl. 1 and 3 )
ECO BEL AIR with Builder’s Hull No.: S874, TBA, Marshall Island or any other approved flag
6. Type of Vessel
Crude Oil Carrier
7. GT/NT
TBA
8. When/Where built
2019 / Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
9. Total DWT (abt.) in metric tons on summer freeboard
157,000
10. Classification Society ( Cl. 3 )
DNV-GL or any other Classification Society approved by the Owners
11. Date of last special survey by the Vessel’s classification society
N/A
12. Further particulars of Vessel (also indicate minimum number of months’ validity of class certificates agreed acc. to Cl. 3 )
Builder’s Hull No.: S874
13. Port or Place of delivery ( Cl. 3 )
Builder’s Shipyard in South Korea
14. Time for delivery ( Cl. 4 )
See Clause 34
15. Cancelling date ( Cl. 5 )
As defined in this Charter
16. Port or Place of redelivery ( Cl. 15 )
See Clause 40.6
17. No. of months’ validity of trading and class certificates upon   redelivery ( Cl. 15 )
Six (6) months
18. Running days’ notice if other than stated in Cl. 4
N/A
19. Frequency of dry-docking ( Cl. 10(g) )
In accordance with Classification Society or flag state requirements
20. Trading Limits ( Cl. 6 )
Worldwide within International Navigation Limits, please also see Clauses 45.1(q), 45.1® and 45.1(s)
21. Charter period ( Cl. 2 )
See Clause 32
22. Charter hire ( Cl. 11 )
See Clauses 36
23. New class and other safety requirements (state percentage of Vessel’s insurance value acc. to Box 29 )( Cl. 10(a)(ii) )
N/A
24. Rate of interest payable acc. to Cl. 11(f) and, if applicable, acc. to PART IV
See Clause 36 and definition of “Quarter Charterhire”
25. Currency and method of payment ( Cl. 11 )
USD/Bank Transfer



This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.

“BARECON 2001” STANDARD BAREBOAT CHARTER
PART I
26. Place of payment; also state beneficiary and bank account (Cl. 11)
Such accounts as the Owners may notify the Charterers from time to time
27. Bank guarantee/bond (sum and place)( Cl. 24 )(optional)
See Clause 24
28. Mortgage(s), if any (state whether 12(a) or (b) applies; if 12(b) applies state date of Financial Instrument and name of Mortgagee(s)/Place of business)( Cl. 12 )
See Clause 62.(3), Clause 12 does not apply
29. Insurance (hull and machinery and war risks)(state value acc. to Cl. 13(f) or, if applicable, acc. to Cl. 14(k) )(also state if Cl. 14 applies)
See Clause 38-Clause 14 does not apply
 
30. Additional insurance cover, if any, for Owners’ account limited to ( Cl. 13(b) or, if applicable, Cl. 14(g) )
N/A
31. Additional insurance cover, if any, for Charterers’ account limited to ( Cl. 13(b) or, if applicable, Cl. 14(g) )
See Clause 38
 
32. Latent defects (only to be filled in if period other than stated in Cl. 3 )
N/A
33. Brokerage commission and to whom payable ( Cl. 27 )
N/A
34. Grace period (state number of clear banking days)( Cl. 28 )
N/A
35. Dispute Resolution (state 30(a) , 30(b) or 30(c) ; if 30(c) agreed Place of Arbitration must be stated ( Cl. 30 )
See Clause 63
36. War cancellation (indicate countries agreed)( Cl. 26(f) )
N/A
37. Newbuilding Vessel (indicate with ”yes” or “no” whether PART III applies)(optional)
No, Part III does not apply
38. Name and place of Builders (only to be filled in if PART III applies)
No, Part III does not apply
39. Vessel’s Yard Building No. (only to be filled in if PART III applies)
N/A
40. Date of Building Contract (only to be filled in if PART III applies)
No, Part III does not apply
41. Liquidated damages and costs shall accrue to (state party acc. to Cl. 1 )
a) N/A
b) N/A
c) N/A
42. Hire/Purchase agreement (indicate with “yes” or “no” whether PART IV applies)(optional)
No, Part IV does not apply
43. Bareboat Charter Registry (indicate “yes” or “no” whether PART V applies)(optional)
No, Part V does not apply
44. Flag and Country of the Bareboat Charter Registry (only to be filled in if PART V applies)
No, Part V does not apply
45. Country of the Underlying Registry (only to be filled in if PART V applies)
No, Part V does not apply
46. Number of additional clauses covering special provisions, if agreed
Clause 32 to Clause 64
 
PREAMBLE - It is mutually agreed that this Contract shall be performed subject to the conditions contained in this Charter which shall Include PART I
and PART II . In the event of a conflict of conditions, the provisions of PART I shall prevail over those of PART II to the extent of such conflict but no further. It Is further mutually agreed that PART III and/or PART IV and/or PART V shall only apply and only form part of this Charter If expressly agreed and stated in Boxes 37 , 42 and 43 . If PART III and/or PART IV and/or PART V apply, it Is further agreed that In the event of a conflict of conditions,
the provisions of PART l and PART II shall prevail over those of PART III and/or PART IV and/or PART V to the extent of such conflict but no further.
 
Signature (Owners)
For and on behalf of
Sea 103 Leasing Co. Limited
/s/ _____________________
Name:  _________________
Title: Attorney-in-fact
Signature (Charterers)
For and on behalf of
South California Inc.
/s/ Andreas M. Louka
Name: Andreas M. Louka
Title: Attorney-in-fact

This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


PART II
“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
1.
Definitions
In this Charter, the following terms shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them:
The Owners " shall mean the party identified in Box 3 ;
The Charterers " shall mean the party identified in Box 4 ;
The Vessel ” shall mean the vessel named in Box 5 and with particulars as stated in Boxes 6 to 12 .
Financial Instrument means the mortgage, deed covenant or other such financial security instrument as annexed to this Charter and stated in Box 28 . has the meaning ascribed to such term in Clause 64.
2.
Charter Period
In consideration of the hire detailed in Box 22 , the Owners have agreed to let and the Charterers have agreed to hire the Vessel for the period stated in Box 21   (“The Charter Period”) See also Clause 32
3.
Delivery
(not applicable when Part III applies, as indicated in Box 37 )
(a)     The Owners shall before and at the time of delivery exercise due diligence to make the Vessel seaworthy
And in every respect ready-in-hull, machinery and equipment for service under this Charter.
The vessel shall be delivered by the Owners and taken over by the Charterers at the port or place indicated in Box 13   in such ready safe berth as the Charterers may direct.
(b)     The Vessel shall be properly documented on delivery in accordance with the laws of the flag State indicated in Box 5 and the requirements of the C c lassification S s ociety stated in Box 10.  The Vessel upon delivery shall have her survey cycles up to date and trading and class certificates valid for at least the number of months agreed in Box 12 .
(c)     The delivery of the Vessel by the Owners and the taking over of the Vessel by the Charterers shall constitute a full performance by the Owners of all the Owners’ obligations under this Clause 3 , and thereafter the Charterers shall not be entitled to make or assert any claim against the Owners on account of any conditions, representations or warranties expressed or implied with respect to the Vessel but the Owners shall be liable for the cost of but not the time for repairs or renewals occasioned by the latent defects in the Vessel, her machinery or appurtenances, existing at the time of delivery under this Charter, provided such defects have manifested themselves within twelve (12) months after delivery unless otherwise provided in Box 32 .
4.
Time for Delivery (See Clauses 32 and 34)
( not applicable when Part III applies, as indicated in Box 37 )
The Vessel shall not be delivered before the date indicated in Box 14 without the Charterers’ consent and the Owners shall exercise due diligence to deliver the Vessel not later than the date indicated in Box 15 .  Unless otherwise agreed in Box 18 , the Owners shall give the Charterers not less than thirty (30) running days’ preliminary and not less than fourteen (14) running days’ definite notice of the date on which the Vessel is expected to be ready for delivery.
The Owners shall keep the Charterers closely advised of possible changes in the Vessel’s position.
5.
Cancelling  (See Clause 33)
(not applicable when Part III applies, as indicated in Box 37 )
(a)     Should the Vessel not be delivered latest by the cancelling date indicated in Box 15, the Charterers shall have the option of cancelling this Charter by giving the Owners notice of cancellation within thirty-six (36) running hours after the cancelling date stated in Box 15, failing which this Charter shall remain in full force and effect.
(b)     If it appears that the Vessel will be delayed beyond the cancelling date, the Owners may, as soon as they are in a position to state with reasonably certainty the day on which the Vessel should be ready, give notice thereof to the Charterers asking whether they will exercise their option of cancelling, and the option must then be declared within one hundred and sixty-eight(168) running hours of the receipt by the Charterers of such notice or within thirty-six (36) running hours after the cancelling date, whichever is the earlier.  If the Charterers do not then exercise their option of cancelling, the seventh day after the readiness date stated in the Owners’ notice shall be substituted for the cancelling date indicated in Box 15 for the purpose of this Clause 5 .
(c)     Cancellation under this Clause 5 shall be without prejudice to any claim the Charterers may otherwise have on the Owners under this Charter.
6.
Trading Restrictions  (See also Clauses 45.1(q), 45.1(r), 45.1(s))
The Vessel shall be employed in lawful trades for the carriage of suitable lawful merchandise within the trading limits indicated in Box 20 .
The Charterers undertake not to employ the Vessel or suffer the Vessel to be employed otherwise than in conformity with the terms of the contracts of insurance (including any warranties expressed or implied therein) without first obtaining the consent of the insurers to such employment and complying with such requirements as the extra premium or otherwise as the insurers may prescribe.
The Charterers also undertake not to employ the Vessel or suffer her employment in any trade or business which is forbidden by the law of any country to which the Vessel may sail or is otherwise illicit or in carrying illicit or prohibited goods or in any manner whatsoever which may render her liable to condemnation, destruction, seizure or confiscation.
Notwithstanding any other provisions contained in this Charter it is agreed that nuclear fuels or radioactive products or waste are specifically excluded from the cargo permitted to be loaded or carried under this Charter.  This exclusion does not apply to radio-isotopes used or intended to be used for any industrial, commercial, agricultural, medical or scientific purposes provided the Owners' prior approval has been obtained to loading thereof.
7.
Surveys on Delivery and Redelivery
(not applicable when Part III applies, as indicated in Box 37 )
Provisions on delivery see Clause 46.2.
The Owners and Charterers shall each appoint surveyors for the purpose of determining and agreeing in writing the condition of the Vessel at the time of delivery and redelivery pursuant to Clause 40. 6 hereunder at the costs of the Charteres The Owners shall bear all expenses of the On-hire Survey including loss of time, if any, and of the Off-hire Survey including loss of time, if any, at the daily equivalent to the rate of hire or pro rate thereof.
8.
Inspection  (See Clause 46)
The Owners shall have the right at any time after giving reasonable notice to the Charterers to inspect or survey the Vessel or instruct a duly authorised surveyor to carry out such survey on their behalf:-
(a)      to ascertain the condition of the Vessel and satisfy themselves that the Vessel is being properly repaired and maintained.  The costs and fees for such inspection or survey shall be paid by the Owners unless the Vessel is found to require repairs or maintenance in order to achieve the condition so provided;
(b)      in dry-dock if the Charterers have not dry-docked Her in accordance with Clause 10(g) .  The costs and fees for such inspection or survey shall be paid by the Charterers; and
(c)      for any other commercial reason they consider necessary (provided it does not unduly interfere with the commercial operation of the Vessel).  The costs and


This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.

PART II
“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
fees for such inspection and survey shall be paid by the Owners.
All time used in respect of inspection, survey or repairs shall be for the Charterers account and form part of the Charter Period.
The Charterers shall also permit the Owners to inspect the Vessel’s log books whenever requested and shall whenever required by the Owners furnish them with full information regarding any casualties or other accident or damage to the Vessel.
9.
Inventories, Oil and Stores See also Clause 34.7
A complete inventory of the Vessel’s entire equipment, outfit including spare parts, appliances and of all consumables stores on board the Vessel shall be made by the Charterers in conjunction with the Owners on delivery and again on redelivery of the Vessel.  The Charterers and the Owners, respectively, shall at the time of delivery and redelivery take over and pay for all bunkers, lubricating oil, unbreached provisions, paints, ropes and other consumable stores (excluding spare parts) in the said Vessel at the then current market prices at the ports of delivery and redelivery, respectively.  The Charterers shall ensure that all spare part listed in the inventory and used during the Charter Period are replaced at their expense prior to redelivery of the Vessel.
10.
Maintenance and Operation
(a)(i) Maintenance and Repairs - During the Charter Period the Vessel shall be in the full possession and at the absolute disposal for all purposes of the Charterers and under their complete control in every respect.  The Charterers shall maintain the Vessel, her machinery, boilers, appurtenances and spare parts in a good state of repair, in efficient operating condition and in accordance with good commercial maintenance practice and, except as provided for in Clause 14(I) , if applicable, at their own expense they shall at all times keep the Vessel’s Class fully up to date with the Classification Society indicated in Box 10 and maintain all other necessary certificates in force at all times.

(ii)
New Class and Other Safety Requirements - In the event of any improvement, structural changes or new equipment becoming necessary for the continued operation of the Vessel by reason of new class requirements or by compulsory legislation the Charterers shall ensure that the same are complied with and the time and costs of compliance shall be for the Charterers’ account. costing (excluding the Charterers’ loss of time) more than the percentage stated in Box 23 , or if Box 23 is left blank, 5 percent of the Vessel’s insurance value as stated in Box 29 , then the extent, if any, to which the rate of hire shall be varied and the ration in which the cost of compliance shall be shared between the parties concerned in order to achieve a reasonable distribution thereof as between the Owners and the Charterers having regard, inter alia, to the length of the period remaining under this Charter shall, in the absence of agreement, be referred to the dispute resolution method agreed in Clause 30 .

(iii)
Financial Security - The Charterers shall maintain financial security or responsibility in respect of third party liabilities as required by any government, including federal, state or municipal or other division or authority thereof, to enable the Vessel, without penalty or charge, lawfully to enter, remain at, or leave any port, place, territorial or contiguous waters of any country, state or municipality in performance of this Charter without any delay.  This obligation shall apply whether or not such requirements have been lawfully imposed by such government or division or authority thereof.
The Charterers shall make and maintain all arrangements by bond or otherwise as may be necessary to satisfy such requirements at the Charterers’ sole expense and the Charterers shall indemnify the Owners against all consequences whatsoever (including loss of time) for any failure or inability to do so.
(b)      Operation of the Vessel - The Charterers shall at their own expense and by their own procurement man, victual, navigate, operate, supply, fuel and, whenever required, repair the Vessel during the Charter Period and they shall pay all charges and expenses of every kind and nature whatsoever incidental to their use and operation of the vessel under this Charter, including annual F f lag State fees and any foreign general municipality and/or state taxes.  The Master, officers and his crew of the Vessel shall be the servants of the Charterers for all purposes whatsoever, even if for any reason appointed by the Owners.
Charterers shall comply with the regulations regarding officers and crew in force in the country of the Vessel’s flag or any other applicable law.
(c)      The Charterers shall keep the Owners and the mortgagee(s) advised of the intended employment, planned dry docking and major repairs of the Vessel, as reasonably required.
(d)      Flag and Name of Vessel - During the Charter Period, the Charterers shall have the liberty to paint the Vessel in their own colours, install and display their funnel insignia and fly their own house flag (with all fees, costs and expenses arising in relation thereto for the Charterers account) .  The Charterers shall also have the liberty, with the Owners’ consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, to change the flag (with all fees, costs and expenses arising in relation thereto for the Charterers account). Painting and re-painting, instalment and re-instalment, registration (including maintenance and renewal thereof) and re-registration , if required by the Owners, shall be at the Charterers’ expense and time.  If the Flag State requires the Owners to establish a physical presence or office in the jurisdiction of such Flag State, all fees, costs and expenses payable by the Owners to establish and maintain such physical presence or office shall be for the account of the Charterers.
(e)      Changes to the Vessel - Subject to clause 10(a)(ii), the Charterers shall make no structural changes in the Vessel or changes in the machinery, boilers, appurtenances or spare parts thereof without in each instance first securing the Owners’ approval thereof.  If the Owners so agree, the Charterers shall, if the Owners so require, restore the Vessel to its former condition before the termination of this Charter .
(f)      Use of the Vessel’s Outfit, Equipment and Appliances – The Charterers shall have the use of all outfit, equipment, and appliances on board the Vessel at the time of delivery, provided the same or their substantially equivalent shall be returned to the Owners on redelivery in the same good order and condition as when received, ordinary wear and tear expected.  The Charterers shall from time to time during the Charter Period replace such items of equipment as shall be so damaged or worn as to be unfit for use.  The Charterers are to procure that all repairs to or replacement of any damaged, worn or lost parts or equipment be effected in such manner (both as regards workmanship and quality of materials) as not to diminish the value of the Vessel.  Title of equipment so replaced shall remain with the Owners.  The Charterers have the right to fit additional

This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.

equipment at their expense and risk (provided that no permanent structural damage is caused to the Vessel by reason of such installation) and   but the Charterers shall , at their expense, remove such equipment and make good any damage caused by the fitting or removal of such additional equipment before the Vessel is redelivered to the Owners at the end of the period if requested by the Owners .  Any equipment including radio equipment on hire on the Vessel at time of delivery shall be kept and maintained by the Charters and the Charterers shall assume the obligations and liabilities of the Owners under any lease contracts in connection therewith and shall reimburse the Owners for all expenses incurred in connection therewith, also for any new equipment required in order to comply with radio regulations.
(g)      Periodical Dry-Docking – The Charters shall dry-dock the Vessel and clean and paint her underwater parts whenever the same may be necessary, but not less than once during the period stated in Box 19 .   or, if Box 19 has been left blank, every sixty (60) calendar months after delivery or such other period as may be required by the Classification Society or Flag State.
11.
Hire (See Clause 36)
(a)     The Charterers shall pay hire due to the Owners punctuality in accordance with the terms of this Charter in respect of which time shall be of the essence.
(b)     The Charterers shall pay to the Owners for the hire of the Vessel a lump sum in the amount indicated in Box 22 which shall be payable no later than every thirty (30) running days in advance, the first lump sum being payable on the date and hour of the Vessel’s delivery to the Charterers.  Hire shall be paid continuously throughout the Charter Period.
( c)     Payments of hire shall be made in cash without discount in the currency and in the manner indicated in Box 25 and at the place mentioned in Box 26 .
(d)     Final payment of hire, if for a period less than thirty (30) running days, shall be calculated proportionally according to the number of days and hours remaining before redelivery and advance payment to be affected accordingly.
(e)     Should the Vessel be lost or missing, hire shall cease from the date and time when she was lost or last heard of.  The date upon which the Vessel is to be treated as lost or missing shall be ten (10) days after the Vessel was last reported or when the Vessel is posted as missing by Lloyd’s, whichever occurs first.  Any hire paid in advance to be adjusted accordingly.
(f)     Any delay in payment of higher shall entitle the Owners to interest at the rate per annum as agreed in Box 24 .  If Box 24 has not been filled in, the three months Interbank offered rate in London (LIBOR or is successor) for the currency stated in Box 25 , as quoted by the British Bankers’ Association (BBA) on the date when the hire fell due, increased by 2 perc., shall apply.
(g)     Payments of interest do under subclause 11(f) shall be made within seven (7) running days of the date of the Owners invoice specifying the amount payable or, in the absence of an invoice, at the time of the next hire payment date.
12.
Mortgage See Clause 62.3
(only to apply if Box 28 has been appropriately filled in)
*)
(a)     The Owners warrant that they have not effected any mortgage(s) of the Vessel and that they shall not effect any mortgage(s) without the prior consent of the Charterers, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
*)
(b)     The Vessel chartered under this Charter is financed by a mortgage according to the Financial Instrument.  The Charterers undertake to comply, and provide such information and documents to enable the Owners to comply, with all such instructions or directions in regard to the employment, insurances, operation, repairs and maintenance of the Vessel as laid down in the Financial Instrument or as may be directed from time to time during the currency of the Charter by the mortgagee(s) in conformity with the Financial Instrument.  The Charterers confirm that, for this purpose, they have acquainted themselves with all relevant terms, conditions and provisions of the Financial Instrument and agree to acknowledge this in writing in any form that may be required by the mortgagee(s).  The Owners warrant that they have not effected any mortgage(s) other than stated in Box 28 . and that they shall not agree to any amendment of the mortgage(s) referred to in Box 26 or effect any other mortgage(s) without the prior consent of the Charterers, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
*)
(Optional, Clauses 12(a) and 12(b) are alternatives; indicate alternative agreed in Box 28 )
13.
Insurance and Repairs (See also Clause 38)
(a)      Subject to Clause 38, During during the Charter Period the Vessel shall be kept insured by the Charterers at their expense   against hull and machinery, marine and war (including blocking and trapping) and Protection and Indemnity risks and freight, demurrage and defence risks (and any risks against which it is compulsory to insure for the operation of the Vessel, including but not limited to maintaining financial security in accordance with sub clause 10(a)(iii)) in such form as the   Owners shall in writing approve, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.  During the Charter Period the Charterers shall procure (at Charterers’ expense) that there are in place innocent Owners’ interest insurance, lessor’s additional perils (pollution) insurance and if applicable Mortgagees’ interest insurance and Mortgagees’ additional perils (pollution) insurance for an amount equal to at least one hundred and twenty percent. (120%) of the then Early Prepayment Sum and shall procure (at Charterers’ expense) that there are in place the lessor contingent liability insurance for an amount no less than $500,000,000 and in the name of the Owners.  Such insurances shall be arranged by the Charterers  to protect the interests of both the Owners and the Charterers and the mortgagee(s) (if any), and The Charterers shall be at liberty to protect under such insurances the interests of any managers they may appoint .  Insurance policies shall cover the Owners , and the Charterers and the Mortgagees (if any) according to their respective interests.  Subject to the provisions of the Financial Instrument if any the agreed loss payable clauses,   the Financial Instrument, if any , and the approval of the Owners and the insurers, the Charterers shall effect all insured repairs and shall undertake settlement and reimbursement from the insurers of all costs in connection with such repairs as well as insured charges, expenses and liabilities to the extent of coverage under the insurances herein provided for.
The Charterers also to remain responsible for and to effect repairs and settlement of costs and expenses incurred thereby in respect of all other repairs not covered by the insurances and/or not exceeding any possible franchise(s) or deductibles provided for in the insurance.
All time used for repairs under the provisions of sub- clause 13(a) and for repairs of latent defects according to Clause 3(c) above, including any deviation, shall be the Charterers’ account.
(b)      If the conditions of the above insurances permit additional insurance to be placed by the parties, such cover shall be limited to the amount for each party set

-

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PART II
“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
out in Box 30 and Box 31 , respectively.   The Owners or the Charterers as the case may be shall immediately furnish the other party with particulars of any additional insurance effected, including copies of any cover notes or policies and the written consent of the insurers of any such required insurance in any case where the consent of such insurers are necessary. The Charterers hereby undertake that any additional insurances that they arrange now or in the future will always be compliant with the terms of the underlying hull and machinery policies.
(c)      The Charterers shall upon the request of the Owners, provide information and promptly execute such documents as may be reasonably required to enable the Owners to comply with the insurance provisions of the each Financial Instrument (if any) .
(d)      Subject to the provisions of the Financial Instrument s , if any , and Clauses 38 and 40 should the Vessel become   an actual, constructive, compromised or agreed total   Total loss Loss under the insurances required under sub-clause 13(a) , all insurance payments for such loss shall be paid to the Owners (or if applicable, their financiers) in accordance with the agreed loss payable clauses who shall distribute the moneys between the Owners and the Charterers according to their respective interests .The Charterers undertake to notify the Owners and the mortgagee(s), if any, of any occurrences in consequence of which the Vessel is likely to become a total Total   loss Loss as defined in this Clause .
(e)      The Owners shall upon the request of the Charterers, promptly execute such documents as may be required to enable the Charterers to abandon the Vessel to insurers and claim a constructive total loss.
(f)      For the purpose of insurance coverage against hull and machinery and war risks under the provisions of sub-clause 13(a) , the value of the Vessel is the sum indicated in Box 29 . Clause 38.
14.
Insurance, Repairs and Classification – intentionally omitted
(Optional, only to apply if expressly agreed and stated in Box 29 , in which event Clause 13 shall be considered deleted).
(a)     During the Charter Period the Vessel shall be kept insured by the Owners at their expense against hull and machinery and war risks under the form of policy or policies attached hereto.  The Owners and/or insurers shall not have any right of recovery or subrogation against the Charterers on account of loss of or any damage to the Vessel or her machinery or appurtenances covered by such insurance, or on account of payments made to discharge claims against or liabilities of the Vessel or the Owners covered by such insurance. Insurance policies shall cover the Owners and the Charterers according to their respective interests.
(b)      During the Charter Period the Vessel shall be kept insured by the Charterers at their expense against Protection and Indemnity risks (and any risks against which it is compulsory to insure for the operation of the Vessel, including maintaining financial security in accordance with sub-clause 10(a)(iii) ) in such form as the Owners shall in writing approve which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(c)    In the event that any act or negligence of the Charterers shall vitiate any of the insurance herein provided, the Charterers shall pay to the Owners all losses and indemnify the Owners against all claims and demands which would otherwise have been covered by such insurance.
(d)      The Charterers shall, subject to the approval of the Owners or Owners' Underwriters, effect all insured repairs, and the Charterers shall undertake settlement of all miscellaneous expenses in connection with such repairs as well as all insured charges, expenses and liabilities to the extent of coverage under the insurances provided for under the provisions of sub-clause 14(a) .  The Charterers to be secured reimbursement through the Owners' Underwriters for such expenditures upon presentation of accounts.
(e)      The Charterers to remain responsible for and to effect repairs and settlement of costs and expenses incurred thereby in respect of all other repairs not covered by the insurances and/or not exceeding any possible franchise(s) or deductibles provided for in the insurances.
(f)      All time used for repairs under the provisions of sub-clauses 14(d) and 14(e) and for repairs of latent defects according to Clause 3 above, including any deviation, shall be for the Charterers' account and shall form part of the Charter Period.
The Owners shall not be responsible for any expenses  as are incident to the use and operation of the Vessel for such time as may be required to make such repairs.
(g)    If the conditions of the above insurances permit additional insurance to be placed by the parties such cover shall be limited to the amount for each party set out in Box 30 and Box 31 , respectively.  The Owners or the Charterers as the case may be shall immediately furnish the other party with particulars of any additional insurance effected, including copies of any cover notes or policies and the written consent of the insurers of any such required insurance in any case where the consent of such insurers is necessary.
(h)      Should the Vessel become an actual, constructive, compromised or agreed total loss under the insurances required under sub-clause 14(a), all insurance payments for such loss shall be paid to the Owners, who shall distribute the moneys between themselves and the Charterers according to their respective interests.
(i)      If the Vessel becomes an actual, constructive,  compromised or agreed total loss under the insurances arranged by the Owners in accordance with sub-clause 14(a), this Charter shall terminate as of the date of such loss.
(j)      The Charterers shall upon the request of the Owners, promptly execute such documents as may be required to enable the Owners to abandon the Vessel to the insurers and claim a constructive total loss.
(k)      For the purpose of insurance coverage against hull and machinery and war risks under the provisions of sub-clause 14(a) , the value of the Vessel is the sum indicated in Box 29 .
(I)      Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-clause 10(a), it is agreed that under the provisions of Clause 14, if applicable, the Owners shall keep the Vessel's Class fully up to date with the Classification Society indicated in Box 10 and maintain all other necessary certificates in force at all times.
15.
Redelivery See also Clause 40
At the expiration of the Charter Period the Vessel shall be redelivered by the Charterers to the Owners at a safe and ice-free port or place as indicated in Box 16 , in such ready safe berth as the Owners may direct.  The Charterers shall give the Owners not less than thirty (30) running days' preliminary notice of expected date, range of ports of redelivery or port or place of redelivery and not less than fourteen (14) running days' definite notice of expected date and port or place of redelivery.  Any changes thereafter in the Vessel's position shall be notified immediately to the Owners.
The Charterers warrant that they will not permit the Vessel to commence a voyage (including any preceding ballast voyage) which cannot reasonably be expected to be completed in time to allow redelivery of the Vessel within the Charter Period.  Notwithstanding the above,



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PART II
“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
should the Charterers fail to redeliver the Vessel within   the Charter Period, the Charterers shall pay the daily equivalent to the rate of hire stated in Box 22 plus 10 per cent. or to the market rate, whichever is the higher, for the number of days by which the Charter Period is exceeded.  All other terms, conditions and provisions of this Charter shall continue to apply.
Subject to the provisions of Clause 10 , the Vessel shall be redelivered to the Owners in the same or as good structure, state, condition and class as that in which she was delivered, fair wear and tear not affecting class excepted.
The Vessel upon redelivery shall have her survey cycles up to date and trading and class certificates valid for at least the number of months agreed in Box 17 .
16.
Non-Lien
The Charterers will not suffer, nor permit to be continued, any lien or encumbrance incurred by them or their agents, which might have priority over the title and interest of the Owners in the Vessel.  The Charterers further agree to fasten to the Vessel in a conspicuous place and to keep so fastened during the Charter Period a notice reading as follows:
“This Vessel is the property of (name of Owners).  It is under charter to (name of Charterers) and by the terms of the Charter Party neither the Charterers nor the Master have any right, power or authority to create, incur or permit to be imposed on the Vessel any lien whatsoever.”
17.
Indemnity  (See Clauses 33.1, 36.11, 37.3, 38.15, 38.16, 38.18, 41, 52 and 54)
(a)      The Charterers shall indemnify the Owners against any loss, damage or expense incurred by the Owners arising out of or in relation to the operation of the Vessel by the Charterers, and against any lien of whatsoever nature arising out of an event occurring during the Charter Period.  If the Vessel be arrested or otherwise detained by reason of claims or liens arising out of her operation hereunder by the Charterers, the Charterers shall at their own expense take all reasonable steps to secure that within a reasonable time the Vessel is released, including the provision of bail.
Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Charterers agree to indemnify the Owners against all consequences or liabilities arising from the Master, officers or agents signing Bills of Lading or other documents.
(b)      If the Vessel be arrested or otherwise detained by reason of a claim or claims against the Owners, the Owners shall at their own expense take all reasonable steps to secure that within a reasonable time the Vessel is released, including the provision of bail.  In such circumstances the Owners shall indemnify the Charterers against any loss, damage or expense incurred by the Charterers (including hire paid under this Charter) as a direct consequence of such arrest or detention.
18.
Lien
The Owners to have a lien upon all cargoes, sub-hires   and sub-freights belonging or due to the Charterers or   any sub-charterers and any Bill of Lading freight for all   claims under this Charter , and the Charterers to have a lien on the Vessel for all moneys paid in advance and   not earned .
19.
Salvage
All salvage and towage performed by the Vessel shall be for the Charterers' benefit and the cost of repairing damage occasioned thereby shall be borne by the Charterers.
20.
Wreck Removal
In the event of the Vessel becoming a wreck or obstruction to navigation the Charterers shall indemnify the Owners against any sums whatsoever which the Owners shall become liable to pay and shall pay in consequence of the Vessel becoming a wreck or obstruction to navigation.
21.
General Average
The Owners shall not contribute to General Average.
22.
Assignment, Sub-Charter and Sale (See Clauses 45.1(p) and 62)
(a)     The Charterers shall not assign this Charter nor sub-charter the Vessel on a bareboat basis except with the prior consent in writing of the Owners , which shall not be unreasonably withheld, and subject to such terms and conditions as the Owners shall approve.
(b)      The Owners shall not sell the Vessel during the currency of this Charter . except with the prior written consent of the Charterers, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, and subject to the buyer accepting an assignment of this Charter.
23.
Contracts of Carriage
*)
(a)     The Charterers are to procure that all documents issued during the Charter Period evidencing the terms and conditions agreed in respect of carriage of goods shall contain a paramount clause incorporating any legislation relating to carrier's liability for cargo compulsorily applicable in the trade; if no such legislation exists, the documents shall incorporate the Hague-Visby Rules.  The documents shall also contain the New Jason Clause and the Both-to-Blame Collision Clause.
*)
(b)      The Charterers are to procure that all passenger tickets issued during the Charter Period for the carriage of passengers and their luggage under this Charter shall contain a paramount clause incorporating any legislation relating to carrier's liability for passengers and their luggage compulsorily applicable in the trade; if no such legislation exists, the passenger tickets shall incorporate the Athens Convention Relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 1974, and any protocol thereto.
*)
Delete as applicable.
24.
Bank Guarantees
(Optional, only to apply if Box 27 filled in)
The Charterers undertake to furnish on or about the date of this Charter , before delivery of the Vessel, a first class bank   corporate guarantee from the Guarantor or bond in the sum and at the place as indicated in Box 27   as guarantee, and on or about the date of this Charter the other Security Documents as security, in each case for full performance of their obligations under this Charter.
25.
Requisition/Acquisition
(a)      Subject to the provisions of the Financial Instruments (if any) and the General Assignment,, i I n the event of the Requisition for Hire of the Vessel by any governmental or other competent authority (hereinafter referred to as "Requisition for Hire") irrespective of the date during the Charter Period when "Requisition for Hire" may occur and irrespective of the length thereof and whether or not it be for an indefinite or a limited period of time, and irrespective of whether it   may or will remain in force for the remainder of the Charter Period, this Charter shall not be deemed thereby or thereupon to be frustrated or otherwise terminated and the Charterers shall continue to pay the stipulated hire in the manner provided by this Charter until the time when the Charter would have terminated pursuant to any of the provisions hereof always provided however that if all hire has been paid by the Charterers hereunder then in the event of "Requisition for Hire" any Requisition Hire or compensation received or receivable by the

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PART II
“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
Owners , the same shall be payable to the Charterers during the remainder of the Charter Period or the period of the "Requisition for Hire" whichever be the shorter.
(b) In the event of the Owners being deprived of their ownership in the Vessel by any Compulsory Acquisition of the Vessel or requisition for title by any governmental or other competent authority (hereinafter referred to as "Compulsory Acquisition"), then, irrespective of the date during the Charter Period when "Compulsory Acquisition" may occur, this Charter shall be deemed terminated as of the date of such "Compulsory Acquisition".  In such event Charter Hire to be considered as earned and to be paid up to the date and time of such "Compulsory Acquisition".
26.
War
(a)     Subject to the provisions of the Financial Instruments (if any), f F or the purpose of this Clause, the words "War Risks" shall include any war (whether actual or threatened), act of war, civil war, hostilities, revolution, rebellion, civil commotion, warlike operations, the laying of mines (whether actual or reported), acts of piracy, acts of terrorists, acts of hostility or malicious damage, blockades (whether imposed against all vessels or imposed selectively against vessels of certain flags or ownership, or against certain cargoes or crews or otherwise howsoever), by any person, body, terrorist or political group, or the Government of any state whatsoever, which may be dangerous or are likely to be or to become dangerous to the Vessel, her cargo, crew or other persons on board the Vessel.
(b)      Subject to Clause 38 and the provisions of the Financial Instruements (if any) the Vessel, unless the written consent of the Owners be first obtained and the Charterers have arranged for requisition insurance in respect of the Vessel (and the same has been assigned to the Owners or at their direction) , shall not continue to or go through any port, place, area or zone (whether of land or sea), or any waterway or canal, where it reasonably appears that the Vessel, her cargo, crew or other persons on board the Vessel, in the reasonable judgement of the Owners, may be, or are likely to be, exposed to War Risks.  Should the Vessel be within any such place as aforesaid, which only becomes dangerous, or is likely to be or to become dangerous, after her entry into it, the Owners shall have the right to require the Vessel to leave such area.
(c)      The Vessel shall not load contraband cargo, or to pass through any blockade, whether such blockade be imposed on all vessels, or is imposed selectively in any way whatsoever against vessels of certain flags or ownership, or against certain cargoes or crews or otherwise howsoever, or to proceed to an area where she shall be subject, or is likely to be subject to a belligerent's right of search and/or confiscation.
(d)   (Intentionally omitted)     If the insurers of the war risks insurance, when Clause 14 is applicable, should require payment of premiums and/or calls because, pursuant to the Charterers' orders, the Vessel is within, or is due to enter and remain within, any area or areas which are specified by such insurers as being subject to additional premiums because of War Risks, then such premiums and/or calls shall be reimbursed by the Charterers to the Owners at the same time as the next payment of hire is due.
(e)       The Charterers shall have the liberty:

(i)
to comply with all orders, directions, recommendations or advice as to departure, arrival, routes, sailing in convoy, ports of call, stoppages, destinations, discharge of cargo, delivery, or in any other way whatsoever, which are given by the Government of the Nation under whose flag the Vessel sails, or any other Government, body or group whatsoever acting with the power to compel compliance with their orders or directions;

(ii)
to comply with the orders, directions or recommendations of any war risks underwriters who have the authority to give the same under the terms of the war risks insurance;

(iii)
to comply with the terms of any resolution of the Security Council of the United Nations, any directives of the European Community, the effective orders of any other Supranational body which has the right to issue and give the same, and with national laws aimed at enforcing the same to which the Owners are subject, and to obey the orders and directions of those who are charged with their enforcement.
(f)       In the event of outbreak of war (whether there be a declaration of war or not) (i) between any two or more of the following countries: the United States of America; Russia; the United Kingdom; France; and the People's Republic of China, (ii) between any two or more of the countries stated in Box 36 , both the Owners and the Charterers shall have the right to cancel this Charter, whereupon the Charterers shall redeliver the Vessel to the Owners in accordance with Clause 15 , if the Vessel has cargo on board after discharge thereof at destination, or if debarred under this Clause from reaching or entering it at a near, open and safe port as directed by the Owners, or if the Vessel has no cargo on board, at the port at which the Vessel then is or if at  sea at a near, open and safe port as directed by the O wners.  In all cases hire shall continue to be paid in accordance with   Clause 11 and except as aforesaid all other provisions of this Charter shall apply until redelivery.
27.
Commission – Intentionally omitted
The Owners to pay a commission at the rate indicated in Box 33 to the Brokers named in Box 33 on any hire paid under the Charter.  If no rate is indicated in Box 33 , the commission to be paid by the Owners shall cover the actual expenses of the Brokers and a reasonable fee for their work.
If the full hire is not paid owing to breach of the Charter by either of the parties the party liable therefor shall indemnify the Brokers against their loss of commission.  Should the parties agree to cancel the Charter, the Owners shall indemnify the Brokers against any loss of commission but in such case the commission shall not exceed the brokerage on one year's hire.
28.
Termination (See Clauses 40 and 48)
(a)       Charterers' Default
The Owners shall be entitled to withdraw the Vessel from the service of the Charterers and terminate the Charter with immediate effect by written notice to the Charterers if:

(i)
the Charterers fail to pay hire in accordance with Clause 34   Clause 11 .  However, where there is a failure to make punctual payment of hire due to oversight, negligence, errors or omissions on the part of the Charterers or their bankers, the Owners shall give   the Charterers written notice of the number of clear banking days stated in Box 34 (as recognised at the agreed place of payment) in which to rectify the failure, and when so rectified within such number of days following the Owners' notice, the payment shall stand as regular and punctual.  Failure by the Charterers to pay hire within the number of days stated in Box 34 of their receiving the Owners' notice as provided herein, shall entitle the Owners to withdraw the Vessel from the service of the Charterers and terminate the Charter without further notice;

(ii)
the Charterers fail to comply with the requirements of:
(1)   Clause 6 (Trading Restrictions)
(2)   Clause 13(a)
(Insurance and Repairs) provided that the Owners shall have the option, by written notice to the Charterers, to give the Charterers a specified number of days grace within which to rectify the failure without prejudice to the Owners' right to withdraw and terminate under this Clause if the Charterers fail to comply with such notice;

(iii)
the Charterers fail to rectify any failure to comply with the requirements of sub-clause 10(a)(i) (Maintenance and Repairs) as soon as practically

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PART II
“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
possible after the Owners have requested them in writing so to do and in any event so that the Vessel's insurance cover is not prejudiced.
(b)      Owners' Default
If the Owners shall by any act or omission be in breach of their obligations under this Charter to the extent that the Charterers are deprived of the use of the Vessel and such breach continues for a period of fourteen (14) running days after written notice thereof has been given by the Charterers to the Owners, the Charterers shall be entitled to terminate this Charter with immediate effect by written notice to the Owners.
(c)      Loss of Vessel
This Charter shall be deemed to be terminated if the Vessel becomes a total loss or is declared as a constructive or compromised or arranged total loss.  For the purpose of this sub-clause, the Vessel shall not be deemed to be lost unless she has either become an actual total loss or agreement has been reached with her underwriters in respect of her constructive, compromised or arranged total loss or if such agreement with her underwriters is not reached it is adjudged by a competent tribunal that a constructive loss of the Vessel has occurred.
(d)      Either party shall be entitled to terminate this Charter with immediate effect by written notice to the other party in the event of an order being made or resolution passed for the winding up, dissolution, liquidation or bankruptcy of the other party (otherwise than for the purpose of reconstruction or amalgamation) or if a receiver is appointed, or if it suspends payment, ceases to carry on business or makes any special arrangement or composition with its creditors.
(e)      The termination of this Charter shall be without prejudice to all rights accrued due between the parties prior to the date of termination and to any claim that either party might have.
29.
Repossession
In the event of the Owners have made a request for redelivery of the Vessel   termination of this Charter in accordance with the applicable provisions of Clause s 28   40 and 48 , the Owners shall have the right to repossess the Vessel from the Charterers at her current or next port of call, or at a port or place convenient to them without hindrance or interference by the Charterers, courts or local authorities.  Pending physical repossession of the Vessel in accordance with this Clauses 29 and 40 , the Charterers shall hold the Vessel as gratuitous bailee only to the Owners and the Charterers shall procure that the master and the crew follow the orders and directions of the Owners .
The Owners shall arrange for an authorised representative to board the Vessel as soon as reasonably practicable following the termination of the Charter.  The Vessel shall be deemed to be repossessed by the Owners from the Charterers upon the boarding of the Vessel by the Owners' representative.   All arrangements and expenses relating to the settling of wages, disembarkation and repatriation of the Charterers' Master, officers and crew shall be the sole responsibility of the Charterers.
30.
Dispute Resolution (See Clause 63)
*)
(a)      This Charter and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it Contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Charter Contract shall be referred to arbitration in London in accordance with the Arbitration Act or any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof save to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Clause.
The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) Terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
The reference shall be to three arbitrators.  A party wishing to refer a dispute to arbitration shall appoint its arbitrator and send notice of such appointment in writing to the other party requiring the other party to appoint its own arbitrator within 14 calendar days of that notice and stating that it will appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator unless the other party appoints its own arbitrator and gives notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified.  If the other party does not appoint its own arbitrator and give notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified, the party referring a dispute to arbitration may, without the requirement of any further prior notice to the other party, appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator and shall advise the other party accordingly.  The award of a sole arbitrator shall be binding on both parties as if he had been appointed by agreement.
Nothing herein shall prevent the parties agreeing in writing to vary these provisions to provide for the appointment of a sole arbitrator.
In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of US$50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the LMAA Small Claims Procedure current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.  The language or any arbitrator proceedings shall be in English.
*)
(b)      This Contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Title 9 of the United States Code and the Maritime Law of the United States and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Contract shall be referred to three persons at New York, one to be appointed by each of the parties hereto, and the third by the two so chosen; their decision or that of any two of them shall be final, and for the purposes of enforcing any award, judgement may be entered on an award by any court of competent jurisdiction.  The proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc.
In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of US550,000 (or such other sum as   the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the Shortened Arbitration Procedure of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc. current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
*)
(c)      This Contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the place mutually agreed by the parties and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Contract shall be referred to arbitration at a mutually agreed place, subject to the procedures applicable there.
(d)      Notwithstanding (a), (b) or (c) above, the parties may agree at any time to refer to mediation any difference and/or dispute arising out of or in connection with this Contract.
In the case of a dispute in respect of which arbitration has been commenced under (a), (b) or (c) above, the following shall apply:-

(i)
Either party may at any time and from time to time elect to refer the dispute or part of the dispute to mediation by service on the other party of a written notice (the "Mediation Notice') calling on the other party to agree to mediation.

(ii)
The other party shall thereupon within 14 calendar days of receipt of the Mediation Notice confirm that they agree to mediation, in which case the parties shall thereafter agree a mediator within a further 14 calendar days, failing which on the application of either party a mediator will be appointed promptly by the Arbitration Tribunal ("the Tribunal") or such person as the Tribunal may designate for that purpose.  The mediation shall be conducted in such place and in accordance with such procedure and

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PART II
“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
on such terms as the parties may agree or, in the event of disagreement, as may be set by the mediator.

(iii)
If the other party does not agree to mediate, that fact may be brought to the attention of the Tribunal and may be taken into account by the Tribunal when allocating the costs of the arbitration as between the parties.

(iv)
The mediation shall not affect the right of either party to seek such relief or take such steps as it considers necessary to protect its interest.

(v)
Either party may advise the Tribunal that they have agreed to mediation.  The arbitration procedure shall continue during the conduct of the mediation but the Tribunal may take the mediation timetable into account when setting the timetable for steps in the arbitration.

(vi)
Unless otherwise agreed or specified in the mediation terms, each party shall bear its own costs incurred in the mediation and the parties shall share equally the mediator's costs and expenses.

(vii)
The mediation process shall be without prejudice and confidential and no information or documents disclosed during it shall be revealed to the Tribunal except to the extent that they are disclosable under the law and procedure governing the arbitration.
(Note: The parties should be aware that the mediation process may not necessarily interrupt time limits.)
(e)    If Box 35 in Part I is not appropriately filled in, sub-clause 30(a) of this Clause shall apply.  Sub-clause 30(d) shall apply in all cases.
*)     Sub-clauses 30(a) , 30(b) and 30(c) are alternatives;
indicate alternative agreed in Box 35 .
31.
Notices (See Clause 43)
(a)      Any notice to be given by either party to the other party shall be in writing and may be sent by fax, telex, registered or recorded mail or by personal service.
(b)      The address of the Parties for service of such communication shall be as stated in Boxes 3 and 4 respectively.















This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
   
OPTIONAL
PART
PART III
PROVISIONS TO APPLY FOR NEWBUILDING VESSELS ONLY
(Optional, only to apply if expressly agreed and stated in Box 37)
1.
Specifications and Building Contract
(a)      The Vessel shall be constructed in accordance with the Building Contract (hereafter called the Building Contract") as annexed to this Charter, made between the Builders and the Owners and in accordance with the specifications and plans annexed thereto, such Building Contract, specifications and plans having been counter- signed as approved by the Charterers.
(b)      No change shall be made in the Building Contract or in the specifications or plans of the Vessel as approved by the Charterers as aforesaid, without the Charterers' consent.
(c)      The Charterers shall have the right to send their representative to the Builders' Yard to inspect the Vessel during the course of her construction to satisfy themselves that construction is in accordance with such approved specifications and plans as referred to under sub-clause (a) of this Clause.
(d)      The Vessel shall be built in accordance with the Building Contract and shall be of the description set out therein.  Subject to the provisions of sub-clause 2(c)(ii) hereunder, the Charterers shall be bound to accept the Vessel from the Owners, completed and constructed in accordance with the Building Contract, on the date of delivery by the Builders.  The Charterers undertake that having accepted the Vessel they will not thereafter raise any claims against the Owners in respect of the Vessel's performance or specification or defects, if any.  Nevertheless, in respect of any repairs, replacements or defects which appear within the first 12 months from delivery by the Builders, the Owners shall endeavour to compel the Builders to repair, replace or remedy any defects or to recover from the Builders any expenditure incurred in carrying out such repairs, replacements or remedies.  However, the Owners' liability to the Charterers shall be limited to the extent the Owners have a valid claim against the Builders under the guarantee clause of the Building Contract (a copy whereof has been supplied to the Charterers).  The Charterers shall be bound to accept such sums as the Owners are reasonably able to recover under this Clause and shall make no further claim on the Owners for the difference between the amount(s) so recovered and the actual expenditure on repairs, replacement or remedying defects or for any loss of time incurred.  Any liquidated damages for physical defects or deficiencies shall accrue to the account of the party stated in Box 41(a) or if not filled in shall be shared equally between the parties.  The costs of pursuing a claim or claims against the Builders under this Clause (including any liability to the Builders) shall be borne by the party stated in Box 41(b) or if not filled in shall be shared equally between the parties.
2.
Time and Place of Delivery
(a)      Subject to the Vessel having completed her acceptance trials including trials of cargo equipment in accordance with the Building Contract and specifications to the satisfaction of the Charterers, the Owners shall give and the Charterers shall take delivery of the Vessel afloat when ready for delivery and properly documented at the Builders' Yard or some other safe and readily accessible dock, wharf or place as may be agreed between the parties hereto and the Builders.  Under the Building Contract the Builders have estimated that the Vessel will be ready for delivery to the Owners as therein provided but the delivery date for the purpose of this Charter shall be the date when the Vessel is in fact ready for delivery by the Builders after completion of trials whether that be before or after as indicated in the Building Contract.  The Charterers shall not be entitled to refuse acceptance of delivery of the Vessel and upon and after such acceptance, subject to Clause 1(d), the Charterers shall not be entitled to make any claim against the Owners in respect of any conditions, representations or warranties, whether express or implied, as to the seaworthiness of the Vessel or in respect of delay in delivery.
(b)      If for any reason other than a default by the Owners under the Building Contract, the Builders become entitled under that Contract not to deliver the Vessel to the Owners, the Owners shall upon giving to the Charterers written notice of Builders becoming so entitled, be excused from giving delivery of the Vessel to the Charterers and upon receipt of such notice by the Charterers this Charter shall cease to have effect.
(c)     If for any reason the Owners become entitled under the Building Contract to reject the Vessel the Owners shall, before exercising such right of rejection, consult the Charterers and thereupon
(i) if the Charterers do not wish to take delivery of the Vessel they shall inform the Owners within seven (7) running days by notice in writing and upon receipt by the Owners of such notice this Charter shall cease to have effect; or
(ii) if the Charterers wish to take delivery of the Vessel
they may by notice in writing within seven (7) running days require the Owners to negotiate with the Builders as to the terms on which delivery should be taken and/or refrain from exercising their right to rejection and upon receipt of such notice the Owners shall commence such negotiations and/ or take delivery of the Vessel from the Builders and deliver her to the Charterers;
(iii) in no circumstances shall the Charterers be entitled to reject the Vessel unless the Owners are able to reject the Vessel from the Builders;
(iv) if this Charter terminates under sub-clause (b) or (c) of this Clause, the Owners shall thereafter not be liable to the Charterers for any claim under or arising out of this Charter or its termination.
(d)     Any liquidated damages for delay in delivery under the Building Contract and any costs incurred in pursuing a claim therefor shall accrue to the account of the party stated in Box 41(c) or if not filled in shall be shared equally between the parties.
3.
Guarantee Works
If not otherwise agreed, the Owners authorise the Charterers to arrange for the guarantee works to be performed in accordance with the building contract terms, and hire to continue during the period of guarantee works.  The Charterers have to advise the Owners about the performance to the extent the Owners may request.
4.
Name of Vessel
The name of the Vessel shall be mutually agreed between the Owners and the Charterers and the Vessel shall be painted in the colours, display the funnel insignia and fly the house flag as required by the Charterers.
5.
Survey on Redelivery
The Owners and the Charterers shall appoint surveyors  for the purpose of determining and agreeing in writing the condition of the Vessel at the time of re-delivery Without prejudice to Clause 15 (Part II), the Charterers shall bear all survey expenses and all other costs, if any, including the cost of docking and undocking, if required, as well as all repair costs incurred.  The Charterers shall also bear all loss of time spent in connection with any docking and undocking as well as repairs, which shall be paid at the rate of hire per day or pro rata.

This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.

“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
   
OPTIONAL
PART
PART IV
HIRE/PURCHASE AGREEMENT
(Optional, only to apply if expressly agreed and stated in Box 42)
On expiration of this Charter and provided the Charterers   have fulfilled their obligations according to Part I and II as well as Part III, if applicable, it is agreed, that on payment of the final payment of hire as per Clause 11 the Charterers have purchased the Vessel with everything belonging to her and the Vessel is fully paid  for.

In the following paragraphs the Owners are referred to as the Sellers and the Charterers as the Buyers.

The Vessel shall be delivered by the Sellers and taken over by the Buyers on expiration of the Charter.

The Sellers guarantee that the Vessel, at the time of delivery, is tree from all encumbrances and maritime liens or any debts whatsoever other than those arising from anything done or not done by the Buyers or any existing mortgage agreed not to be paid off by the time of delivery.  Should any claims, which have been incurred prior to the time of delivery be made against the Vessel, the Sellers hereby undertake to indemnify the Buyers against all consequences of such claims to the extent it can be proved that the Sellers are responsible for such claims.  Any taxes, notarial, consular and other charges and expenses connected with the purchase and registration under Buyers' flag, shall be for Buyers' account.  Any taxes, consular and other charges and expenses connected with closing of the Sellers' register, shall be for Sellers' account.

In exchange for payment of the last month's hire instalment the Sellers shall furnish the Buyers with a Bill of Sale duly attested and legalized, together with a certificate setting out the registered encumbrances, if any.  On delivery of the Vessel the Sellers shall provide for deletion of the Vessel from the Ship's Register and deliver a certificate of deletion to the Buyers.  The Sellers shall, at the time of delivery, hand to the Buyers all classification certificates (for hull, engines, anchors, chains, etc.), as well as all plans which may be in Sellers' possession.

The Wireless Installation and Nautical Instruments, unless on hire, shall be included in the sale without any extra payment.

The Vessel with everything belonging to her shall be at Sellers' risk and expense until she is delivered to the Buyers, subject to the conditions of this Contract and the Vessel with everything belonging to her shall be delivered and taken over as she is at the time of delivery, after which the Sellers shall have no responsibility for possible faults or deficiencies of any description.

The Buyers undertake to pay for the repatriation of the Master, officers and other personnel if appointed by the Sellers to the port where the Vessel entered the Bareboat Charter as per Clause 3 (Part II) or to pay the equivalent cost for their journey to any other place.

This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
   
OPTIONAL
PART
PART V
PROVISIONS TO APPLY FOR VESSELS REGISTERED IN BAREBOAT CHARTER REGISTRY
(Optional, only to apply if expressly agreed and stated in Box 43)

1.
Definitions
For the purpose of this PART V, the following terms shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them: " The Bareboat Charter Registry " shall mean the registry of the State whose flag the Vessel will fly and in which the Charterers are registered as the bareboat charterers during the period of the Bareboat Charter.
The Underlying Registry " shall mean the registry of the State in which the Owners of the Vessel are registered as Owners and to which jurisdiction and control of the Vessel will revert upon termination of the Bareboat Charter Registration.
2.
Mortgage
The Vessel chartered under this Charter is financed by a mortgage and the provisions of Clause 12(b) (Part II) shall apply.
3.
Termination of Charter by Default
If the Vessel chartered under this Charter is registered in a Bareboat Charter Registry as stated in Box 44 , and if the Owners shall default in the payment of any amounts due under the mortgage(s) specified in Box 28 . the Charterers shall, if so required by the mortgagee, direct the Owners to re-register the Vessel in the Underlying Registry as shown in Box 45 .
In the event of the Vessel being deleted from the Bareboat Charter Registry as stated in Box 44 , due to a default by the Owners in the payment of any amounts due under the mortgage(s), the Charterers shall have the right to terminate this Charter forthwith and without prejudice to any other claim they may have against the Owners under this Charter.

This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.

EXECUTION VERSION
ADDITIONAL CLAUSES TO BARECON 2001 DATED 3 Devcember 2018
CLAUSE 32 – CHARTER PERIOD
32.1
For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding the fact that the Charter Period shall commence on the Delivery Date, this Charter shall be:
(a)
in full force and effect; and
(b)
valid, binding and enforceable against the parties hereto,
with effect from the date hereof until the Expiry Date.
CLAUSE 33 – CANCELLATION
33.1
Subject to Clause 48.3, if:
(a)
a Termination Event occurs prior to the delivery of the Vessel by the Charterers as sellers to the Owners as buyers under the MOA;
(b)
it becomes unlawful for the Owners (as buyers) to perform or comply with any or all of their obligations under the MOA or any of the obligations of the Owners under the MOA are not or cease to be legal, valid, binding and enforceable; and/or
(c)
the MOA expires, is cancelled, terminated, rescinded or suspended or otherwise ceases to remain in full force and effect for any reason,
then this Charter shall immediately terminate and be cancelled without the need for either of the Owners or the Charterers to take any action whatsoever, provided that the Owners shall be entitled to:

(i)
retain all fees paid by the Charterers pursuant to Clause 41 (and without prejudice to Clause 41 and if such fees have not been paid, the Charterers shall forthwith pay such fees to the Owners); and

(ii)
any payment, reimbursement, indemnities provided for under Clause 41 (Fees and Expenses) and Clause 52 (Indemnities),
and such payment referred to in paragraphs (i) and (ii) above shall be irrevocable and unconditional and shall not be construed as a penalty but shall represent an agreed estimate of the loss and damage suffered by the Owners in entering into this Charter upon the terms and conditions contained herein (but not being able to complete the chartering arrangements contemplated herein) and shall therefore be paid as compensation to the Owners.
CLAUSE 34 – DELIVERY AND CHARTER OF VESSEL
34.1
The obligation of the Owners to charter the Vessel to the Charterers hereunder is subject to and conditional upon:
(a)
the delivery to and acceptance by the Charterers as buyers of the Vessel under the Contract and the delivery to and acceptance by the Owners as buyers of the Vessel under the MOA;
(b)
no Potential Termination Event or Termination Event having occurred which is continuing from the date of this Charter to the last day of the Charter Period (inclusive);
1


(c)
the representations and warranties contained in Clause 44 ( Representations and Warranties ) being true and correct on the date hereof and each day thereafter until and including the last date of the Charter Period;
(d)
Delivery occurring on or before the Cancelling Date;
(e)
the Owners having received from the Charterers:

(i)
on or prior to the Delivery, the documents or evidence set out in Part A of Schedule 2 in form and substance satisfactory to them; and

(ii)
After the Delivery, the documents or evidence set out in Part B of Schedule 2 in form and substance satisfactory to them within the time periods set out thereunder;
and if any of such documents are not in the English language then they shall be accompanied by a certified English translation.
34.2
The conditions precedent specified in Clause 34.1(b) are inserted for the sole benefit of the Owners and may be waived or deferred in whole or in part and with or without conditions by the Owners.
34.3
Upon the requirements of Clause 34.1 ( Delivery and Charter of Vessel ) being fulfilled to the satisfaction of the Owners or waived (with or without conditions) by the Owners in their sole discretion, the Owners shall give notice thereof in writing to the Charterers.
34.4
On (A) delivery to and acceptance by the Charterers as buyers of the Vessel from the Builder under the Contract; and (B) delivery to and acceptance by the Owners as buyers of the Vessel from the Charterers as sellers under the MOA and subject to the provisions of this Clause, the Vessel shall be deemed to have been delivered to, and accepted without reservation by, the Charterers under this Charter and the Charterers shall become and be entitled to the possession and use of the Vessel on and subject to the terms and conditions of this Charter.
34.5
On Delivery, as evidence of the commencement of the Charter Period, the Charterers shall sign and deliver to the Owners, the Acceptance Certificate. Without prejudice to this Clause, the Charterers shall be deemed to have accepted the Vessel under this Charter, and the commencement of the Charter Period having started, on Delivery even if, for whatever reason, the Acceptance Certificate is not signed and/or the Charterers do not take actual possession of the Vessel at that time.
34.6
Without prejudice to and notwithstanding the provisions of this Clause, the Charterers shall not be entitled for any reason whatsoever to refuse to accept delivery of the Vessel under this Charter once the Vessel has been delivered to and accepted by the Owners from the Charterers under the MOA, and the Owners shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses whatsoever or howsoever arising including without limitation, any loss of profit or any loss or otherwise:
(a)
resulting directly or indirectly from any defect or alleged defect in the Vessel (including but not limited to any deficiency in seaworthiness, merchantability, classification, condition, design, quality, operation, performance, capacity or fitness for use or the eligibility of the Vessel for any particular trade or operation) or any failure of the Vessel; or
(b)
arising from any delay in the commencement of the Charter Period or any failure of the Charter Period to commence.
34.7
The Owners shall not be obliged to deliver the Vessel to the Charterers with any bunkers and unused lubricating oils and greases in storage tanks and unopened drums of the Vessel.
2


CLAUSE 35 – QUIET ENJOYMENT
35.1
Provided that the Charterers do not breach any terms of this Charter or any other Pertinent Document and subject to the provisions thereof, the Owners hereby agree not to disturb or interfere with the Charterers’ lawful use, possession and quiet enjoyment of the Vessel during the Charter Period.
CLAUSE 36 – CHARTERHIRE
36.1
In consideration of the Owners agreeing to charter the Vessel to the Charterers under this Charter and the Owners buying the Vessel from the Charterers under the MOA at the request of the Charterers, the Charterers hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agree to pay to the Owners each Charterhire.
36.2
The Charterers shall pay to the Owners an amount equivalent to the Advance Charterhire on the Delivery Date which amount shall be deemed paid on such date by it setting off against the corresponding portion of the Purchase Price payable by the Owners as buyers to the Charterers as sellers under the MOA on the Delivery Date pursuant to the terms thereof.
36.3
The Charterers shall pay to the Owners the Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire in the following instalments and manners:
(a)
the first instalment (the “ First Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment ”) in the amount equivalent to $2,742,135 which shall be paid on the same date the First Instalment is payable by the Owners as buyers to the Charterers as sellers under the MOA pursuant to the terms thereof. Such amount shall be deemed paid by it setting off against the First Instalment payable by the Owners as buyers to the Charterers as sellers under the MOA pursuant to the terms thereof;
(b)
the second instalment (the “ Second Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment ”) in the amount equivalent to $2,742,135 which shall be paid on the same date the Second Instalment is payable by the Owners as buyers to the Charterers as sellers under the MOA pursuant to the terms thereof. Such amount shall be deemed paid by it setting off against the Second Instalment payable by the Owners as buyers to the Charterers as sellers under the MOA pursuant to the terms thereof;
(c)
the third instalment (the “ Third Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment ”) in the amount equivalent to $2,742,135 which shall be payable on the same date the Third Instalment is payable by the Owners as buyers to the Charterers as sellers under the MOA pursuant to the terms thereof. Such amount shall be deemed paid by it setting off against the Third Instalment payable by the Owners as buyers to the Charterers as sellers under the MOA pursuant to the terms thereof;
(d)
the fourth instalment (the “ Fourth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment ”) in the amount equivalent to $2,742,135 which shall be payable on the same date the Fourth Instalment payable by the Owners as buyers to the Charterers as sellers under the MOA pursuant to the terms thereof. Such amount shall be deemed paid by it setting off against the Fourth Instalment payable by the Owners as buyers to the Charterers as sellers under the MOA pursuant to the terms thereof; and
(e)
the fifth instalment (the “ Fifth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment ”) in the amount equivalent to $600,000 which shall be payable on the earlier of (i) the day on which the Fifth Instalment is paid by the Owners as buyers under the MOA; and (ii) the day on which the Sixth Instalment is paid by the Owners as buyers under the MOA. Such amount shall be deemed paid by it setting off against the corresponding portion of the Fifth Instalment or Sixth Instalment, whichever payment occurs earlier, payable by the Owners as buyers to the Charterers as sellers under the MOA pursuant to the terms thereof.
3


36.4
Subject to Clause 40.3(d), each instalment of the Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire and the Advance Charterhire shall be unsecured and non-refundable under all circumstances and without interest accrued thereon.
36.5
During the Pre-delivery Period, the Charterers shall pay a fee in the form of Charterhire (“Pre-delivery Charterhire”) computed at the rate of the Pre-delivery Rate on the Pre-delivery Instalment Balance from time to time during the Pre-delivery Period and each such Pre-delivery Charterhire shall be received on the last date of every Term during the Pre-delivery Period and the last instalment of the Pre-delivery Charterhire shall be received on the last day of the Pre-delivery Period, not later, in each case, than 4.00 pm (Shanghai time).
36.6
Following Delivery, Quarter Charterhire shall be payable quarterly in arrears in twenty-eight (28) instalments, with such instalments of Charterhire being received on the last day of every Term by not later than 4.00 pm (Shanghai time).
36.7
The Vessel shall not at any time be deemed off-hire. All Charterhire, the Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire, the Advance Charterhire and other amounts payable in this Charter shall be paid in Dollars and shall be absolutely and unconditionally payable under any and all circumstances and shall not be affected by any circumstances of any nature whatsoever including, but not limited to:
(a)
any set off (other than the Advance Charterhire which shall be set off in accordance with Clause 36.2, each Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire which shall be set off in accordance with Clause 36.3 and the Deposit Refund, the Final Purchase Option Price and the Early Termination Price which shall be set off in accordance with Clause 36.15), counterclaim, recoupment, defence, claim or other right which the Charterers may at any time have against the Owners or any other person for any reason whatsoever including, without limitation, any act, omission or breach on the part of the Owners under this Charter or any other agreement at any time existing between the Owners and the Charterers;
(b)
any change, extension, indulgence or other act or omission in respect of any indebtedness or obligation of the Charterers, or any sale, exchange, release or surrender of, or other dealing in, any security for any such indebtedness or obligation;
(c)
any unavailability of the Vessel, including any title defect or encumbrance or any dispossession of the Vessel by title paramount or otherwise;
(d)
any defect in the seaworthiness, condition, value, design, merchantability, operation or fitness for use of the Vessel or the ineligibility of the Vessel for any particular trade, or for registration or documentation under the laws of any relevant jurisdiction;
(e)
the Total Loss or any damage to or forfeiture or court marshall’s or other sale of the Vessel;
(f)
any libel, attachment, levy, detention, sequestration or taking into custody of the Vessel or any restriction or prevention of or interference with or interruption or cessation in, the use or possession thereof by the Charterers unless for such period where such arrest, detention or seizure is solely attributable to the fault of the Owners;
(g)
any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, readjustment, dissolution, liquidation or similar proceedings by or against the Charterers;
(h)
any invalidity, unenforceability, lack of due authorization or other defects, or any failure or delay in performing or complying with any of the terms and provisions of this Charter or any of the Pertinent Documents by any party to this Charter or any other person;
(i)
any enforcement or attempted enforcement by the Owners of their rights under this Charter or any of the Pertinent Documents executed or to be executed pursuant to this Charter; or
4


(j)
any loss of use of the Vessel due to deficiency or default or strike of officers or crew, fire, breakdown, damage, accident, defective cargo or any other cause which would or might but for this provision have the effect of terminating or in any way affecting any obligation of the Charterers under this Charter.
36.8
Time of payment of Charterhire, the Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire and the Advance Charterhire and other payments by the Charterers shall be of the essence of this Charter and the other Pertinent Documents.
36.9
All Charterhire and any moneys payable hereunder shall be payable by the Charterers to the Owners to such account as the Owners may notify the Charterers in writing.
36.10
Payment of Charterhire, the Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire, and Advance Charterhire and any other moneys hereunder shall be at the Charterers’ risk until receipt by the Owners.
36.11
All stamp duty, value added tax, withholding or other taxes and import and export duties and all other similar types of charges which may be levied or assessed on or in connection with:
(a)
the operation of this Charter in respect of the hire and all other payments to be made pursuant to this Charter and the remittance thereof to the Owners; and
(b)
the import, export, purchase, delivery and re-delivery of the Vessel,
shall be borne by the Charterers. The Charterers shall pay, if applicable, value added tax and other similar tax levied on any Charterhire, the Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire and Advance Charterhire and other payments payable under this Charter by addition to, and at the time of payment of, such amounts.
36.12
If the Charterers (including in their capacity as Sellers) fail to make any payment due under this Charter for any other Leasing Document on the due date, they shall pay interest on such late payment at the default rate of two per cent. (2%) per annum from the date on which such payment became due until the date of payment thereof.
36.13
All default interest and any other payments under this Charter which are of an annual or periodic nature shall accrue from day to day and shall be calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and a 360 day year.
36.14
Any payment which is due to be made on a day which is not a Business Day, shall be made on the preceding Business Day in the same calendar month (if there is no preceding Business Day in the same calendar month, then payment shall be made on the next Business Day following the day on which payment is due to be made).
36.15
(a)
The Deposit shall be refunded to the Charterers together with the applicable Deposit Interest (such amount to be refunded, the “ Deposit Refund ”) upon irrevocable payment in full of all amounts due and payable by the Charterers and any other Relevant Party under the Pertinent Documents, provided that and subject to Clause 36.15(b), if the Charterers exercises the Purchase Option in accordance with Clause 50 or Early Termination Price is payable by the Charterers pursuant to Clause 40.1(a), Clause 48A or Clause 49, the Deposit Refund shall be set off against part of (or if the Deposit Refund is larger than the Final Purchase Option Price or the then applicable Early Termination Price, as the case may be, the whole of) the Final Purchase Option Price or the then applicable Early Termination Price, as the case may be, payable by the Charterers pursuant to Clause 50 or Clause 40.1(a), Clause 48A or Clause 49 (as the case may be) and upon such set-off, the Owners shall be deemed to have discharged their obligations to refund to the Charterers the Deposit Refund under this Clause 36.15 and the Charterers shall be deemed to have paid part of (or if the Deposit Refund is larger than the Final Purchase Option Price or the then applicable Early Termination Price, as the case may
5


be, the whole of) the Final Purchase Option Price in accordance with Clause 50 or the Early Termination Price in accordance with Clause 40.1(a), Clause 48A or Clause 49 (as the case may be).
(b)
If the Charterers exercises the Final Purchase Option or the Charterers makes payment of the Early Termination Price pursuant to Clause 40.1(a), Clause 48A or Clause 49 (as the case may be) and the Deposit Refund is set off against the Final Purchase Option Price or the then applicable Early Termination Price, as the case may be, pursuant to Clause 36.15(a):

(i)
and if the Deposit Refund so set off is lower than the Final Purchase Option Price or the then applicable Early Termination Price (as the case may be), the Charterers shall be fully liable for such shortfall and shall pay to the Owners such shortfall without set-off or deduction on, in respect the Final Purchase Option Price, the Expiry Date or, in respect of the Early Termination Price, the date on which such Early Termination Price is to be made by the Charterers, to satisfy their payment obligations of the Final Purchase Option Price or the Early Termination Price in full; and

(ii)
if the Deposit Refund so set off exceeds the Final Purchase Option Price or the then applicable Early Termination Price (as the case may be), the Owners shall refund such excess to the Charterers upon irrevocable payment in full of all amounts due and payable by the Charterers and any other Relevant Party under the Pertinent Documents and upon such refund the Owners shall be deemed to have discharged their obligation to refund the Deposit Refund to the Charterers under this Clause 36.15.
(c)
The Deposit paid to the Owners shall be in the possession and ownership of the Owners until the Deposit is refunded in accordance with this Clause 36.15 and shall only be refundable in accordance with this Clause 36.15.
CLAUSE 37 – POSSESSION OF VESSEL
37.1
The Charterers shall not, without the prior written consent of the Owners, assign, mortgage or pledge the Vessel or any interest therein, its Earnings, Insurances and/or any Requisition Compensation and shall not permit the creation of any Security Interest thereon other than the Permitted Security Interests.
37.2
The Charterers shall promptly notify any party including, without limitation, the BP Charterer or any other subcharterer of the Vessel (as the Owners may request) in writing that the Vessel is the property of the Owners and the Charterers shall provide the Owners with a copy of such written notification and satisfactory evidence to the opinion of the Owners that such party has received such written notification.
37.3
If the Vessel is arrested, seized, impounded, forfeited, detained or taken out of their possession or control (whether or not pursuant to any distress, execution or other legal process), the Charterers shall procure the immediate release of the Vessel (whether by providing bail or procuring the provision of security or otherwise do such lawful things as the circumstances may require) and shall immediately notify the Owners of such event and shall indemnify the Owners against all losses, costs or charges incurred by the Owners by reason thereof in re-taking possession or otherwise in re-acquiring the Vessel. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing and Clause 52, the Charterers agree to indemnify the Owners against all consequences or liabilities arising from the master, officers or agents signing bills of lading or other documents.
37.4
The Charterers shall pay and discharge or cause the BP Charterer or any other subcharterer of the Vessel to pay and discharge all obligations and liabilities whatsoever which have given or may give rise to liens on or claims enforceable against the Vessel and take all steps to prevent (and procure any subcharterer of the Vessel to prevent) an arrest (threatened or otherwise) of the Vessel.
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Clause 38 – INSURANCE
38.1
The Charterers shall procure that such insurances are effected:
(a)
in Dollars;
(b)
in the case of fire and usual hull and machinery, marine risks and war risks (including blocking and trapping), on an agreed value basis in an amount of at least the higher of (i) 120% of the then applicable Early Prepayment Sum; and (ii) the then current Market Value;
(c)
in the case of oil pollution liability risks for the Vessel, for an aggregate amount equal to the highest level of cover from time to time available under protection and indemnity club entry and in the international marine insurance market and for an amount of not less than $1,000,000,000;
(d)
in relation to protection and indemnity risks in respect of the full tonnage of the Vessel;
(e)
in the case of innocent Owners’ interest insurance, innocent additional perils (oil pollution) insurance, lessor’s additional perils (pollution) insurance, Mortgagees’ interest insurance and Mortgages’ additional perils (pollution) insurance, for an amount equal to at least one hundred and twenty percent. (120%) of the then applicable Early Prepayment Sum;
(f)
in the case of lessor contingent liability insurance, for an amount no less than $500,000,000 and in the name of the Owners;
(g)
on terms and in form acceptable to the Owners and their financiers (if any); and
(h)
through approved brokers and with first class international insurers and/or underwriters acceptable to the Owners (including having a Standard & Poor’s rating of BBB+ or above, a Moody’s rating of A or above or an AM Best rating of A- or above) or, in the case of war risks and protection and indemnity risks, in a war risks and protection and indemnity risks associations (being either Gard or Britannia P&I Club) acceptable to the Owners and their financiers (if any).
38.2
In addition to the terms set out in Clause 13(a) ( Insurance and Repairs ), the Charterers shall procure that the obligatory insurances shall:
(a)
subject always to paragraph (b), name the Charterers, the Approved Manager and the Owners (and if applicable the Owners’ financiers if so required by the Owners) as the only named assureds unless the interest of every other named assured or co-assured is limited:

(i)
in respect of any obligatory insurances for hull and machinery and war risks;

(1)
to any provable out-of-pocket expenses that they have incurred and which form part of any recoverable claim on underwriters; and

(2)
to any third party liability claims where cover for such claims is provided by the policy (and then only in respect of discharge of any claims made against them); and

(ii)
in respect of any obligatory insurances for protection and indemnity risks, to any recoveries they are entitled to make by way of reimbursement following discharge of any third party liability claims made specifically against them,
and every other named assured or co-assured has undertaken in writing to the Owners or their financiers (in such form as they require) that any deductible shall be apportioned between the Charterers and every other named assured or co-assured in proportion to the gross claims made or paid by each of them and that they shall do all things necessary and
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provide all documents, evidence and information to enable the Owners and their financiers (if any) in accordance with the terms of the loss payable clause, to collect or recover any moneys which at any time become payable in respect of the obligatory insurances;
(b)
whenever a financier of the Owners requires:

(i)
in respect of fire and other usual marine risks and war risks, name (or be amended to name) the same as additional named assured for their rights and interests, warranted no operational interest and with full waiver of rights of subrogation against such financiers, but without such financiers thereby being liable to pay (but having the right to pay) premiums, calls or other assessments in respect of such insurance;

(ii)
in relation to protection and indemnity risks, name (or be amended to name) the same as additional insured or co-assured for their rights and interests to the extent permissible under the relevant protection and indemnity club rules; and

(iii)
name the Owners’ financiers (if any) and the Owners as respectively the first ranking loss payee and the second ranking loss payee (and in the absence of any financiers, the Owners as first ranking loss payee) in accordance with the terms of the relevant loss payable clauses approved by the Owners’ financiers and the Owners with such directions for payment in accordance with the terms of such relevant loss payable clause, as the Owners and their financiers (if any) may specify;
(c)
provide that all payments by or on behalf of the insurers under the obligatory insurances to the Owners and/or their financiers (as applicable) shall be made without set-off, counterclaim or deductions or condition whatsoever;
(d)
provide that such obligatory insurances shall be primary without right of contribution from other insurances which may be carried by the Owners or their financiers (if any);
(e)
provide that the Owners and/or their financiers (if any) may make proof of loss if the Charterers fail to do so; and
(f)
provide that if any obligatory insurance is cancelled, or if any substantial change is made in the coverage which adversely affects the interest of the Owners and/or their financiers (if any), or if any obligatory insurance is allowed to lapse for non-payment of premium, such cancellation, change or lapse shall not be effective with respect to the Owners and/or their financiers (if any) for thirty (30) days after receipt by the Owners and/or their financiers (if any) of prior written notice from the insurers of such cancellation, change or lapse.
38.3
The Charterers shall:
(a)
at least fifteen (15) days prior to Delivery (or such lesser period agreed by the parties), notify the terms and conditions of all Insurances in writing to the Owners (copied to their financiers (if any) and the brokers or insurers with whom the Insurances are or will be placed);
(b)
at least fifteen (15) days before the expiry of any obligatory insurance notify the Owners (copied to their financiers (if any)) of the brokers (or other insurers) and any protection and indemnity or war risks association through or with whom the Charterers propose to renew that obligatory insurance and of the proposed terms of renewal and obtain the Owners' approval to such matters;
(c)
at least seven (7) days before the expiry of any obligatory insurance, procure that such obligatory insurance is renewed or to be renewed on its expiry date in accordance with the provisions of this Charter;
(d)
procure that the approved brokers and/or the war risks and protection and indemnity associations with which such a renewal is effected shall promptly after the renewal or the
8


effective date of the new insurance and protection and indemnity cover notify the Owners (copied to their financiers (if any)) in writing of the terms and conditions of the renewal; and
(e)
as soon as practicable after the expiry of any obligatory insurance, deliver to the Owners a letter of undertaking as required by this Charter in respect of such Insurances for the Vessel as renewed pursuant to Clause 38.3(c) ( Insurance ) together with copies of the relevant policies or cover notes or entry certificates duly endorsed with the interest of the Owners and/or their financiers (if any).
38.4
The Charterers shall ensure that all insurance companies and/or underwriters, and/or (if any) insurance brokers provide the Owners with all (if required by the Owners, in original) policies, cover notes and certificates of entry relating to the obligatory insurances which they are to effect or renew and a letter or letters of undertaking in a form required by the Owners and/or their financiers (if any) and including undertakings by the insurance companies and/or underwriters that:
(a)
they will have endorsed on each policy, immediately upon issuance, a loss payable clause and a notice of assignment complying with the provisions of this Charter and the Financial Instruments;
(b)
they will hold the benefit of such policies and such insurances, to the order of the Owners and/or their financiers (if any) and/or such other party in accordance with the said loss payable clause;
(c)
they will advise the Owners and their financiers (if any) promptly of any material change to the terms of the obligatory insurances of which they are aware;
(d)
(i) they will indicate in the letters of undertaking that they will immediately notify the Owners and their financiers (if any) when any cancellation, charge or lapse of the relevant obligatory insurance occur and (ii) following a written application from the Owners and/or their financiers (if any) not later than one (1) month before the expiry of the obligatory insurances they will notify the Owners and their financiers (if any) not less than fourteen (14) days before the expiry of the obligatory insurances, in the event of their not having received notice of renewal instructions from the Charterers and, in the event of their receiving instructions to renew, they will promptly notify the Owners and their financiers (if any) of the terms of the instructions; and
(e)
if any of the obligatory insurances form part of any fleet cover, the Charterers shall procure that the insurance broker(s), or leading insurer, as the case may be, undertakes to the Owners and their financiers (if any) that such insurance broker or insurer will not set off against any sum recoverable in respect of a claim relating to the Vessel under such obligatory insurances any premiums due in respect of any other vessel under any fleet cover of which the Vessel forms a part or any premium due for other insurances, they waive any lien on the policies, or any sums received under them, which they might have in respect of such premiums, and they will not cancel such obligatory insurances by reason of non-payment of such premiums or other amounts, and will arrange for a separate policy to be issued in respect of the Vessel forthwith upon being so requested by the Owners and/or their financiers (if any) and where practicable.
38.5
The Charterers shall ensure that any protection and indemnity and/or war risks associations in which the Vessel is entered provides the Owners and their financiers (if any) with:
(a)
a copy of the certificate of entry for the Vessel as soon as such certificate of entry is issued;
(b)
a letter or letters of undertaking in such form as may be required by the Owners and their financiers (if any) or in such association’s standard form; and
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(c)
a certified copy of each certificate of financial responsibility for pollution by oil or other Environmentally Sensitive Material issued by the relevant certifying authority in relation to the Vessel.
38.6
The Charterers shall ensure that all policies relating to obligatory insurances are deposited with the approved brokers through which the insurances are effected or renewed.
38.7
The Charterers shall procure that all premiums or other sums payable in respect of the obligatory insurances are punctually paid and produce all relevant receipts when so required by the Owners.
38.8
The Charterers shall ensure that any guarantees required by a protection and indemnity or war risks association are promptly issued and remain in full force and effect.
38.9
The Charterers shall neither do nor omit to do (nor permit to be done or not to be done) any act or thing which would or might render any obligatory insurance invalid, void, voidable or unenforceable or render any sum payable under an obligatory insurance repayable in whole or in part; and, in particular:
(a)
the Charterers shall procure that all necessary action is taken and all requirements are complied with which may from time to time be applicable to the obligatory insurances, and (without limiting the obligations contained in this Clause 38) ensure that the obligatory insurances are not made subject to any exclusions or qualifications to which the Owners have not given their prior approval (unless such exclusions or qualifications are made in accordance with the rules of a protection and indemnity association which is a member of the International Group of protection and indemnity associations);
(b)
the Charterers shall not make or permit any changes relating to the classification or classification society of the Vessel or manager or operator of the Vessel unless such changes have first been approved by the underwriters of the obligatory insurances and are approved by the Owners;
(c)
the Charterers shall procure that all quarterly or other voyage declarations which may be required by the protection and indemnity risks association in which the Vessel is entered to maintain cover for trading to the United States of America and Exclusive Economic Zone (as defined in the United States Oil Pollution Act 1990 or any other applicable legislation) are made and the Charterers shall promptly provide the Owners with copies of such declarations and a copy of the certificate of financial responsibility; and
(d)
the Charterers shall not employ the Vessel, nor allow it to be employed, otherwise than in conformity with the terms and conditions of the obligatory insurances, without first obtaining the consent of the insurers and complying with any requirements (as to extra premium or otherwise) which the insurers specify.
38.10
The Charterers shall not make or agree to any alteration to the terms of any obligatory insurance nor waive any right relating to any obligatory insurance without the prior written consent of the Owners and the Owners’ financiers (if any).
38.11
The Charterers shall not settle, compromise or abandon any claim under any obligatory insurance for Total Loss or for a Major Casualty, and shall do all things necessary and provide all documents, evidence and information to enable the Owners to collect or recover any moneys which at any time become payable in respect of the obligatory insurances.
38.12
The Charterers shall provide the Owners upon written request (except that upon the occurrence of a Total Loss or a Major Casualty the Charterers shall provide the following immediately without the Owners’ making any request), copies of:
(a)
all communications between the Charterers and:
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(i)
the approved brokers;

(ii)
the approved protection and indemnity and/or war risks associations; and/or

(iii)
the first class international insurers and/or underwriters, which relate directly or indirectly to:

(A)
the Charterers’ obligations relating to the obligatory insurances including, without limitation, all requisite declarations and payments of additional premiums or calls; and

(B)
any credit arrangements made between the Charterers and any of the persons referred to in paragraphs (i) or (ii) relating wholly or partly to the effecting or maintenance of the obligatory insurances; and
(b)
any communication with all parties involved in case of a claim under any of the Vessel’s insurances.
38.13
The Charterers shall promptly provide the Owners (or any persons which they may designate) with:
(a)
any information which the Owners or their financiers (or any such designated person) request for the purpose of:

(i)
obtaining or preparing any report from an independent marine insurance broker as to the adequacy of the obligatory insurances effected or proposed to be effected; and/or

(ii)
effecting, maintaining or renewing any such insurances as are referred to in Clause 13(a) ( Insurance and Repairs ) or dealing with or considering any matters relating to any such insurances; and
(b)
copies of any communication between all parties involved in case of a claim under any of the Vessel’s insurances exceeding the Major Casualty amount.
38.14
If one or more of the obligatory insurances are not effected and maintained with first class international insurers or are effected with an insurance or captive Subsidiary of the Owners or the Charterers, then the Charterers shall procure, at their own expense, that the relevant insurers maintain in full force and effect facultative reinsurances with reinsurers and through brokers, in each case, of recognised standing and acceptable in all respects to the Owners. Any reinsurance policy shall include, if and when permitted by law, a cut-through clause in a form acceptable to the Owners and/or their financiers (if any). The Charterers shall procure that underwriters of the primary insurances assign each reinsurance to the relevant financiers in full, if required.
38.15
The Charterers shall upon demand fully indemnify the Owners and/or their financiers (if any) in respect of all premiums and other expenses which are incurred by (i) the Owners in connection with or with a view to effecting, maintaining or renewing an innocent Owners’ interest insurance, innocent additional perils (oil pollution) insurance, lessor’s additional perils (pollution) insurance, lessor contingent liability insurance that is taken out in respect of the Vessel and/or (ii) the financier(s) of the Owners (if any) in connection with or with a view to effecting, maintaining or renewing a mortgagee’s interest insurance, innocent additional perils (oil pollution insurance) and a mortgagee’s additional perils (pollution) insurance that is taken out in respect of the Vessel, in each case as referred to in aforementioned (i) or (ii), on such terms and through such insurers as the Owners and/or their financiers (if any) may from time to time consider appropriate in its sole discretion.
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38.16
The Charterers shall be solely responsible for and indemnify the Owners in respect of all loss or damage to the Vessel (insofar as the Owners shall not be reimbursed by the proceeds of any insurance in respect thereof) however caused occurring at any time or times before physical possession thereof is retaken by the Owners, reasonable wear and tear to the Vessel only excepted.
38.17
The Charterers shall:
(a)
if so requested by the Owners, but at the expense of the Charterers, furnish the Owners once every year not later than the annual anniversary of the Delivery Date (or, after a Termination Event has occurred and is continuing, as many times per year as the Owners may require) with a detailed report signed by an independent firm of marine insurance brokers appointed by the Owners dealing with the Insurances and stating the opinion of such firm as to the adequacy of the Insurances;
(b)
reimburse the Owners, promptly on the Owners’ demand, any expenses incurred by the Owners in obtaining the reports described in Clause 38.13(a) and/or 38.17(a) ( Insurance ); and
(c)
procure that there is delivered to the insurance brokers described in Clause 38.17(a) ( Insurance ) such information in relation to the Insurances as such brokers may require.
38.18
The Charterers shall:
(a)
keep the Vessel insured at their expense against such other risks (other than loss of hire which shall be insured against upon an occurrence and during the continuance of a Potential Termination Event or Termination Event) which the Owners or their financiers consider reasonable for a prudent shipowner or operator to insure against at the relevant time (as notified by the Owners and having regard to the then existing available insurance cover and standard practice in the operation of vessels of the same type as the Vessel) and which are, at that time, generally insured against by owners or operators of vessels similar to the Vessel or of the same type as the Vessel; and
(b)
upon demand fully indemnify the Owners in respect of all premiums and other expenses incurred by the Owners in respect of any other insurances (other than loss of hire insurances which the Owners may take out upon an occurrence and during the continuance of a Potential Termination Event or Termination Event) which the Owners deem necessary (having regard to the existing insurance cover and standard practice in the operation of vessels of the same type) and takes out in respect of the Vessel.
CLAUSE 39 – WARRANTIES RELATING TO VESSEL
39.1
It is expressly agreed and acknowledged that the Owners are not the manufacturer or original supplier of the Vessel which has been purchased by the Owners as buyers from the Charterers as sellers pursuant to the MOA for the purpose of then chartering the Vessel to the Charterers hereunder and that no condition, term, warranty or representation of any kind is or has been given to the Charterers by or on behalf of the Owners in respect of the Vessel (or any part thereof).
39.2
All conditions, terms or warranties express or implied by the law relating to the specifications, quality, description, merchantability or fitness for any purpose of the Vessel (or any part thereof) or otherwise are hereby expressly excluded.
39.3
The Charterers agree and acknowledge that the Owners shall not be liable for any claim, loss, damage, expense or other liability of any kind or nature caused directly or indirectly by the Vessel or by any inadequacy thereof or the use or performance thereof or any repairs thereto or servicing thereof and the Charterers shall not by reason thereof be released from any liability to pay any Charterhire, the Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire or the Advance Charterhire or other payment due under this Charter or the other Pertinent Documents.
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CLAUSE 40 – TERMINATION, REDELIVERY AND TOTAL LOSS
40.1
If:
(a)
subject to Clause 36.15, the Early Termination Price becomes payable in accordance with Clause 48.2 or Clause 48.3, the same shall (in each such case) be payable in consideration of the purchase and transfer of the legal and beneficial title of the Vessel pursuant to Clause 40.4;
(b)
the Pre-delivery Termination Sum becomes payable in accordance with Clause 48.3 the same shall (in each such case) be payable in consideration of the Pre-delivery Releases pursuant to the terms of the Pre-delivery Assignment,
and it is hereby agreed by the parties hereto that payment of the Early Termination Price or the Pre-delivery Termination Sum (as the case may be) shall not be construed as a penalty but shall represent an agreed estimate of the loss and damage suffered by the Owners in purchasing or part-purchasing the Vessel (as the case may be) and entering into this Charter upon the terms and conditions contained herein, in each case, at the request of the Charterers and shall therefore be paid as compensation to the Owners for early termination and acquisition of the Vessel by the Charterers or the Pre-delivery Releases (as the case may be).
40.2
Upon irrevocable receipt of the Early Termination Price or the Pre-delivery Termination Sum (as the case may be) by the Owners pursuant to Clause 40.1 or Clause 40.7, in full, this Charter shall terminate.
40.3
(a)

(i)
At any time after a Termination Event Notice is served (or if a Termination Event has occurred pursuant to Clauses 48.1(a) or 48.1(g), at any time after its occurrence) and regardless of if the Charterers’ Remarketing Period having commenced and the Charter having not been terminated because of the application of Clause 48.3(B), the Charterers' right to possess and operate the Vessel shall immediately cease and (without in any way affecting the Charterers' obligation to pay the relevant Early Termination Price) the Charterers shall, upon the Owners' request (at the Owners' sole discretion), be obliged to immediately (and at the Charterers' own cost) redeliver the Vessel to the Owners at such ready and nearest safe and practical for redelivery port as the Owners may require; further and for the avoidance of doubt, the Owners shall be entitled (at Owners' sole discretion) to operate the Vessel as they may require and may create whatsoever interests thereon, including without limitation charterparties or any other form of employment contracts (" Post-enforcement Interests ");

(ii)
subject to paragraph (iii) below, at any time after a Termination Event Notice is served unless the Charterers’ Remarketing Period has commenced and the Owners’ rights provided under this paragraph (ii) have not been suspended pursuant to Clause 48.3(B), the Owners shall be entitled (at the Owners' sole discretion) to sell the Vessel on an arm’s length basis and on terms they deem fit (an " Owners' Sale "); and

(iii)
at any time this Charter is terminated pursuant to Clause 48.3, the Owners shall be entitled (at the Owners’ sole discretion) to sell the Vessel on whatever terms they deem fit and for the avoidance of doubt such sale shall not constitute an Owners’ Sale.
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(b)
If the Charterers fail to make any payment of the Pre-delivery Termination Sum on the due date therefor :

(i)
Clauses 36.12 and 36.13 shall apply; and

(ii)
shall be entitled to exercise its rights under the Pre-delivery Assignment and the other Leasing Documents (for the avoidance of doubt, Clause 6 of the Pre-delivery Assignment shall continue to apply).
(c)
Prior to effecting an Owners’ Sale, the Owners shall notify the Charterers in writing and the Charterers may thereafter but prior to the completion of the Owners’ Sale:

(i)
submit to the Owners evidence (to the satisfaction of the Owners) of a purchaser offering by way of a firm offer (subject to customary closing conditions and Owners’ investigation on know your client issues) (a “ Third Party’s Offer ”) an amount at least equal to the then current amount of the Early Termination Price following which the Owners will use reasonable endeavors to enter into a memorandum of agreement (in a form acceptable to the Owners and the relevant counterparty buyer) pursuant to such Third Party’s Offer; or

(ii)
elect to purchase the Vessel by paying the Owners the then current amount of the Early Termination Price (which has become due and payable pursuant to Clause 48.2,
provided that, in either case, the sale of the Vessel pursuant to a Third Party’s Offer in accordance with Clause 40.3(c)(i) or pursuant to Clause 40.3(c)(ii), the payment of purchase price of the Vessel and the completion of such sale shall be made no later than the Owners’ Sale and the Owners may at its sole discretion (acting reasonably) proceed to complete the Owners’ Sale notwithstanding a Third Party’s Offer or the Charterers’ election to purchase the Vessel pursuant to Clause 40.3(c)(ii).
(d)
The proceeds of any sale (in any case other than the sale of the Vessel made after this Charter is terminated pursuant to Clause 48.3) of the Vessel pursuant to an Owners’ Sale, a Third Party’s Offer or Clause 48.3(B)(1) (as the case may be) shall be applied:

(i)
first, towards the Owners’ documented costs incurred in relation to such sale;

(ii)
second, towards payment of the then applicable Early Termination Price and other sums then due and payable to the Owners under the Leasing Documents; and

(iii)
third, any remaining balance to be paid to the Charterers subject to all actual and/or contingent liabilities incurred under any of the Leasing Documents being fully discharged; provided also in the case of the sale proceeds are not in an amount sufficient to discharge in full the aggregate amounts due to the Owners under (i) and (ii), the Charterers shall continue to be liable for the shortfall.
40.4
(a)
Concurrently with the Owners receiving irrevocable payment of the Early Termination Price in full together with other sums then due and payable to the Owners pursuant to the terms of this Charter or any other Leasing Documents from the Charterers pursuant to Clause 40.3(c)(ii) or Clause 48.3(B)(2) (as the case may be), the Owners shall (save, for the avoidance of doubt, in the event of Total Loss or where ownership has already been or agreed to be transferred pursuant to an Owners’ Sale, a Third Party’s Offer, Clause or Clause 48.3(B)(1) (as the case may be)) transfer the legal and beneficial ownership of the Vessel on an "as is where
14


is" basis (and, for the avoidance of doubt, subject to any Post-enforcement Interests), and otherwise in accordance with the terms and conditions set out at Clause 51.1(a) and 51.1(b) (in which case Clause 51.1(a) and 51.1(b) shall be deemed to be applicable notwithstanding other provisions contained therein), to the Charterers or their nominees and shall (at the Charterers' cost) execute a bill of sale and a protocol of delivery and acceptance evidencing the same and any other document strictly necessary to transfer the title of the Vessel to the Charterers (and to the extent required for such purposes, the Vessel shall be deemed first to have been redelivered to the Owners).
(b)
Clause 6.1(b) of the Pre-delivery Assignment shall apply to any receipt by the Owners of the Pre-delivery Termination Sum pursuant to the terms of this Charter and the Pre-delivery Assignment.
40.5
The Charterers hereby undertake to indemnify the Owners against any claims incurred in relation to the Vessel as a result of the Charterers' action or performance prior to transfer of ownership pursuant to Clause 40.4(a). Any taxes, notarial, consular and other costs, charges and expenses connected with closing of the Owners' register shall be for the Charterers' account.
40.6
(a)
If the Charterers are required to redeliver the Vessel to the Owners pursuant to Clause 40.3(a) or if they do not exercise the Purchase Option, the Charterers shall ensure that the Vessel shall, at the time of redelivery to the Owners (at Charterers' cost and expense, including as to docking and repair costs in respect of the below):

(i)
be in compliance with its Insurances;

(ii)
be in an equivalent classification as she was as at the Delivery Date without any recommendation or condition, and with valid, unextended certificates for not less than six (6) months and free of average damage affecting the Vessel's classification and in the same or as good structure, state, condition and classification as that in which she was deemed on the Delivery Date, fair wear and tear not affecting the Vessel's classification excepted ;

(iii)
have passed her 5-year and if applicable, 10-year special surveys, and subsequent second intermediate surveys and drydock at the Charterers' time and expense without any condition or outstanding issue and to the satisfaction of the Classification Society and with all the Vessel's classification, trading, national and international certificates that the Vessel had when she was delivered under this Charter and the log book and whatsoever necessary relating to the operation of the Vessel, valid and un-extended without conditions or recommendation falling due;

(iv)
have her survey cycles up to date and trading and classification certificate valid for at least six (6) months;

(v)
be redelivered to the Owners together with all spare parts and spare equipment as were on board at the time of Delivery except for any spare parts already used and replaced in accordance with the terms of this Charter, and any such spare parts and spare equipment on board at the time of redelivery shall be taken over by the Owners free of charge;
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(vi)
be free of any cargo and Security Interests (save for the Security Interests granted pursuant to the Financial Instruments);

(vii)
be redelivered to the Owners together with all material information generated during the Charter Period in respect of the use, possession, operation, navigation and the physical condition of the Vessel, whether or not such information is contained in the Charterers' equipment, computer or property;

(viii)
subject to any quiet enjoyment agreement or similar agreement between the Owners and the BP Charterer, be free of any charter (unless the Owners wish to retain the continuance of any then existing charter in which case the Charterers shall use their best endeavors to procure such continuance);

(ix)
be free of officers and crew (unless otherwise agreed by the Owners); and

(x)
shall have had her underwater parts treated with ample anti-fouling to last for the ensuing period up to the next scheduled dry docking of the Vessel in accordance with Classification Society requirements.
(b)
The Owners shall, at the time of the redelivery of the Vessel, take over all bunkers, lubricating oil, unbroached provisions, paints, ropes and other consumable stores in the Vessel at no cost to the Owners.
(c)
In the case of a redelivery of the Vessel if required because the Charterers do not exercise the Purchase Option:

(i)
the Charterers shall give the Owners not less than sixty (60) days preliminary notice of the range of ports of redelivery or port of place or redelivery and not less than fourteen (14) days definite notice of port or place of redelivery. Any changes thereafter in the Vessel’s position shall be notified by the Charterers immediately to the Owners;

(ii)
the Charterers shall not permit the Vessel to commence any voyage (including any preceding ballast voyage) which cannot be expected to be completed prior on the Expiry Date; and

(iii)
if the time of actual redelivery is after the date on which redelivery is required to take place pursuant to Clause 50 (the " Redelivery Date "), the Charterer shall, without prejudice to any other amounts payable under the Leasing Documents (including without limitation pursuant to this Clause 40) pay to the Owners, as from the first date following the Expiry Date and for each day until the date on which the Vessel is redelivered in accordance with the conditions Clause 40.6(a), the rate of hire equivalent to the higher of:

(A)
the daily Charterhire that would have been payable in the last month of the Charter Period;

(B)
the prevailing market rate for the bareboat chartering of vessels of a similar type as the Vessel (as determined by an Approved Valuer appointed by the Owners); and

(C)
the prevailing market rate for the chartering of vessels of a similar type as the Vessel on the Index.
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For the avoidance of doubt, all other terms, conditions and provisions of this Charter and the other Leasing Documents shall continue to apply during such period.
(d)
The Owners reserve all rights to recover from the Charterers any costs, expense and/or liabilities incurred or suffered by them (including without limitation, the costs of any docking and/or repairs which may be required to restore the Vessel to the structure, state, condition and class as that in which the Vessel was delivered (fair wear and tear not affecting class excepted, but without any recommendations or conditions as to class)) as a result of the Vessel not being redelivered in accordance with the terms of this Charter.
40.7
If the Vessel, for any reason, becomes a Total Loss after Delivery, the Charterers shall pay the Early Termination Price to the Owners on the earlier of:
(a)
the date falling ninety (90) days after such Total Loss has occurred; and
(b)
the date of receipt by the Owners and/or their financiers (if any), in accordance with the terms of the relevant loss payable clause, of the proceeds of insurance relating to such Total Loss,
provided that it is hereby agreed that any insurance proceeds in respect of the Vessel received by the Owners shall be applied in or towards discharging the Charterers' obligation to pay the Early Termination Price and any interest accrued thereon (and such application shall be deemed satisfaction of the Charterers' obligation to pay the Early Termination Price to the extent so satisfied) and in the event that the insurance proceeds received from the insurers exceed the Early Termination Price due (and any interest accrued thereon), the excess shall be firstly paid towards satisfying any amounts outstanding and owing by the Charterers pro rata and thereafter paid to the Charterers by way of rebate of hire.
For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that the Vessel becomes a Total Loss:

(i)
payment of the Charterhire and all other sums payable under the Leasing Documents during such period shall continue to be made by the Charterers in accordance with the terms thereof unless and until the Owners receive in full the Early Termination Price;

(ii)
should insurance proceeds be received by the Owners from the insurers, the Charterers' obligations to pay the Early Termination Price shall be accordingly reduced by an amount corresponding to such insurance proceeds but in the event that such insurance proceeds are less than the amount of the Early Termination Price together with any interest accrued thereon, the Charterers shall remain obliged to pay to the Owners the balance so that the full amount of the Early Termination Price due together with any interest accrued thereon is received by the Owners; and

(iii)
the obligation of the Charterers to pay the Early Termination Price shall remain unaffected and exist regardless of whether any of the insurers have agreed or refused to meet or has disputed in good faith, the claim for Total Loss.
40.8
The Owners shall have no obligation to supply to the Charterers with a replacement vessel following the occurrence of a Total Loss.
CLAUSE 41 – FEES AND EXPENSES
41.1
In consideration of the Owners entering into this Charter, the Charterers shall pay to the Owners or their nominee
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(a)
a non-refundable arrangement fee equal to one point one per cent. (1.10%) of the Financing Amount (the total amount of such arrangement fee payable, the “ Arrangement Fee Amount ”) which shall be payable, and actually received by the Owners or their nominee in two instalments, each payable in the following amount and at the following times:

(i)
the first instalment shall be payable and received by the Owners no later than the payment of the Fifth Instalment or the Sixth Instalment (whichever happens first) or, if this Charter is terminated prior to the Delivery Date, the date of such termination in an amount equal to zero point five per cent. (0.50%) of the Estimated Financing Amount (the “ First Instalment Arrangement Fee Amount ”); and

(ii)
the second instalment shall be payable and received by the Owners no later than the date the Final Instalment is remitted by the Owners as buyer under the MOA to the Builder’s Bank pursuant to clause 19(b)(iii) ( Payment of Purchase Price by Buyer ) of the MOA or, if this Charter is terminated prior to the Scheduled Delivery Date with no Delivery taking place, the date of such termination, in an amount in Dollars equal to the Arrangement Fee Amount minus the First Instalment Arrangement Fee Amount; and
(b)
a commitment fee (the “ Commitment Fee ”) in Dollars computed at the rate of zero point five per cent. (0.50%) per annum on the Committed Amount (Estimated) from time to time for the Pre-delivery Period and the accrued commitment fee is payable on the last day of each successive period of three (3) months which ends during the Pre-delivery Period and on the last day of the Pre-delivery Period (so that the last payment of the Commitment Fee shall be made by the Charterers on the last day of the Pre-delivery Period), provided that :

(i)
if the Actual Commitment Fee is higher than the aggregate amount of the Commitment Fee payable during the Pre-delivery Period (applying the Committed Amount (Estimated) in its calculation and disregarding the application of sub-paragraphs (b)(i) and (b)(ii) of this Clause) (such excess amount, the “ Additional Fee ”), the last payment of the Commitment Fee the Charterers shall make on the last day of the Pre-delivery Period shall be increased by the amount of the Additional Fee; and

(ii)
if the Actual Commitment Fee is lower than the aggregate amount of the Commitment Fee payable during the Pre-delivery Period (applying the Committed Amount (Estimated) in its calculation and disregarding the application of the sub-paragraphs (b)(i) and (b)(ii) of this Clause) (such a shortfall, the “ Excess Fee ”), the last payment of the Commitment Fee the Charterers shall make on the last day of the Pre-delivery Period shall be reduced by the amount of the Excess Fee, provided that if the amount of the Excess Fee is higher than the last payment of the Commitment Fee payable on the last day of the Pre-delivery Period disregarding the application of this sub-paragraph (b)(ii) (such difference, the “ Fee Reimbursement ”), the Owners shall reimburse the Charterers with an amount in Dollars equal to the Fee Reimbursement without any interest.
41.2
Without prejudice to any other rights of the Owners hereunder, the Charterers shall promptly pay to the Owners on written demand on a full indemnity basis all costs, charges and expenses incurred by the Owners in collecting any Charterhire, the Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire or the Advance Charterhire or other payments not paid on the due date under this Charter and in remedying any other failure of the Charterers to observe the terms and conditions of this Charter.
41.3
All costs and expenses (including, but not limited to, legal costs) incurred by the Owners or Owners’ legal counsel in the preparation, negotiation and execution of all documentation in relation to this Charter or any other Pertinent Document (including without limitation any registration or filing expenses, all costs incurred by the Owners and all legal costs, expenses and
18


other disbursement incurred by the Owners’ legal counsels in connection with the same) shall be for the account of the Charterers.
41.4
All costs and expenses incurred by the Owners in relation to the acquisition and registration of the Vessel by the Owners in the Owners’ name in the Buyers’ Nominated Flag State together with any and all fees (including but not limited to any vessel registration and tonnage fees) payable by the Owners to such flag state to maintain and/or renew such registration shall be for the account of the Charterers. Without prejudice to the foregoing, if the Buyers’ Nominated Flag State requires the Owners to establish a physical presence or office in the jurisdiction of such flag state, all fees, costs and expenses payable by the Owners to establish and maintain such physical presence or office shall be for the account of the Charterers.
41.5
All costs and expenses incurred by the Owners in relation to the redelivery of the Vessel by the Owners to the Charterers pursuant to Clause 40 ( Termination, Redelivery and Total Loss ) shall be for the account of the Charterers.
41.6
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the indemnities provided by the Charterers shall be provided in favour of the Owners and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any breach of the terms of this Charter or termination of this Charter pursuant to the terms hereof.
CLAUSE 42 - NO WAIVER OF RIGHTS
42.1
No neglect, delay, omission or indulgence on the part of either party in enforcing the terms and conditions of this Charter shall prejudice the strict rights of that party or be construed as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right of either party preclude any other or further exercise thereof.
42.2
No right or remedy conferred upon either party by this Charter shall be exclusive of any other right or remedy provided for herein or by law and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative.
CLAUSE 43 - NOTICES
Any notice, certificate, demand or other communication to be served, given made or sent under or in relation to this Charter shall be in English and in writing and (without prejudice to any other valid method or giving making or sending the same) shall be deemed sufficiently given or made or sent if sent by registered post, fax or by email to the following respective addresses:
 
(A)
to the Owners:
SEA 103 LEASING CO., LIMITED
21F, China Merchants Bank Building, No.1088, Lujiazui Ring
Road, Shanghai, China
Attention: Man Xin
Email: x_man@cmbchina.com
Tel: +8621 61061737
Fax: +8621 61059911*1737
       
 
(B)
to the Charterers:
Top Ships Inc.
Attention:   Alexandros Tsirikos
Email:        atsirikos@topships.org
Tel:            +30 210 8128180
Fax:           +30 210 8056441
       
or, if a party hereto changes its address or fax number, to such other address or fax number as that party may notify to the other.
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CLAUSE 44 – REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
44.1 The Charterers represent and warrant to the Owners as of the date hereof, and on each day during the Security Period, as follows:
(a)
the Charterers are legally, wholly and directly owned and controlled by the Guarantor and the Guarantor is controlled by affiliate companies to the family of Mr. Evangelos Pistiolis;
(b)
each Relevant Person is duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of its incorporation;
(c)
each Relevant Person has the corporate capacity, and has taken all corporate actions and obtained all consents, approvals, authorisations, licenses or permits necessary for it:

(i)
to execute each of the Pertinent Documents to which it is a party; and

(ii)
to comply with and perform its obligations under each of the Pertinent Documents to which it is a party;
(d)
all the consents, approvals, authorisations, licenses or permits referred to in Clause 44.1(c) ( Representations and Warranties ) remain in force and nothing has occurred which makes any of them liable to revocation;
(e)
each of the Pertinent Documents to which a Relevant Person is a party constitutes such Relevant Person’s legal, valid and binding obligations enforceable against such party in accordance with its respective terms and any relevant insolvency laws affecting creditors’ rights generally;
(f)
the entry into and performance by each Relevant Person of, and the transactions contemplated by, each Pertinent Document to which it is a party do not and will not conflict with:

(i)
any law or regulation applicable to it;

(ii)
the constitutional documents of such Relevant Person; and

(iii)
any agreement or instrument binding upon it or any of its assets or constitute a default or termination event (however described) under any such agreement or instrument;
(g)
there are no outstanding notices or demands from any governmental, quasi-governmental or public authority or instrumentality or any other person claiming authority in respect of the Vessel requiring any work or other action to be taken or the expenditure of any money to be taken in respect of the Vessel or any part thereof;
(h)
the Vessel is free of encumbrances and liens except for the Permitted Security Interests; no third party has any Security Interest, other than the Permitted Security Interests, or any other interest, right or claim over, in or in relation to the Vessel, this Charter or any moneys payable hereunder and/or any of the other Pertinent Documents;
(i)
all payments which a Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) is liable to make under any Pertinent Document to which such Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) is a party may be made by such party without deduction or withholding for or on account of any tax payable under the laws of its Relevant Jurisdiction;
(j)
no legal or administrative action involving a Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) has been commenced or taken (including but not limited
20


to actions involving any Environmental Claim but excluding the class action involving certain of the Guarantor’s executive officers pending in the US District Court of the Eastern District of New York on behalf of certain shareholders of the Guarantor as reflected in a 20(f) filing filed on 29 March 2018);
(k)
each Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) has paid all taxes applicable to, or imposed on or in relation to it, its business or if applicable, the Vessel, except for those being contested in good faith with adequate reserves;
(l)
it is not necessary under the laws of the Relevant Jurisdictions that this Charter or any other Leasing Document be registered, filed, recorded, notarized or enrolled with any court or other authority in that jurisdiction or that any stamp, registration, notarial or similar taxes or fees be paid on or in relation to the Leasing Documents to which it is a party or the transactions contemplated by those Leasing Documents; the choice of governing law as stated in each Pertinent Document to which a Relevant Person is a party and the agreement by such party to refer disputes to the relevant courts or tribunals as stated in such Pertinent Document are valid and binding against such Relevant Person;
(m)
no Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) nor any of their assets are entitled to immunity on the grounds of sovereignty or otherwise from any legal action or proceeding (which shall include, without limitation, suit, attachment prior to judgment, execution or other enforcement);
(n)
the obligations of each Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) under each Pertinent Document to which it is a party, are the direct, general and unconditional obligations of such Relevant Person and rank at least pari passu with all other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated creditors of such Relevant Person save for any obligation which is mandatorily preferred by law and not by virtue of any contract;
(o)
each Pertinent Document creates (or, once entered into, will create) the Security Interest which it is expressed to create with the ranking and priority it is expressed to have;
(p)
the Charterers and any other Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) (i) are not US Tax Obligors and (ii) have not established a place of business in the United Kingdom or the United States of America;
(q)
no Relevant Person or any of their respective directors, officers, and employees is a Restricted Person or is otherwise a target of applicable Sanctions;
(r)
no Relevant Person or any of their respective directors, officers, and employees is in breach of applicable Sanctions laws, and none of them (i) has been or is currently being investigated on compliance with Sanctions, (ii) has received notice or is aware of any claim, action, suit or proceeding against any of them with respect to Sanctions and (iii) has taken any action to evade the application of Sanctions;
(s)
no Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) is in breach of any Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws and/or Business Ethics Laws and each Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) has instituted and maintained systems, controls, policies and procedures designed to:

(i)
prevent and detect incidences of bribery and corruption, money laundering and terrorism financing; and

(ii)
promote and achieve compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws and or Business Ethics Laws including, but not limited to, ensuring thorough and accurate books and records, and utilization of best efforts to ensure
21


that Affiliates acting on behalf of a Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) shall act in compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws and Business Ethics Laws,.
(t)
that in relation to the Shipbuilding Documents and the BP Charter:

(i)
each copy of the Shipbuilding Documents and BP Charter provided to the Owners is a true and complete copy of such document and there have been no amendments, supplements or variations to the same;

(ii)
all amounts due and payable to the Builder under the Contract on or prior to the date hereof have been fully and irrevocably paid to the Builder (receipt of which has been duly acknowledged by the Builder) and there are no outstanding amounts as at the date hereof which are due, owing or payable to the Builder thereunder;

(iii)
there are no unresolved disputes and/or pending claims for payment between the Builder and the Charterers in respect of the Shipbuilding Documents and/or the Vessel and/or the BP Charter; and

(iv)
each of the BP Charterer, Builder and the Refund Guarantor is fully aware of the transactions contemplated under the MOA and this Charter;

(v)
each of the Builder and the Refund Guarantor has consented to the assignment by the Charterers to the Owners of all their rights, interests and benefits in relation to the Shipbuilding Documents pursuant to the Pre-delivery Assignment;

(vi)
the BP Charterer has consented to the assignment by the Charterers to the Owners of all their rights, interests and benefits in relation to the BP Charter pursuant to the General Assignment;
(u)
the Vessel is not employed, operated or managed in any manner which (i) is contrary to any Sanctions and in particular, the Vessel is not used by or to benefit any party which is a target of Sanctions or trade to any area or country where trading the Vessel to such area or country would constitute a breach of any Sanctions or published boycotts imposed by any of the United Nations, the European Union, the United States of America, the United Kingdom or the People’s Republic of China (provided that operation or use of the Vessel by the BP Charterer pursuant to the BP Charter shall not in any case be deemed to be in breach or contrary to any published boycotts imposed by the People’s Republic of China) or (ii) would trigger the operation of any sanctions limitation or exclusion clause in any insurance documentation;
(v)
none of the Relevant Persons nor any of their assets, in each case, has any right to immunity from set off, legal proceedings, attachment prior to judgment or other attachment or execution of judgement on the grounds of sovereign immunity or otherwise;
(w)
none of the Relevant Persons is insolvent, bankrupt or in liquidation, bankruptcy or administration or subject to any other formal or informal insolvency or bankruptcy procedure (including, without limitation, those referred to under Clause 48.1(g) ( Termination Events ) and for the avoidance of doubt including the presentation of a petition for commencing such procedures), and no receiver, administrative receiver, administrator, liquidator, trustee or analogous officer has been appointed in respect of the any Relevant Person or all or material part of their assets;
(x)
no Termination Event or Potential Termination Event is continuing or might reasonably be expected to result from the entry into and performance of this Charter or any other Pertinent Document;
22


(y)
any factual information provided by any Relevant Person (or on their behalf) to the Owners was true and accurate in all material respects as at the date it was provided or as at the date at which such information was stated;
(z)
none of the following events has occurred:

(i)
any default by the Charterers or the BP Charterer under the terms of the BP Charter;

(ii)
any default by the Charterers or the Builder under the terms of the Contract;

(iii)
breach of any Sanctions;

(iv)
upon delivery of the Vessel under the Contract, any casualty or occurrence (including damage caused to the Vessel for any reason whatsoever) which results, or may be expected to result, in repairs on the Vessel; and

(v)
upon and after the commencement of the Charter Period, any casualty or occurrence (including damage caused to the Vessel for any reason whatsoever which results, or may be expected to result, in repairs on the Vessel) which exceed the Major Casualty Amount and which are not being dealt with in accordance with the Leasing Documents (including without limitation in accordance with Clause 38 and the General Assignment);
(aa)
all Environmental Laws relating to the ownership, operation and management of the Vessel and the business of each Relevant Person (as now conducted and as reasonably anticipated to be conducted in the future) have been complied with;
(bb)
no Environmental Claim has been made or threatened against any Relevant Person or otherwise in connection with the Vessel; and
(cc)
no Environmental Incident has occurred and no person has claimed that an Environmental Incident has occurred.
CLAUSE 45 –UNDERTAKINGS
45.1
The Charterers undertake that they shall comply or procure compliance with the following undertakings during the Security Period:
(a)
the Charterers shall, on the Delivery Date, procure the delivery of the full legal and beneficial title (free of any Security Interests save for those created under a Pertinent Document or Financial Instrument) in the Vessel to the Owners;
(b)
there shall be sent to the Owners:

(i)
as soon as possible, but in no event later than one hundred and twenty (120) days after the end of each financial year of the Charterers, the audited annual financial statement accounts of the Charterers for that financial year as referred to in the Guarantor’s audited consolidated annual financial statement accounts of the Guarantor for that financial year to be delivered under Clause 45.1(b)(iii);

(ii)
as soon as possible, but in no event later than ninety (90) days after the end of each half-year, the unaudited semi-annual accounts of the Charterers for that half-year;

(iii)
as soon as possible, but in no event later than one hundred and twenty (120) days after the end of each financial year of the Guarantor, the audited consolidated annual financial statement accounts of the Guarantor for that financial year; and
23



(iv)
as soon as possible, but in no event later than ninety (90) days after the end of each half-year, the semi-annual consolidated unaudited accounts of the Guarantor for that half-year certified as to their correctness by at least one director of the Guarantor;
and if any of the statements above are not in the English language then they shall be accompanied by an English translation and each set of financial statements delivered pursuant to this paragraph (b) shall be prepared using the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States;
(c)
they shall provide to the Owners, at the same time as they are despatched, copies of all notices and minutes relating to any of their extraordinary shareholders’ meeting which are despatched to the Charterers’ or the Guarantor’s respective shareholders or creditors or any class of them;
(d)
they shall, and shall procure that each other Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) will, provide the Owners with details of any legal or administrative action involving such Relevant Person or the Vessel as soon as such action is instituted;
(e)
they shall, and shall procure that each other Relevant Person will, obtain and promptly renew or procure the obtainment or renewal of and provide copies of, from time to time, any necessary consents, approvals, authorisations, licenses or permits of any regulatory body or authority for the transactions contemplated under each Pertinent Document to which it is a party (including without limitation to sell, charter and operate the Vessel);
(f)
they shall not, and shall procure that each other Relevant Person will not, create, assume or permit to exist any Security Interest (other than any Permitted Security Interest) of any kind upon any Pertinent Document to which such Relevant Person is a party, and if applicable, the Vessel;
(g)
they shall at their own cost and shall procure that each other Relevant Person will:

(i)
do all that such Relevant Person reasonably can to ensure that any Pertinent Document to which such Relevant Person is a party validly creates the obligations and the Security Interests which such Relevant Person purports to create; and

(ii)
without limiting the generality of paragraph (i), promptly register, file, record or enroll any Pertinent Document to which such Relevant Person is a party with any court or authority in all Relevant Jurisdictions, pay any stamp duty, registration or similar tax in all Relevant Jurisdictions in respect of any Pertinent Document to which such Relevant Person is a party, give any notice or take any other step which, is or has become necessary or desirable for any such Pertinent Document to be valid, enforceable or admissible in evidence or to ensure or protect the priority of any Security Interest which such Relevant Person creates;
(h)
they shall notify the Owners as soon as possible (but in any event no later than ninety (90) days prior to the third anniversary of the charter period commencement date under the BP Charter), together with any evidence requested by the Owners, whether the BP Charterer intends to and will (with irrevocable confirmation from the BP Charterer) extend the charter period of the BP Charter in accordance with the terms thereunder;
(i)
they shall, and shall procure that each other Relevant Person will (where applicable), notify the Owners as soon as they become aware of the occurrence of:

(i)
any default by either the BP Charterer or Charterers of the terms of the BP Charter;
24



(ii)
an event of default or termination event howsoever called under the terms of the BP Charter entitling either the Charterers or the BP Charterer to terminate the BP Charter;

(iii)
any default by any party of the terms of any Shipbuilding Document;

(iv)
any event entitling the Charterers or the Builder to rescind the Contract;

(v)
breach of any Sanctions; or

(vi)
any Potential Termination Event or a Termination Event,
and will keep the Owners fully up-to-date with all developments and the Charterers shall, if so requested by the Owners, provide any such certificate signed by at least one officer, confirming that there exists no Potential Termination Event or Termination Event;
(j)
they shall, and shall procure that each other Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) will, on the sixth month anniversary of the Delivery Date and at six-monthly intervals thereafter and otherwise upon the Owners’ and/or their financiers (if any) request from time to time and as soon as practicable after receiving such request, provide the Owners with any additional financial or other information relating:

(i)
to themselves and/or the Vessel (including, but not limited to the employment, condition, class records and location of the Vessel) and, to their best knowledge having made due enquiry, to the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor;

(ii)
the terms and conditions of any sub-charter together with any other information relating to such sub-charter; and

(iii)
to any other matter (which include without limitation, to their best knowledge having made due enquiry, any other matters relating to the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) which may be reasonably requested by the Owners (or their financiers (if any)) at any time or which under the terms of the relevant Pertinent Document may be sought from the person in possession of such information.
(k)
without prejudice to Clause 45.1(q) ( Undertakings ), comply, or procure compliance, and shall procure that each other Relevant Person will comply or procure compliance, with all laws or regulations relating to the Vessel and its construction, ownership, employment, operation, management and registration, including the ISM Code, the ISPS Code, all Environmental Laws and the laws of the Vessel’s registry and shall procure that the Technical Manager and the Commercial Manager and the Vessel to be in the possession of proper trading certificates and other vessel related documents and to comply with other relevant laws and regulations;
(l)
the Vessel shall be classed with the Approved Classification Society and shall be free of all overdue recommendations and requirements;
(m)
they shall not and ensure that neither the Other Charterer nor the Guarantor shall enter into any form of merger, sub-division, amalgamation, demerger, reorganization, corporate reconstruction or change of ownership without the Owners’ prior consent;
(n)
subject to Clause 45(v), they shall ensure that the Market Value of the Vessel will be tested at the following instances:

(i)
on or about the date of this Charter, on the date falling six months thereafter and at six-monthly intervals thereafter (each such date the “ Market Value Test Date ”) and the Charterers shall procure a valuation report issued by the Approved Valuers evidencing such Market Value applicable to a Market Value Test Date to be delivered to the Owners no later than that Market Value Test Date; and
25



(ii)
if, in the opinion of the Owners, any volatile market fluctuations occurs that may affect the value of the Vessel or vessels of the similar type of the Vessel, at any time at the request of the Owners;

(iii)
at any time at the request of the Owners if the Owners have determined that the Market Value of the Vessel is likely to fall below an amount equal to 125% of the then applicable Early Prepayment Sum;

(iv)
valuation of the Market Value of the Vessel is required pursuant to Clause 45(v); and

(v)
upon the occurrence of a Potential Termination Event or Termination Event, at any time at the request of the Owners,
and in each case above the Charterers shall bear the fees and expenses of the Approved Valuers or reimburse the same to the Owners (as the case may be).
(o)
they shall notify the Owners immediately of:

(i)
any Environmental Claim made against the Charterers or any subcharter of the Vessel in connection with the Vessel or any Environmental Incident;

(ii)
arrest or detention of the Vessel;

(iii)
any exercise or purported exercise of any lien on that Vessel or its Earnings or any requisition of that Vessel for hire;

(iv)
any damage caused to or alteration of the Vessel for any reason whatsoever which results, or may be expected to result, in repairs on the Vessel which exceed $1,000,000; or

(v)
any casualty or occurrence as a result of which the Vessel has become or is, by the passing of time or otherwise, likely to become, a Major Casualty;
(p)
they shall not permit the sub-chartering of the Vessel except in the following situations:

(i)
the Vessel is let on a time charter basis for a period not exceeding twelve (12) months (inclusive of optional extension periods) unless
the Owners’ prior approval is obtained in relation to such sub-chartering and that any such sub-charter is assigned by the Charterers in favour of the Owners in form and substance satisfactory to the Owners;
(q)
they shall, and shall procure that each other Relevant Person (other than the Refund Guarantor and the Builder) will, comply with all applicable laws and regulations in respect of Sanctions, and in particular, the Charterers shall effect and maintain a sanctions compliance policy to ensure compliance with all such laws and regulations implemented from time to time;
(r)
they shall, and shall procure that each other Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Refund Guarantor and the Builder) and their respective officers, directors and employees, will:

(i)
conduct its business in compliance with all Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws and/or Business Ethics Laws;

(ii)
maintain systems, controls, policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve ongoing compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws and/or Business Ethics Laws;
26



(iii)
in respect of the Charterers, not use, or permit or authorize any person to directly or indirectly use, the Financing Amount for any purpose that would breach any Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws and/or Business Ethics Laws;

(iv)
not lend, invest, contribute or otherwise make available the Financing Amount to or for any other person in a manner which would result in a violation of Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws and/or Business Ethics Laws.
(s)
they shall, and shall procure that that each other Relevant Person will, promptly notify the Owners and provide all information in relation to its business and operations which may be relevant for the purposes of ascertaining whether they are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations relating to Sanctions, and in particular, the Charterers shall notify the Owners in writing immediately upon being aware that any of the Charterers’ shareholders, directors, officers or employees is a Restricted Person or has otherwise become a target of Sanctions;
(t)
they shall not appoint or permit to be appointed any manager of the Vessel save for an Approved Manager on terms acceptable to the Owners and their financiers (if any) and such Approved Manager has (prior to accepting its appointment entered into a Manager’s Undertaking and, if required by the Owners, acceded to the Trust Deed);
(u)
if at any time, the Market Value of the Vessel falls below the amount equivalent to 125% of the then applicable Early Prepayment Sum (the “ LTV Breach ” and the said difference between the Market Value of the Vessel and 125% of the then applicable Early Prepayment Sum shall be referred to as the “ shortfall ”), the Charterers shall promptly, and in any event no later than the date falling thirty (30) days from the earlier of (a) the Charterers’ receipt from the Owners notifying them of such LTV Breach and (b) the Charterers’ receipt of the relevant valuation of the Market Value, pay to the Owners to an account nominated by the Owners and notified to the Charterers, without set-off or deduction, an amount in Dollars equivalent to that shortfall as deposit and such amount actually received by the Owners shall constitute to part of the Deposit then retained by the Owners.
(v)
once the number of Fleet Vessels owned by the Group becomes less than five (the “ Relevant Time ”):

(i)
the Charterers shall notify the Owners immediately of such occurrence;

(ii)
the Owners shall have the right to request the Market Value of all the Fleet Vessels to be tested (at the Charterers’ costs) at any time as from the Relevant Time and the Charterers shall ensure such Market Value be so tested (at the Charterers’ costs) immediately upon the Owners’ request; and

(iii)
upon request by the Owners, the Charterers shall promptly and in any event no later than the date falling thirty (30) days from such request, pay to the Owners to an account nominated by the Owners and notified to the Charterers, without set-off or deduction, an amount in Dollars as deposit an amount which will ensure that after payment of such deposit the Market Value of the Vessel is not more than sixty per cent. (60%) of the amount equal to the then applicable Early Prepayment Sum and such amount actually received by the Owners shall become part of the Deposit then retained by the Owners;
(w)
save with the prior written consent of the Owners, they shall not, and shall procure that no other Relevant Person shall, agree or enter into any transaction, arrangement, document or do or omit to do anything which will have the effect of varying, amending, supplementing or waiving any term of any Shipbuilding Document or the BP Charter;
(x)
they shall ensure that:
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(i)
all Earnings and any other amounts received by them in connection with the Vessel are paid into the Operating Account;

(ii)
all operating expenses in connection with the Vessel are paid from the Operating Account or via the monthly budget from the manager’s bank account which shall be credited from the Operating Account; and

(iii)
the credit balance in the Operating Account shall not at any time as from the Delivery Date be less than $1,000,000,
(y)
they shall not make or pay any dividend or other distribution (in cash or in kind) in respect of its share capital following the occurrence of a Potential Termination Event or Termination Event;
(z)
the Vessel shall be registered under the Buyers’ Nominated Flag State at all times;
(aa)
they shall be responsible for losses directly or indirectly arising out of the defects of the design of the Vessel and/or the Charterers' negligence in the supervision of the construction of the Vessel; and
(bb)
they shall ensure that the Vessels to be maintained with all spare parts on board and on order and with all stores on board together with all records, logs, plans, operating manuals and drawings in relation to the Vessel or the Vessel’s operations and/or maintenance.
CLAUSE 46 – INSPECTION OF VESSEL
46.1
Without prejudice to Clause 46.2 ( Inspection of Vessel ) below, the Owners shall, after giving notice to the Charterers, be entitled to inspect or survey the Vessel or instruct a surveyor to carry out such survey on their behalf:
(a)
to ascertain the condition of the Vessel and satisfy themselves that the Vessel is being properly repaired and maintained;
(b)
in dry-dock if the Charterers have not dry-docked the Vessel in accordance with Clause 10(g) ( Periodical Dry-docking ); and
(c)
for any other reason they consider necessary,
provided it does not unduly interfere with the normal commercial operation of the Vessel.
46.2
The Owners shall be entitled to exercise its rights of inspection or survey as described under Clause 46.1 ( Inspection of Vessel ) once a year at the cost of the Charterers and at any other time at the cost of the Owners (and, except where inspection or survey is carried out pursuant to the following (a) or (b), without interference to the operation of the Vessel), save that (a) upon the occurrence of a Termination Event or Potential Termination Event or the occurrence of any major insurance claims (in the opinion of the Owners) in respect of the Vessel, the Owners shall have the right to inspect or survey the Vessel or instruct a duly authorized surveyor to carry out such survey on their behalf at any time (and for the avoidance of doubt, more than once a year) without prior notice to, and at the cost of, the Charterers; and (b) the Owners shall have the right to inspect or survey the Vessel or instruct a duly authorized surveyor to carry out such survey on their behalf at any time prior to the Delivery Date. The Charterers shall procure that the Owners can fully exercise such rights of inspection and survey.
46.3
The Charterers shall also permit the Owners to inspect the Vessel’s log books whenever requested and shall whenever required by the Owners furnish them with full information regarding any casualties or other accidents or damage to the Vessel.
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CLAUSE 47 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED
CLAUSE 48 – TERMINATION EVENTS
48.1
The Owners and the Charterers hereby agree that any of the following events shall constitute a Termination Event:
(a)
any Relevant Person fails to make any payment on the due date or on demand in accordance with the terms of any Pertinent Document to which it is a party, unless such non-payment is caused by administrative or technical error and the relevant payment is made within five (5) Business Days of the relevant due date;
(b)
the Charterers breach or omit to observe or perform any of their undertakings in Clause 45.1(a), 45.1(e), 45.1(f), 45.1(i), 45.1(k), 45.1(o), 45.1(q), 45.1(r), 45.1(s), 45.1(u), 45.1(v), 45.1(x)(iii), or 45.1(z) ( Undertakings ) or the Guarantor breaches or omits to observe or perform any of its undertakings or the financial covenants contained under clause 11.14 ( financial covenants ) of the Guarantee;
(c)
the Charterers fail to obtain and/or maintain the Insurances required under Clause 38 ( Insurance ) in accordance with the provisions thereof (or any insurer in respect of such Insurances cancels the Insurances or disclaims liability with respect thereto);
(d)
any Relevant Person commits any other breach of, or omits to observe or perform, any of their other obligations or undertakings in this Charter or any Pertinent Document (other than a breach referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) above) unless such breach or omission is in the opinion of the Owners, remediable and the Relevant Person remedies (or cause to remedy) such breach or omission to the satisfaction of the Owners within five (5) Business Days of the occurrence of such breach or omission;
(e)
any representation or warranty made by any Relevant Person in or pursuant to any Pertinent Document to which it is a party proves to be untrue or misleading when it is made;
(f)
any of the following occurs in relation to any Financial Indebtedness of the Charterers, each Other Charterer, the Guarantor or any member of the Group:

(i)
any Financial Indebtedness of such entity is not paid when due or, if so payable, on demand after any applicable grace period has expired;

(ii)
any Financial Indebtedness of such entity becomes due and payable, or capable of being declared due and payable, prior to its stated maturity date as a consequence of any event of default and not as a consequence of the exercise of any voluntary right of prepayment;

(iii)
a lease, hire purchase agreement or charter creating any Financial Indebtedness of such entity is terminated by the lessor or owner as a consequence of any termination event or event of default (howsoever defined); or

(iv)
any overdraft, loan, note issuance, acceptance credit, letter of credit, guarantee, foreign exchange or other facility, or any swap or other derivative contract or transaction, relating to any Financial Indebtedness of such entity ceases to be available or becomes capable of being terminated or declared due and payable or cash cover is required or becomes capable of being required, as a result of any termination event or event of default (howsoever defined);
(g)
any of the following occurs in relation to the Charterers, each Other Charterer, the Guarantor or any member of the Group:
29



(i)
such entity becomes, in the opinion of the Owners, unable to pay their debts as they fall due;

(ii)
in respect of such entity, the value of its assets is less than its liabilities (taking into account contingent liabilities);

(iii)
any administrative or other receiver is appointed over all or a substantial part of the assets of such entity unless as part of a solvent reorganisation which has been approved by the Owners;

(iv)
such entity makes any formal declaration of bankruptcy or any formal statement to the effect that they are insolvent or likely to become insolvent, or a winding up or administration order is made in relation to such entity, or the members or directors of such entity pass a resolution to the effect that they should be wound up, placed in administration or cease to carry on business;

(v)
a petition is presented in any Relevant Jurisdiction for the winding up or administration, or the appointment of a provisional liquidator, of such entity;

(vi)
such entity petitions a court, or presents any proposal for, any form of judicial or non-judicial suspension or deferral of payments, reorganisation of their debt (or certain of their debt) or arrangement with all or a substantial proportion (by number or value) of their creditors or of any class of them or with a minority proportion (by number or value) of their creditors or of any class of them which would reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect or any such suspension or deferral of payments, reorganisation or arrangement is effected by court order, contract or otherwise;

(vii)
any meeting of the members or directors of such entity is summoned for the purpose of considering a resolution or proposal to authorise or take any action of a type described in paragraph (iii), (iv), (v) or (vi);

(viii)
,in any jurisdiction, any event occurs or any procedure is commenced which, in the opinion of the Owners, is similar to any of the foregoing referred to in (ii) to and including (vii) above; or

(ix)
any expropriation, attachment, sequestration, distress or execution (or any analogous process in any jurisdiction which affects any asset or assets of such entity which is not discharged within fourteen (14) days;
(h)
a Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) suspends or ceases or threatens to suspend or cease carrying on its business;
(i)
any consent, approval, authorisation, license or permit necessary to enable the Charterers or the BP Charterer to operate or charter the Vessel, the Builder to sell and construct the Vessel, or any of Relevant Person to comply with any provision of Pertinent Document (as the case may be) and/or to ensure that the obligations of any Relevant Person under any Pertinent Document are legal, valid, binding or enforceable (I) is not granted, (II) expires without being renewed, (III) is revoked or becomes liable to revocation or (IV) any condition of such a consent, approval, authorisation, license or permit is not fulfilled;
(j)
any event or circumstance occurs which (in the opinion of the Owners) has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(k)
this Charter or any Pertinent Document or any Security Interest created by a Pertinent Document:
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(i)
is cancelled, terminated, rescinded or suspended or otherwise ceases to remain in full force and effect for any reason or no longer constitutes valid, binding and enforceable obligations of any party to that document for any reason whatsoever; or

(ii)
is amended or varied without the prior written consent of the Owners;
(l)
a Relevant Person rescinds or purports to rescind or repudiates or purports to repudiate a Pertinent Document;
(m)
the Security Interest constituted by any Pertinent Document is in any way imperiled or in jeopardy;
(n)
any Termination Event (as defined in the Other Charter) occurs under the Other Charter;
(o)
the occurrence of any of the following events;

(i)
an event of default or termination event howsoever called under the terms of the BP Charter entitling either the BP Charterer or the Charterers to terminate the BP Charter;

(ii)
any default by any party of the terms of any Shipbuilding Document (including the occurrence of any Buyer’s Default) including, without limitation, any event entitling the Charterers to rescind or terminate the Contract; or

(iii)
breach of any Sanctions;
(p)
Delivery does not occur on or prior to the Cancelling Date;
(q)
there occurs:

(i)
the filing of a petition or the making of an order or the passing of an effective resolution for the winding up of the bank issuing the Refund Guarantee (other than for the purpose of reconstruction or amalgamation which has been previously approved in writing by the Owners) or the appointment of a receiver, administrator, compulsory manager, trustee, liquidator or other similar officer has been made against the Refund Guarantor or any of its assets under the laws of any jurisdiction or the appointment of a receiver of the undertaking or property of the Refund Guarantor, or the insolvency of or suspension of payments by the Refund Guarantor, or the making by the Refund Guarantor of any special arrangement or composition with the creditors of the Refund Guarantor, provided there is a the failure to replace the Refund Guarantor with an alternative refund guarantor acceptable to the Charterers and the Owners; or

(ii)
an event analogous to any of those set out at paragraph (i) above in relation to the Builder (disregarding the proviso thereto);
(r)
a Total Loss has occurred in respect of the Vessel or any damage has occurred in respect of the Vessel which, in the opinion of Owners, with the passage of time may result in a Total Loss of the Vessel or otherwise materially and adversely affects the value of the Vessel;
(s)
the BP Charterer does not exercise its option to extend the charter period of the BP Charter beyond the third anniversary or, if such charter period extends beyond its third anniversary, the fourth anniversary of the charter period commencement date thereunder unless the Charterers, subject to Clause 45.1(p), has entered into a Substitute Charter, and the Charterers have provided evidence requested by the Owners relating to the entry into, and validity of, such Substitute Charter no later than one (1) month prior to the third anniversary and, if such charter period extends beyond its third anniversary, the fourth anniversary (each a “ Notification Date ”) of the charter period commencement date of the BP Charter, provided
31


that if the Charterer does not enter into a Substitute Charter by a Notification Date non-entry thereof shall not constitute a Termination Event under this Clause 48.1(s) if the Charterer (i) serves a notice of its intention to pay to the Owners as deposit an amount in Dollars equal to 13.5% of the aggregate of the then applicable Early Prepayment Sum on the first Payment Date to occur after that Notification Date and (ii) such deposit shall be paid by the Charterers to an account nominated by the Owners and notified to the Charterers and received by the Owners (without set-off or deduction and without counting the Charterhire instalment payable on that Payment Date) on such Payment Date and such amount actually received by the Owners shall become a part of the Deposit then retained by the Owners;
(t)
if a Substitute Charter has been entered into pursuant to Clause 48.1(s) or pursuant to this Clause (t) (as a New Substitute Charter (as defined hereunder) and the charter period under such Substitute Charter expires or is otherwise terminated prior to the Expiry Date, unless the Charterers, subject to Clause 45.1(p), has entered into another replacing Substitute Charter (each such replacing Substitute Charter, the “ New Substitute Charter ”), and the Charterers have provided evidence requested by the Owners relating to the entry into, and validity of, such New Substitute Charter no later than one (1) month prior to the expiry or termination date of the then existing Substitute Charter (each a “ New Notification Date ”), provided that if the Charterer does not enter into a New Substitute Charter by a New Notification Date non-entry thereof shall not constitute a Termination Event under this Clause 48.1(t) if the Charterer (i) serves a notice of its intention to pay to the Owners as deposit an amount equal to 13.5% of the aggregate of the then applicable Early Prepayment Sum on the first Payment Date to occur after that New Notification Date and (ii) such deposit shall be paid by the Charterers to an account nominated by the Owners and notified to the Charterers and received by the Owners (without set-off or deduction and without counting the Charterhire instalment payable on that Payment Date) on such Payment Date and such amount actually received by the Owners shall become a part of the Deposit then retained by the Owners;
(u)
there is a merger, amalgamation, demerger or corporate reconstruction of the Charterer, the Other Charterer and the Guarantor without the Owners’ prior written consent;
(v)
the Guarantor is de-listed from the NASDAQ Capital Markets or the trading of its shares is suspended for more than 5 Business Days for any reason whatsoever;
(w)
there is a change in control of ownership or control of the Charterers or there is a change of control in the case of the Guarantor that set out in Clause 44.1(a) unless prior written consent from the Owners has been obtained prior to such change;
(x)
the Refund Guarantee ceases to be valid and enforceable (unless, for the avoidance of doubt, Delivery has already taken place); or
(y)
there is any occurrence of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings or investigations involving a Relevant Person which has been commenced or taken and has been adversely determined and which would have or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.
48.2
Subject to Clause 48.3 below, upon the occurrence of a Termination Event which is continuing on or after Delivery whereupon the then applicable Early Termination Price shall become immediately due and payable by the Charterers unless this Charter is terminated pursuant to Clause 48.3.The Owners shall notify the Charterers of occurrence of such Termination Event (the " Termination Event Notice ") other than if the relevant Termination Event is an event described under Clause 48.1(g), the Owners are not required to serve such a notice to the Charterers.
48.3
If

(i)
a Termination Event Notice is served by the Owners to the Charterers; or
32



(ii)
a Termination Event has occurred on or after Delivery pursuant to Clause 48.1(g); or

(iii)
a Termination Event has occurred prior to Delivery,
then the Owners shall be entitled, provided the Termination Event is continuing:

(A)
in the case where the relevant Termination Event is an event described under Clause 48.1(a) or Clause 48.1(g), to notify the Charterers at any time of the Owners’ intention to terminate this Charter whereupon this Charter shall immediately terminate, provided that the Owners’ rights under Clause 40.3 shall remain until this Charter is so terminated;

(B)
in the case of paragraph (i) above and if the relevant Termination Event is not an event described under Clause 48.1(a) or Clause 48.1(g), to notify the Charterers of the Owners’ intention to terminate this Charter (the “ Termination Notice ”) whereupon, unless the Charterers request in writing for a period no longer than 30 days commencing from the date of the Termination Notice (such period the “ Charterers’ Remarketing Period ”) before this Charter can be so terminated and then this Charter shall terminate on the earlier of the end of the Charterers’ Remarketing Period or the completion of the sale of the Vessel pursuant to Sub-paragraph B(1) or (B)(2) below:

(1)
the Charterers may submit to the Owners evidence (to the satisfaction of the Owners) of a purchaser offering by way of a firm offer (on the basis that sale and purchase of the Vessel shall take place within the Charterers’ Remarketing Period and subject to customary closing conditions and Owners’ investigation on know your client issues) an amount at least equal to the then current amount of the Early Termination Price following which the Owners will use reasonable endeavors to enter into a memorandum of agreement (in a form acceptable to the Owners and the relevant counterparty buyer and on the basis that sale and purchase of the Vessel shall take place within the Charterers’ Remarketing Period) pursuant to such offer; or

(2)
the Charterers may elect by delivering a written notice to the Owners to purchase the Vessel by payment of the then current amount of the Early Termination Price (which has become due and payable pursuant to Clause 48.2) and such payment shall be made no later than the end of the Charterers’ Remarketing Period and upon receipt of such payment the Owners shall transfer the title of the Vessel to the Charterers in accordance with Clause 40.4,
provided that, notwithstanding the commencement of the Charterers’ Remarketing Period and this Charter having not been terminated by the Owners pursuant to the application of this Clause 48.3(B), the Charterers shall redeliver the Vessel to the Owners in accordance with Clause 40.3 and Clause 40.6; any sale proceeds made pursuant to paragraph (B)(1) above shall be applied in accordance with Clause 40.3(d) and further provided that during the Charterers’ Remarketing Period when this Charter has not been terminated pursuant to the operation of this Clause 48.3(B) the Owners’ rights to proceed to an Owners’ Sale shall be suspended; and

(C)
in the case of paragraph (iii), in accordance with Clause 6.1(a)(ii)(A) of the Pre-delivery Assignment, to require the Charterers to pay the Pre-delivery
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Termination Sum to the Owners and to terminate this Charter in accordance with the procedures set out in Clause 40.
48.4
For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding any action taken by the Owners following a Termination Event, the Charterers shall remain liable for the outstanding obligations on their part to be performed under this Charter.
48.5
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or any other rights of the Owners, upon the occurrence of a Termination Event which is continuing, the Owners shall have the sole and exclusive right and power to (i) settle, compromise, compound, adjust or defend any actions, suits or proceedings relating to or pertaining to the Vessel and this Charter and (ii) make proof of loss, appear in and prosecute any action arising from any policy or policies of insurance maintained pursuant to this Charter, and settle, adjust or compromise any claims for loss, damage or destruction under, or take any other action in respect of, any such policy or policies, (iii) change or appoint a new manager (whether or not it is an Approved Manager) for the Vessel and the appointment of the originally appointed Approved Manager may be terminated immediately without any recourse to the Owners.
CLAUSE 48A – MANDATORY SALE
48A.1
If it becomes unlawful in any applicable jurisdiction for the Owners to perform any of their obligations as contemplated by this Charter or the MOA or their financiers to perform their obligations under the Financial Instruments, the Owners shall notify the Charterers of this event and the Charterers shall be required:

(i)
if such circumstance occurs on or after Delivery, to pay the Early Termination Price; or

(ii)
if such circumstance occurs prior to Delivery, to pay the Pre-delivery Termination Sum,
to the Owners within 30 days following such notice by the Owners or, if earlier, the date specified by the Owners in the notice delivered to the Charterers (being no earlier than the last day of any applicable grace period permitted by law), and this Charter shall terminate in accordance with the procedures set out in Clause 48A.4.
48A.2
If it is or has become:

(i)
unlawful or prohibited, whether as a result of the introduction of a new law, an amendment to an existing law or a change in the manner in which an existing law is or will be interpreted or applied; or

(ii)
contrary to, or inconsistent with, any regulation,
for any Relevant Person to maintain or give effect to any of its obligations under this Charter or any of the other Leasing Documents to which it is a party in the manner it is contemplated under such Leasing Document or any of the obligations of such Relevant Person under any Leasing Document to which it is a party are not or cease to be legal, valid, binding and enforceable, the Charterers shall be required:

(A)
if such circumstance occurs on or after Delivery, to pay the Early Termination Price; or

(B)
if such circumstance occurs prior to Delivery, to pay the Pre-delivery Termination Sum,
34


to the Owners within 30 days following such occurrence or, if earlier, a date specified by the Owners (being no earlier than the last day of any applicable grace period permitted by law), and this Charter shall terminate in accordance with the procedures set out in Clause 48A.4.
48A.3
If there is a breach of 45.1(i), 45.1(q), 45.1(r) or 45.1(s) in any such case on the basis that reference to “the People’s Republic of China” applies to the definition of “Restricted Person” or paragraph (e) of the definition of “Sanctions Authority” applies to the definition of “Sanctions Authority”, the Charterers shall be required:

(A)
if such circumstance occurs on or after Delivery, to pay the Early Termination Price; or

(B)
if such circumstance occurs prior to Delivery, to pay the Pre-delivery Termination Sum,
to the Owners within 45 days following such occurrence or, if earlier, a date specified by the Owners (being no earlier than the last day of any applicable grace period permitted by law or the relevant official institution, agency or the government of the People’s Republic of China) and this Charter shall terminate in accordance with the procedures set out in Clause 48A.4.
48A.4
(a)
If the Early Termination Price becomes payable in accordance with Clause 48A.1 or Clause 48A.2 or Clause 48A.3 the same shall (in each such case) be payable in consideration of the purchase and transfer of the legal and beneficial title of the Vessel pursuant to Clause 51. The day on which the Early Termination Price is paid pursuant to Clause 48A1, Clause 48A2 or Clause 48A3 is a “ Mandatory Sale Date ” and such transfer of Vessel provided under this paragraph (a) is a “ Mandatory Sale ”.
(b)
The Pre-delivery Termination Sum becomes payable in accordance with Clause 48A.1 or Clause 48A.2 or Clause 48A.3 the same shall (in each such case) be payable in consideration of the Pre-delivery Releases pursuant to the terms of the Pre-delivery Assignment,
and it is hereby agreed by the parties hereto that payment of the Early Termination Price or the Pre-delivery Termination Sum (as the case may be) shall not be construed as a penalty but shall represent an agreed estimate of the loss and damage suffered by the Owners in purchasing or part-purchasing the Vessel (as the case may be) and entering into this Charter upon the terms and conditions contained herein, in each case, at the request of the Charterers and shall therefore be paid as compensation to the Owners for early termination and acquisition of the Vessel by the Charterers or the Pre-delivery Releases (as the case may be).
CLAUSE 49 – EARLY TERMINATION OPTION
49.1
Subject to Clause 49.2 ( Early Termination Option ), the Owners hereby grant to the Charterers an early termination option to require the Owners to sell all of the Owners’ beneficial and legal right, title and interest in the Vessel and all belongings to her, to the Charterers upon the terms and conditions of this Charter.
49.2
Subject to the other terms and conditions of this Charter, the Early Termination Option shall only be exercisable by the Charterers on an Early Termination Date provided that no Termination Event has occurred and is continuing and all obligations, duties, liabilities and indemnities of the Charterers under the Leasing Documents have been fully performed and (if applicable) paid.
49.3
The Early Termination Date:
(a)
shall not fall on a date falling before the third anniversary of the Delivery Date; and
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(b)
shall fall on a Payment Date.
49.4
The Early Termination Option may be exercised by the Charterers by giving the Owners a notice to such effect (“ Early Termination Notice ”) at least sixty (60) days prior to the relevant intended Early Termination Date of its intention to exercise the Early Termination Option.
49.5
The Early Termination Notice shall be signed by a duly authorised officer or attorney of the Charterers and shall contain the following information:
(a)
the relevant Early Termination Date; and
(b)
the relevant Early Termination Price,
and once delivered to the Owners, the Early Termination Notice is irrevocable and the Charterers shall be bound to pay to the Owners the applicable Early Termination Price on the Early Termination Date, subject to Clause 49.4.
49.6
The Charterers may only serve an Early Termination Notice once throughout the duration of the Charter Period (unless otherwise agreed by the Owners in their absolute discretion).
49.7
Upon the exercise of the Early Termination Option, the Owners and the Charterers shall thereupon perform their respective obligations referred to in Clause 51 ( Sale of the Vessel ) and the Early Termination Price shall be paid by the Charterers on the Early Termination Date.
CLAUSE 50 –PURCHASE OPTION
50.1
The Charterers shall, on the Expiry Date (unless the Early Termination Option has been exercised and the Early Termination Price has been paid in accordance with the terms of this Charter), have the right to purchase from the Owners all of the Owners’ beneficial and legal rights, title and interest in the Vessel and all belongings to her (the “ Purchase Option ”) upon payment to the Owners the Final Purchase Option Price in full (subject to Clause 36.15) in accordance with Clause 51 ( Sale of the Vessel ), provided that the Charterers shall give the Owners a notice confirming the Charterers’ intention to exercise the Purchase Option at least sixty (60) days prior to the Expiry Date and such notice shall be irrevocable. If the Charterers do not exercise the Purchase Option, the Charterers shall redeliver the Vessel to the Owners in accordance with Clause 40.6 on the Expiry Date.
CLAUSE 51 – SALE OF THE VESSEL
51.1
The exercise of any of the Purchase Option or the Early Termination Option or the completion of the Mandatory Sale shall take place on the Expiry Date or the Early Termination Date or the Mandatory Sale Date (as the case may be) whereupon the Owners will sell to the Charterers (or their nominee), and the Charterers (or their nominee) will purchase from the Owners, all the legal and beneficial interest and title in the Vessel, for the Final Purchase Option Price or Early Termination Price on an “as is where is” basis and on the following terms and conditions:
(a)
the Charterers expressly agree and acknowledge that no condition, warranty or representation of any kind is or has been given by or on behalf of the Owners in respect of the Vessel or any part thereof, and accordingly the Charterers confirm that they have not, in entering into this Charter, relied on any condition, warranty or representation by the Owners or any person on the Owners’ behalf, express or implied, whether arising by law or otherwise in relation to the Vessel or any part thereof, including, without limitation, warranties or representations as to the description, suitability, quality, merchantability, fitness for any purpose, value, state, condition, appearance, safety, durability, design or operation of any kind or nature of the Vessel or any part thereof, and the benefit of any such condition, warranty or representation by the Owners is hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waived by the Charterers to the extent permissible under applicable law;
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(b)
the Charterers hereby also waive any rights which they may have in tort in respect of any of the matters referred to under paragraph (a) above and irrevocably agree that the Owners shall have no greater liability in tort in respect of any such matter than they would have in contract after taking account of all of the foregoing exclusions. No third party making any representation or warranty relating to the Vessel or any part thereof is the agent of the Owners nor has any such third party authority to bind the Owners thereby. Notwithstanding anything contained above, nothing contained herein is intended to obviate, remove or waive any rights or warranties or other claims relating thereto which the Charterers (or their nominee) or the Owners may have against the manufacturer or supplier of the Vessel or any third party;
(c)
the Vessel shall be free from any registered mortgages incurred by the Owners (save for those mortgages, liens, encumbrances and debts arising out of or in connection with the Charter or the Pertinent Documents or any other Permitted Security);
(d)
the Final Purchase Option Price or Early Termination Price shall be paid by (or on behalf of) the Charterers to the Owners on the Expiry Date or the Early Termination Date or the Mandatory Sale Date (as the case may be) together with unpaid amounts of Charterhire and other moneys owing by or accrued or due from the Charterers under this Charter on or prior to the Expiry Date or the Early Termination Date or the Mandatory Sale Date (as the case may be) which remain unpaid; and
(e)
concurrently with the Owners receiving irrevocable payment of the Final Purchase Option Price or, as the case may be, the applicable Early Termination Price and all other moneys payable under this Charter in full pursuant to the terms of this Charter, the Owners shall (save in the event of Total Loss) (at the Charterer’s cost) transfer the legal and beneficial ownership of the Vessel on an “as is where is” basis to the Charterers or their nominees and shall (at the Charterers’ cost) execute a bill of sale and a protocol of delivery and acceptance evidencing the same and any other document strictly necessary to transfer the title of the Vessel to the Charterers (and to the extent required for such purposes, the Vessel shall be deemed first to have been redelivered to the Owners), provided that the Owners shall not be obliged to transfer the legal and beneficial interest in the Vessel to the Charterers in any event unless the Owners are satisfied that no Termination Event has occurred and is continuing and all obligations, duties, liabilities and indemnities of the Charterers under the Pertinent Documents have been fully performed and (if applicable) paid.
CLAUSE 52 – INDEMNITIES
52.1
The Charterers shall pay such amounts to the Owners, on the Owners’ demand, in respect of all claims, expenses, liabilities, losses, fees (including but not limited to any vessel registration and tonnage fees or any tax incurred by the Owners as a result of the operation and/or trading of the Vessel) suffered or incurred by or imposed on the Owners arising from this Charter and any Pertinent Document, including but not limited to (i) in connection with delivery, possession, performance, control, registration, repair, survey, insurance, maintenance, manufacture, purchase, ownership and operation of the Vessel by the Owners, (ii) costs related to the prevention or release of liens or detention of or requisition, use, operation or redelivery, sale or disposal of the Vessel or any part of it and (iii) enforcing the Owners’ rights under this Charter or any Pertinent Document, in each case of paragraphs (i) to (iii), whether prior to, during or after termination of the leasing of this Charter and whether or not the Vessel is in the possession or the control of the Charterers or otherwise. Without prejudice to its generality, this Clause covers any claims, expenses, liabilities and losses which arise, or are asserted, under or in connection with any law relating to safety at sea, the ISM Code, the ISPS Code, the MARPOL Protocol, any Environmental Law, any Sanctions or any Anti- Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws or Business Ethics Laws.
52.2
The Charterers agree to indemnify the Owners against all consequences or liabilities arising from the Master, officers or agents signing Bills of Lading or other documents.
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52.3
In consideration of the Charterers requesting the Other Owners to charter the Other Vessels to the Other Charterers under the Other Charters, the Charterers hereby irrevocably and unconditionally undertake to pay immediately on demand from the Owners such amounts in respect of all claims, expenses, liabilities, losses, fees of every kind and nature and all other moneys due, owing and/or payable to the Other Owners (or any of them) under or in connection with the Other Charters (or any of them), and to indemnify and hold the Other Owners harmless against all such moneys, costs, fees and expenses.
52.4
All rights which the Charterers have at any time (whether in respect of this Charter or any other transaction) against the Other Charterer or any Relevant Person shall be fully subordinated to the rights of the Owners under the Pertinent Documents and until the end of this Charter and unless the Owners otherwise direct, the Charterers shall not exercise any rights which it may have (whether in respect of this Charter or any other transaction) by reason of performance by it of its obligations under the Pertinent Documents or by reason of any amount becoming payable, or liability arising, under this Clause:
(a)
to be indemnified by the Other Charterer or such Relevant Person;
(b)
to claim any contribution from any third party providing security for, or any other guarantor of, the Other Charterer’s or such Relevant Person’s obligations under the Pertinent Documents;
(c)
to take any benefit (in whole or in part and whether by way of subrogation or otherwise) of any rights of the Other Charterer or such Relevant Person under the Pertinent Documents or of any other guarantee or security taken pursuant to, or in connection with, the Pertinent Documents by any of the aforesaid parties;
(d)
to bring legal or other proceedings for an order requiring any of the Other Charterer or such Relevant Person to make any payment, or perform any obligation, in respect of any Pertinent Document;
(e)
to exercise any right of set-off against any of the Other Charterer or such Relevant Person; and/or
(f)
to claim or prove as a creditor of any of the Other Charterer or such Relevant Person,
and if the Charterers receive any benefit, payment or distribution in relation to such rights it shall hold that benefit, payment or distribution to the extent necessary to enable all amounts which may be or become payable to the Owners or the Other Owner by the Other Charterer or such Relevant Person under or in connection with the Pertinent Documents to be repaid in full on trust for the Owners or the Other Owner and shall promptly pay or transfer the same to the Owners or the Other Owner as may be directed by the Owners.
52.5
The Charterers hereby irrevocably agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Owners against any claim, expense, liability or loss reasonably incurred by the Owners in liquidating or employing deposits from their financiers or third parties to fund the acquisition of the Vessel pursuant to the MOA and the Contract.
52.6
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein (but subject and without prejudice to Clause 33 ( Cancellation ) ) and without prejudice to any right to damages or other claim which the Charterers may have at any time against the Owners under this Charter, the indemnities provided by the Charterers in favour of the Owners shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any breach of the terms of this Charter or termination of this Charter pursuant to the terms hereof or termination of this Charter by the Owners.
52.7
The obligations of the Charterers under this Clause 52 and in respect of any Security Interest created pursuant to the Security Documents will not be affected or discharged by an act, omission, matter or thing which would reduce, release or prejudice any of its obligations
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under this Clause 52 or in respect of any Security Interest created pursuant to the Security Documents (without limitation and whether or not known to it or any Relevant Person) including:
(a)
any time, waiver or consent granted to, or composition with, any Relevant Person or other person;
(b)
the release of any other Relevant Person or any other person under the terms of any composition or arrangement with any creditor of a Relevant Person or any of its affiliates;
(c)
the taking, variation, compromise, exchange, renewal or release of, or refusal or neglect to perfect or delay in perfecting, or refusal or neglect to take up or enforce, or delay in taking or enforcing any rights against, or security over assets of, any Relevant Person or other person or any non-presentation or non-observance of any formality or other requirement in respect of any instrument or any failure to realise the full value of any security;
(d)
any incapacity or lack of power, authority or legal personality of or dissolution or change in the members or status of a Relevant Person or any other person;
(e)
any amendment, novation, supplement, extension, restatement (however fundamental and whether or not more onerous) or replacement of any Leasing Document or any other document or security;
(f)
any unenforceability, illegality or invalidity of any obligation of any person under any Security Document or any other document or security; or
(g)
any insolvency or similar proceedings.
CLAUSE 53 – NO SET-OFF OR TAX DEDUCTION
53.1
All Charterhire, the Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire, the Advance Charterhire, payment of the Final Purchase Option Price or Early Termination Price and any other payment made from any Relevant Person to the Owners under a Leasing Document shall be paid punctually:
(a)
without any form of set-off (except in the case of the Advance Charterhire, each Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire, the Deposit Refund, the Final Purchase Option Price and the Early Termination Price which shall be set off in accordance with Clause 36.2, Clause 36.3 and (in respect of the Final Purchase Option Price or the Early Termination Price) Clause 36.15respectively), cross-claim or condition and in the case of Charterhire, the Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire, Advance Charterhire, the Deposit, the Early Prepayment Sum or the Final Purchase Option Price, without previous demand unless expressly permitted under the terms of the Leasing Documents or otherwise agreed with the Owners; and
(b)
free and clear of any tax deduction or withholding unless required by law.
53.2
Without prejudice to Clause 53.1 ( No Set-off or Tax Deduction ), if the Owners are required by law to make a tax deduction from any payment:
(a)
the Owners shall notify the Charterers as soon as they become aware of the requirement; and
(b)
the amount due in respect of the payment shall be increased by the amount necessary to ensure that the Owners receive and retain (free from any liability relating to the tax deduction) a net amount which, after the tax deduction, is equal to the full amount which they would otherwise have received.
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53.3
In this Clause “ tax deduction ” means any deduction or withholding for or on account of any present or future tax, other than a FATCA Deduction.
CLAUSE 54 – INCREASED COSTS
54.1
This Clause 54 ( Increased Costs ) applies if the Owners notify the Charterers that they (or their financiers) consider that as a result of:
(a)
the introduction or alteration after the date of this Charter of a law or an alteration after the date of this Charter in the manner in which a law is interpreted or applied (disregarding any effect which relates to the application to payments under this Charter of a tax on the Owners' overall net income); or
(b)
complying with any regulation (including any which relates to capital adequacy or liquidity controls or which affects the manner in which the Owners allocates capital resources to their obligations under this Charter) which is introduced, or altered, or the interpretation or application of which is altered, after the date of this Charter,
the Owners or a parent company of them or a financier of the Owners (if any) has incurred or will incur an “ increased cost ”.
54.2
In this Clause 54 ( Increased Costs ), “ increased cost ” means, in relation to the Owners and the Owners’ financiers:
(a)
an additional or increased cost incurred as a result of, or in connection with, the Owners or the Owners’ parent company or the Owners’ financiers (if any) having entered into, or being a party to, this Charter, of funding the acquisition of the Vessel pursuant to the MOA or performing their obligations under this Charter;
(b)
a reduction in the amount of any payment to the Owners under this Charter or in the effective return which such a payment represents to the Owners or the Owners’ parent company or the Owners’ financiers (if any) on their capital;
(c)
a reduction in the amount of any payment to the Owners’ financiers (if any) under their financing arrangements and relevant Financial Instruments or in the effective return which such a payment represents to the Owners’ financiers (if any) or on their capital;
(d)
an additional or increased cost of funding the acquisition of the Vessel pursuant to the MOA; or
(e)
a liability to make a payment, or a return foregone, which is calculated by reference to any amounts received or receivable by the Owners under this Charter,
and for the purposes of this Clause 54.2 ( Increased Costs ) the Owners may in good faith allocate or spread costs and/or losses among their assets and liabilities (or any class of their assets and liabilities) on such basis as they consider appropriate.
54.3
Subject to the terms of Clause 54.1 ( Increased Costs ), the Charterers shall pay to the Owners, upon the Owners' demand and production of reasonable evidence thereto, the amounts which the Owners from time to time notify the Charterers to be necessary to compensate the Owners for the increased cost.
54.4
If any sum due from the Charterers to the Owners under this Charter or any other Pertinent Document or under any order or judgment relating thereto has to be converted from the currency in which this Charter or such Pertinent Document provided for the sum to be paid (the “ Contractual Currency ”) into another currency (the “ Payment Currency ”) for the purpose of:
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(a)
making or lodging any claim or proof against the Charterers, whether in their liquidation, any arrangement involving them or otherwise; or
(b)
obtaining an order or judgment from any court or other tribunal; or
(c)
enforcing any such order or judgment;
the Charterers shall indemnify the Owners against the loss arising when the amount of the payment actually received by the Owners is converted at the available rate of exchange into the Contractual Currency.
In this Clause 54.4, the “ available rate of exchange ” means the rate at which the Owners are able at the opening of business (Shanghai time) on the Business Day after it receives the sum concerned to purchase the Contractual Currency with the Payment Currency.
CLAUSE 55 – CONFIDENTIALITY
55.1
The Parties agree to keep the terms and conditions of this Charter and any other Leasing Documents (the “ Confidential Information ”) strictly confidential, provided that a Party may disclose Confidential Information in the following cases:
(a)
it is already known to the public or becomes available to the public other than through the act or omission of the disclosing Party;
(b)
it is required to be disclosed under the applicable laws of any Relevant Jurisdiction, Stock Market regulation, the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules or by a governmental order, decree, regulation or rule (provided that the disclosing Party shall give written notice of such required disclosure to the other Party prior to the disclosure);
(c)
in filings with a court or arbitral body in proceedings in which the Confidential Information is relevant and in discovery arising out of such proceedings;
(d)
to (or through) whom a Party assigns or transfers (or may potentially assign or transfer) all or any of its rights and/or obligations under one or more Pertinent Document (as permitted by the terms thereof), provided that such person receiving Confidential Information shall undertake that it would not disclose Confidential Information to any other party save for circumstances arising which are similar to those described under this Clause or such other circumstances as may be permitted by all Parties;
(e)
to any permitted subcharterer of the Vessel provided that such person receiving Confidential Information shall undertake that it would not disclose Confidential Information to any other party save for circumstances arising which are similar to those described under this Clause or such other circumstances as may be permitted by all Parties;
(f)
to any of the following persons on a need to know basis:

(i)
a shareholder or an Affiliate of either Party or a party referred to in either paragraph (d) or (e) (including the employees, officers and directors thereof);

(ii)
professional advisers retained by a disclosing party; or

(iii)
persons advising on, providing or considering the provision of financing to the disclosing party or an Affiliate,
provided that the disclosing party shall exercise due diligence to ensure that no such person shall disclose Confidential Information to any other party save for circumstances arising which are similar to those described under this Clause or such other circumstances as may be permitted by all Parties; or
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(g)
with the prior written consent of all Parties.
CLAUSE 56 – RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES
No term of this Charter is enforceable under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 by a person who is not party to this Charter, save that the Other Owners may rely on the rights conferred on them under Clause 52.3 ( Indemnities ).
CLAUSE 57 – PARTIAL INVALIDITY
If, at any time, any provision of a Leasing Document is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect under any law of any jurisdiction, neither the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions under the law of that jurisdiction nor the legality, validity or enforceability of such provision under the law of any other jurisdiction will in any way be affected or impaired.
CLAUSE 58 – SETTLEMENT OR DISCHARGE CONDITIONAL
58.1
Any settlement or discharge under any Leasing Document between the Owners and any Relevant Person shall be conditional upon no security or payment to the Owners by any Relevant Person or any other person being set aside, adjusted or ordered to be repaid, whether under any insolvency law or otherwise.
58.2
If the Owners consider that an amount paid or discharged by, or on behalf of, a Relevant Person or by any other person in purported payment or discharge of an obligation of that Relevant Person to the Owners under the Leasing Documents is capable of being avoided or otherwise set aside on the liquidation or administration of that Relevant Person or otherwise, then that amount shall not be considered to have been unconditionally and irrevocably paid or discharged for the purposes of the Leasing Documents.
CLAUSE 59 – IMMUNITY
The Charterers waive any rights of sovereign immunity which they or any of their properties may enjoy in any jurisdiction and subjects itself to civil and commercial law with respect to their obligations under this Charter or any other Leasing Document.
CLAUSE 60 – COUNTERPARTIES
This Charter and each other Leasing Document may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Charter or that Leasing Document, as the case may be.
CLAUSE 61 – FATCA
61.1
Defined terms. For the purposes of Clause 53 ( No Set-off of Tax Deduction ) and this Clause 61 ( FATCA ), the following terms shall have the following meanings:
Code ” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
FATCA ” means:

(a)
sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code or any associated regulations;

(b)
any treaty, law or regulation of any other jurisdiction, or relating to an intergovernmental agreement between the US and any other jurisdiction, which (in either case) facilitates the implementation of any law or regulation referred to in paragraph (a) above; or
42



(c)
any agreement pursuant to the implementation of any treaty, law or regulation referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b) above with the IRS, the US government or any governmental or taxation authority in any other jurisdiction.
FATCA Deduction ” means a deduction or withholding from a payment under this Charter or the Pertinent Documents required by or under FATCA.
FATCA Exempt Party ” means a Relevant Party that is entitled under FATCA to receive payments free from any FATCA Deduction.
FATCA Non-Exempt Party ” means any Relevant Party who is not a FATCA Exempt Party.
Relevant Party ” means any of the parties to this Charter and the Pertinent Documents except that the BP Charterer shall cease to be a Relevant Party upon expiration of the BP Charter.
IRS ” means the United States Internal Revenue Service or any successor taxing authority or agency of the United States government.
61.2
FATCA Information.
(a)
Subject to paragraph (c) below, each Relevant Party shall, on the date of this Charter, and thereafter within ten Business Days of a reasonable request by another Relevant Party:

(i)
confirm to that other party whether it is a FATCA Exempt Party or is not a FATCA Exempt Party; and

(ii)
supply to the requesting party (with a copy to all other Relevant Parties) such other form or forms (including IRS Form W-8 or Form W-9 or any successor or substitute form, as applicable) and any other documentation and other information relating to its status under FATCA (including its applicable “pass thru percentage” or other information required under FATCA or other official guidance including intergovernmental agreements) as the requesting party reasonably requests for the purpose of the requesting party’s compliance with FATCA .
(b)
If a Relevant Party confirms to any other Relevant Party that it is a FATCA Exempt Party or provides an IRS Form W-8 or W-9 showing that it is a FATCA Exempt Party and it subsequently becomes aware that it is not, or has ceased to be a FATCA Exempt Party, or that the said form provided has ceased to be correct or valid, that party shall so notify all other Relevant Parties or provide the relevant revised form, as applicable, reasonably promptly.
(c)
Nothing in this clause shall oblige any Relevant Party to do anything which would or, in its reasonable opinion, might constitute a breach of any law or regulation, any policy of that party, any fiduciary duty or any duty of confidentiality, or to disclose any confidential information (including, without limitation, its tax returns and calculations); provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall excuse any Relevant Party from providing a true, complete and correct IRS Form W-8 or W-9 (or any successor or substitute form where applicable). Any information provided on such IRS Form W-8 or W-9 (or any successor or substitute forms) shall not be treated as confidential information of such party for purposes of this paragraph.
(d)
If a Relevant Party fails to confirm its status or to supply forms, documentation or other information requested in accordance with the provisions of this Charter or the provided information is insufficient under FATCA, then:

(i)
if that party failed to confirm whether it is (and/or remains) a FATCA Exempt Party then such party shall be treated for the purposes of this Charter and the Pertinent Documents as if it is a FATCA Non-Exempt Party; and
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(ii)
if that party failed to confirm its applicable passthru percentage then such party shall be treated for the purposes of this Charter and the Pertinent Documents (and payments made thereunder) as if its applicable passthru percentage is 100%,
until (in each case) such time as the party in question provides sufficient confirmation, forms, documentation or other information to establish the relevant facts.
61.3
FATCA Deduction and gross-up by Relevant Party
(a)
If the representation made by the Charterers under Clause 44.1(p) ( Representations and Warranties ) proves to be untrue or misleading such that the Charterers are required to make a FATCA Deduction, the Charterers shall make the FATCA Deduction and any payment required in connection with that FATCA Deduction within the time allowed and in the minimum amount required by FATCA.
(b)
If the Charterers are required to make a FATCA Deduction then the Charterers shall increase the payment due from them to the Owners to an amount which (after making any FATCA Deduction) leaves an amount equal to the payment which would have been due if no FATCA Deduction had been required.
(c)
The Charterers shall promptly upon becoming aware that they must make a FATCA Deduction (or that there is any change in the rate or basis of a FATCA Deduction) notify the Owners accordingly. Within thirty (30) days of the Charterers making either a FATCA Deduction or any payment required in connection with that FATCA Deduction, the Charterers shall deliver to the Owners evidence satisfactory to the Owners that the FATCA Deduction has been made or (as applicable) any appropriate payment paid to the relevant governmental or taxation authority.
61.4
FATCA Deduction by Owners
The Owners may make any FATCA Deduction they are required by FATCA to make, and any payment required in connection with that FATCA Deduction, and the Owners shall not be required to increase any payment in respect of which they make such a FATCA Deduction or otherwise compensate the recipient for that FATCA Deduction.
61.5
FATCA Mitigation
Notwithstanding any other provision to this Charter, if a FATCA Deduction is or will be required to be made by any party under Clause 61.3 ( FATCA ) in respect of a payment to the Owners as a result of the Owners not being a FATCA Exempt Party, the Owners shall have the right to transfer their interest in the Vessel (and this Charter) to any person nominated by the Owners and all costs in relation to such transfer shall be for the account of the Charterers.
CLAUSE 62 - ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER
62.1
The Charterers shall not assign this Charter except with the Owners’ prior consent in writing.
62.2
The Owners may assign any of their rights or transfer by novation any of their rights and obligations under the Leasing Documents to any of the Other Owners, a financial institution, a trust, a fund, a leasing company or any other entity which is regularly engaged in or established for the purpose of making, purchasing or investing in loans securities or other financial assets.
62.3
Without limiting the generality of Clause 62.2:
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(a)
the Owners are entitled to enter into certain funding arrangements with their financier(s), including but not limited to, an affiliate of the Owners or any other banks and financial institutions acceptable to the Owners in their sole discretion (the " Mortgagee ");
(b)
the Owners may do any of the following as security for the funding arrangements referred to in paragraph (a) above:

(i)
execute a ship mortgage over the Vessel or any other Financial Instrument in favour of a Mortgagee (or its agent, trustee or nominee);

(i)
assign their rights and interests to, in or in connection with this Charter or any other Leasing Documents in favour of a Mortgagee (or its agent, trustee or nominee);

(ii)
assign their rights and interests to, in or in connection with the Insurances, the Earnings and the Requisition Compensation of the Vessel in favour of the Mortgagee (or its agent, trustee or nominee); and

(ii)
enter into any other document or arrangement which is necessary to give effect to such financing arrangements;
(c)
the Charterers undertake to comply, and provide such information and documents required to enable the Owners to comply, with all such instructions or directions in regard to the employment, insurances, operation, repairs and maintenance of the Vessel as laid down in any Financial Instrument or as may be directed from to time during the currency of this Charter by the Mortgagee (or its agent, trustee or nominee) in conformity with any Financial Instrument. The Charterers further agree and acknowledge all relevant terms, conditions and provisions of each Financial Instrument (if any) and agree to acknowledge this in writing in any form that may be required by the Mortgagee (or its agent, trustee or nominee); and
(d)
during the Charter Period a change in the registered or beneficial ownership of the Vessel or the Owners (by sale of shares in the Owners or other transactions having the same effect) may be effected without the Charterers’ consent, provided always that, in the event of change in the registered or beneficial ownership of the Vessel, notwithstanding such change, this Charter would continue on identical terms (save for logical, consequential or mutually agreed amendments). The Guarantor and the Charterers shall (where applicable) remain jointly and severally liable to the aforesaid new owner of the Vessel for its performance of all obligations pursuant to this Charter after change of the registered and/or beneficial ownership of the Vessel or the Owners from the Owners to such new owner and agree and undertake to enter into any such usual documents as the Owners shall reasonably require to complete or perfect the transfer of the Vessel (with the benefit and burden of this Charter) pursuant to this Clause.
(e)
All expenses arising out of assignment or transfer of this Charter as per Clause 62 shall be for the Owner’s account subject to no Termination Event or Potential Termination Event having occurred or being continuing at the relevant time.
CLAUSE 63 - GOVERNING LAW AND ENFORCEMENT
(a)
This Charter and any non-contractual obligations arising under or in connection with it, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law.
(b)
Any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Charter (including a dispute regarding the existence, validity or termination of this Charter or any non-contractual obligation arising out of or in connection with this Charter) (a " Dispute ")) shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration in London in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996 or any statutory
45


modification or re-enactment thereof save to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Clause 25. The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (“ LMAA ”) Terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
(c)
The reference shall be to three arbitrators. A party wishing to refer a Dispute to arbitration shall appoint its arbitrator and send notice of such appointment in writing to the other party requiring the other party to appoint its own arbitrator within 14 calendar days of that notice and stating that it will appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator unless the other party appoints its own arbitrator and gives notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified. If the other party does not appoint its own arbitrator and give notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified, the party referring a Dispute to arbitration may, without the requirement of any further prior notice to the other party, appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator and shall advise the other party accordingly. The award of a sole arbitrator shall be binding on both parties as if he had been appointed by agreement. Nothing herein shall prevent the parties agreeing in writing to vary these provisions to provide for the appointment of a sole arbitrator.
(d)
Where the reference is to three arbitrators the procedure for making appointments shall be in accordance with the procedure for full arbitration stated above.
(e)
The language of the arbitration shall be English.
CLAUSE 64 - DEFINITIONS
64.1
In this Charter, unless as expressly defined otherwise, the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them below:
Acceptance Certificate ” means a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule 1 to be signed by the Charterers at Delivery.
Account Bank ” means ABN AMRO Bank NV in the Netherlands or another designated third party bank acceptable to the Owners, in and/or through which all revenues and operating expenses of the Charterers shall be credited and/or transferred.
Account Security ” means the document creating security over the Operating Account made or to be made between the Charterers, the Other Charterers, the Owners and the Other Owners.
Actual Commitment Fee ” means the aggregate amount of the Commitment Fee that would have been payable (calculated retrospectively) during the Pre-delivery Period calculated in accordance with Clause 41.1(b) if the Committed Amount (Actual) were used in such calculation instead of the Committed Amount (Estimated) disregarding the application of Clause 41.1 (b)(i) and Clause 41.1(b)(ii).
Adjusted Quarter Charterhire ” means, in respect of a relevant time, an amount equal to (A) the Quarter Charterhire payable on the Payment Date immediately following such relevant time; multiplied by (B) the number of days such relevant time (inclusive) lapsed from the immediately preceding Payment Date (exclusive); and divided by (C) the number of days in the current Term.
Advance Charterhire ” means the amount which is equal to the difference between the Estimated Financing Amount and the Financing Amount.
Affiliate ” means in relation to any person, a Subsidiary of that person or a Holding Company of that person or any other Subsidiary of that Holding Company.
Anti-Money Laundering Laws " means all applicable financial record-keeping and reporting requirements, anti-money laundering statutes (including all applicable rules and regulations thereunder) and all applicable related or similar laws, rules, regulations or guidelines, of all
46


jurisdictions including and without limitation, the United States of America, the European Union and the People’s Republic of China (including Hong Kong for the avoidance of doubt) and which in each case are (a) issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency having jurisdiction over any Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) or the Owners; (b) of any jurisdiction in which any Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) or Owner conducts business; or (c) to which any Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) or Owner is subjected or subject to.
Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws ” means all applicable anti-terrorism laws, rules, regulations or guidelines of any jurisdiction, including and not limited to the United States of America or the People’s Republic of China which are: (a) issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency, having jurisdiction over any Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) or the Owners; (b) of any jurisdiction in which any Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) or the Owners conduct business; or (c) to which any Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) or the Owners are subjected or subject to.
Approved Classification Society ” means DVN-GL or such first class international classification society as may be approved in writing by the Owners.
Approved Manager ” means the Commercial Manager or the Technical Manager.
Approved Valuer ” means Simpson Spence Young Shipbrokers, Clarksons Platou, Maersk Broker, Arrow ShipBrokers, Howe Robinson, Braemar ACM Ship Broking, BRS or any other reputable shipbroker nominated by the Charterers and approved by the Owners from time to time.
Arrangement Fee Amount ” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 41.1(a).
BP Charter ” means a time charter entered into between the Charterers and the BP Charterer as time charterer dated 1 June 2018 in relation to the Vessel, as amended from time to time.
BP Charterer ” means BP Shipping Limited or any other nominee nominated as the charterers under the BP Charter (which is acceptable to the Owners) in accordance with the terms of the BP Charter.
Breakfunding Costs ” means all breakfunding costs and expenses (including without limitation any early termination costs under any swap or hedging arrangements) incurred or payable by the Owners pursuant to the relevant funding arrangement entered into by the Owners for the purpose of financing any part of the Purchase Price as a result of the receipt of an amount pursuant to this Charter on a day other than a Payment Date.
“Breakfunding Gains” means all gains that the Owners have unconditionally and irrevocably received under any swap or hedging arrangements entered by the Owners pursuant to the relevant funding arrangement for the purpose of financing any part of the Purchase Price as a result of the receipt of an amount pursuant to this Charter on a day other a Payment Date.
“Builder ” means Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.., a company organised and existing under the laws of the Republic of Korea, having its registered office at 93, Daebul-Ro, Samho-Eup, Yeongam-Gun, Jellanam-Do, Korea.
Builder’s Bank ” has the meaning given to that term in the MOA.
Business Day ” means a day on which banks are open for business in the principal business centres of Hong Kong, Shanghai, London and Greece and, in respect of a day on which a
47


payment is required to be made or other dealing is due to take place under a Pertinent Document in Dollars, also a day on which commercial banks are open in New York City.
Business Ethics Law ” means any laws, regulations and/or other legally binding requirements or determinations in relation to corruption, fraud, collusion, bid-rigging or anti-trust, human rights violations (including forced labour and human trafficking) which are applicable to any Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) or the Owners or to any jurisdiction where activities are performed and which shall include but not be limited to (i) the United Kingdom Bribery Act 2010 and (ii) the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act 1977 and all rules and regulations under each of (i) and (ii).
" Buyer’s Default " has the meaning given to that term in the Direct Agreement. “ Buyers ” means the Owners acting in their capacity as buyers under the MOA.
Buyers’ Nominated Flag State ” means Marshall Islands or any other state or jurisdiction approved to the Owners.
Cancelling Date ” shall have the same meaning as defined under the MOA.
Charterhire ” means each of, or as the context may require, all of the instalments of hire payable under this Charter comprising of (as the context may require):

(a)
the Advance Charterhire;

(b)
the Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire;

(c)
the Pre-delivery Charterhire; and

(d)
the Quarter Charterhire.
Charter Period ” means the period commencing on the Delivery Date and ending on the Expiry Date.
Charterers’ Remarketing Period ” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 48.3(B) .
Commercial Manager ” means Central Shipping Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Marshall Islands with registration number 98339 or any reputable management company designated by the Charterers and approved by the Owners in writing from time to time as the commercial manager of the Vessel.
Committed Amount (Actual) ” means, at any time, the Financing Amount minus the Pre-delivery Instalment Balance at such time.
Committed Amount (Estimated) ” means, at any time:

(a)
the Estimated Financing Amount; minus

(b)
the Pre-delivery Instalment Balance at such time.
Commitment Fee ” has the meaning given to that term in 41.1(b).
Contract ” means a shipbuilding contract in respect of the construction and sale of the Vessel dated 9 January 2018 between the Builder and the Charterers as may be further amended or supplemented from time to time.
Contract Price ” has the meaning given to that term in the MOA.
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Delivery ” means the delivery of the legal and beneficial ownership in the Vessel from the Owners to the Charterers hereunder.
Delivery Date ” means the date on which Delivery takes place.
Deposit ” means the aggregate amount of any deposit paid by the Charterers pursuant to Clause 45.1(u), 45.1(v)(iii), Clause 48.1(s) or Clause 48.1(t) (as the case may be) and received by the Owners and unless as other specified shall mean, in respect of any time, the aggregate of all such deposit paid by the Charterers and received by the Owners at such time.
Deposit Interest ” means the interest component of the Deposit which shall be computed as the interest accrued on the funds comprising the Deposit for each date such funds have been received and retained by the Owners until the date the Owners have discharged their obligations to refund the Deposit Refund to the Charterers in accordance with Clause 36.15 at the Post-Delivery Rate.
Deposit Refund ” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 36.1536.15(a).
Direct Agreement ” means the tripartite agreement entered into between the Owners, the Charterers and the Builder dated on or around the date of this Charter in respect of the Vessel.
Dollars ” and “ $ ” mean the lawful currency for the time being of the United States of America. “ Document of Compliance ” shall have the same meaning as ascribed under the ISM Code.
Early Termination Date ” means the date specified in the Early Termination Notice as being the date on which the Owners shall sell and transfer the legal and beneficial interest in the Vessel to the Charterers, and the Charterers shall buy and accept the same.
Early Termination Fee ” means, at any relevant time, a fee in an amount equivalent to one per cent (1.00%) on the relevant Indicative Amount at such time.
Early Termination Notice ” has the meaning as defined under Clause 49.5 ( Early Termination Option ).
Early Termination Option ” means the early termination option granted by the Owners to the Charterers pursuant to Clause 49.1 ( Early Termination Option ).
Early Prepayment Sum ” means, in respect of any time, the sum of the then applicable Indicative Amount netting the aggregate amount of Deposit (for the avoidance of doubt excluding any Deposit Interest) actually received and held by the Owners at such time.
Early Termination Price ” means, at any time, an aggregate amount including but not limited to the following:

(a)
the Indicative Amount applicable to that time;

(b)
the amount of any outstanding Quarter Charterhire due and unpaid at such relevant time (or if such relevant time is not a Payment Date, due on the Payment Date immediately preceding such relevant time but unpaid) and, if such relevant time is not a Payment Date, plus the amount of the Adjusted Quarter Charterhire;

(c)
the amount of the applicable Early Termination Fee if the Early Termination Date under Clause 49 occurs prior to the fifth anniversary of the Delivery Date;

(d)
if the Early Termination Price becomes payable under Clause 48.2 or, as the case may be, 48.3, the Early Termination Fee plus an amount equal to 2 per cent. (2%) of the Indicative Amount applicable to that time;
49



(e)
Breakfunding Costs;

(f)
legal costs incurred as a result of the early termination of the Charter;

(g)
any other amount payable under the terms of any Pertinent Document; and

(h)
any other costs incurred by the Owners as a result of the early termination of the Charter including without limitation any costs as a result of the termination of any financing by the Owners in connection with the Vessel,
and netting any Breakfunding Gains (if any).
Earnings ” means all moneys whatsoever which are now, or later become, payable (actually or contingently) to the Charterers and which arise out of the use or operation of the Vessel, including (but not limited to):

(a)
except to the extent that they fall within paragraph (b),

(i)
all freight, hire and passage moneys;

(ii)
compensation payable to the Charterers in the event of requisition of the Vessel for hire;

(iii)
remuneration for salvage and towage services;

(iv)
demurrage and detention moneys;

(v)
damages for breach (or payments for variation or termination) of any charterparty or other contract for the employment of the Vessel; and

(vi)
all moneys which are at any time payable under any Insurances in respect of loss of hire (if any); and

(b)
if and whenever the Vessel is employed on terms whereby any moneys falling within paragraphs (a)(i) to (vi) are pooled or shared with any other persons, that proportion of the net receipts of the relevant pooling or sharing arrangements which is attributable to the Vessel.
Environmental Claim ” means:

(a)
any claim by any governmental, judicial or regulatory authority which arises out of an Environmental Incident or which relates to any Environmental Law; or

(b)
any claim by any other person which relates to an Environmental Incident,
and “ claim ” means a claim for damages, compensation, fines, penalties or any other payment; an order or direction to take, or not to take, certain action or to desist from or suspend certain action; and any form of enforcement or regulatory action, including the arrest or attachment of any asset.
Environmental Incident ” means:

(a)
any release of Environmentally Sensitive Material from the Vessel;

(b)
any incident in which Environmentally Sensitive Material is released from a vessel other than the Vessel and which involves a collision between the Vessel and such other vessel or some other incident of navigation or operation, in either case, in connection with which the Vessel is actually liable to be arrested, attached, detained or injuncted and/or
50


the Vessel and/or the Owners and/or the Charterers and/or any other operator or manager of the Vessel is at fault or otherwise liable to any legal or administrative action; or

(c)
any other incident involving the Vessel in which Environmentally Sensitive Material is released otherwise than from the Vessel and in connection with which the Vessel is actually arrested and/or where the Owners and/or the Charterers and/or any other operator or manager of the Vessel is at fault or otherwise liable to any legal or administrative action.
Environmental Law ” means any law relating to pollution or protection of the environment, to the carriage or releases of Environmentally Sensitive Material.
Environmentally Sensitive Material ” means oil, oil products and any other substances (including any chemical, gas or other hazardous or noxious substance) which are (or are capable of being or becoming) polluting, toxic or hazardous.
Estimated Financing Amount ” means 80% of the Contract Price.
" Expiry Date " means the date falling eighty-four (84) months after the Delivery Date unless the Charter is terminated earlier or extended in accordance with the provisions of this Charter (in which case it would be such earlier date of termination or extended date, as the case may be).
Fifth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment ” has the meaning given to such term in Clause 36.3(e).
First Instalment ” shall have the same meaning as defined under clause 19 ( payment of purchase price by buyer ) of the MOA.
First Instalment Arrangement Fee Amount ” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 41.1(a)(i).
First Market Value ” means the Market Value of the Vessel as at a date no earlier than fifteen (15) days prior to the Delivery Date.
First Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment ” has the meaning given to such term in Clause 36.3(a).
Final Purchase Option Price ” means an amount equal to the sum of 56.25% of the Financing Amount plus $800,000.
Financial Indebtedness ” means, in relation to a person (the “ debtor ”), a liability of the debtor:

(a)
for principal, interest or any other sum payable in respect of any moneys borrowed or raised by the debtor;

(b)
under any loan stock, bond, note or other security issued by the debtor;

(c)
under any acceptance credit, guarantee or letter of credit facility made available to the debtor;

(d)
under a financial lease, a deferred purchase consideration arrangement (other than deferred payments for assets or services obtained on normal commercial terms in the ordinary course of business) or any other agreement having the commercial effect of a borrowing or raising of money by the debtor;
51



(e)
under any foreign exchange transaction, any interest or currency swap or any other kind of derivative transaction entered into by the debtor or, if the agreement under which any such transaction is entered into requires netting of mutual liabilities, the liability of the debtor for the net amount; or

(f)
under a guarantee, indemnity or similar obligation entered into by the debtor in respect of a liability of another person which would fall within paragraphs (a) to (e) if the references to the debtor referred to the other person.
Final Instalment ” has the meaning given to that term in the MOA.
Financial Instruments ” means the mortgage, deed of covenant, the general assignment or such other financial security instruments granted to the Owners’ financiers (or its agent, trustee or nominee) as security for the obligations of the Owners in relation to the financing of the acquisition of the Vessel.
Financing Amount ” means an amount equal to eighty per cent. (80%) of the Purchase Price.
" Fleet Vessel " means any ship or vessel (including, but not limited to, the Vessel and the Other Vessel) from time to time wholly owned, leased under a capital lease, operating lease with a purchase option at the end of the relevant charter period, vessels owned under a joint venture agreement where the relevant member of the Group owns no less than 50 per cent. of the issued share capital of the jointly owned entity or controlled by the Guarantor (directly or indirectly) excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any newbuilding vessels not delivered to the relevant member of the Group at the relevant time.
Fourth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment ” has the meaning given to such term in 36.3(d).
General Assignment ” means the general assignment executed or to be executed between the Charterers and the Owners in respect of the Vessel, pursuant to which the Charterers shall, inter alia, assign its rights under the Insurances, Earnings and Requisition Compensation and any bareboat charter and any sub-charters or other form of employment contracts having a duration of more than twelve (12) months (or which are capable of exceeding twelve (12) months) or any bareboat charter in respect of the Vessel, in favour of the Owners and in the agreed form agreed on or prior to signing of this Charter.
Group ” means the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries from time to time.
Guarantee ” means the guarantee entered into by the Guarantor in favour of the Owners securing, amongst others, the Charterers’ obligations in connection with the Leasing Documents.
Guarantor ” means Top Ships Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Marshall Islands and having its registered address at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Islands, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960.
Holding Company ” means, in relation to a person, any other person in relation to which it is a Subsidiary.
" Index " means the Baltic Tanker Indices applicable to the Vessel.
Indicative Amount ” means, in respect of any date (the “ Determination Date ”):

(a)
if such Determination Date falls on a Reference Date, the Reference Amount corresponding to that Reference Date; or
52



(b)
if such Determination Date does not fall on any Reference Date, the Reference Amount corresponding to the Reference Date following immediately before such Determination Date,
provided that in any case if the Financing Amount is less than 80% of the Contract Price, each such Reference Amount shall be reduced pro-rata.
Insurances ” means:

(a)
all policies and contracts of insurance, including entries of the Vessel in any protection and indemnity or war risks association, which are effected in respect of the Vessel or otherwise in relation to it whether before, on or after the date of this Charter; and

(b)
all rights and other assets relating to, or derived from, any of the foregoing, including any rights to a return of a premium and any rights in respect of any claim whether or not the relevant policy, contract of insurance or entry has expired on or before the date of this Charter.
ISM Code ” means the International Safety Management Code (including the guidelines on its implementation), adopted by the International Maritime Organisation Assembly as Resolutions A.741 (18) and A.788 (19), as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.
" ISPS Code " means the International Ship and Port Security Code as adopted by the Conference of Contracting Governments to the Safety of Life at Sea Convention 1974 on 13 December 2002 and incorporated as Chapter XI-2 of the Safety of Life at Sea Convention 1974, as the same may be supplemented or amended from time to time.
Leasing Documents ” means this Charter, the MOA, the Quiet Enjoyment Agreement, the Direct Agreement, the Trust Deed and the Security Documents.
LIBOR ” means, in relation to a Term, subject to Schedule 3 ( Rate ), the London Interbank offered rate administered by ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (or any other person which takes over the administration of that rate) for dollars ending on the first day of that Term displayed on page LIBOR 01 of the Thomson Reuters screen (or any replacement Thomson Reuters page which displays that rate) or on the appropriate page of such other information service which publishes that rate from time to time in place of Thomson Reuters, and if such page or service ceases to be available, LIBOR for such Term shall be the arithmetic (rounded upwards to four decimal places) of the rates quoted to the Owners by the Reference Banks at the request of the Owners as the Reference Banks’ offered rates for deposits in US Dollars in an amount equal to the amount in relation to which LIBOR is to be determined and for a period equivalent to such period to prime banks in the London Interbank Market at or about 11.00 a.m. (London time) on the date of such LIBOR determination. If any such rate is below zero, LIBOR shall be deemed to be zero.
Major Casualty ” means any casualty to the Vessel in respect of which the claim or the aggregate of the claims against all insurers, before adjustment for any relevant franchise or deductible, exceeds $1,000,000 or the equivalent in any other currency.
Manager’s Undertaking ” means, in relation to an Approved Manager, the letter of undertaking from that Approved Manager subordinating the rights of such Approved Manager against the Vessel and the Charterers to the rights of the Owners under the Leasing Documents and their financiers (if any) under (amongst others) the relevant Financial Instruments in an agreed form agreed on or prior to signing of this Charter.
Mandatory Sale ” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 48A.4. “ Mandatory Sale Date ” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 48A.4.
53


Margin ” means, in relation to the Pre-Delivery Rate, three point six five per cent. (3.65%) per annum.
Market Value ” means:

(a)
in relation to the Vessel or any other Fleet Vessel at any relevant time, the market value of the Vessel as determined by a valuation prepared:

i.
on a date no earlier than fifteen (15) days previously (provided that the requirement in this paragraph (a) is not applicable when determining the Market Value of the Vessel and the Fleet Vessel pursuant to Clause 45.1(v));

ii.
with or without physical inspection of that Vessel;

iii.
on the basis of a sale for prompt delivery for cash on normal arm’s length commercial terms as between a willing seller and a willing buyer, free of any existing charter or other contract of employment,
and such valuation shall be prepared by one Approved Valuer selected and appointed by the Owners; and

(b)
in relation to the Vessel at a Market Value Test Date where the Market Value of the Vessel is to be determined pursuant to Clause 45.1(n), the market value of the Vessel as determined by a valuation prepared:

i.
on a date no earlier than five (5) days prior to that Market Value Test Date;

ii.
with or without physical inspection of that Vessel;

iii.
on the basis of a sale for prompt delivery for cash on normal arm’s length commercial terms as between a willing seller and a willing buyer, free of any existing charter or other contract of employment,
and such valuation shall be prepared by one Approved Valuer selected and appointed by the Owners.
MARPOL Protocol ” means Annex VI (Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973 (as amended in 1978 and 1997).
Material Adverse Effect ” means, in the opinion of the Owners, a material adverse effect on:

(a)
the business, operations, property, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of any Relevant Person or the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries as a whole;

(b)
the ability of any Relevant Person to perform its obligations under any Pertinent Document to which it is a party; or

(c)
the validity or enforceability of, or the effectiveness or ranking of any Security Interests granted pursuant to any of the Pertinent Documents or the rights or remedies of the Owners under any of the Pertinent Documents.
MOA ” means the memorandum of agreement entered into by the Sellers and the Buyers dated on the date hereof in relation to the sale and purchase of the Vessel.
Operating Account ” means an account in the name of the Charterers with an Account Bank.
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“Original Financial Statements” means, with respect to the Charterers and the Guarantor, each of their audited financial statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2017 (and if such statements are not in English, they shall be accompanied by a certified English translation).
Original Jurisdiction ” means, in relation to any Relevant Person, the jurisdiction under whose laws such Relevant Person incorporated or resided as at the date of this Charter.
Other Charter ” means the bareboat charterparty entered into between the Other Owner and the Other Charterer In respect of either of the Other Vessels.
Other Charterers ” means Malibu Warrior Inc.
Other Owners ” means Sea 104 Leasing Co., Limited.
“Other Vessel ” means the 157,000 DWT Class Crude Oil Tanker having Builder’s hull number S875.
Payment Date ” means each of the dates upon which Charterhire is to be paid by the Charterers to the Owners pursuant to Clauses 36.2, 36.3 and 36.6 ( Charterhire ).
Permitted Security Interests ” means:

(a)
Security Interests created by a Pertinent Document or a Financial Instrument;

(b)
other Security Interests arising by operation of law or otherwise in the ordinary course of the operation, repair or maintenance of the Vessel in respect of obligations which are not overdue or in respect of which the Charterers are contesting the claim giving rise to such lien in good faith by appropriate steps and for the payment of which adequate reserves have been made in case the Charterers finally have to pay such claim so long as any such proceedings shall not, and may reasonably be considered unlikely to, lead to the arrest, sale, forfeiture or loss of the Vessel or any interest in the Vessel; and

(c)
other Security Interests permitted by the Owners in writing.
Pertinent Document ” means each of the Shipbuilding Documents, Leasing Documents and the BP Charter.
Post-enforcement Interests ” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 40.3(a)(ii).
Post-delivery Rate ” means six point seven two per cent. (6.72%) per annum.
Potential Termination Event ” means, an event or circumstance which, with the expiry of a grace period, the giving of any notice, the lapse of time and/or a determination of the Owners and/or the satisfaction of any other condition, would constitute a Termination Event.
" Pre-delivery Assignment " means the pre-delivery assignment executed or to be executed between the Charterers and the Owners in respect of the Building Contract and the Refund Guarantee, pursuant to which the Charterers shall, inter alia, assign their rights thereunder, in favour of the Owners and in the agreed form.
" Pre-delivery Termination Sum " means, in respect of any date (for the purpose of this definition only, the “ Relevant Date ”), an amount equal to an aggregate of the following:

(a)
the Pre-delivery Instalment Balance (as of the Relevant Date);
55



(b)
all sums which (as of the Relevant Date) are owed by the Charterers as sellers under the MOA;

(c)
the amount of outstanding Pre-delivery Charterhire accrued and being unpaid as at the Relevant Date;

(d)
three per cent (3%) of the Pre-delivery Instalment Balance (as of the Relevant Date);

(e)
Breakfunding Costs;

(f)
any costs or losses incurred with respect to unwinding of swaps entered into by the Owners or its financiers in connection with or under this Charter or any Financial Instrument;

(g)
legal costs incurred as a result of the early termination of the Charter;

(h)
any other amount payable under the terms of any Pertinent Document; and

(i)
any other costs incurred by the Owners as a result of the termination of the Charter and/or the termination and/or cancellation of the MOA including without limitation any costs as a result of the termination and/or cancellation of any financing by the Owners in connection with the Vessel,
and netting any Breakfunding Gains (if any).
" Pre-delivery Releases " has the meaning given to that term in the Pre-delivery Assignment.
Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire ” means the First Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment, the Second Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment, the Third Pre-delivery Upfront Chaterhire Instalment, the Fourth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire and the Fifth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire (as the case may be).
Pre-delivery Instalment Balance ” means, at any time, the aggregate of any Instalment paid by the Owners pursuant to clause 19 ( Payment of Purchase price by Buyer ) of the MOA including the Final Instalment remitted to the Builder’s Bank pursuant to Clause 19(b)(iii) ( Payment of Purchase Price by Buyer ) of the MOA (to the extent not refunded by the Owners as buyers in accordance with the terms of the Conditional Payment Instruction) at or before such time minus the aggregate of any Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire paid by the Charterers pursuant to Clause 36.3 ( Charterhire ) at or before such time.
Pre-delivery Charterhire ” shall have the meaning as defined under Clause 36.3 of this Charter.
Pre-delivery Rate ” means, subject to Schedule 3 ( Rate ), the sum of the applicable Margin and the prevailing LIBOR in respect of the relevant Term.
Pre-delivery Period ” means the period commencing from the date the First Instalment is payable by the Buyers to the Sellers under the terms of the MOA (except that for the purpose of Clause 41.1(b) ( Fees and Expenses ) and the definition of “Actual Commitment Fee” such period shall commence from the date of this Charter) up to and including the Delivery Date or, if this Charter is terminated without Delivery taking place, the date of such termination.
Purchase Option ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it under Clause 50.1 ( Purchase Option ).
“Purchase Price ” has the meaning given to that term in the MOA.
Quarter Charterhire ” means:
56



(a)
in relation to each of the first twelve Quarter Charterhire instalments payable during the Charter Period and each of the first twelve relevant Payment Dates during the Charter Period, an amount equal to $1,492,951; and

(b)
in relation to each of the remaining Quarter Charterhire instalments and the remaining relevant Payment Dates during the Charter Period, an amount equal to $1,213,362 ,
if the Financing Amount is less than 80% of the Contract Price, the amount of each Quarter Charterhire shall be reduced pro-rata.
“Quiet Enjoyment Agreement” means an agreement between, amongst others, the Owners and the BP Charterer in relation to the BP Charterer’s quiet enjoyment right of the Vessel and its consent to the transactions contemplated under the MOA and this Charter, in agreed form to be agreed on or prior to signing of this Charter.
Reference Amount ” means, in respect of a Reference Date, the amount in Dollars set out in the second column “Indicative Amount” in the table of Schedule 4 next to that Reference Date.
“Reference Bank” means the principal London offices of HSBC Bank plc, Citibank N.A. and China Merchants Bank (or the relevant affiliates thereof that provide reference rates), or such other banks as may be appointed by the Owners.
Reference Date ” means any Payment Date set out in the first column in the table of Schedule 4.
Refund Guarantee " means a refund guarantee dated 18 June 2018 with reference no. 1372800030785001 issued by the Refund Guarantor in favour of the Charterers in respect of the Builder's obligation to refund instalments paid by the Charterers under the Contract, as may be amended or supplemented from time to time.
Refund Guarantor " means Woori Bank with registered office at 51, Sogong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, 04632 South Korea.
Relevant Interbank Market ” means the London interbank market.
Relevant Person ” means each of the Charterers (for the avoidance of doubt, reference to Charterers here include the Charterers acting in their capacities as sellers under the MOA), the Other Charterers, the Builder, the Refund Guarantor, the Guarantor, any Approved Manager, the BP Charterer (but until the BP Charter has expired in accordance with the terms thereunder) and any other party providing security to the Owners in respect of the Charterers’ obligations under this Charter pursuant to a Security Document.
Relevant Jurisdiction ” means, in relation to each Relevant Person:

(a)
its Original Jurisdiction;

(b)
any jurisdiction where any property owned by it and charged under a Pertinent Document is situated;

(c)
any jurisdiction where it conducts its business; and

(d)
any jurisdiction whose laws govern the perfection of any of the Pertinent Documents entered into by it creating a Security Interest.
Requisition Compensation ” includes all compensation or other moneys payable by reason of any act or event such as is referred to in paragraph (b) of the definition of “Total Loss”.
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Restricted Countries ” means those countries subject to country-wide or territory-wide Sanctions and/or trade embargoes, in particular but not limited to pursuant to the U.S.'s Office of Foreign Asset Control of the U.S. Department of Treasury (“ OFAC ”) or the United Nations, including at the date of this Charter, but without limitation, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan and Syria and any additional countries based on respective country-wide or territory-wide Sanctions being imposed by OFAC or any of the regulative bodies referred to in the definition of Restricted Persons.
Restricted Person ” means a person, entity or any other parties (i) located, domiciled, resident or incorporated in Restricted Countries, and/or (ii) subject to any Sanctions administrated by the United Nations, the European Union, Switzerland, the United States (including but not limited to the U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control), the United Kingdom (including but not limited to Her Majesty's Treasury and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom), the People's Republic of China (provided that reference to the People’s Republic of China shall not apply to any undertaking or representation with reference(s) to “Restricted Person” in this Charter applicable to the BP Charterer when the Vessel is chartered under the BP Charter or the operation or use of the Vessel by the BP Charterer (but not any further sub-lessee of the Vessel) when the Vessel is operated by the BP Charterer (but not any further sub-lessee of the Vessel), in each case unless otherwise specified in Clause 48A.3) and/or (iii) owned or controlled by or affiliated with persons, entities or any other parties as referred to in (i) and (ii).
Safety Management Certificate ” shall have the same meaning as ascribed under the ISM Code.
Sanctions ” means any sanctions, embargoes, freezing provisions, prohibitions or other restrictions relating to trading, doing business, investment, exporting, financing or making assets available (or other activities similar to or connected with any of the foregoing):

(a)
imposed by law or regulation of a Sanctions Authority, to the extent applicable to this transaction; or

(b)
otherwise imposed by any applicable law or regulation by which any Relevant Person is bound or to which it is subject.
Sanctions Authority ” means:

(a)
the Security Council of the United Nations;

(b)
the United States;

(c)
the European Union;

(d)
the United Kingdom;

(e)
the People’s Republic of China (including for the avoidance of doubt, Hong Kong), provided that this paragraph (e) shall not apply to the BP Charterer when the Vessel is chartered under the BP Charter or the operation or use of the Vessel by the BP Charterer (but not any further sub-lessee of the Vessel) when the Vessel is operated by the BP Charterer (but not any further sub-lessee of the Vessel), in each case unless otherwise specified in Clause 48A.3; and

(f)
the governments and official institutions or agencies of any of paragraphs (a) to (e) above, including the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, the United States Department of State, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and Her Majesty's Treasury.
Scheduled Delivery Date ” has the meaning given to this term in the MOA.
58


Second Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment ” has the meaning given to such term in Clause 36.3(b).
" Secured Liabilities " means all present and future obligations and liabilities (whether actual or contingent and whether owed jointly or severally or in any other capacity whatsoever) of a Relevant Person to the Owners under or in connection with the Leasing Documents or any judgment relating to the Leasing Documents; and for this purpose, there shall be disregarded any total or partial discharge of these liabilities, or variation of their terms, which is effected by, or in connection with, any bankruptcy, liquidation, arrangement or other procedure under the insolvency laws of any country.
Security Documents ” means the Guarantee, the Account Security, the Shares Security, the General Assignment, the Pre-delivery Assignment, the Manager’s Undertaking and any other document whether or not it creates a Security Interest which is executed as security for the obligations of the Charterers under or in connection with this Charter.
Security Period ” means the period commencing on the date of this Charter and ending on the date on which the Owners are satisfied that the Secured Liabilities have been irrevocably and unconditionally paid and discharged in full.
Security Interest ” means:

(a)
a mortgage, charge (whether fixed or floating) or pledge, lien, assignment, hypothecation or any other security interest of any kind or any other agreement or arrangement having the effect of conferring a security interest;

(b)
the security rights of a plaintiff under an action in rem ; or

(c)
any other right which confers on a creditor or potential creditor a right or privilege to receive the amount actually or contingently due to it ahead of the general unsecured creditors of the debtor concerned; however this paragraph (c) does not apply to a right of set off or combination of accounts conferred by the standard terms of business of a bank or financial institution.
Sellers ” means the Charterers acting in their capacity as sellers under the MOA.
“Shares Security ” means the share charge entered into by the Guarantor (in its capacity as sole shareholder of the Charterers) creating a Security Interest over all its shares in the Charterers in favour of the Owners.
“Shipbuilding Documents ” mean the Contract and the Refund Guarantee.
Subsidiary ” means a subsidiary within the meaning of section 1159 of the Companies Act 2006.
Substitute Charter ” means a time charter with a duration not less than one (1) year, with a daily charterhire not less than the aggregate of 110% of the daily operating expenses in respect of the Vessel and the daily Quarter Charterhire (determined pro rata) applicable at the relevant time and with a charterer approved by the Owners (acting reasonably).
Technical Manager ” means Central Mare Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Marshall Islands whose registered office is at Trust Group Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960 or any reputable management company designated by the Charterers and approved by BP, while on time charter to BP, and the Owners, thereafter, in writing from time to time as the technical manager of the Vessel.
Term ” means, in relation to the Pre-delivery Charterhire, the Quarter Charterhire, a period of three (3) months’ duration, in each case provided that:
59



(a)
in relation to the Pre-delivery Charterhire, the first Term shall commence on the date of payment of the First Instalment by the Buyers under clause 19 ( payment of purchase price by buyer ) of the MOA and the last shall end on the Delivery Date or, if any, the date on which the Pre-delivery Termination Sum is fully paid to the Owners in accordance with this Charter;

(b)
in relation to the Quarter Charterhire, the first Term shall commence on the Delivery Date;

(c)
each subsequent Term shall commence on the last day of the preceding Term;

(d)
any Term which would otherwise end on a non-Business Day shall instead end on the next following Business Day or, if that Business Day is in another calendar month, on the immediately preceding Business Day;

(e)
if any Term commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month three (3) months thereafter, as the case may be, that Term shall, subject to sub-paragraphs (d), (f) and (g) of this definition, end on the last Business Day of such later calendar month;

(f)
any Term which would otherwise overrun a Payment Date shall instead end on that Payment Date; and

(g)
subject to paragraph (a), any Term which would otherwise extend beyond the Pre-delivery Period or, as the case may be, the Charter Period shall instead end on the last day of the Pre-delivery Period or, as the case may be, the Expiry Date.
Termination Event ” means any event described in Clause 48.1 ( Termination Events ).
Termination Event Notice ” has the meaning given in Clause 48.2.
Third Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment ” has the meaning given to such term in Clause 36.3(c).
Total Loss ” means:

(a)
actual, constructive, compromised, agreed or arranged total loss of the Vessel;

(b)
any expropriation, confiscation, requisition or acquisition of the Vessel, whether for full consideration, a consideration less than its proper value, a nominal consideration or without any consideration, which is effected by any government or official authority or by any person or persons claiming to be or to represent a government or official authority (excluding a requisition for hire for a fixed period not exceeding one (1) year without any right to an extension) unless it is redelivered within twenty-one (21) days to the full control of the Owners or the Charterers; or

(c)
any arrest, capture, seizure or detention of the Vessel (including any hijacking or theft but excluding any event specified in paragraph (b) of this definition) unless it is redelivered within thirty (30) days to the full control of the Owners or the Charterers.
Total Loss Date ” means, in relation to the Total Loss of the Vessel:

(a)
in the case of an actual loss of the Vessel, the date on which it occurred;

(b)
in the case of a constructive, compromised, agreed or arranged total loss of the Vessel, the earlier of:
60



(i)
the date on which a notice of abandonment is given to the insurers;

(ii)
the date when the Vessel was last heard of; and

(iii)
the date of any compromise, arrangement or agreement made by or on behalf of the Charterers with the Vessel's insurers in which the insurers agree to treat the Vessel as a Total Loss; and

(c)
in the case of any expropriation, confiscation, requisition or acquisition of the Vessel whether for full consideration, a consideration less than its proper value, a nominal consideration or without any consideration, which is effected by any government or official authority or by any person or persons claiming to be or to represent a government or official authority (excluding a requisition for hire for a fixed period not exceeding one (1) year without any right to an extension, on the date on which the expropriation, confiscation, requisition or, as the case may be, the acquisition of the Vessel is completed by delivery of the Vessel to the relevant government or official authority or the person or persons claiming to be or to represent the relevant government or official authority unless it is redelivered within twenty-one (21) days to the full control of the Owners or the Charterers; and

(d)
in the case of any arrest, condemnation, capture, seizure or detention of the Vessel (including any hijacking or theft), unless it is redelivered within thirty (30) days to the full control of the Owners or the Charterers, the date falling on the expiration of such days.
Trust Deed ” means a trust deed dated on or around the date of this Charter entered into between the Owners, the Other Owners, the Charterers, the Other Charterers, the Guarantor, and the Approved Manager which, inter alia, sets out the obligations of the Owners in respect of holding on trust all moneys or other assets received or recovered by or on behalf of the Owners by virtue of any Security Interest or other rights granted to the Owner under or by virtue of the Security Documents.
" US Tax Obligor " means (a) a person which is resident for tax purposes in the United States of America or (b) a person some or all of whose payments under the Pertinent Documents are from sources within the United States for United States federal income tax purposes.
Vessel ” means the 157,000 DWT Class Crude Oil Tanker having Builder’s hull number S874 being constructed by the Builder under the Contract.
64.2
Construction . Unless a contrary indication appears, in this Charter:
“Approved Manager”, “Builder”, “Charterers”, “Guarantor”, “Refund Guarantor”, “Relevant Person”, or any other person shall be construed so as to include its successors in title, permitted assigns and permitted transferees to, or of, its rights and/or obligations under the Pertinent Documents;
agreed form ” means, in relation to a document, such document in a form agreed in writing between the Owners and the Charterers and, if required by the Owners in their sole discretion, the Owners’ financiers;
asset ” includes every kind of property, asset, interest or right, including any present, future or contingent right to any revenues or other payment;
company ” includes any partnership, joint venture and unincorporated association;
consent ” means:
61



(a)
an authorisation, consent, approval, resolution, licence, exemption, filing, registration, notarisation and legalization; and

(b)
in relation to anything which will be prohibited or restricted by law if a governmental or official authority intervenes or acts in any way within a specified period after lodgment, filing, registration or notification, the expiry of that period without intervention or action.
contingent liability ” means a liability which is not certain to arise and/or the amount of which remains unascertained;
continuing ” means, in relation to any Termination Event, a Termination Event which has not been waived by the Owners and in relation to any Potential Termination Event, a Potential Termination Event which has not been waived by the Owners or remedied to the satisfaction of the Owners;
control ” over a particular company means the power (whether by way of ownership of shares, proxy, contract, agency or otherwise) to:

(a)
cast, or control the casting of, more than 51 per cent, of the maximum number of votes that might be cast at a general meeting of such company;

(b)
appoint or remove all, or the majority, of the directors or other equivalent officers of such company; or

(c)
give directions with respect to the operating and financial policies of such company with which the directors or other equivalent officers of such company are obliged to comply;
document ” includes a deed; also a letter, fax or telex;
expense ” means any kind of cost, charge or expense (including all legal costs, charges and expenses) and any applicable value added or other tax;
" gross negligence " means a form of negligence which is distinct from ordinary negligence, in which the due diligence and care which are generally to be exercised have been disregarded to a particularly high degree, in which the plainest deliberations have not been made and that which should be most obvious to everybody has not been followed.
law ” includes any order or decree, any form of delegated legislation, any treaty or international convention and any regulation or resolution of the Council of the European Union, the European Commission, the United Nations or its Security Council;
legal or administrative action ” means any legal proceeding or arbitration and any administrative or regulatory action or investigation;
liability ” includes every kind of debt or liability (present or future, and including contingent liabilities only in the case of Clause 48.1(g)(ii) ( Termination Events ), Clause 52 ( Indemnities ) and the definition of “Financial Indebtedness”), whether incurred as principal or surety or otherwise;
months ” shall be construed in accordance with Clause 64.3 ( Meaning of “month” );
person ” includes any company; any state, political sub-division of a state and local or municipal authority; and any international organisation;
policy ”, in relation to any insurance, includes a slip, cover note, certificate of entry or other document evidencing the contract of insurance or its terms;
62


protection and indemnity risks ” means the usual risks covered by a protection and indemnity association which is a member of the International Group of P&I Clubs including pollution risks, extended passenger cover and the proportion (if any) of any sums payable to any other person or persons in case of collision which are not recoverable under the hull and machinery policies by reason of the incorporation in them of clause 6 of the International Hull Clauses (1/11/02 or 1/11/03), clause 8 of the Institute Time Clauses (Hulls)(1/10/83) or clause 8 of the Institute Time Clauses (Hulls) (1/11/1995) or the Institute Amended Running Down Clause (1/10/71) or any equivalent provision;
regulation ” includes any regulation, rule, official directive, request or guideline whether or not having the force of law of any governmental, intergovernmental or supranational body, agency, department or regulatory, self-regulatory or other authority or organisation; and
tax ” includes any present or future tax, duty, impost, levy or charge of any kind which is imposed by any state, any political sub-division of a state or any local or municipal authority (including any such imposed in connection with exchange controls), and any connected penalty, interest or fine.
64.3
Meaning of “month”. A period of one or more “months” ends on the day in the relevant calendar month numerically corresponding to the day of the calendar month on which the period started (“ the numerically corresponding day ”), but:

(a)
on the Business Day following the numerically corresponding day if the numerically corresponding day is not a Business Day or, if there is no later Business Day in the same calendar month, on the Business Day preceding the numerically corresponding day; or

(b)
on the last Business Day in the relevant calendar month, if the period started on the last Business Day in a calendar month or if the last calendar month of the period has no numerically corresponding day;
and “ month ” and “ monthly ” shall be construed accordingly.
64.4
In this Charter:

(a)
references to a Pertinent Document or any other document being in the form of a particular appendix or to any document referred to in the recitals include references to that form with any modifications to that form which the Owners approve;

(b)
references to, or to a provision of, a Pertinent Document or any other document are references to it as amended or supplemented, whether before the date of this Charter or otherwise;

(c)
references to, or to a provision of, any law include any amendment, extension, re-enactment or replacement, whether made before the date of this Charter or otherwise; and

(d)
words denoting the singular number shall include the plural and vice versa.
64.5
Construction of Insurance terms . In this Charter:
" approved " means, for the purposes of Clause 38 ( Insurance ), approved in writing by the Owners.
" excess risks " means the proportion of claims for general average, salvage and salvage charges not recoverable under the hull and machinery policies in respect of the Vessel in consequence of its insured value being less than the value at which the Vessel is assessed for the purpose of such claims.
63


" obligatory insurances " means all insurances effected, or which the Charterers are obliged to effect, under Clause 38 ( Insurance ) or any other provision of this Clause or another Leasing Document.
" policy " includes a slip, cover note, certificate of entry or other document evidencing the contract of insurance or its terms.
" protection and indemnity risks " means the usual risks (including but not limited to freight, demurrage and defence cover) covered by a protection and indemnity association managed in London, including pollution risks and the proportion (if any) of any sums payable to any other person or persons in case of collision which are not recoverable under the hull and machinery policies by reason of the incorporation in them of clause 6 of the International Hull Clauses (1/11/02) (1/11/03), clause 8 of the Institute Time Clauses (Hulls) (1/10/83) (1/11/95) or the Institute Amended Running Down Clause (1/10/71) or any equivalent provision.
" war risks " includes the risk of mines and all risks excluded by clause 29 of the International Hull Clauses (1/11/02 or 1/11/03), clause 24 of the Institute Time Clauses (Hulls) (1/11/95) or clause 23 of the Institute Time Clauses (Hulls)(1/10/83).
64.6
Headings. In interpreting a Pertinent Document or any provision of a Pertinent Document, all clauses, sub-clauses and other headings in that and any other Pertinent Document shall be entirely disregarded.
64


SCHEDULE 1
ACCEPTANCE CERTIFICATE
SOUTH CALIFORNIA INC. (the “ Charterers ”) hereby acknowledges that at [ ] hours on [ ], there was delivered to, and accepted by, the Charterers the Vessel known as m.v. “ECO BEL AIR”, registered in the name of SEA 103 LEASING CO. LIMITED (the “ Owners ”) under the flag of [Marshall Islands] with IMO number [ ] under a bareboat charter dated [ ] (the “ Charter ”) and made between the Owners and the Charterers and that Delivery (as defined in the Charter) thereupon took place and that, accordingly, the Vessel is and will be subject to all the terms and conditions contained in the Charter.
The Charterers warrant that the representations and warranties made by them in Clause 44 ( Representation and Warranties ) of the Charter remain correct and that no Termination Event (as defined in the Charter) has occurred and is continuing at the date of this Acceptance Certificate.




     
     
Name:
   
Title:
   
for and on behalf of
   
SOUTH CALIFORNIA INC.
   
Dated:
   

65


SCHEDULE 2


Part A

The following are the documents referred to in Clause 34.1(e)(i):
1
Corporate Authorisations/Confirmation
1.1
A certificate of an authorized signatory of each Relevant Person (other than the Refund Guarantor, the BP Charterer, the Builder and each Approved Manager) certifying that each copy document provided under paragraph 1 of Part A of Schedule 1 ( Conditions Precedent to Signing ) of the MOA remains correct, complete and in full force and effect as on the Delivery Date.
1.2
A certificate of an authorized signatory of the Charterers certifying that there is no Potential Termination Event or Termination Event has occurred and is continuing as of the Delivery Date.
2
Pertinent Documents
2.1
Duly executed and dated copies of the General Assignment, the Quiet Enjoyment Agreement and each Manager’s Undertaking and of each document to be delivered under it and evidence of their delivery within the timing prescribed under it.
2.2
Documentary evidence that the Security Interests intended to be created by each of the Security Documents have been duly perfected under applicable law or will be perfected under applicable law within the prescribed period contained in such Security Documents.
3
Vessel certificates
3.1
A copy of the Vessel’s class certificate evidencing that the Vessel maintains its classification as set out in Article I of the Contract with the Approved Classification Society free of all recommendations and conditions.
3.2
Copies of the Vessel’s Safety Management Certificate (together with any other details of the applicable Safety Management System which the Owners require) and of any other documents required under the ISM Code and the ISPS Code (including without limitation an ISSC and IAPPC).
3.3
A copy of the valid and current Safety Management Certificate under the ISM Code in respect of the Vessel.
3.4
A copy of the valid and current International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC) in respect of the Vessel.
3.5
A copy of the valid and current International Air Pollution Prevention (IAPPC) Certificate in respect of the Vessel issued under Annex VI (Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) to MARPOL.
3.6
A copy of any other certificate mandatorily required by the International Maritime Organisation or the Approved Classification Society.
66


3.7
A copy of the tonnage certificate of the Vessel.
3.8
Safety construction, safety equipment, safety radio and load line certificates in respect of the Vessel.
3.9
Any other document required to be delivered by the Builder to the Buyers under the terms of the Contract (including the documents to be delivered by the Builder as set out under Article VII paragraph 3 of the Contract).
3.10
Documentary evidence that the Vessel has been delivered by the Builder to the Charterers pursuant to the terms of the Contract, where such documents shall include, in particular:
(a)
the original notarized and if required, legalised copies of the bill of sale and builder’s certificate duly executed by the Builder (and where executed by an attorney of the Builder, together with such original notarized Builder’s power of attorney); and
(b)
the original protocol of delivery and acceptance duly executed by the Builder and the Charterers.
4
Delivery and title registration of the Vessel
4.1
Documentary evidence that the Vessel:
(a)
will simultaneously upon Delivery definitively and permanently registered in the name of the Owners under the flag of the Buyers’ Nominated Flag State; and
(b)
will simultaneously upon Delivery in the absolute and unencumbered ownership of the Owners.
4.2
The commercial invoice of the Vessel.
2
Legal opinions
2.1
A signed legal opinion of Watson Farley & Williams, legal advisers to the Owners on such matters on the laws of England as may be satisfactory to the Owners.
2.2
Signed legal opinions by lawyers appointed by the Owners on such matters on the laws of the Marshall Islands and the Netherlands and any other jurisdictions as may be satisfactory to the Owners.
3
Others
3.1
The Owners being satisfied that all conditions precedent or documents or evidence specified in Schedule 1 to the MOA have been satisfied or provided in form and substance satisfactory to the Owners.
The Buyers’ receipt of full payment of all accrued Commitment Fee which is outstanding and payable by the Sellers to the Buyers and the Advance Charterhire.
67


Part B
The following are the documents referred to in Clause 34.1(e)(ii)
Within seven (7) days from the Delivery Date, signed letters of undertaking from the relevant approved brokers, approved war risks associations and/or approved protection and indemnity associations in favour of the Owners in agreed form in relation to the Insurances of the relevant Vessel.
68


SCHEDULE 3

RATE

1.
Subject to the provisions of this Schedule 3, the rate applied on the Pre-delivery Instalment Balance for the purpose of computing the relevant Pre-delivery Interest Charterhire (such rate, the “ Rate ”) in respect of a Term shall be LIBOR for a three (3) months period ending on the last day of such Term plus the Margin.
2.
The Owners shall notify the Charterers of each such Rate in respect of a Term as soon as reasonably practicable after such Rate is determined by the Owners but not later than 2 Business Days prior to the relevant Payment Date.
3.
If, in relation to any Term:

(i)
no screen rate is available for the LIBOR determination and the Reference Banks (or if at any time there is only one Reference Bank) do not provide quotations to the Owners in order to fix LIBOR; and

(ii)
the Owners determine (which determination shall be conclusive and binding) that by reason of circumstances affecting the London interbank market generally, adequate and fair means do not or will not exist for ascertaining LIBOR at the beginning of that Term or the same does not reflect the cost of funding of the Owners; or

(iii)
the Owners determine (which determination shall be conclusive and binding) that by reason of circumstances affecting the London interbank market generally, deposits in Dollars in the required amount for the 3-month period commencing on the first day of that Term are not available to it in the London interbank market or from whatever sources it may select to obtain funds for that Term,
the Owners shall promptly notify the Charterers accordingly.
4.
Immediately following the notification referred to in paragraph 3 above, the Owners and the Charterers, shall negotiate in good faith with a view to agreeing upon a substitute basis for funding the Pre-delivery Instalment Balance and determining the applicable Rate for that Term, within thirty (30) days after the Owners serve the notice to the Charterers.
5.
If a substitute basis is not so agreed pursuant to paragraph 4 above, the Charterers shall pay the Owners an amount computed at the rate per annum equal to the cost certified to the Owners ((expressed as an annual rate) of funding the Pre-delivery Instalment Balance during that relevant Term (as conclusively determined by the Owners and which shall be binding on the Charterers)) on the Pre-delivery Instalment Balance from time to time for the relevant Term.
6.
Interest shall accrue from day to day, shall be calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and a 360 day year, including the first day of the period during which it accrues but excluding the last day.
69


SCHEDULE 4


Payment Date
Indicative Amount ($)
1st
$45,558,177.73
2nd
$44,830,173.73
3rd
$44,089,946.14
4th
$43,337,289.71
5th
$42,571,995.77
6th
$41,793,852.12
7th
$41,002,643.01
8th
$40,198,149.06
9th
$39,380,147.21
10th
$38,548,410.65
11th
$37,702,708.78
12th
$36,842,807.11
13th
$36,248,056.22
14th
$35,643,319.12
15th
$35,028,428.16
16th
$34,403,212.84
17th
$33,767,499.81
18th
$33,121,112.80
19th
$32,463,872.60
20th
$31,795,596.97
21st
$31,116,100.63
22nd
$30,425,195.16
23rd
$29,722,689.01
24th
$29,008,387.40
25th
$28,282,092.26
26th
$27,543,602.23
27th
$26,792,712.54
28th
$26,029,215.00

70


EXECUTION PAGE
OWNERS
   
     
     
SIGNED
)
 
by Zhou Ling
)
 
SEA 103 LEASING CO. LIMITED
)
/s/ Zhou Ling
for and on behalf of
)
 
 
)
 
in the presence of:
)
 
     
     
Witness’ signature: /s/ Wang Wei
)
 
Witness’ name: Wang Wei
)
 
Witness’ address:
22F, China Merchants Bank Building, NO.1088
Lujiazui Ring Road, Shanghai, China
)
 
     
     
     
CHARTERERS
   
     
     
SIGNED
)
 
by Andreas Louka
)
 
SEA 103 LEASING CO. LIMITED
)
/s/ Andreas Louka
for and on behalf of
)
 
 
)
 
in the presence of:
)
 
     
     
Witness’ signature: /s/ Alexandros Tsirikos
)
 
Witness’ name: Alexandros Tsirikos
)
 
Witness’ address:
12 N. Parizsi St., Athens, Greece
 
)
 
     



71
Exhibit 4.89
EXECUTION VERSION



Dated 3 December 2018









TOP SHIPS INC.
as Guarantor


And


SEA 103 LEASING CO., LIMITED
as Owner




________________________________

GUARANTEE
_________________________________

relating to a Bareboat Charter of the vessel m.v. ECO BEL AIR
dated 3 December 2018

Index

Clause
 
Page
     
1
INTERPRETATION
 1
2
GUARANTEE
 2
3
LIABILITY AS PRINCIPAL AND INDEPENDENT DEBTOR
 2
4
EXPENSES
 3
5
ADJUSTMENT OF TRANSACTIONS
 3
6
PAYMENTS
 3
7
INTEREST
 3
8
SUBORDINATION
 4
9
ENFORCEMENT
 4
10
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
 4
11
UNDERTAKINGS
 7
12
JUDGMENTS AND CURRENCY INDEMNITY
12
13
SUPPLEMENTAL
12
14
ASSIGNMENT
14
15
NOTICES
14
16
INVALIDITY OF BAREBOAT CHARTER
14
17
GOVERNING LAW AND ENFORCEMENT
15
SCHEDULE 1
16
FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
16
EXECUTION PAGE
17

THIS GUARANTEE is made on 3 December 2018
BETWEEN
(1)
TOP SHIPS INC. , a corporation incorporated under the laws of Marshall Islands whose registered office is at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands, MH96960 (the “ Guarantor ”); and
(2)
SEA 103 LEASING CO., LIMITED , a company incorporated under the laws of Hong Kong whose registered office is at 46 th Floor, Champion Tower, 3 Garden Road, Central (the “ Owner ” which expression includes its successors and assigns).
BACKGROUND
(A)
By a bareboat charter dated 3 December 2018 (the “ Bareboat Charter ”) and made between (i) the Owner, as owner and (ii) South California Inc. , a corporation incorporated under the laws of Marshall Islands whose registered office is at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands, MH96960, as charterer (the “ Charterer ”), the Owner has agreed to bareboat charter the crude oil carrier with Builder hull no. S874 (the “ Vessel ”) to the Charterer pursuant to the terms and conditions contained therein.
(B)
The Guarantor is a shareholder of the Charterer and holds 100 per cent. of all of the issued shares in the Charterer.
(C)
The execution and delivery to the Owner of this Guarantee is one of the conditions to the chartering of the Vessel under the Bareboat Charter.
(D)
This Guarantee is the Guarantee referred to in the Bareboat Charter.
IT IS AGREED as follows:
1
INTERPRETATION
1.1
Defined expressions. Words and expressions defined in the Bareboat Charter shall have the same meanings when used in this Guarantee unless the context otherwise requires.
1.2
Construction of certain terms . In this Guarantee:
bankruptcy ” includes a liquidation, receivership or administration and any form of suspension of payments, arrangement with creditors or reorganisation under any corporate or insolvency law of any country.
control ” over a particular company means the power (whether by way of ownership of shares, proxy, contract, agency or otherwise) to:
(a)   cast, or control the casting of, more than 51 per cent, of the maximum number of votes that might be cast at a general meeting of such company;
(b)   appoint or remove all, or the majority, of the directors or other equivalent officers of such company; or
(c)   give directions with respect to the operating and financial policies of such company with which the directors or other equivalent officers of such company are obliged to comply.
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Compliance Certificate ” means a certificate in the form set out in Schedule 1 or in any other form approved by the Owner.
Group ” means the Guarantor and its subsidiaries from time to time.
Party ” means a party to this Guarantee.
Relevant Person ” means each “Relevant Person” as defined in the Bareboat Charter.
2
GUARANTEE
2.1
Guarantee and indemnity . The Guarantor unconditionally and irrevocably:
(a)
guarantees the due payment of all amounts payable by each other Relevant Person under or in connection to each Leasing Document to which such Relevant Person is a party;
(b)
undertakes to pay to the Owner on the Owner’s demand any such amount which is not paid by that Relevant Person when due and payable under or in connection to that Leasing Document;
(c)
guarantees the punctual performance by that Relevant Person of all that Relevant Person’s obligations under or in connection with that Leasing Document; and
(d)
fully indemnifies the Owner on its demand in respect of all claims, expenses, liabilities and losses which are made or brought against or incurred by the Owner as a result of or in connection with any obligation or liability guaranteed by the Guarantor being or becoming unenforceable, invalid, void or illegal; and the amount recoverable under this indemnity shall be equal to the amount which the Owner would otherwise have been entitled to recover.
2.2
No limit on number of demands. The Owner may serve more than one demand under Clause 2.1.
2.3
Guarantee of whole amount. This Guarantee shall be construed and take effect as a guarantee of all amounts due to the Owner under the Leasing Documents to which each other Relevant Person is a party.
3
LIABILITY AS PRINCIPAL AND INDEPENDENT DEBTOR
3.1
Principal and independent debtor. The Guarantor shall be liable under this Guarantee as a principal and independent debtor and accordingly it shall not have, as regards this Guarantee, any of the rights or defences of a surety.
3.2
Waiver of rights and defences. Without limiting the generality of Clause 3.1, the Guarantor shall neither be discharged by, nor have any claim against the Owner in respect of:
(a)
any amendment or supplement being made to the Bareboat Charter or any other Leasing Document;
(b)
any arrangement or concession (including a rescheduling or acceptance of partial payments) relating to, or affecting, the Bareboat Charter or any other Leasing Document;
(c)
any release or loss (even though negligent) of any right or Security Interest created by any Leasing Document;
(d)
any failure (even though negligent) promptly or properly to exercise or enforce any such right or Security Interest, including a failure to realise for its full market value an asset covered by such a Security Interest; or
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(e)
the Bareboat Charter or any other Leasing Document now being or later becoming void, unenforceable, illegal or invalid or otherwise defective for any reason, including a neglect to register it.
4
EXPENSES
4.1
Costs of preservation of rights, enforcement etc . The Guarantor shall pay to the Owner on its demand the amount of all expenses (including, without limitation, legal fees) incurred by the Owner in connection with the enforcement of, or the preservation of any rights under this Guarantee or any other Leasing Document, including any advice, claim or proceedings relating to such matters.
4.2
Fees and expenses payable under Leasing Documents . Clause 4.1 is without prejudice to the Guarantor’s liabilities in respect of any other Relevant Person’s obligations under any Leasing Document to which it is a party.
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ADJUSTMENT OF TRANSACTIONS
5.1
Reinstatement of obligation to pay . The Guarantor shall pay to the Owner on its demand any amount which the Owner is required, or agrees, to pay pursuant to any claim by, or settlement with, a trustee in bankruptcy of any other Relevant Person on the ground that any Leasing Document to which that Relevant Person is a party, or a payment by that Relevant Person, was invalid or unenforceable or on any similar ground.
6
PAYMENTS
6.1
Method of payments . Any amount due under this Guarantee shall be paid:
(a)
in immediately available funds;
(b)
to such account as the Owner may from time to time notify to the Guarantor;
(c)
without any form of set-off, cross-claim or condition; and
(d)
free and clear of any tax deduction or withholding for or on account of any tax payable under any law of relevant jurisdictions except a tax deduction which the Guarantor is required by law to make.
6.2
Grossing-up for taxes . If the Guarantor is required by law to make a tax deduction, the amount due to the Owner shall be increased by the amount necessary to ensure that the Owner receives and retains a net amount which, after the tax deduction, is equal to the full amount that it would otherwise have received.
6.3
Indemnity and evidence of payment of taxes . The Guarantor shall fully indemnity the Owner on the Owner’s demand in respect of all claims, expenses, liabilities and losses incurred by the Owner by reason of any failure of the Guarantor to make any tax deduction or by reason of any increased payment not being made on the due date for such payment in accordance with Clause 6.2. Within 30 days after making tax deduction, that Guarantor shall deliver to the Owner any receipts, certificates or other documentary evidence satisfactory to the Owner that the tax had been paid to the appropriate taxation authority.
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INTEREST
7.1
Accrual of interest . Any amount due under this Guarantee shall carry interest after the date on which the Owner demands payment of it until it is actually paid, unless interest on that same amount also accrues under the Bareboat Charter.
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7.2
Calculation of interest. Interest under this Guarantee shall be calculated and accrue (as well after as before judgment) at the rate described in Clause 36.12 of the Bareboat Charter and otherwise in accordance with the terms thereof.
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SUBORDINATION
8.1
Subordination of rights of Guarantor. All rights which the Guarantor at any time has (whether in respect of this Guarantee or any other transaction) against each other Relevant Person or its assets shall be fully subordinated to the rights of the Owner under the Leasing Documents (or any of them), and in particular, the Guarantor shall not:
(a)
claim, or in a bankruptcy of that Relevant Person prove for, any amount payable to the Guarantor by that Relevant Person, whether in respect of this Guarantee or any other transaction;
(b)
take or enforce any Security Interest for any such amount;
(c)
claim to set-off any such amount against any amount payable by the Guarantor to that Relevant Person; or
(d)
claim any subrogation or other right in respect of any Leasing Document or any sum received or recovered by the Owner under such Leasing Document.
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ENFORCEMEN T
9.1
No requirement to commence proceedings against other Relevant Person. The Owner will not need to commence any proceedings under, or enforce any Security Interest created by, the Bareboat Charter or any other Leasing Document before claiming or commencing proceedings under this Guarantee.
9.2
Conclusive evidence of certain matters . However, as against the Guarantor:
(a)
any final and unappealable judgment or order of a court in England or any Relevant Jurisdiction or award of an arbitration tribunal in London in connection with the Bareboat Charter or any other Leasing Document; and
(b)
any statement or admission of any other Relevant Person in connection with the Bareboat Charter or any other Leasing Document,
shall be binding and conclusive as to all matters of fact and law to which it relates.
10
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
10.1
General. The Guarantor represents and warrants to the Owner and the Other Owners as of the date of this Guarantee, and on each day henceforth until the last day of the Security Period as follows.
10.2
Status .
(a)
The Guarantor is duly incorporated and validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Marshall Islands.
(b)
The Guarantor is not a FATCA FFI or a US Tax Obligor.
10.3
Corporate power.  The Guarantor has the corporate capacity, and has taken all corporate action and obtained all consents necessary for it:
(a)
to execute this Guarantee or any other Leasing Document to which it is a party; and
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(b)
to make all the payments contemplated by, and to comply with, this Guarantee or any other Leasing Document to which it is a party.
10.4
Consents in force. All the capacities, actions and consents referred to in Clause 10.3 remain in full force and nothing has occurred which makes any of them liable to revocation.
10.5
No conflicts. The execution by the Guarantor of the Leasing Documents to which it is a party and its compliance with this Guarantee will not involve or lead to a contravention of:
(a)
any law or regulation; or
(b)
the constitutional documents of the Guarantor; or
(c)
any contractual or other obligation or restriction which is binding on the Guarantor or any of its assets.
10.6
Legal, valid and binding obligations. This Guarantee and the Leasing Document to which it is a party do now or will upon execution and delivery constitute the Guarantor’s legal, valid and binding obligations enforceable against it in accordance with its terms and any relevant insolvency laws affecting creditors’ rights generally.
10.7
Governing law. The choice of governing law as stated in this Guarantee and the agreement by the Guarantor to refer disputes to the relevant courts or tribunals as stated herein are valid and binding against the Guarantor.
10.8
Immunity. Neither the Guarantor nor any of its assets are entitled to immunity on the grounds of sovereignty or otherwise from any legal action or proceeding (which shall include, without limitation, suit, attachment prior to judgment, execution or other enforcement).
10.9
Pari passu ranking. The obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee, are the direct, general and unconditional obligations of the Guarantor and rank at least pari passu with all other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated creditors of the Guarantor save for any obligation which is mandatorily preferred by law and not by virtue of any contract.
10.10
Legal or administrative action. No legal or administrative action involving the Guarantor has been commenced or taken which would have required notification to the Owner under Clause 11.8.
10.11
No insolvency. The Guarantor is not insolvent or in liquidation or administration or subject to any other formal or informal insolvency procedure, and no receiver, administrative receiver, administrator, liquidator, trustee or analogous officer has been appointed in respect of the Guarantor or all or material part of their assets.
10.12
Tax obligor and place of business . The Guarantor is not a US Tax Obligor, and has not established a place of business in the United Kingdom or the United States of America.
10.13
No withholding taxes. All payments which the Guarantor is liable to make under the Leasing Documents to which it is a party may be made without deduction or withholding for or on account of any tax payable under any law of relevant jurisdictions.
10.14
Taxes paid. The Guarantor has paid all taxes applicable to, or imposed on or in relation to it, its business or except for those being contested in good faith with adequate reserves.
10.15
No default. No Termination Event or Potential Termination Event has occurred nor is continuing or might reasonably be expected to result from the entry into and performance of this Guarantee or any other Leasing Document.
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10.16
Information. Any factual information provided by the Guarantor (or on its behalf) to the Owner was true and accurate in all material respects as at the date it was provided or as the date at which such information was stated; all accounts (audited and unaudited) delivered under Clause 11.3 satisfied the requirements of Clause 11.4; and there has been no Material Adverse Effect on the Guarantor from its position disclosed in the latest of those accounts.
10.17
No litigation. No legal or administrative action involving the Guarantor has been commenced or taken or, to the Guarantor’s knowledge, is likely to be commenced or taken which, in either case, would be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Guarantor.
10.18
Sanctions.
(a)
No Relevant Person, nor any of their respective directors, officers, or employees, is a Restricted Person.
(b)
Each Relevant Person, and their respective directors, officers, and employees is in compliance with all Sanctions laws, and none of them have been or are currently being investigated on compliance with Sanctions, they have not received notice or are aware of any claim, action, suit or proceeding against any of them with respect to Sanctions and they have not taken any action to evade the application of Sanctions.
(c)
No Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) is in breach of any Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws and/or Business Ethics Laws and, to the extent required by applicable law, has instituted and maintained systems, controls, policies and procedures designed to:

(i)
prevent and detect incidences of bribery and corruption, money laundering and terrorism financing; and

(ii)
promote and achieve compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws and Business Ethics Laws including, but not limited to, ensuring thorough and accurate books and records, and utilization of best efforts to ensure that Affiliates acting on behalf of a Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) shall act in compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws and Business Ethics Laws.
10.19
Environmental Laws. All Environmental Laws relating to the ownership, operation and management of the Vessel and the business of each Relevant Person (as now conducted and as reasonably anticipated to be conducted in the future) have been complied with.
10.20
Environmental Claim. No Environmental Claim has been made or threatened against any Relevant Person or otherwise in connection with the Vessel.
10.21
Environmental Incident. No Environmental Incident has occurred and no person has claimed that an Environmental Incident has occurred.
10.22
Ownership of the Charterer. The Charterer is legally and beneficially and indirectly wholly owned and controlled by the Guarantor.
10.23
Ownership of the Guarantor. The Guarantor is listed on the NASDAQ Composite and its shares are trading in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. There is no change in the controlling shareholder of the Guarantor from the date of this Guarantee.
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11
UNDERTAKINGS
11.1
General . The Guarantor undertakes with the Owner to comply with the following provisions of this Clause 11 at all times during the Security Period, except as the Owner may otherwise permit.
11.2
Information provided to be accurate . All financial and other information which is provided by or on behalf of the Guarantor under or in connection with the Leasing Documents will be true and not misleading and will not omit any material fact or consideration.
11.3
Provision of financial statements . The Guarantor will send to the Owner:
(a)
as soon as possible, but in no event later than one hundred and twenty (120) days after the end of each financial year of the Charterers, the audited annual financial statement accounts of the Charterers for that financial year as referred to in the Guarantor’s audited consolidated annual financial statement accounts of the Guarantor for that financial year to be delivered under Clause 11.3(c);
(b)
as soon as possible, but in no event later than ninety (90) days after the end of each half-year, the unaudited semi-annual accounts of the Charterers for that half-year;
(c)
as soon as possible, but in no event later than one hundred and twenty (120) days after the end of each financial year of the Guarantor, the audited consolidated annual financial statement accounts of the Guarantor for that financial year; and
(d)
as soon as possible, but in no event later than ninety (90) days after the end of each half-year, the semi-annual consolidated unaudited accounts of the Guarantor for that half-year certified as to their correctness by at least one director of the Guarantor.
11.4
Form of financial statements . All accounts (audited and unaudited) delivered under Clause 11.3 will:
(a)
be prepared in accordance with all applicable laws and generally accepted accounting principles in the United Stated consistently applied;
(b)
give a true and fair view of (in respect of the audited accounts) or fairly representing (in the case of the management accounts) the state of affairs of the Group at the date of those accounts and of their profit for the period to which those accounts relate;
(c)
fully disclose or provide for all significant liabilities of the Group; and
(d)
If not in the English language, be accompanied by an English translation duly certified as to its correctness.
11.5
Shareholder and creditor notices . The Guarantor will send the Owner, upon its request, copies of all communications which are despatched to the Guarantor’s shareholders or creditors or any class of them.
11.6
Consents . The Guarantor will obtain and promptly renew and will procure that each other Relevant Person obtains and promptly renews or procure the obtainment or renewal of and provide copies of, from time to time, any necessary consents, approvals, authorisations, licenses or permits of any regulatory body or authority for the transactions contemplated under each Leasing Document to which it is a party.
11.7
Valid obligations . The Guarantor will at its own cost, and will procure that each other Relevant Person will:
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(a)
do all that such Relevant Person reasonably can to ensure that any Leasing Document to which such Relevant Person is a party validly creates the obligations and the Security Interests which such Relevant Person purports to create; and
(b)
without limiting the generality of paragraph (a), promptly register, file, record or enrol any Leasing Document to which such Relevant Person is a party with any court or authority in all Relevant Jurisdictions, pay any stamp duty, registration or similar tax in all Relevant Jurisdictions in respect of any Leasing Document to which such Relevant Person is a party, give any notice or take any other step which, is or has become necessary or desirable for any such Leasing Document to be valid, enforceable or admissible in evidence or to ensure or protect the priority of any Security Interest which such Relevant Person creates.
11.8
Notification of legal or administrative action. The Guarantor will provide or will procure that each other Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) provides the Owner with details of any legal or administrative action involving such Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) or the Vessel that is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect as soon as such action is instituted or it becomes apparent is likely to be instituted and is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.
11.9
Notification of damage or default. The Guarantor :
(a)
will, and will procure that each other Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) will, notify the Owner immediately of the occurrence of any damage and/or alteration caused to the Vessel by any reason whatsoever which results, or may be expected to result, in repairs on the Vessel which exceed $1,000,000; and
(b)
will, and will procure that each other Relevant Person will, notify the Owner immediately of the occurrence of any Termination Event,

and will keep the Owner fully up-to-date with all developments and the Guarantor will, if so requested by the Owner, provide any such certificate signed by its authorised signatory, confirming that there exists no Potential Termination Event or Termination Event.
11.10
Additional information. The Guarantor will, and will procure that each other Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) will, as soon as practicable after receiving the request, provide the Owner with any additional financial or other information relating:
(a)
to themselves and/or the Vessel (including, but not limited to the condition, location and employment status of the Vessel); or
(b)
to any other matter relevant to, or to any provision of any Leasing Document to which it is a party,
which may be reasonably requested by the Owner (or their financiers (if any)) at any time, provided that, in the case of information on the employment status of the Vessel, such information shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Owner and shall be provided by the Charterers to the Owner at least once every six-monthly period during each calendar year.
11.11
Compliance with operational laws. The Guarantor shall procure compliance, and will procure that each other Relevant Person will comply or procure compliance, with all laws or regulations relating to the Vessel and its construction, ownership, employment, operation, management and registration, including the ISM Code, the ISPS Code, all Environmental Laws and the laws of the Vessel’s registry.
11.12
Compliance with other laws .
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(a)
The Guarantor shall comply, and shall procure that each other Relevant Person (other than the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) complies with all laws and regulations in respect of Sanctions, and in particular, they shall ensure that the Charterers shall effect and maintain a sanctions compliance policy to ensure compliance with all such laws and regulations implemented from time to time.
(b)
The Guarantor:

(i)
shall, and will procure that each other Relevant Person will, promptly notify the Owner of any non-compliance by any Relevant Person or their respective officers, directors, or employees with all laws and regulations relating to Sanctions, (including but not limited to notifying the Owner in writing immediately upon being aware that any Relevant Person or their respective shareholders, directors, officers or employees is a Restricted Person or has otherwise become a target of Sanctions) as well as provide all information (once available) in relation to its business and operations which may be relevant for the purposes of ascertaining whether any of the aforesaid parties are in compliance with such laws.

(ii)
shall, and will procure that each other Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) will, promptly notify the Owner of any non-compliance by any Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) or their respective officers, directors, or employees with all laws and regulations relating to Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws and/or Business Ethics Laws as well as provide all information (once available) in relation to its business and operations which may be relevant for the purposes of ascertaining whether any of the aforesaid parties are in compliance with such laws.
(c)
The Guarantor shall procure that the Vessel shall not be employed, operated or managed in any manner which (i) is contrary to any Sanctions and in particular, the Vessel shall not be used by or to benefit any party which is a target of Sanctions and/or is a Restricted Person or trade to any area or country where trading the Vessel to such area or country would constitute or reasonably be expected to constitute a breach of any Sanctions or published boycotts imposed by any of the United Nations, the European Union, the United States of America, the United Kingdom or the People’s Republic of China (provided that operation or use of the Vessel by the BP Charterer pursuant to the BP Charter shall not in any case be deemed to be in breach or contrary to any published boycotts imposed by the People’s Republic of China); (ii) would result or reasonably be expected to result in any Relevant Person or the Owner becoming a Restricted Person; or (iii) would trigger the operation of any sanctions limitation or exclusion clause in any insurance documentation.
(d)
The Guarantor shall, and shall procure that each other Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) and their respective officers, directors and employees, will:

(i)
comply with all Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws and Business Ethics Laws;

(ii)
to the extent required by applicable law, maintain systems, controls, policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve ongoing compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws and Business Ethics Laws; and

(iii)
in respect of the Charterers, not use, or permit or authorize any person to directly or indirectly use, the Financing Amount for any purpose that would breach any Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws or Business Ethics Laws; and

(iv)
they shall not lend, invest, contribute or otherwise make available the Financing Amount to or for any other person in a manner which would
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result in a violation of Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws or Business Ethics Laws.
11.13
No Security Interests. The Guarantor will not and will procure that each other Relevant Person will not create, assume or permit to exist any Security Interest of any kind upon any Leasing Document to which it is a party or any asset subject thereto, other than the Permitted Security Interests.
11.14
Financial covenants.
(a)
The Guarantor shall ensure that, at any time during the Security Period, the Guarantor’s Leverage Ratio shall not be more than eighty per cent (80%).
(b)
The Guarantor shall ensure that all time during the Security Period the Liquid Funds shall not be less than the aggregate of:

(i)
$750,000 multiplied by the number of Fleet Vessels (other than the Chartered Fleet Vessels, the Vessel and the Other Vessel); and

(ii)
$500,000 multiplied by the number of the Chartered Fleet Vessels; and

(iii)
$1,000,000 multiplied by two (representing the Vessel and the Other Vessel).
In this Guarantee:
"50% Owned Vessel " means any ship or vessel (other than the Vessel, the Other Vessel, or any other Fleet Vessel) from time to time owned under a joint venture agreement where the relevant member of the Group owns at least 50 per cent. of the issued share capital of the jointly owned entity by the Guarantor (directly or indirectly) excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any newbuilding vessels not delivered to such jointly owned entity.
" Chartered Fleet Vessel " means, at any relevant time, a Fleet Vessel (other than the Vessel and the Other Vessel) which is subject to a bareboat charter at that time and, in the plural, means all of them.
" Liquid Funds " means, at any time, cash at bank and credited to an account in the name of any member of the Group and to which the Guarantor is solely (or together with other members of the Group) beneficially entitled and for so long as such cash has not been blocked due to the existence of any Security Interest held by any bank or any other third party or otherwise.
" Leverage Ratio " means, at any date, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of:

(a)
the Total Net Debt; and

(b)
the aggregate Market Value of all Fleet Vessels adjusted to include 50% of the value of 50% Owned Vessels.
Market Value ” means, in relation to the Vessel or any other Fleet Vessel or any 50% Owned Vessel at any relevant time, the arithmetic mean of two (2) valuations, each prepared:

(a)
on a date no earlier than fifteen (15) days previously;

(b)
with or without physical inspection of that Vessel;
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(c)
on the basis of a sale for prompt delivery for cash on normal arm’s length commercial terms as between a willing seller and a willing buyer, free of any existing charter or other contract of employment,
and such valuations shall be prepared by one Approved Valuer selected and appointed by the Owners and one Approved Valuer selected by the Charterers (but appointed by the Owners) provided that if the difference in the two valuations obtained is more than ten per cent. (10%) of the lower valuation obtained, a third Approved Valuer shall be selected and appointed by the Owners and the Market Value shall be the arithmetic mean of such three valuations and shall be binding to the Owners, the Guarantor and the Charterers.
Total Net Debt " means, at any date, the aggregate Financial Indebtedness of the Group as per US GAAP as at such date, adjusted to include 50 per cent. of the Financial Indebtedness of any joint venture with a minimum holding of 50 per cent by any member of the Group, minus the aggregate amount of all cash balances standing on such date to the credit of a bank account of any Member of the Group, adjusted to include 50 per cent. of the cash balances of any entity holding directly 100% ownership of any 50% Owned Vessel, but excluding (x) any cash held in any bank account which is subject to any Security Interest which is not secured in favour of the Owner or the Other Owner and (y) the aggregate amount of Deposit (for the avoidance of doubt excluding any Deposit Interest) actually received and held by the Owners pursuant to the Bareboat Charter at such date.
US GAAP ” means the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.
11.15
Compliance Certificate . The Guarantor shall supply to the Owner, a Compliance Certificate setting out (in reasonable detail) computations as to compliance with Clause 11.14 on each Testing Date; and each Compliance Certificate shall be signed by a Co-Chief Financial Officer of the Guarantor.
11.16
Negative Pledge . The Guarantor shall:
(a)
procure that the Charterers will not create or permit to arise any Security Interest over any of its assets present or future except for the Permitted Security Interests.; and
(b)
procure that its liabilities under this Guarantee will rank at least pari passu with all its other present and future unsecured liabilities, except for liabilities which are mandatorily preferred by law.
11.17
No disposal of assets, change of business. The Guarantor will not, and shall (at all times) procure that no other Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) shall:
(a)
transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or a substantial part of their respective assets (or any of their assets, in the case of the Charterer), whether by one transaction or a number of transactions, whether related or not except in the usual course of their respective trading operations; or
(b)
make any substantial change (or any change, in the case of the Charterer) to the nature of their respective business or corporate structure from that existing as at the date of this Guarantee.
11.18
No merger etc. The Guarantor shall not enter into any form of merger, sub-division, amalgamation or other reorganisation.
11.19
FATCA. The Guarantor shall not, and shall procure that no Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) will become a FATCA FFI or US Tax Obligor.
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11.20
No payment of dividend. The Guarantor shall not declare, make or pay any dividend or other distribution (or interest on any unpaid dividend or other distribution) on or in respect of its share capital (whether in cash or in kind) upon the occurrence of a Termination Event described in clause 48 of the Bareboat Charter.
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JUDGMENTS AND CURRENCY INDEMNITY
12.1
Judgments relating to Bareboat Charter and other Leasing Documents. This Guarantee shall cover any amount payable by any other Relevant Person under or in connection with any judgment or award relating to the Bareboat Charter and any other Leasing Document.
12.2
Currency indemnity. If any sum due from the Guarantor to the Owner under this Guarantee or under any order, judgment or award relating to this Guarantee has to be converted from the currency in which this Guarantee provided for the sum to be paid (the “ Contractual Currency ”) into another currency (the “ Payment Currency ”) for the purpose of:
(a)
making or lodging any claim or proof against the Guarantor, whether in its liquidation, any arrangement involving it or otherwise; or
(b)
obtaining an order, judgment or award from any court or other tribunal; or
(c)
enforcing any such order, judgment or award;
the Guarantor shall indemnify the Owner against the loss arising when the amount of the payment actually received by the Owner is converted at the available rate of exchange into the Contractual Currency.
In this Clause 12.2, the “ available rate of exchange ” means the rate at which the Owner is able at the opening of business (Shanghai time) on the Business Day after it receives the sum concerned to purchase the Contractual Currency with the Payment Currency.
13
SUPPLEMENTAL
13.1
Continuing guarantee. This Guarantee shall remain in force as a continuing security interest at all times during the Security Period.
13.2
Rights cumulative, non-exclusive. The Owner’s rights under and in connection with this Guarantee are cumulative, may be exercised as often as appears expedient and shall not be taken to exclude or limit any right or remedy conferred by law.
13.3
No impairment of rights under Guarantee. If the Owner omits to exercise, delays in exercising or invalidly exercises any of its rights under this Guarantee, that shall not impair that or any other right of the Owner under this Guarantee.
13.4
Severability of provisions. If any provision of this Guarantee is or subsequently becomes void, illegal, unenforceable or otherwise invalid, that shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of its other provisions.
13.5
Guarantee not affected by other Security Interests. This Guarantee shall not impair, nor be impaired by, any other guarantee or any right of set-off or netting or to combine accounts which the Owner may now or later hold in connection with the Bareboat Charter or any other Leasing Document.
13.6
Guarantor bound by Bareboat Charter and other Leasing Documents. The Guarantor agrees with the Owner to be bound by all provisions of the Bareboat Charter and any other Leasing Document in the same way as if those provisions had been set out (with any necessary modifications) in this Guarantee.
12


13.7
Applicability of provisions of Guarantee to other rights. Clauses 3 and 16 shall also apply to any right of set-off or netting or to combine accounts which the Guarantor creates by an agreement entered into at the time of this Guarantee or at any later time (notwithstanding that the agreement does not include provisions similar to Clauses 3 and 16), being an agreement referring to this Guarantee.
13.8
Third party rights. A person who is not a party to this Guarantee has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce or to enjoy the benefit of any term of this Guarantee.
13.9
Counterpart . This Guarantee may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Guarantee.
13.10
FATCA Information.
(a)
Subject to paragraph (c) below, each Party shall, within ten Business Days of a reasonable request by the other Party:

(i)
confirm to the other Party whether it is:

(A)
a FATCA Exempt Party; or

(B)
not a FATCA Exempt Party; and

(ii)
supply to the other Party such forms, documentation and other information relating to its status under FATCA (including its applicable “passthru payment percentage” or other information required under the US Treasury Regulations or other official guidance including intergovernmental agreements) as the other Party reasonably requests for the purposes of the other Party's compliance with FATCA.
(b)
If a Party confirms to the other Party pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) above that it is a FATCA Exempt Party and it subsequently becomes aware that it is not, or has ceased to be a FATCA Exempt Party, that Party shall notify the other Party reasonably promptly.
(c)
Paragraph (a) above shall not oblige either Party to do anything which would or might in its reasonable opinion constitute a breach of:

(i)
any law or regulation;

(ii)
any fiduciary duty; or

(iii)
any duty of confidentiality.
(d)
If a Party fails to confirm its status or to supply forms, documentation or other information requested in accordance with paragraph (a) above (including, for the avoidance of doubt, where paragraph (c) above applies), then:

(i)
if that Party failed to confirm whether it is (and/or remains) a FATCA Exempt Party then such Party shall be treated for the purposes of this Guarantee and the Leasing Documents as if it is not a FATCA Exempt Party; and

(ii)
if that Party failed to confirm its applicable "passthru payment percentage" then such Party shall be treated for the purposes of the Finance Documents (and payments made thereunder) as if its applicable "passthru payment percentage" is one hundred per cent. (100%),
13


until (in each case) such time as the Party in question provides the requested confirmation, forms, documentation or other information.
14
ASSIGNMENT
14.1
Assignment by Owner.
Clauses 62 of the Bareboat Charter shall apply to this Guarantee as if they were expressly incorporated herein with any necessary modifications including the references to “the Charterers” therein shall be references to “the Guarantor” when applied herein and references to “the Leasing Document” and “this Charter” therein shall be references to “this Guarantee” when applied herein.
14.2
The Guarantor may not assign any of its rights or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Guarantee.
15
NOTICES
15.1
Notices to Guarantor. Any notice or demand to the Guarantor under or in connection with this Guarantee shall be given by letter or fax or mail at:
TOP SHIPS INC.
Attention:  Alexandros Tsirikos
Email: atsirikos@topships.org
Tel: +30 210 8128180
Fax: +30 210 8056441
or to such other address which the Guarantor may notify to the Owner.
15.2
Validity of demands. A demand under this Guarantee shall be valid notwithstanding that it is served:
(a)
on the date on which the amount to which it relates is payable by the relevant Relevant Person under the Leasing Document to which it is a party;
(b)
at the same time as the service of a notice under clause 43 of the Bareboat Charter;
and a demand under this Guarantee shall (i) be in writing; (ii) be signed by a duly authorised officer of the Owner and delivered to the Guarantor pursuant to the provisions under this Guarantee; (iii) make reference to this Guarantee; (iv) specifically identify the Charterer or any other Relevant Person and the Guaranteed Obligations to be paid and/or performed (as the case may be); and (v) set forth payment instructions in respect of any amount or amounts payable to the Owner.
15.3
Notices to Owner. Any notice to the Owner under or in connection with this Guarantee shall be sent to the same address and in the same manner as notices to the Owner under the Bareboat Charter.
16
INVALIDITY OF BAREBOAT CHARTER
16.1
Invalidity of Bareboat Charter or other Leasing Documents . In the event of:
(c)
the Bareboat Charter or any other Leasing Document now being or later becoming, with immediate or retrospective effect, void, illegal, unenforceable or otherwise invalid for any other reason whatsoever, whether of a similar kind or not; or
(d)
without limiting the scope of paragraph (a), a bankruptcy of the Relevant Person party thereto, the introduction of any law or any other matter resulting in that Relevant Person
14


being discharged from liability under the Bareboat Charter or other Leasing Document, or the Bareboat Charter or other Leasing Document ceasing to operate (for example, by interest ceasing to accrue);
this Guarantee shall cover any amount which would have been or become payable under or in connection with the Bareboat Charter or other Leasing Document if the Bareboat Charter or other Leasing Document had been and remained entirely valid, legal and enforceable, or that Relevant Party had not suffered bankruptcy, or any combination of such events or circumstances, as the case may be, and the Charterer had remained fully liable under it for liabilities whether invalidly incurred or validly incurred but subsequently retrospectively invalidated; and references in this Guarantee to amounts payable by that Relevant Party under or in connection with the Bareboat Charter or other Leasing Document shall include references to any amount which would have so been or become payable as aforesaid.
17
GOVERNING LAW AND ENFORCEMENT
17.1
Governing law .
This Guarantee and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law.
17.2
Arbitration .
(a)
Any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Guarantee (including a dispute regarding the existence, validity or termination of this Guarantee or any non-contractual obligation arising out of or in connection with this Guarantee) (a " Dispute ") shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration in London in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996 or any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof save to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Clause 17. The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (“ LMAA ”) Terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
(b)
The reference shall be to three arbitrators. A Party wishing to refer a Dispute to arbitration shall appoint its arbitrator and send notice of such appointment in writing to the other Party requiring the other Party to appoint its own arbitrators within 14 calendar days of that notice and stating that it will appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator unless any of the other Party appoints its own arbitrator and gives notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified. If the other Party does not appoint its own arbitrator and give notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified, the Party referring a Dispute to arbitration may, without the requirement of any further prior notice to the other Party, appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator and shall advise the other Party accordingly. The award of a sole arbitrator shall be binding on all Parties as if he had been appointed by agreement. Nothing herein shall prevent the Parties agreeing in writing to vary these provisions to provide for the appointment of a sole arbitrator.
(c)
Where the reference is to three arbitrators the procedure for making appointments shall be in accordance with the procedure for full arbitration stated above.
(d)
The language of the arbitration shall be English.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF this GUARANTEE has been executed as a DEED and delivered on the date stated at the beginning of this GUARANTEE.
15



SCHEDULE 1


FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
To:
SEA 103 LEASING CO., LIMITED
From:
TOP SHIPS INC.
Date: ___________________
Guarantee dated [·] 2018 (the “Guarantee”) in respect of a bareboat charter for m.v. “ECO BEL AIR”
Dear Sirs
1.
We refer to the Guarantee. This is a Compliance Certificate. Terms defined in the Guarantee have the same meaning when used in this Compliance Certificate unless given a difference meaning in this Compliance Certificate.
2.
We confirm that, as at the date hereof, no Termination Event has occurred and is continuing which has not been waived or remedied at the date hereof [or if that is not the case, specifying the same and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy the same].
3.
We confirm that, at any time during the Security Period, Leverage Ratio was not be more than 80 per cent (80%).
4.
We confirm that all time during the Security Period the Liquid Funds was not be less than the aggregate of:

(i)
$750,000 multiplied by the number of Fleet Vessels (other than the Chartered Fleet Vessels, the Vessel and the Other Vessel); and

(ii)
$500,000 multiplied by the number of the Chartered Fleet Vessels; and

(iii)
$1,000,000 multiplied by two (representing the Vessel and the Other Vessel).
Yours faithfully
Signed:____________________
Co-Chief Financial Officer of
TOP SHIPS INC.
16

EXECUTION PAGE

GUARANTOR
   
     
EXECUTED AS A DEED
)
 
By TOP SHIPS INC.
)
 
acting by Alexandros Tsirikos
)
/s/Alexandros Tsirikos
 
)
 
pursuant to a power of attorney dated 21 Nov 2018
)
 
in the presence of:
)
 
 
)
 
Witness’ signature: /s/Andreas M. Louka
)
 
Witness’ name:  Andreas M. Louka - Advocate
)
 
Witness’ address: 2 Peloponnisou Street
)
 
Filothel, 152 37, Greece
)
 
     
     
OWNER
   
     
SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED
)
 
by SEA 103 LEASING CO., LIMITED
)
 
acting by
)
 
being an attorney-in-fact
)
 
 
)
 
in the present of:
)
 
Witness’ signature:
)
 
Witness’ name:
)
 
Witness; address
)
 
17


EXECUTION PAGE

GUARANTOR
   
     
EXECUTED AS A DEED
)
 
By TOP SHIPS INC.
)
 
acting by
)
 
 
)
 
pursuant to a power of attorney dated __________
)
 
in the presence of:
)
 
 
)
 
Witness’ signature:
)
 
Witness’ name:
)
 
Witness’ address:
)
 
 
)
 
     
     
OWNER
   
     
SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED
)
 
By SEA 103 LEASING CO., LIMITED
)
 
acting by
)
 
being an attorney-in-fact
)
 
 
)
 
in the present of:
)
 
Witness’ signature:
)
 
Witness’ name:
)
 
Witness; address: 22F, China Merchants Bank Building, No. 1088
Lujiazui Ring Road, Shanghai, China
)
 

18


Exhibit 4.90

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
 
Norwegian Shipbrokers’ Association’s
 
Memorandum of Agreement for sale and
 
purchase of ships. Adopted by BIMCO in 1956.
 
Code-name
 
SALEFORM 2012
 
Revised 1966, 1983 and 1986/87, 1993 and 2012

Dated:  3 Dec 2018

MALIBU WARRIOR INC. (Name of sellers), ,   a corporation incorporated under the laws of Marshall Islands with registration number 94704 whose registered office is at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960, hereinafter called the "Sellers", have agreed to sell, and SEA 104 LEASING CO. LIMITED (Name of buyers) , a company incorporated under the laws of Hong Kong with registration number 2718795 whose registered office is at 46/F., Champion Tower, 3 Garden
Name of vessel:  ECO BEVERLY HILLS with Builder’s Hull No. S875

IMO Number:  TBA

Classification Society:  DNV-GL

Class Notation:  +1A,   Tanker for oil, ESP, CSR, CMON, BIS, BWM(E(s,f)), BWM(T), VCS(2), COAT-PSPC(B,C), LCS, E0, TMON, SPM, CLEAN, Recyclable, FUEL.


Year of Build: 2019
Builder/Yard: Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.

Flag:  Marshall Islands or any other state or jurisdiction approved to the Buyers
Place of Registration:  Marshall Islands or any other state or jurisdiction approved to the Buyers
          GT/NT: TBA/)______        
hereinafter called the “Vessel”, on the following terms and conditions:

Definitions – see also clause 30
“Agreement” means this memorandum of agreement which shall for the avoidance of doubt, include the rider provisions from Clauses 19 to 30.
“Banking Days” are days on which banks are open both in the country of the currency stipulated for the Purchase Price in Clause 1 (Purchase Price) and in the place of closing stipulated in Clause 8 (Documentation) and ________ (add additional jurisdictions as appropriate) .

“Buyers’ Nominated Flag State” means Marshall Islands or Liberia or Malta (state flag state).

“Class” means the class notation referred to above.

“Classification Society” means the Society referred to above.

“Dollars” or “$” means United States Dollars, being the lawful currency of the United States of America.
“Deposit” shall have the meaning given in Clause 2 (Deposit)
“Deposit Holder” means ______   ( state name and location of Deposit Holder) or, if left blank, the Sellers’ Bank, which shall hold and release the Deposit in accordance with this Agreement.

“In writing” or “written” means a letter handed over from the Sellers to the Buyers or vice versa, a registered letter, e-mail or telefax.

“Parties” means the Sellers and the Buyers.

“Scheduled Delivery Date” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 8(d).
“Purchase Price” means the price for the Vessel as stated in Clause 1 (Purchase Price).

“Sellers’ Account” means _______ (state details of bank account) at the Sellers' Bank.

“Sellers’ Bank” means ________ (state name of bank, branch and details) or, if left blank, the bank notified by the Sellers to the Buyers for receipt of the balance of the Purchase Price.

1.
Purchase Price See Clause 19
 
The Purchase Price is ________ ( state currency and amount both in words and figures).
   
2.
Deposit – See Clause 19
 
As security for the correct fulfilment of this Agreement the Buyers shall lodge a deposit of __ % ( __ per cent)   or, if left blank, 10% (ten per cent), of the Purchase Price (the





 
“Deposit”) in an interest bearing account for the Parties with the Deposit Holder within three (3) Banking Days after the date that:
   
 
(i)
this Agreement has been signed by the Parties and exchanged in original or by e-mail or telefax; and
     
 
(ii)
the Deposit Holder has confirmed in writing to the Parties that the account has been opened.
   
 
The Deposit shall be released in accordance with joint written instructions of the Parties. Interest, if any, shall be credited to the Buyers. Any fee charged for holding and releasing the Deposit shall be borne equally by the Parties. The Parties shall provide to the Deposit Holder all necessary documentation to open and maintain the account without delay.
   
3.
Payment – See Clause 19
   
 
On delivery of the Vessel, but not later than three (3) Banking Days after the date that Notice of Readiness has been given in accordance with Clause 5 (Time and place of delivery and notices):
   
 
(i)
the Deposit shall be released to the Sellers; and
     
 
(ii)
the balance of the Purchase Price and all other sums payable on delivery by the Buyers to the Sellers under this Agreement shall be paid in full free of bank charges to the Sellers’ Account.
     
4.
Inspection – Intentionally omitted.
 
( a) * The Buyers have inspected and accepted the Vessel’s classification records. The Buyers have also inspected the Vessel at/in                  (state place) on                  (state date) and have accepted the Vessel following this inspection. and the sale is outright and definite, subject only to the terms and conditions of this Agreement .
   
 
(b) * The Buyers shall have the right to inspect the Vessel’s classification records and declare whether same are accepted or not within                          (state date/period).
   
 
The Sellers shall make the Vessel available for inspection at/in               (state place/range) within             (state date/period) .
   
 
The Buyers shall undertake the inspection without undue delay to the Vessel. Should the Buyers cause undue delay they shall compensate the Sellers for the losses thereby incurred.
   
 
The Buyers shall inspect the Vessel without opening up and without cost to the Sellers.
   
 
During the inspection, the Vessel’s dock and engine log books shall be made available for examination by the Buyers.
   
 
The sale shall become outright and definite, subject only to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, provided that the Sellers receive written notice of acceptance of the Vessel from the Buyers within seventy two (72) hours after completion of such inspection or after the date/last day of the period stated in Line 59 , whichever is earlier.
   
 
Should the Buyers fail to undertake the inspection as scheduled and/or notice of acceptance of the Vessel’s classification records and/or of the Vessel not be received by the Sellers as aforesaid, the Deposit together with interest earned, if any, shall be released immediately to the Buyers, whereafter this Agreement shall be null and void.
   
 
* 4(a) and 4(b) are alternatives; delete whichever is not applicable. In the absence of deletions, alternative 4(a) shall apply.
   
5.
Time and place of delivery and notices
   
 
(a)  The Vessel shall be delivered at the Builder’s shipyard in South Korea, safely afloat at a quay. and taken over safely afloat at a safe and accessible berth or anchorage at/in                          ( state place/range) in the Sellers’ option.
   
 
Notice of Readiness shall not be tendered before:   __________  (date)
   
 
Cancelling Date (see Clauses 5(c), 6 (a)(i), 6 (a)(iii) and 14) :   __________________                   
   
 
(b)  The Sellers shall keep the Buyers well informed of the Vessel’s itinerary and shall provide the Buyers with provide the Buyers with seventy (70), twenty (20), ten   (10), days’ and five (5) and three (3) Business d Days' notice of the date the Sallers intend to tender Notice of Readiness and of the intended date and place of delivery.
   
 
When the Vessel is at the place of delivery and physically ready for delivery in accordance with



2



 
this Agreement, the Sellers shall give the Buyers a written Notice of Readiness for delivery.
   
 
(c)   If the Sellers anticipate that, notwithstanding the exercise of due diligence by them, the Vessel will not be ready for delivery by the Cancelling Date they may notify the Buyers in writing stating the date when they anticipate that the Vessel will be ready for delivery and proposing a new Cancelling Date. Upon receipt of such notification the Buyers shall have the option of e ither cancelling this Agreement in accordance with Clause 14 (Sellers’ Default) within three (3) B usiness anking Days of receipt of the notice or of accepting the new date as the new Canceling Date.   If the Buyers have not declared their option within three (3) B usiness anking Days of receipt of the Sellers' notification or if the Buyers accept the new date, the date proposed in the Sellers' notification shall be deemed to be the new Cancelling Date and shall be substituted for the Cancelling Date stipulated in   line 79 .
   
 
If this Agreement is maintained with the new Cancelling Date all other terms and conditions hereof including those contained in Clauses 5(b ) and 5(d) shall remain unaltered and in full force and effect.
   
 
(d)  Cancellation, failure to cancel or acceptance of the new Cancelling Date shall be entirely without prejudice to any claim for damages the Buyers may have under Clause 14 (Sellers’ Default) for the Vessel not being ready by the original Cancelling Date.
   
 
(e) Should the Vessel become a Total Loss an actual, constructive or compromised total loss before delivery this Agreement shall terminate (provided that any provision hereof expressed to survive such termination shall so do in accordance with its terms). the Deposit together with interest earned, if any, shall be released immediately to the Buyers whereafter this Agreement shall be null and void.
   
6.
Divers Inspection / Drydocking – Intentionally omitted.
 
(a)*
 
(i)
The Buyers shall have the option at their cost and expense to arrange for an underwater inspection by a diver approved by the Classification Society prior to the delivery of the Vessel. Such option shall be declared latest nine (9) days prior to the Vessel’s intended date of readiness for delivery as notified by the Sellers pursuant to Clause 5(b) of this Agreement. The Sellers shall at their cost and expense make the Vessel available for such inspection. This inspection shall be carried out without undue delay and in the presence of a Classification Society surveyor arranged for by the Sellers and paid for by the Buyers. The Buyers’ representative(s) shall have the right to be present at the diver’s inspection as observer(s) only without interfering with the work or decisions of the Classification Society surveyor. The extent of the inspection and the conditions under which it is performed shall be to the satisfaction of the Classification Society. If the conditions at the place of delivery are unsuitable for such inspection, the Sellers shall at their cost and expense make the Vessel available at a suitable alternative place near to the delivery port, in which event the Cancelling Date shall be extended by the additional time required for such positioning and the subsequent re-positioning. The Sellers may not tender Notice of Readiness prior to completion of the underwater inspection.
     
 
(ii)
If the rudder, propeller, bottom or other underwater parts below the deepest load line are found broken, damaged or defective so as to affect the Vessel’s class,   then (1) unless repairs can be carried out afloat to the satisfaction of the Classification Society, the Sellers shall arrange for the Vessel to be drydocked at their expense for inspection by the Classification Society of the Vessel’s underwater parts below the deepest load line, the extent of the inspection being in accordance with the Classification Society’s rules (2) such defects shall be made good by the Sellers at their cost and expense to the  satisfaction of the Classification Society without condition/recommendation** and (3) the Sellers shall pay for underwater inspection and the Classification Society’s attendance.
     
   
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if the Classification Society do not require the aforementioned defects to be rectified before the next class  drydocking survey, the Sellers shall be entitled to deliver the Vessel with these defects against a deduction from the Purchase Price of the estimated direct cost (of labour and materials) of carrying out the repairs to the satisfaction of the Classification Society, whereafter the Buyers shall have no further rights whatsoever in respect of the defects and/or repairs. The estimated direct cost of the repairs shall be the average of quotes for the repair work obtained from two reputable independent shipyards at or in the vicinity of the port of delivery, one to be obtained by each of the Parties within two (2) Banking Days from the date of the imposition of the condition/recommendation, unless the Parties agree otherwise. Should either of the Parties fail to obtain such a quote within the stipulated time then the quote duly obtained by the other Party shall be the sole basis



3



   
for the estimate of the direct repair costs. The Sellers may not tender Notice of Readiness prior to such estimate having been established.
     
 
(iii)
If the Vessel is to be drydocked pursuant to Clause 6(a)(ii) and no suitable dry-docking facilities are available at the port of delivery, the Sellers shall take the Vessel to a port where suitable drydocking facilities are available, whether within or outside the delivery range as per Clause 5(a) . Once drydocking has taken place the Sellers shall deliver the Vessel at a port within the delivery range as per Clause 5(a) which shall, for the purpose of this Clause, become the new port of delivery. In such event the Cancelling Date shall be extended by the additional time required for the drydocking and extra steaming, but limited to a maximum of fourteen (14) days.
     
 
(b)* The Sellers shall place the Vessel in drydock at the port of delivery for inspection by the Classification Society of the Vessel’s underwater parts below the deepest load line, the extent of the inspection being in accordance with the Classification Society’s rules. If the rudder, propeller, bottom or other underwater parts below the deepest load line are found broken, damaged or defective so as to affect the Vessel’s class, such defects shall be made good at the Sellers’ cost and expense to the satisfaction of the Classification Society without condition/recommendation**. In such event the Sellers are also to pay for the costs and expenses in connection with putting the Vessel in and taking her out of drydock, including the drydock dues and the Classification Society’s fees. The Sellers shall also pay for these costs and expenses if parts of the tailshaft system are condemned or found defective or broken so as to affect the Vessel’s class. In all other cases, the Buyers shall pay the aforesaid costs and expenses, dues and fees.
   
 
Sellers’ cost and expense to the satisfaction of the Classification Society without condition/recommendation**. In such event the Sellers are also to pay for the costs and expenses in connection with putting the Vessel in and taking her out of drydock, including the drydock dues and the Classification Society’s fees. The Sellers shall also pay for these costs and expenses if parts of the tailshaft system are condemned or found defective or broken so as to affect the Vessel’s class. In all other cases, the Buyers shall pay the aforesaid costs and expenses, dues and fees.
   
 
(c)  If the Vessel is drydocked pursuant to Clause 6(a)(ii) or 6(b) above:
   
 
(i)
The Classification Society may require survey of the tailshaft system, the extent of the survey being to the satisfaction of the Classification surveyor. If such survey is not required by the Classification Society, the Buyers shall have the option to require the tailshaft to be drawn and surveyed by the Classification Society, the extent of the survey being in accordance with the Classification Society’s rules for tailshaft survey and  consistent with the current stage of the Vessel’s survey cycle. The Buyers shall declare whether they require the tailshaft to be drawn and surveyed not later than by the completion of the inspection by the Classification Society. The drawing and refitting of the tailshaft shall be arranged by the Sellers. Should any parts of the tailshaft system be condemned or found defective so as to affect the Vessel’s class, those parts shall be renewed or made good at the Sellers’ cost and expense to the satisfaction of Classification Society without condition/recommendation**.
     
 
(ii)
The costs and expenses relating to the survey of the tailshaft system shall be borne by the Buyers unless the Classification Society requires such survey to be carried out or if parts of the system are condemned or found defective or broken so as to affect the Vessel’s class, in which case the Sellers shall pay these costs and expenses.
     
 
(iii)
The Buyers’ representative(s) shall have the right to be present in the drydock, as observe(s) only without interfering with the work or decisions of the Classification Society surveyor.
     
 
(iv)
The Buyers shall have the right to have the underwater parts of the Vessel cleaned and painted at their risk, cost and expense without interfering with the Seller’s or the Classification Society surveyor’s work, if any, and without affecting the Vessel’s timely delivery. If, however, the Buyers’ work in drydock is still in progress when the Sellers have completed the work which the Sellers are required to do, the additional docking time needed to complete the Buyers’ work shall be for the Buyers’ risk, cost and expense. In the event that the Buyers’ work required such additional time, the Sellers may upon completion of the Sellers’ work tender Notice of Readiness for delivery whilst the Vessel is still in drydock and, notwithstanding Clause 5(a) , the Buyers shall be obliged to take delivery in accordance with Clause 3 (Payment), whether the Vessel is in drydock or not.
     
 
* 6(a) and 6 (b) are alternatives; delete whichever is not applicable. In the absence of deletions, alternative 6 (a) shall apply.
   
 
**Notes or memoranda, if any, in the surveyor’s report which are accepted by the Classification Society without condition/recommendation are not to be taken into account.
   
7.
Spares, bunkers and other items
 
The Sellers shall deliver the Vessel to the Buyers with everything belonging to her on board and on shore. All spare parts and spare equipment including spare tail-end shaft(s) and/or



4



 
spare propeller(s)/propeller blade(s), if any, belonging to the Vessel at the time of inspection delivery used or unused, whether on board or not shall become the Buyers’ property, but spares on order are excluded.   Forwarding charges, if any, shall be for the Buyers’ account. The Sellers are not required to replace spare parts including spare tail-end shaft(s) and   spare propeller(s)/propeller blade(s) which are taken out of spare and used as replacement prior to delivery, but the replaced items shall be the property of the Buyers. Unused stores and provisions (if any) shall be included in the sale and be taken over by the Buyers without extra payment.
   
 
Library and forms exclusively for use in the Sellers’ vessel(s) and captain’s, officers’ and crew’s personal belongings including the slop chest are excluded from the sale without compensation, as well as the following additional items: -                  (include list)
 
Items on board which are on hire or owned by third parties, listed as follows, are excluded from the sale without compensation:  ____________  (include list)
   
 
Items on board at the time of delivery inspection which are on hire or owned by third parties, not listed above, shall be replaced or procured by the Sellers prior to delivery at their cost and expense.
   
 
The Buyers shall take over remaining bunkers and  unused lubricating and hydraulic oils   and greases in storage tanks and unopened drums without extra cost and pay either:
   
 
(a) *the actual net price (excluding barging expenses) as evidenced by invoices or vouchers; or
   
 
(b)   *the current net market price (excluding barging expenses) at the port and date of delivery of the Vessel or, if unavailable, at the nearest bunkering port
   
 
for the quantities taken over.
   
 
Payment under this Clause shall be made at the same time and place and in the same currency as the Purchase Price.
   
 
“inspection” in this Clause 7 , shall mean the Buyers’ inspection according to Clause 4(a) or 4(b) (Inspection), if applicable. If the Vessel is taken over without inspection, the date of this Agreement shall be the relevant date.
   
 
*(a) and (b) are alternatives, delete whichever is not applicable. In the absence of deletions alternative (a) shall apply.
   
8.
Documentation – See also Clause 20
 
The place of closing: At the Builder’s Yard
   
 
(a) In exchange for payment of the Purchase Price the Sellers shall provide the Buyers with the following delivery documents:
   
 
(i)
Legal Bill(s) of Sale in a form recordable in the Buyers’ Nominated Flag State, transferring title of the Vessel and stating that the Vessel is free from all mortgages, encumbrances and maritime liens (whether maritime or otherwise) or any other debts whatsoever, duly notarially attested and legalised or apostilled, as required by the Buyers’ Nominated Flag State;
     
 
(ii)
Evidence that all necessary corporate, shareholder and other action has been taken by the Sellers to authorise the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement;
     
 
(iii)
Power of Attorney of the Sellers appointing one or more representatives to act on behalf of the Sellers in the performance of this Agreement, duly notarially attested and legalised or apostilled (as appropriate);
     
 
(iv)
Certificate or Transcript of Registry issued by the competent authorities of the flag state on the date of delivery evidencing the Sellers’ ownership of the Vessel and that the Vessel is free from registered encumbrances and mortgages, to be faxed or e-mailed by such authority to the closing meeting with the original to be sent to the Buyers as soon as possible after delivery of the Vessel;
     
 
(v)
Declaration of Class or (depending on the Classification Society) a Class Maintenance Certificate issued within three (3) Banking Days prior to delivery confirming that the Vessel is in Class free of condition/recommendation;
     
 
(vi)
Certificate of Deletion of the Vessel from the Vessel’s registry or other official evidence of deletion appropriate to the Vessel’s registry at the time of delivery, or, in the event that the registry does not as a matter of practice issue such documentation immediately a written undertaking by the Sellers to effect deletion from the Vessel’s registry forthwith and provide a certificate or other official evidence of deletion to the Buyers promptly and latest within four (4) weeks after the Purchase Price has been paid and the Vessel has
     
5



   
been delivered;
     
 
(vii)
A copy of the Vessel’s Continuous Synopsis Record certifying the date on which the Vessel ceased to be registered with the Vessel’s registry, or, in the event that the registry does not as a matter of practice issue such certificate immediately, a written undertaking from the Sellers to provide the copy of this certificate promptly upon it being issued together with evidence of submission by the Sellers of a duly executed Form 2 stating the date on which the Vessel shall cease to be registered with the Vessel’s registry;
     
 
(vi ii )
Commercial Invoice for the Vessel;
     
 
(vii x )
Commercial Invoice(s) for bunkers, lubricating and hydraulic oils and greases (which will be taken over by the Buyers at no extra cost in accordance with Clause 7) ;
     
 
(x)
A copy of the Sellers’ letter to their satellite communication provider cancelling the Vessel’s communication contract which is to be sent immediately after delivery of the Vessel;
     
 
( x viii)

     Any additional documents as may reasonably be required by the competent authorities of the Buyers’ Nominated Flag State for the purpose of registering the Vessel, provided the Buyers notify the Sellers of any such documents as soon as possible after the date of this Agreement; and
     
 
(ix ii )
The Sellers’ letter of confirmation that to the best of their knowledge, the Vessel is not black listed by any nation or international organisation
     
 
The items set out in this Clause 8(a) are inserted for the sole benefit of the Buyers and may be waived in whole or in part with or without conditions by the Buyers.
     
 
(b) At the time delivery the Buyers shall provide the Sellers with:
     
 
(i)
Evidence that all necessary corporate, shareholder and other action has been taken by the Buyers to authorise the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement; and
     
 
(ii)
Power of Attorney of the Buyers appointing one or more representatives to act on behalf of the Buyers in the performance of this Agreement . , duly notarially attested and legalised or apostilled (as appropriate).
     
 
(c)  If any of the documents listed in Sub clauses (a) and (b) above are not in the English language they shall be accompanied by an English translation by an authorised translator or certified by a lawyer qualified to practice in the country of the translated language.
   
 
(d)  The Parties shall to the extent possible exchange copies, drafts or samples of the documents listed in Sub-clause (a) and Sub-clause (b) above for review and comment by the other party not later than one(1) Business Day (or such later date as the Buyers may agree) prior to the notice to be sent to the Buyers from the Sellers five (5) Business Days before delivery in accordance with Vessel’s intended date of readiness for delivery as notified by the Sellers pursuant to Clause 5(b) (the “Scheduled Delivery date”)   (state number of days) , or if left blank, nine (9) days prior to the Vessel’s intended date of readiness for delivery as notified by the Sellers pursuant to Clause 5(b) of this Agreement.
   
 
(e)  Concurrent with the exchange of documents in Sub-clause (a) and Sub-clause (b) above delivery of the Vessel , the Sellers shall also hand to the Buyers shall gain title and ownership to the classification certificate(s) as well as all plans, drawings and manuals, (excluding ISM/ISPS manuals), which are on board the Vessel. Other certificates which are on board the Vessel shall also be handed over to the Buyers unless the Sellers are required to retain same, in which case the Buyers have the right to take copies.
   
 
(f)  Other technical documentation which may be in the Sellers’ possession shall promptly after delivery be forwarded to the Buyers at Sellers’ their expense, if they so request. The Sellers may keep the Vessel’s log books but the Buyers have the right to take copies of same.
   
 
(g)  The Parties shall sign and deliver to each other a Protocol of Delivery and Acceptance confirming the date and time of delivery of the Vessel from the Sellers to the Buyers (the “PDA”) .
   
9.
Encumbrances
 
The Sellers warrant that the Vessel, at the time of delivery Delivery , is free from all charters (other than the Bareboat Charters) , encumbrances, mortgages and maritime liens (whether maritime or otherwise) or any other debts whatsoever, and is not subject
   


6



 
to Port State or other administrative detentions. The Sellers hereby undertake to indemnify the Buyers against all consequences of claims made against the Vessel which have been incurred prior to the time of delivery Delivery .
   
10.
Taxes, fees and expenses
 
Any taxes, fees and expenses in connection with the purchase of the Vessel and registration in the Buyers’ Nominated Flag State shall be for the Buyers’ account, whereas similar charges and in connection with the closing of the Sellers’ register shall be for the Sellers’ account.
   
11.
Condition on delivery  See also Clause 34 of the Bareboat Charter
 
The Vessel with everything belonging to her shall be at the Sellers’ risk and expense until she is delivered to the Buyers, but subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement she shall be delivered and taken over as she was at the time of Delivery inspection , fair wear and tear excepted .
   
 
However, t T he Vessel shall be delivered free of cargo and free of stowaways with her Class maintained without condition/recommendation*, free of average damage affecting the Vessel’s class, and with her classification certificates and national, certificates, as well as all other certificates the Vessel had at the time of inspection Delivery , valid and unextended without condition/recommendation* by the Classification Society or the relevant authorities at the time of delivery Delivery .
   
 
“inspection” in this Clause 11 , shall mean the Buyers’ inspection according to Clause 4(a) or 4(b) (Inspections), if applicable. If the Vessel is taken over without inspection, the date of this Agreement shall be the relevant date.
   
 
*Notes and memoranda, if any, in the surveyor’s report which are accepted by the Classification Society without condition/recommendation are not to be taken into account.
   
  12.
Name/markings – Intentionally omitted
 
Upon delivery the Buyers undertake to change the name of the Vessel and alter funnel markings.
   
13.
Buyers’ default – Intentionally omitted
 
Should the Deposit not be lodged in accordance with Clause 2 (Deposit), the Sellers have the right to cancel this Agreement, and they shall be entitled to claim compensation for their losses and for all expenses incurred together with interest.
   
 
Should the Purchase Price not be paid in accordance with Clause 3 (Payment), the Sellers have the right to cancel this Agreement, in which case the Deposit together with interest earned, if any, shall be released to the Sellers. If the Deposit does not cover their loss, the Sellers shall be entitled to claim further compensation for their losses and for all expenses incurred together with interest.
   
14.
Sellers’ default – See also Clause 19(c) and Clauses 33.1, 48 and 48A of the Bareboat Charter
 
Should the Sellers fail to give Notice of Readiness in accordance with Clause 5(b) or fail to be ready to validly complete a legal transfer by the Cancelling Date the Buyers shall have the option of cancelling this Agreement. If after Notice of Readiness has been given but before the Buyers have taken delivery, the Vessel ceases to be physically ready for delivery and is not made physically ready again by the Cancelling Date and new Notice of Readiness given, the Buyers shall retain their option to cancel. In the event that the Buyers elect to cancel this Agreement, the Deposit together with interest earned, if any, shall be released to them immediately.
   
 
Without prejudice to Clause 19(c) and Clauses 33.1, 48 and 48A of the Bareboat Charter and any other rights the Buyer may have under the Leasing Documents, at law or otherwise, S s hould the Sellers fail to give Notice of Readiness by the Cancelling Date or fail to be ready to validly complete a legal transfer as aforesaid they shall make due compensation to the Buyers for their loss and for all expenses together with interest if their failure is due to proven negligence and whether or not the Buyers cancel this Agreement.
   
15.
Buyers’ representatives – Intentionally omitted
 
After this Agreement has been signed by the Parties and the Deposit has been lodged, the Buyers have the right to place two (2) representatives on board the Vessel at their sole risk and expense.
 
These representatives are on board for the purpose of familiarisation and in the capacity of observers only, and they shall not interfere in any respect with the operation of the Vessel. The Buyers and the   Buyers' representatives shall sign the Sellers' P&I Club's standard letter of indemnity prior to their embarkation.



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16.
Law and Arbitration – See Clause 27
 
(a)   * This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration in London in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996 or any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof save to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Clause.
   
 
The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) Terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
   
 
The reference shall be to three arbitrators. A party wishing to refer a dispute to arbitration shall appoint its arbitrator and send notice of such appointment in writing to the other party requiring the other party to appoint its own arbitrator within fourteen (14) calendar days of that notice and stating that it will appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator unless the other party appoints its own arbitrator and gives notice that it has done so within the fourteen (14) days specified. If the other party does not appoint its own arbitrator and give notice that it has done so within the fourteen (14) days specified, the party referring a dispute to arbitration may, without the requirement of any further prior notice to the other party, appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator and shall advise the other party accordingly. The award of a sole arbitrator shall be binding on both Parties as if the sole arbitrator had been appointed by agreement.
   
 
In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of US$100,000 the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the LMAA Small Claims Procedure current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
   
 
(b) *This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Title 9 of the United States Code and the substantive law (not including the choice of law rules) of the State of New York and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to three (3) persons at New York, one to be appointed by each of the parties hereto, and the third by the two so chosen; their decision or that of any two of them shall be final, and for the purposes of enforcing any award, judgement may be entered on an award by any court of competent jurisdiction. The proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc.
   
 
In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of US$100,000 the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the Shortened Arbitration Procedure of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc.
   
 
(c) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of __________ ( state place ) and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration at _________ ( state place ), subject to the procedures applicable there.
   
 
*16(a), 16(b) and 16(c) are alternatives; delete whichever is not applicable, In the absence of deletions, alternative 16(a) shall apply.
   
17.
Notices
 
All notices to be provided under this Agreement shall be in writing.
   
 
Contact details for recipients of notices are as follows:
   
 
For the Buyers:
c/o CMB Financial Leasing Co., Ltd.
Address:  21/F, China Merchants Bank Building, No. 1088, Lujiazui Ring Road, Shanghai, China
Email: x _ man@cmbchina.com
Tel:  +8621 61061737
Fax: +8621 61059911*1737
   
 
For the Sellers:
c/o Central Mare, Inc.
Address:  1, Vas. Sofias Street & Meg. Alexandrou,
151 24 Maroussi, Greece
Email:  atsirikos@topships.org
Tel:  +302108128180
Fax: +302108056441
   
18.
Entire Agreement
 
The written terms of this Agreement comprise the entire agreement between the Buyers and the Sellers in relation to the sale and purchase of the Vessel and supersede all previous


8



 
agreements whether oral or written between the Parties in relation thereto.
   
 
Each of the Parties acknowledges that in entering into this Agreement it has not relied on and shall have no right or remedy in respect of any statement, representation, assurance or warranty (whether or not made negligently) other than as is expressly set out in this Agreement.
   
 
Any terms implied into this Agreement by any applicable statute or law are hereby excluded to the extent that such exclusion can legally be made. Nothing in this Clause shall limit or exclude any liability for fraud.
   

 
/s/ Andreas Louka
/s/ Zhou Ling
     
 
For and on behalf of the Sellers
For and on behalf of the Buyers
 
Name: Andreas Louka
Name:  Zhou Ling
 
Title:  Attorney-in-fact
Title: Director
     


9

EXECUTION VERSION
RIDER CLAUSES TO MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
DATED 3 December   2018
Clause 19 – Payment of Purchase Price by Buyer

(a)   The Buyers agree to pay the Sellers the Purchase Price in the following manner:

(i)
the Buyers shall pay an amount equivalent to the Advance Charterhire to the Sellers on the Delivery Date provided that such amount shall be set off against the amount of the Advance Charterhire payable to the Buyers as owners under the terms of the Bareboat Charter on the Delivery Date, with the result that the Buyers shall be deemed to have paid such sum to the Sellers forthwith and the Sellers be deemed to have paid the amount of Advance Charterhire to the Buyers pursuant to the terms of the Bareboat Charter; and

(ii)
The Buyers shall pay the balance of the Purchase Price to the Sellers (subject to the terms of sub-paragraph (b) below) by way of the following nine(9) chronological instalments:
 
Instalment
Amount
 
Payment Date
         
 
1st
$2,742,135 (being an amount equal to the first instalment of the Contract Price or, if applicable, the Final Contract Price payable to the Builder under Article X paragraph 2(a) of the Contract, and known as the “ First Instalment ”).
 
Within five (5) Business Days from the date the Buyers confirming receipt of the Refund Guarantee (in form and substance satisfactory to the Buyers)
 
         
 
2nd
$2,742,135(being an amount equal to the second instalment of the Contract Price or, if applicable, Final Contract Price payable to the Builder under Article X paragraph 2(b) of the Contract, and known as the “ Second Instalment ”)
 
 
on the day falling (3) months from the Sellers’ payment of the First Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment as charterers under the Bareboat Charter
 
3rd
$2,742,135(being an amount equal to the third instalment of the Contract Price or, if applicable, Final Contract Price payable to the Builder under Article X paragraph 2(c) of the Contract, and known as the “ Third Instalment ”)
 
on the earlier of (i) the day falling (5) months from the Sellers’ payment of the First Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment as charterers under the Bareboat Charter; and (ii) the Delivery Date
 
 
4th
$2,742,135 (being an amount equal to the  fourth instalment of the Contract Price or,  if applicable, Final Contract Price payable  to the Builder under Article X paragraph
 
on the earlier of (i) the day falling eight (8) months from the Sellers’ payment of the First Pre-delivery
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2(d) of the Contract and known as the “ Fourth Instalment ”)
 
Upfront Charterhire Instalment as charterers under the Bareboat Charter; and (ii) the Delivery Date
         
 
5th
$2,742,135 (being an amount equal to the fifth instalment of the Contract Price or, if applicable, Final Contract Price payable to the Builder under Article X paragraph 2(e) of the Contract and known as the “ Fifth Instalment ”)
 
on the earlier of (i) the day falling eleven (11) months from the Sellers’ payment of the First Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment as charterers under the Bareboat Charter; and (ii) the Delivery Date
         
 
6th
$2,742,135 (being an amount equal to the  sixth instalment of the Contract Price or, if  applicable, Final Contract Price payable to  the Builder under Article X paragraph 2(f) of the Contract and known as the “ Sixth Instalment ”)
 
Within two (2) months of the Delivery Date.
         
 
7th
$5,484,270 (being an amount equal to the  seventh instalment of the Contract Price or, if applicable, Final Contract Price  payable to the Builder under Article X  paragraph 2(g) of the Contract and known as the “ Seventh Instalment ”)
 
Within one (1) month of the Delivery Date.
         
 
8th
$3,000,000 (being an amount equal to the  eighth instalment of the Contract Price or, if applicable, Final Contract Price payable to the Builder under Article X paragraph 2(h) of the Contract and known as the “ Eighth Instalment ”)
 
No later than the day falling (15) days prior to the Delivery Date.
         
 
9th
An amount in Dollars equal to the Final Instalment (being an amount equal to the  last instalment of the Contract Price (disregarding any adjustment pursuant to  the terms of the Contract) payable to the Builder under Article X paragraph 2(i) of  the Contract minus the amount equal to  the Advance Charterhire and is also the “ Final Instalment ” as defined herein)
 
On the Delivery Date.

(b)   The Purchase Price shall be paid as follows:

(i)
with respect to the First Instalment, the Second Instalment, the Third Instalment, the Fourth Instalment and a portion (in an amount equal to the Fifth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment payable by the Sellers as charterers under the Bareboat Charter) of the Fifth Instalment or the Sixth Instalment (whichever payment occurs earlier between these two Instalments) shall be set off, against respectively, against the First Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment, the Second Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment, the Third Pre-delivery
2



Upfront Charterhire Instalment, the Fourth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment and the Fifth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment, each payable by the Sellers as charterers under the Bareboat Charter under the terms of the Bareboat Charter on the relevant Payment Date in respect of such Instalment. As from such set off, the Buyers shall be deemed to have paid such Instalments (or in relation the Fifth Instalment or the Sixth Instalment, whichever payment occurs earlier, a portion of equal to the amount of the Fifth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment) and the Sellers shall be deemed to have paid the amount of the relevant Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment to the Buyers pursuant to the terms of the Bareboat Charter;

(ii)
subject to sub-paragraph (iii) below, with respect to the Fifth Instalment or the Sixth Instalment (whichever payment occurs earlier and netting the portion set-off by the Fifth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment as per sub-paragraph (i) above), the Fifth Instalment or the Sixth Instalment (whichever payment occurs later), the Seventh Instalment and the Eighth Instalment the Buyers may directly pay the amount of such Instalments (or any portion of any such Instalment) to the Builder on the relevant Payment Date in accordance with the requirements set out under Article X paragraph 4(a)(i), of the Contract. The Sellers acknowledge that any such payment (whether in part or in whole) by the Buyers of such Instalment (or any portion of such Instalment) directly to the Builder shall be deemed to satisfy the Buyers’ obligation to pay the same to the Sellers under this Clause 19 ( Payment of Purchase Price by Buyer ); and

(iii)
with respect to the Final Instalment, the Buyers shall remit by telegraphic transfer the amount of the Final Instalment to the Builder’s Bank in accordance with the manner set out under Article X paragraph 4(a)(ii) of the Contract no later than three (3) Business Days prior to the Scheduled Delivery Date (or as otherwise agreed) (the date on which the Buyers remit the Final Instalment, the “ Preposition Date ”) and with the release of the Final Instalment to the Builder governed by the terms of a Conditional Payment Instruction, which shall, inter alia, permit the release of the Final Instalment to the Builder only upon presentation within fifteen 15 banking days (as defined in the Contract) by the Builder of (A) a protocol of acceptance and delivery duly signed by authorised representatives of the Builder and the Sellers; and (B) a protocol of acceptance and delivery duly signed by authorised representatives of the Sellers and the Buyers and (if applicable) the Buyers’ financiers.

provided that in respect of each of sub-paragraphs(iii) and(iii)above, the relevant instalment (or where relevant, portion of) of the Purchase Price shall only be payable by the Buyers if the relevant conditions precedent set out under Clause 20 ( Documentation ) are fulfilled.
Interest on the amount of the Final Instalment prepositioned or paid by the Buyers at the rate of the Overnight USD LIBOR plus three hundred and sixty-five basis points (the “ Remittance Interest ”) shall:

(A)
in the event that the Vessel is delivered to the Buyers on the Delivery Date, accrue as of the Preposition Date until the Delivery Date (both dates inclusive); and

(B)
in the event that the Vessel is not delivered to the Buyers on the Delivery Date, accrue as of the Preposition Date until the amount of the Final Instalment prepositioned or paid by the Buyers is returned by the Sellers’ Bank to the Buyers in accordance with the Conditional Payment Instruction (both dates inclusive).
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The Sellers shall pay to the Buyers the applicable amount of Remittance Interest as notified by the Buyers to the Sellers within three (3) Business Days of the Buyers’ demand.
(c)
Subject to clause 6 of the Pre-delivery Assignment and clauses 33, 40, 48 and 48A of the Bareboat Charter, if a Termination Event or events described in clause 48A.1 or 48A.2 or 48A.3 of the Bareboat Charter occurs prior to Delivery then:

(i)
the Buyers shall immediately be released from all obligations under this Agreement;

(ii)
upon receipt of the Pre-delivery Purchase Price by the Buyers pursuant to the terms of the Bareboat Charter this Agreement shall immediately terminate and be cancelled without the need for the Buyers or the Sellers to take any action whatsoever provided that the Buyers shall be entitled to retain all fees paid by the Sellers under the Leasing Documents and such payment shall not be construed as a penalty but shall represent an agreed estimate of the loss and damage suffered by the Buyers in entering into this Agreement upon the terms and conditions contained herein and shall therefore be paid as compensation to the Buyers; and

(iii)
the Sellers shall be obliged to refund in full to the Buyers, all Instalments paid by the Buyers under this Agreement, as at the date the Termination Event or the relevant event described in Clause 48A.1 or 48A.2 or 48A.3 of the Bareboat Charter (as the case may be) occurs, provided that:

(aa)
such obligation of the Sellers shall be waived by the Buyers only upon full payment of the Pre-delivery Purchase Price by the Sellers (in their capacity as bareboat charterers) to the Buyers (in their capacity as owners) under the Bareboat Charter in accordance with its terms;

(bb)
if the Buyers receive any moneys from the Builder or the Refund Guarantor pursuant to the terms of any Leasing Document, such amount received by the Buyers shall be set off against the Sellers’ obligations to refund the Instalments to the Buyers under this paragraph (iii) and if such moneys received by the Buyers exceed the Pre-delivery Purchase Price, then any excess of such moneys received by the Buyers over the Pre-delivery Purchase Price shall be paid over to the Sellers,
and upon full payment of the Pre-delivery Purchase Price to the Buyers by the Sellers, the Buyers shall, at the request and cost of the Sellers, without representation or warranty, re-assign the Buyer’s rights and interests under the Contract and the Refund Guarantee to the Sellers in accordance with the terms of the Pre-delivery Assignment.
(d)
For the avoidance of doubt, any difference between the Purchase Price and the outstanding Contract Price or, if applicable, Final Contract Price shall be for the account of the Sellers (such difference, the “ Final Outstanding Sellers’ Amount ”).
Clause 20 – Documentation
The Buyers’ obligation to pay each Instalment of the Purchase Price and in respect of remittance of the Final Instalment in accordance with Clause 19(b)(iii) shall be conditional upon:
(a)
the relevant Payment Date falling within the Availability Period;
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(b)
the conditions precedent set out in Schedule 1 Part A being fulfilled to the satisfaction of the Buyers on or prior to the date of this Agreement;
(c)
in respect of the Fifth Instalment (netting the portion set-off by the Fifth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment as per clause 19(b)(i) above), the conditions precedent set out in Schedule 1 Part B being fulfilled to the satisfaction of the Buyers on or prior to the date of the Buyers’ payment of the Fifth Instalment;
(d)
in respect of the Sixth Instalment, the conditions precedent set out in Schedule 1 Part C being fulfilled to the satisfaction of the Buyers on or prior to the date of the Buyers’ payment of the Sixth Instalment;
(e)
in respect of the Seventh Instalment, the conditions precedent set out in Schedule 1 Part D being fulfilled to the satisfaction of the Buyers on or prior to the date of the Buyers’ payment of the Seventh Instalment;
(f)
in respect of the Eighth Instalment, the conditions precedent set out in Schedule 1 Part E being fulfilled to the satisfaction of the Buyers on or prior to the date of the Buyers’ payment of the Eighth Instalment; and
(g)
in respect of the Final Instalment, the conditions precedent set out in Schedule 1 Part F being fulfilled to the satisfaction of the Buyers on or prior to the date of the Buyers’ remittance of the Final Instalment in accordance with Clause 19(b)(iii) or, where indicated in Schedule 1 Part G, will, in the opinion of the Buyers, satisfy on or prior to the Delivery Date.
The conditions precedent specified in this Clause 20 are inserted for the sole benefit of the Buyers and may be waived or deferred in whole or in part and with or without conditions by the Buyers.
Clause 21 – Fees
In consideration of the Buyers entering into this Agreement and the Bareboat Charter, the Sellers shall pay to the Buyers or its nominee the fees in accordance with clause 41 of the Bareboat Charter.
Clause 22 – Physical Presence
If there is any change in the flag state from the Buyers’ Nominated Flag State at the date of this Agreement and such new Buyers’ Nominated Flag State requires the Buyers to have a physical presence or office in the new Buyer’s Nominated Flag State, all fees, costs and expenses arising out of or in connection with the establishment and maintenance of such physical presence or office by the Buyers shall be borne by the Sellers.
Clause 23 – Costs and Expense
(a)
The Sellers shall pay such amounts to the Buyers in respect of all costs, claims, expenses, liabilities, losses and fees (including but not limited to any legal fees, vessel registration and tonnage fees) suffered or incurred by or imposed on the Buyers arising from this Agreement or in connection with the Delivery, registration and purchase of the Vessel by the Buyers whether prior to, during or after termination of this Agreement and whether or not the Vessel is in the possession of or the control of the Sellers or otherwise.
(b)
The Sellers shall indemnify and compensate the Buyers against all costs, claims, expenses, liabilities, losses, damages and fees (including but not limited to any legal fees) arising due to any default, improper behaviour and/or negligence of the Sellers under any Leasing Documents and Shipbuilding Documents.
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(c)
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the indemnities provided by the Sellers shall be provided in favour of the Buyers and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any breach of the terms of this Agreement or termination of this Agreement pursuant to the terms hereof.
Clause 24 – Sanctions
The Sellers represent and warrant to the Buyers, as of the date hereof and at the Delivery Date that:
(a) they

(i)
are not a Restricted Person;

(ii)
are not owned or controlled by or acting directly or indirectly on behalf of or for the benefit of, a Restricted Person;

(iii)
do not own or control a Restricted Person; or

(iv)
do not have a Restricted Person serving as a director, officer or, to the best of their knowledge, employee; and
(b)
no proceeds of the Purchase Price shall be made available, directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of a Restricted Person nor shall they be otherwise directly or indirectly, applied in a manner or for a purpose prohibited by Sanctions.
Clause 25 – Anti-Money Laundering Laws
The Sellers represent and warrant to the Buyers, as of the date hereof and at the Delivery Date that, they are not in breach of any Anti-Money Laundering Laws and the Sellers have, instituted and maintained systems, controls, policies and procedures designed to:
(a)
prevent and detect incidences of bribery and corruption, money laundering and terrorism financing; and
(b)
promote and achieve compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Laws including, but not limited to, ensuring thorough and accurate books and records, and utilization of commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that Affiliates acting on behalf of the Sellers shall act in compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Laws.
Clause 26 – Sellers’ Undertakings
(a)
Subject to the Pre-delivery Assignment, the Sellers shall keep and duly exercise where appropriate in accordance with the Contract the Sellers’ rights as buyer under the Contract in relation to:

(i)
approval of plans and drawings;

(ii)
supervision of the construction of the Vessel; and

(iii)
attendance of the tests and sea trial,
in each case at the Sellers’ costs and expenses.
(b)
Any changes and modifications made or requested by the Sellers as buyer under the Contract in respect of the Vessel shall be made or requested with the prior written
6


consent of the Buyers and such changes and modifications shall be at the Sellers costs (if not already covered under the Purchase Price).
Clause 27 – Governing Law and Enforcement
(a)
This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising under or in connection with it, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law.
(b)
Any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement (including a dispute regarding the existence, validity or termination of this Agreement or any non-contractual obligation arising out of or in connection with this Agreement) (a “ Dispute ”)) shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration in London in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996 or any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof save to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Clause 25. The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (“ LMAA ”) Terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
(c)
The reference shall be to three arbitrators. A party wishing to refer a Dispute to arbitration shall appoint its arbitrator and send notice of such appointment in writing to the other party requiring the other party to appoint its own arbitrator within 14 calendar days of that notice and stating that it will appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator unless the other party appoints its own arbitrator and gives notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified. If the other party does not appoint its own arbitrator and give notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified, the party referring a Dispute to arbitration may, without the requirement of any further prior notice to the other party, appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator and shall advise the other party accordingly. The award of a sole arbitrator shall be binding on both parties as if he had been appointed by agreement. Nothing herein shall prevent the parties agreeing in writing to vary these provisions to provide for the appointment of a sole arbitrator.
(d)
Where the reference is to three arbitrators the procedure for making appointments shall be in accordance with the procedure for full arbitration stated above.
(e)
The language of the arbitration shall be English.
Clause 28 – Incorporation of Specific Provisions
The following provisions of the Pre-delivery Assignment apply to this Agreement as if they were expressly incorporated in this Agreement with any necessary modifications:
clause 15 (Incorporation of Bareboat Charter provisions ); and
clause 19 ( Changes to the Parties ).
Clause 29 - Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Agreement.
Clause 30 - Definitions
Unless otherwise specified hereunder, capitalised terms in this Agreement shall have the same meaning as in the Bareboat Charter and the Contract:
Anti-Money Laundering Laws ” means all applicable financial record-keeping and reporting requirements, anti-money laundering statutes (including all applicable rules and regulations thereunder) and all applicable related or similar laws, rules, regulations or guidelines, of all
7


jurisdictions including and without limitation, the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China (including Hong Kong for the avoidance of doubt) and which in each case are (a) issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency having jurisdiction over the Sellers or the Buyers; (b) of any jurisdiction in which the Sellers or the Buyers conduct business; or (c) to which the Sellers or Buyers are subjected or subject to.
Availability Period ” means the period commencing from the date of this Agreement to the Pre-delivery Maturity Date.
Business Days ” shall have the same meaning given to the term “business days” under the Contract.
Bareboat Charter ” means the bareboat charter in respect of the Vessel dated the date hereof and made between the Buyers as owners and the Sellers as bareboat charterers.
Builder’s Bank ” means Woori Bank Co LTD with registered office at CBS B/D 1 Floor, 917 Mok Dong, YANGCHEON-gu, Seoul 07997, Korea or such other receiving bank of the Builder notified by the Builder to the Sellers under the Contract and by the Sellers to the Buyers under this Agreement.
Cancelling Date ” means the earlier of (a) 19 April 2019 or the date falling 270 days from 19 April 2019; and (b) 1 September 2019 or such other late dater as permitted and agreed by the BP Charterer pursuant to clause 7 of the BP Charter.
Conditional Payment Instruction ” means a payment instruction in the form of a SWIFT MT 199 or such other format agreed between the Builder and the Buyers.
Contract Price ” means the contract price payable by the Sellers to the Builder for the Vessel under the Contract, being $57,842,700.
Delivery ” means the transfer of the legal and beneficial ownership in the Vessel from the Builder to the Sellers pursuant to the terms of the Contract and the transfer of the legal and beneficial ownership in the Vessel from the Sellers to the Buyers pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
Delivery Date ” means the date on which Delivery occurs.
Eighth Instalment ” shall have the meaning as defined under Clause 19(a)(ii) ( Payment of Purchase Price by Buyer ) of this Agreement.
Fifth Instalment ” shall have the meaning as defined under Clause 19(a)(ii) ( Payment of Purchase Price by Buyer ) of this Agreement.
“Final Contract Price” means the contract price payable to the Builder for the Vessel under the Contract as adjusted in accordance with the terms of the Contract (being $57,842,700 as at the date of this Agreement before any such adjustment) as evidenced in the Sellers’ commercial invoice in form and substance satisfactory to the Buyers.
Final Instalment ” means an amount in Dollars equal to the Purchase Price minus the amount of all the other Instalments paid or payable on or prior to the Delivery Date.
Final Outstanding Sellers’ Amount ” shall have the meaning as defined under Clause 19(d) ( Payment of Purchase Price by Buyer ) of this Agreement.
First Instalment ” shall have the meaning as defined under Clause 19(a)(ii)( Payment of Purchase Price by Buyer ) of this Agreement.
Fourth Instalment ” shall have the meaning as defined under Clause 19(a)(ii)( Payment of Purchase Price by Buyer ) of this Agreement.
8


Instalment ” means each or, as the context may require, any of the First Instalment, the Second Instalment, the Third Instalment, the Fourth Instalment, the Fifth Instalment, the Sixth Instalment, the Seventh Instalment, the Eighth Instalment and the Final Instalment and “ Instalments ” means all of them.
Overnight USD LIBOR ” means the London interbank offered rate administered by ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (or any other person which takes over the administration of that rate) for dollars based on a one day maturity rate on the relevant date displayed on page LIBOR 01 of the Thomson Reuters screen (or any replacement Thomson Reuters page which displays that rate) or on the appropriate page of such other information service which publishes that rate from time to time in place of Thomson Reuters, and if such page or service ceases to be available the Buyers may specify another page or service displaying the relevant rate on such day, or if such day is not a Business Day, the Business Day immediately preceding such day (if the rate as determined above is less than zero, the Overnight USD LIBOR shall be deemed to be zero).
Payment Date ” means the due date, in relation to an Instalment, for payment of such Instalment as set out under Article III paragraph 2 of the Contract which, as at the date of this Agreement, correspond to those set out under Clause 19(a)(ii)( Payment of Purchase Price by Buyer ).
Payment Notice ” means a request form to be submitted by the Sellers to the Buyers to request for the Buyers’ payment of an Instalment on the relevant Payment Date, which shall be in the form set out in Schedule 2.
Pre-delivery Maturity Date ” means the earlier of (a) the Delivery Date and (b) the Cancelling Date.
Purchase Price ” means an amount equal to the lower of (a) the Contract Price; (b) the First Market Value; and (c) the Final Contract Price.
Second Instalment ” shall have the meaning as defined under Clause 19(a)(ii)( Payment of Purchase Price by Buyer ) of this Agreement.
Seventh Instalment ” shall have the meaning as defined under Clause 19(a)(ii) ( Payment of Purchase Price by Buyer ) of this Agreement.
Sixth Instalment ” shall have the meaning as defined under Clause 19(a)(ii) ( Payment of Purchase Price by Buyer ) of this Agreement.
Third Instalment ” shall have the meaning as defined under Clause 19(a)(ii) ( Payment of Purchase Price by Buyer ) of this Agreement.
Vessel ” means the 157,000 DWT Class Crude Oil Tanker having Builder’s hull number S875 being constructed by the Builder under the Contract.
9


SCHEDULE 1
PART A
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO SIGNING
1     Corporate Authorisation
1.1
A copy of the constitutional documents and statutory registers of each Relevant Party (other than the Refund Guarantor, the BP Charterer, the Builder and each Approved Manager).
1.2
A copy of the resolutions of the board of directors (or equivalent) of each Relevant Party (other than the Refund Guarantor, the BP Charterer, the Builder and each Approved Manager):
(a)
approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Leasing Documents to which it is a party and resolving that it execute the Leasing Documents to which it is a party;
(b)
authorizing a specified person or persons to execute the Leasing Documents to which it is a party on its behalf; and
(c)
authorizing a specified person or persons, on its behalf, to sign and/or dispatch all documents and notices to be signed and/or dispatched by it under, or in connection with, the Leasing Documents to which it is a party.
1.3
If applicable, an original of the power of attorney of each Relevant Party (other than the Refund Guarantor, the BP Charterer, the Builder and each Approved Manager) authorizing a specified person or persons to execute the Leasing Documents to which it is a party.
1.4
A specimen of the signature of each person authorized by the resolution referred to in paragraph 1.2 above.
1.5
A certificate of a director, officer or secretary (as appropriate) of each Relevant Party (other than the Refund Guarantor, the BP Charterer, the Builder and each Approved Manager) certifying that each copy document relating to it specified in this Schedule 1 Part A is correct, complete and in full force and effect as at a date no earlier than the date of this Agreement.
2     Documents

2.1
A duly executed copy of the Contract together with any amendments thereto .
2.2
Duly executed copies of each Leasing Document (other than the General Assignment, the Quiet Enjoyment Agreement and the Manager’s Undertakings provided that each such Leasing Document shall then be in agreed form) and of each document to be delivered under it and evidence of their delivery within the timing prescribed under it.



10


2.3
A duly executed copy of the BP Charter and any amendments thereto in form and substance satisfactory to the Buyers.
2.4
A copy of any other consents, approvals, authorization or other document, opinion or assurance which the Buyers consider to be reasonably desirable in connection with the entry into and performance of the transactions contemplated by the BP Charter or for the validity and enforceability of the BP Charter.
2.5
Receipt by the Buyers of the Refund Guarantee together with any amendments thereto, each in form and substance satisfactory to the Buyers and not having been revoked or purported to be revoked as of the Payment Date of the First Instalment and having a validity period expiring no earlier than the Cancelling Date.
2.6
Evidence that the Operating Account has been opened .
2.7
Such documentary evidence as the Buyers may reasonably require in relation to the due authorization and execution by the Builder of the Contract and/or by the Refund Guarantor of the Refund Guarantee.


11


PART B
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO PAYMENT OF FIFTH INSTALMENT
1     Corporate Authorisations
A certificate of an authorized signatory of each Relevant Person (other than the Refund Guarantor, the BP Charterer, the Builder and each Approved Manager) certifying that each copy document provided under paragraph 1 of Part A of Schedule 1 (Conditions Precedent to Signing) remains correct, complete and in full force and effect as on the Payment Date of the Fifth Instalment.
  Documents
2.1
A copy certified as true by an officer of the Sellers of the notification from the Builder demanding the payment of the fifth instalment of the Contract Price pursuant to Article X paragraph 3 of the Contract.
3     Receipt of Sellers’ funded portion
In the event where the Fifth Instalment occurs earlier than the Sixth Instalment:
3.1
Evidence satisfactory to the Buyers that the Sellers have paid and the Builder has received an amount equivalent to the sum of the First Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment, the Second Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment, the Third Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment, the Fourth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment and the Fifth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment.
3.2
Evidence satisfactory to the Buyers that any interest accrued from the delayed payment by the Sellers under the Contract have been settled.
4     Payment Notice
Not later than 7 Business Days prior to the Payment Date of the Fifth Instalment, a duly completed Payment Notice submitted by the Sellers to the Buyers requesting payment of the Fifth Instalment.
5     Others
5.1
Evidence satisfactory to the Buyers that there is no default which is continuing and not remedied under the Contract and there has been no default and/or default occurred under the Contract.
5.2
Documentary evidence that the Security Interests intended to be created by each of the Security Documents (other than the General Assignment and the Managers’ Undertakings) have been duly perfected under applicable law.
5.3
The Buyers’ receipt of full payment of (i) the First Instalment Arrangement Fee Amount (if the Fifth Instalment is payable earlier than the Sixth Instalment); and (ii) all accrued Commitment Fee which are outstanding and payable by the Sellers to the Buyers.
5.4
The Buyers being satisfied with the progress of the construction and conditions of the Vessel upon inspection and/or survey of the Vessel.
12


PART C
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO PAYMENT OF SIXTH INSTALMENT
1     Corporate Authorisations
A certificate of an authorized signatory of each Relevant Person (other than the Refund Guarantor, the BP Charterer, the Builder and each Approved Manager) certifying that each copy document provided under paragraph 1 of Part A of Schedule 1 ( Conditions Precedent to Signing ) remains correct, complete and in full force and effect as on the Payment Date of the Sixth Instalment.
2     Documents
2.1
A copy certified as true by an officer of the Sellers of the notification from the Builder demanding the payment of the sixth instalment of the Contract Price pursuant to Article X paragraph 3 of the Contract.
3   Receipt of Sellers’ funded portion

3.1
In the event where the Sixth Instalment occurs earlier than the Fifth Instalment:
(a)
Evidence satisfactory to the Buyers that the Sellers have paid and the Builder has received an amount equivalent to the sum of the First Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment, the Second Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment, the Third Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment, the Fourth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment and the Fifth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment.
(b)
Evidence satisfactory to the Buyers that any interest accrued from the delayed payment by the Sellers under the Contract have been settled.
4   Payment Notice
  Not later than 7 Business Days prior to the Payment Date of the Sixth Instalment, a duly completed Payment Notice submitted by the Sellers to the Buyers requesting payment of the Sixth Instalment.
5   Others
5.1
Evidence satisfactory to the Buyers that there is no default which is continuing and not remedied under the Contract and there has been no default and/or default occurred under the Contract.
5.2
The Buyers’ receipt of full payment of (i) the First Instalment Arrangement Fee Amount (if the Sixth Instalment is payable earlier than the Fifth Instalment); and (ii) all accrued Commitment Fee which is outstanding and payable by the Sellers to the Buyers.
5.3
In the event where the Sixth Instalment occurs earlier than the Fifth Instalment, documentary evidence that the Security Interests intended to be created by each of the Security Documents (other than the General Assignment and the Managers’ Undertakings) have been duly perfected under applicable law.
13









14


PART D
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO PAYMENT OF SEVENTH INSTALMENT
    Corporate Authorisations
A certificate of an authorized signatory of each Relevant Person (other than the Refund Guarantor, the BP Charterer, the Builder and each Approved Manager) certifying that each copy document provided under paragraph 1 of Part A of Schedule 1 (Conditions Precedent to Signing) remains correct, complete and in full force and effect as on the Payment Date of the Seventh Instalment.
2     Documents
A copy certified as true by an officer of the Sellers of the notification from the Builder demanding the payment of the seventh instalment of the Contract Price pursuant to Article X paragraph 3 of the Contract.
3     Payment Notice
Not later than 7 Business Days prior to the Payment Date of the Seventh Instalment, a duly completed Payment Notice submitted by the Sellers to the Buyers requesting payment of the Seventh Instalment.
4     Others
4.1
Evidence satisfactory to the Buyers that there is no default which is continuing and not remedied under the Contract and there has been no default and/or default occurred under the Contract.
4.2
The Buyers’ receipt of full payment of all accrued Commitment Fee which are outstanding and payable by the Sellers to the Buyers.
15


PART E
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO PAYMENT OF EIGHTH INSTALMENT
  Corporate Authorisations
A certificate of an authorized signatory of each Relevant Person (other than the Refund Guarantor, the BP Charterer, the Builder and each Approved Manager) certifying that each copy document provided under paragraph 1 of Part A of Schedule 1 ( Conditions Precedent to Signing ) remains correct, complete and in full force and effect as on the Payment Date of the Eighth Instalment.
  Documents
A copy certified as true by an officer of the Sellers of the notification from the Builder demanding the payment of the eighth instalment of the Contract Price pursuant to Article X paragraph 3 of the Contract.
  Payment Notice
Not later than 7 Business Days prior to the Payment Date of the Eighth Instalment, a duly completed Payment Notice submitted by the Sellers to the Buyers requesting payment of the Eighth Instalment.
  Others
4.1
Evidence satisfactory to the Buyers that there is no default which is continuing and not remedied under the Contract and there has been no default and/or default occurred under the Contract.
4.2
The Buyers’ receipt of full payment of all accrued Commitment Fee which are outstanding and payable by the Sellers to the Buyers.
16


PART F
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO PREPOSITION OF FINAL INSTALMENT
  Corporate Authorisations
A certificate of an authorized signatory of each Relevant Person (other than the Refund Guarantor, the BP Charterer, the Builder and each Approved Manager) certifying that each copy document provided under paragraph 1 of Part A of Schedule 1 ( Conditions Precedent to Signing ) remains correct, complete and in full force and effect as on the Payment Date of the Final Instalment.
2     Documents
2.1
Notices of Delivery issued by the Sellers to the Buyers under Clause 5 of this Agreement .
2.2
A copy certified as true by an officer of the Sellers of the notification from the Builder demanding the payment of the last instalment of the Contract Price (or, if applicable, the Final Contract Price) pursuant to Article X paragraph 3 of the Contract.
2.3
Duly executed but undated copies of the General Assignment, the Quiet Enjoyment Agreement and each Manager’s Undertaking and of each document to be delivered under it within the timing prescribed under it.
3     Payment Notice
Not later than 7 Business Days prior to the Payment Date of the Final Instalment, a duly completed Payment Notice submitted by the Sellers to the Buyers requesting payment of the Final Instalment.
4     Evidence of Sellers’ funded portion
Evidence satisfactory to the Buyers that the Sellers have paid and the Builder has received an amount equivalent to the Final Outstanding Sellers’ Amount and the Advance Charterhire.
5     I nsurances
5.1
A signed opinion from an independent insurance consultant acceptable to the Buyers on such matters relating to the Insurances as the Buyers may require (obtained at the costs of the Sellers).
5.2
Signed insurance policies or documents from the relevant approved brokers, insurance companies and/or underwriters, war risks and protection and indemnity risks associations confirming that as of the Delivery Date the insurances are placed in accordance with the provisions of the Bareboat Charter and all requirements of the Bareboat Charter in respect of Insurances have been complied with.
6     Management of Vessel
A certified true copy of the management agreement(s) of the Vessel appointing the Commercial Manager as commercial manager and the Technical Manager as technical
17


manager and establishing that the Vessel will, as from the Delivery Date, be managed commercially or technically (as the case may be) by such Approved Managers.
7     Valuation of the Vessel
7.1
Valuation reports of the Vessel for determining the First Market Value of the Vessel, provided at the costs of the Sellers and addressed to the Buyers and dated not earlier than fifteen (15) days before the Scheduled Delivery Date.
7.2
A survey report in form and substance satisfactory to the Buyers (in its sole discretion) (including without limitation the quality and physical conditions of the Vessel) of the Vessel by the surveyor appointed by the Buyers and at the Sellers’ costs.
8     Vessel Documents
8.1
A copy of the valid and current Document of Compliance in respect of the Approved Manager.
8.2
A copy of the valid and current Document of Compliance for the Carriage of Dangerous Goods in respect of the Vessel (if required by the Buyers).
8.3
A copy of the Declaration of Designated Person form under the ISM Code of the Approved Manager in respect of the Vessel.
9     Others
9.1
Evidence satisfactory to the Buyers that there is no default which is continuing and not remedied under the Contract and there has been no default and/or default occurred under the Contract.
9.2
The Buyers’ receipt of full payment of all accrued Commitment Fee which is outstanding and payable by the Sellers to the Buyers and the full Arrangement Fee Amount.
9.3
Documents setting out the Specification (as defined under Article I of the Contract)] of the Vessel.
9.4
Any additional documents as may reasonably be required by the competent authorities of the Buyers’ Nominated Flag State for the purpose of the Buyers’ registration of the Vessel.
9.5
Copies of the Original Financial Statements certified true by an officer of the Sellers and the Guarantor respectively.
9.6
Evidence that all Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire, fees, costs and expenses outstanding and payable from the Sellers to the Buyers pursuant to Clause 41 ( Fees and Expenses ) of the Bareboat Charter have been paid in full.
9.7
Such evidence relating to a Relevant Person as the Buyers may require for their (or their financiers) to be able to satisfy each of their “know your customer” or similar identification procedures in relation to the transactions contemplated by the Pertinent Documents.
18


9.8
A copy of any other consents, approvals, authorization or other document, opinion or assurance which the Buyers consider to be reasonably desirable in connection with the entry into and performance of the transactions contemplated by any of the Leasing Documents and the BP Charter or for the validity and enforceability of such document.
9.9
The Owners being satisfied that all conditions precedent for delivery of the Vessel to the BP Charterer under the BP Charter has been or will be satisfied upon the Delivery Date and that the Vessel shall be delivered to the BP Charterer under the BP Charter on the Delivery Date.
9.10
Such other documents as the Buyers may reasonably require by giving the Sellers not less than three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice.
9.11
The Buyers’ being satisfied that the conditions precedent set out in Part A of Schedule 2 to the Bareboat Charter, have been, or will capable of being, satisfied on the Delivery Date.
10     Legal opinions
10.1
An unsigned legal opinion of Watson Farley & Williams, legal advisers to the Buyers on such matters on the laws of England and Hong Kong as may be satisfactory to the Buyers.
10.2
An unsigned legal opinions by lawyers appointed by the Buyers on such matters on the laws of the Netherlands and the Marshal Islands and any other relevant jurisdictions as may be satisfactory to the Buyers.
19


SCHEDULE 2
FORM OF PAYMENT NOTICE
To:
Sea 104 Leasing Co. Limited

Date:
[ ]

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT DATED [ ] (the “Memorandum of Agreement”)
in relation to the vessel with hull no. S874 (the “Vessel”)

We refer to the Memorandum of Agreement made between us in relation to the Vessel.
This is the Payment Notice relating to the [ ] instalment of the Purchase Price, as defined as the [Fifth][Sixth][Seventh][Eighth][Final] Instalment under the Memorandum of Agreement.
Capitalised terms in this Payment Notice have the meanings set out in the Memorandum of Agreement unless otherwise defined herein.
We hereby request that an Instalment of the Purchase Price in an amount of $[ ] be paid on [ insert date ] by remitting such amount directly to the Builder (account number [ ] and such payment shall be deemed satisfaction of your obligation to make a payment of a corresponding amount to us under the Memorandum of Agreement).
We confirm that this payment corresponds with and satisfies our payment obligations in respect of the [fifth (to the extent the Builder has already received the remaining portion directly from us)/sixth/seventh/eighth/final (to the extent the Builder has already received such amount directly from us)] Instalment(s) due and payable under the Contract.
The Contract remains in full force and effect and neither we nor the Builder is in breach of any of the terms of the Contract.
Yours faithfully,

________________________
Name:
Title: for and on behalf of
Malibu Warrior Inc.
Dated:
20

EXECUTION PAGE


SELLERS
       

SIGNED
)
/s/ Andreas Louka  
By Andreas Louka
)
   
As an attorney-in-fact
)
   
for and on behalf of
)
   
MALIBU WARRIOR INC.
)
   
in the presence of:
)

 
  )
   
Witness' signature:
)
/s/ Alexandros Tsirikos
 
Witness' name:
)
Alexandros Tsirikos
 
Witness address:
)
12 N. Perizsi St, Athens, Greece
 


BUYERS

SIGNED
)

 
by ___________________

/s/ ________________
 
as an attorney-in-fact
)
   
for and on behalf of
)
   
SEA 104 LEASING CO., LIMITED
)
   
in the presence of:
)

 
  )
   
Witness' signature:
)
/s/ Wang Wei
 
Witness' name:
)
Wang Wei
 
Witness address:
)
22F, China Mercahnts Bank Building, NO. 1088
Lujiazui Ring Road, Shanghai, China
 









21

Exhibit 4.91

1. Shipbroker
N/A
 
BIMCO STANDARD BAREBOAT CHARTER
CODE NAME: "BARECON 2001"
PART I
2. Place and date
 
3 December 2018
3. Owners/Place of business ( Cl. 1 )
Sea 104 Leasing Co. Limited / 46/F., Champion Tower, 3 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong
 
 
4. Bareboat Charterer/Place of Business ( Cl. 1 )
Malibu Warrior Inc. / Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960
5. Vessel’s name, call sign and flag ( Cl. 1 and 3 )
ECO BEVERLY HILLS with Builder’s Hull No.: S875, TBA, Marshall Island or any other approved flag
6. Type of Vessel
Crude Oil Carrier
7. GT/NT
TBA
8. When/Where built
2019 / Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
9. Total DWT (abt.) in metric tons on summer freeboard
157,000
10. Classification Society ( Cl. 3 )
DNV-GL or any other Classification Society approved by the Owners
11. Date of last special survey by the Vessel’s classification society
N/A
12. Further particulars of Vessel (also indicate minimum number of months’ validity of class certificates agreed acc. to Cl. 3 )
Builder’s Hull No.: S875
13. Port or Place of delivery ( Cl. 3 )
Builder’s Shipyard in South Korea
14. Time for delivery ( Cl. 4 )
See Clause 34
15. Cancelling date ( Cl. 5 )
As defined in this Charter
16. Port or Place of redelivery ( Cl. 15 )
See Clause 40.6
17. No. of months’ validity of trading and class certificates upon   redelivery ( Cl. 15 )
Six (6) months
18. Running days’ notice if other than stated in Cl. 4
N/A
19. Frequency of dry-docking ( Cl. 10(g) )
In accordance with Classification Society or flag state requirements
20. Trading Limits ( Cl. 6 )
Worldwide within International Navigation Limits, please also see Clauses 45.1(q), 45.1(r) and 45.1(s)
21. Charter period ( Cl. 2 )
See Clause 32
22. Charter hire ( Cl. 11 )
See Clauses 36
23. New class and other safety requirements (state percentage of Vessel’s insurance value acc. to Box 29 )( Cl. 10(a)(ii) )
N/A
24. Rate of interest payable acc. to Cl. 11(f) and, if applicable, acc. to PART IV
See Clause 36 and definition of “Quarter Charterhire”
25. Currency and method of payment ( Cl. 11 )
USD/Bank Transfer

This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.

“BARECON 2001” STANDARD BAREBOAT CHARTER
PART I
26. Place of payment; also state beneficiary and bank account (Cl. 11)
Such accounts as the Owners may notify the Charterers from time to time
27. Bank guarantee/bond (sum and place)( Cl. 24 )(optional)
See Clause 24
28. Mortgage(s), if any (state whether 12(a) or (b) applies; if 12(b) applies state date of Financial Instrument and name of Mortgagee(s)/Place of business)( Cl. 12 )
See Clause 62.(3), Clause 12 does not apply
29. Insurance (hull and machinery and war risks)(state value acc. to Cl. 13(f) or, if applicable, acc. to Cl. 14(k) )(also state if Cl. 14 applies)
See Clause 38-Clause 14 does not apply
 
30. Additional insurance cover, if any, for Owners’ account limited to ( Cl. 13(b) or, if applicable, Cl. 14(g) )
N/A
31. Additional insurance cover, if any, for Charterers’ account limited to ( Cl. 13(b) or, if applicable, Cl. 14(g) )
See Clause 38
 
32. Latent defects (only to be filled in if period other than stated in Cl. 3 )
N/A
33. Brokerage commission and to whom payable ( Cl. 27 )
N/A
34. Grace period (state number of clear banking dates)( Cl. 28 )
N/A
35. Dispute Resolution (state 30(a) , 30(b) or 30(c) ; if 30(c) agreed Place of Arbitration must be stated ( Cl. 30 )
See Clause 63
36. War cancellation (indicate countries agreed)( Cl. 26(f) )
N/A
37. Newbuilding Vessel (indicate with ”yes” or “no” whether PART III applies)(optional)
No, Part III does not apply
38. Name and place of Builders (only to be filled in if PART III applies)
No, Part III does not apply
39. Vessel’s Yard Building No. (only to be filled in if PART III applies)
N/A
40. Date of Building Contract (only to be filled in if PART III applies)
No, Part III does not apply
41. Liquidated damages and costs shall accrue to (state party acc. to Cl. 1 )
a) N/A
b) N/A
c) N/A
42. Hire/Purchase agreement (indicate with “yes” or “no” whether PART IV applies)(optional)
No, Part IV does not apply
43. Bareboat Charter Registry (indicate “yes” or “no” whether PART V applies)(optional)
No, Part V does not apply
44. Flag and Country of the Bareboat Charter Registry (only to be filled in if PART V applies)
No, Part V does not apply
45. Country of the Underlying Registry (only to be filled in if PART V applies)
No, Part V does not apply
46. Number of additional clauses covering special provisions, if agreed
Clause 32 to Clause 64
 
PREAMBLE - It is mutually agreed that this Contract shall be performed subject to the conditions contained in this Charter which shall Include PART I
and PART II . In the event of a conflict of conditions, the provisions of PART I shall prevail over those of PART II to the extent of such conflict but no further. It Is further mutually agreed that PART III and/or PART IV and/or PART V shall only apply and only form part of this Charter If expressly agreed and stated in Boxes 37 , 42 and 43 . If PART III and/or PART IV and/or PART V apply, it Is further agreed that In the event of a conflict of conditions,
the provisions of PART l and PART II shall prevail over those of PART III and/or PART IV and/or PART V to the extent of such conflict but no further.
 
Signature (Owners)
For and on behalf of
Sea 104 Leasing Co. Limited
/s/ __________________
Name: _______________
Title: Attorney-in-fact
Signature (Charterers)
For and on behalf of
Malibu Warrior Inc.
/s/ Andreas M. Louka
Name: Andreas M. Louka
Title: Attorney-in-fact

This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


PART II
“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
1.
Definitions
In this Charter, the following terms shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them:
The Owners " shall mean the party identified in Box 3 ;
The Charterers " shall mean the party identified in Box 4 ;
The Vessel ” shall mean the vessel named in Box 5 and with particulars as stated in Boxes 6 to 12 .
Financial Instrument means the mortgage, deed covenant or other such financial security instrument as annexed to this Charter and stated in Box 28 . has the meaning ascribed to such term in Clause 64.
2.
Charter Period
In consideration of the hire detailed in Box 22 , the Owners have agreed to let and the Charterers have agreed to hire the Vessel for the period stated in Box 21   (“The Charter Period”) See also Clause 32
3.
Delivery
(not applicable when Part III applies, as indicated in Box 37 )
(a)     The Owners shall before and at the time of delivery exercise due diligence to make the Vessel seaworthy
And in every respect ready-in-hull, machinery and equipment for service under this Charter.
The vessel shall be delivered by the Owners and taken over by the Charterers at the port or place indicated in Box 13 . in such ready safe berth as the Charterers may direct.
(b)     The Vessel shall be properly documented on delivery in accordance with the laws of the flag State indicated in Box 5 and the requirements of the classification society stated in Box 10 The Vessel upon delivery shall have her survey cycles up to date and trading and class certificates valid for at least the number of months agreed in Box 12 .
(c)     The delivery of the Vessel by the Owners and the taking over of the Vessel by the Charterers shall constitute a full performance by the Owners of all the Owners’ obligations under this Clause 3 , and thereafter the Charterers shall not be entitled to make or assert any claim against the Owners on account of any conditions, representations or warranties expressed or implied with respect to the Vessel but the Owners shall be liable for the cost of but not the time for repairs or renewals occasioned by the latent defects in the Vessel, her machinery or appurtenances, existing at the time of delivery under this Charter, provided such defects have manifested themselves within twelve (12) months after delivery unless otherwise provided in Box 32 .
4.
Time for Delivery (See Clauses 32 and 34)
( not applicable when Part III applies, as indicated in Box 37 )
The Vessel shall not be delivered before the date indicated in Box 14 without the Charterers’ consent and the Owners shall exercise due diligence to deliver the Vessel not later than the date indicated in Box 15 .  Unless otherwise agreed in Box 18 , the Owners shall give the Charterers not less than thirty (30) running days’ preliminary and not less than fourteen (14) running days’ definite notice of the date on which the Vessel is expected to be ready for delivery.
The Owners shall keep the Charterers closely advised of possible changes in the Vessel’s position.
5.
Cancelling  (See Clause 33)
(not applicable when Part III applies, as indicated in Box 37 )
(a)     Should the Vessel not be delivered latest by the cancelling date indicated in Box 15, the Charterers shall have the option of cancelling this Charter by giving the Owners notice of cancellation within thirty-six (36) running hours after the cancelling date stated in Box 15, failing which this Charter shall remain in full force and effect.
(b)     If it appears that the Vessel will be delayed beyond the cancelling date, the Owners may, as soon as they are in a position to state with reasonably certainty the day on which the Vessel should be ready, give notice thereof to the Charterers asking whether they will exercise their option of cancelling, and the option must then be declared within one hundred and sixty-eight(168) running hours of the receipt by the Charterers of such notice or within thirty-six (36) running hours after the cancelling date, whichever is the earlier.  If the Charterers do not then exercise their option of cancelling, the seventh day after the readiness date stated in the Owners’ notice shall be substituted for the cancelling date indicated in Box 15 for the purpose of this Clause 5 .
(c)     Cancellation under this Clause 5 shall be without prejudice to any claim the Charterers may otherwise have on the Owners under this Charter.
6.
Trading Restrictions  (See also Clauses 45.1(q), 45.1(r), 45.1(s))
The Vessel shall be employed in lawful trades for the carriage of suitable lawful merchandise within the trading limits indicated in Box 20 .
The Charterers undertake not to employ the Vessel or suffer the Vessel to be employed otherwise than in conformity with the terms of the contracts of insurance (including any warranties expressed or implied therein) without first obtaining the consent of the insurers to such employment and complying with such requirements as the extra premium or otherwise as the insurers may prescribe.
The Charterers also undertake not to employ the Vessel or suffer her employment in any trade or business which is forbidden by the law of any country to which the Vessel may sail or is otherwise illicit or in carrying illicit or prohibited goods or in any manner whatsoever which may render her liable to condemnation, destruction, seizure or confiscation.
Notwithstanding any other provisions contained in this Charter it is agreed that nuclear fuels or radioactive products or waste are specifically excluded from the cargo permitted to be loaded or carried under this Charter.  This exclusion does not apply to radio-isotopes used or intended to be used for any industrial, commercial, agricultural, medical or scientific purposes provided the Owners' prior approval has been obtained to loading thereof.
7.
Surveys on Delivery and Redelivery
(not applicable when Part III applies, as indicated in Box 37 )
Provisions on delivery see Clause 46.2.
The Owners and Charterers shall each appoint surveyors for the purpose of determining and agreeing in writing the condition of the Vessel at the time of delivery and redelivery pursuant to Clause 40.6 hereunder at the costs of the Charteres The Owners shall bear all expenses of the On-hire Survey including loss of time, if any, and of the Off-hire Survey including loss of time, if any, at the daily equivalent to the rate of hire or pro rate thereof.
8.
Inspection  (See Clause 46)
The Owners shall have the right at any time after giving reasonable notice to the Charterers to inspect or survey the Vessel or instruct a duly authorised surveyor to carry out such survey on their behalf:-
(a)      to ascertain the condition of the Vessel and satisfy themselves that the Vessel is being properly repaired and maintained.  The costs and fees for such inspection or survey shall be paid by the Owners unless the Vessel is found to require repairs or maintenance in order to achieve the condition so provided;
(b)      in dry-dock if the Charterers have not dry-docked Her in accordance with Clause 10(g) .  The costs and fees for such inspection or survey shall be paid by the Charterers; and
(c)      for any other commercial reason they consider necessary (provided it does not unduly interfere with the commercial operation of the Vessel).  The costs and


This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.

PART II
“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
fees for such inspection and survey shall be paid by the Owners.
All time used in respect of inspection, survey or repairs shall be for the Charterers account and form part of the Charter Period.
The Charterers shall also permit the Owners to inspect the Vessel’s log books whenever requested and shall whenever required by the Owners furnish them with full information regarding any casualties or other accident or damage to the Vessel.
9.
Inventories, Oil and Stores See also Clause 34.7
A complete inventory of the Vessel’s entire equipment, outfit including spare parts, appliances and of all consumables stores on board the Vessel shall be made by the Charterers in conjunction with the Owners on delivery and again on redelivery of the Vessel.  The Charterers and the Owners, respectively, shall at the time of delivery and redelivery take over and pay for all bunkers, lubricating oil, unbreached provisions, paints, ropes and other consumable stores (excluding spare parts) in the said Vessel at the then current market prices at the ports of delivery and redelivery, respectively.  The Charterers shall ensure that all spare part listed in the inventory and used during the Charter Period are replaced at their expense prior to redelivery of the Vessel.
10.
Maintenance and Operation
(a)(i) Maintenance and Repairs - During the Charter Period the Vessel shall be in the full possession and at the absolute disposal for all purposes of the Charterers and under their complete control in every respect.  The Charterers shall maintain the Vessel, her machinery, boilers, appurtenances and spare parts in a good state of repair, in efficient operating condition and in accordance with good commercial maintenance practice and, except as provided for in Clause 14(I) , if applicable, at their own expense they shall at all times keep the Vessel’s Class fully up to date with the Classification Society indicated in Box 10 and maintain all other necessary certificates in force at all times.

(ii)
New Class and Other Safety Requirements - In the event of any improvement, structural changes or new equipment becoming necessary for the continued operation of the Vessel by reason of new class requirements or by compulsory legislation the Charterers shall ensure that the same are complied with and the time and costs of compliance shall be for the Charterers’ account. costing (excluding the Charterers’ loss of time) more than the percentage stated in Box 23 , or if Box 23 is left blank, 5 percent of the Vessel’s insurance value as stated in Box 29 , then the extent, if any, to which the rate of hire shall be varied and the ration in which the cost of compliance shall be shared between the parties concerned in order to achieve a reasonable distribution thereof as between the Owners and the Charterers having regard, inter alia, to the length of the period remaining under this Charter shall, in the absence of agreement, be referred to the dispute resolution method agreed in Clause 30 .

(iii)
Financial Security - The Charterers shall maintain financial security or responsibility in respect of third party liabilities as required by any government, including federal, state or municipal or other division or authority thereof, to enable the Vessel, without penalty or charge, lawfully to enter, remain at, or leave any port, place, territorial or contiguous waters of any country, state or municipality in performance of this Charter without any delay.  This obligation shall apply whether or not such requirements have been lawfully imposed by such government or division or authority thereof.
The Charterers shall make and maintain all arrangements by bond or otherwise as may be necessary to satisfy such requirements at the Charterers’ sole expense and the Charterers shall indemnify the Owners against all consequences whatsoever (including loss of time) for any failure or inability to do so.
(b)      Operation of the Vessel - The Charterers shall at their own expense and by their own procurement man, victual, navigate, operate, supply, fuel and, whenever required, repair the Vessel during the Charter Period and they shall pay all charges and expenses of every kind and nature whatsoever incidental to their use and operation of the vessel under this Charter, including annual F f lag State fees and any foreign general municipality and/or state taxes.  The Master, officers and his crew of the Vessel shall be the servants of the Charterers for all purposes whatsoever, even if for any reason appointed by the Owners.
Charterers shall comply with the regulations regarding officers and crew in force in the country of the Vessel’s flag or any other applicable law.
(c)      The Charterers shall keep the Owners and the mortgagee(s) advised of the intended employment, planned dry docking and major repairs of the Vessel, as reasonably required.
(d)      Flag and Name of Vessel - During the Charter Period, the Charterers shall have the liberty to paint the Vessel in their own colours, install and display their funnel insignia and fly their own house flag (with all fees, costs and expenses arising in relation thereto for the Charterers account) .  The Charterers shall also have the liberty, with the Owners’ consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, to change the flag (with all fees, costs and expenses arising in relation thereto for the Charterers account) a nd/or with the Owners' consent the name of Vessel during the Charter Period (with all fees, costs and expenses arising in relation thereto for the Charterers' account) . Painting and re-painting, instalment and re-instalment, registration (including maintenance and renewal thereof) and re-registration , if required by the Owners, shall be at the Charterers’ expense and time.  If the Flag State requires the Owners to establish a physical presence or office in the jurisdiction of such Flag State, all fees, costs and expenses payable by the Owners to establish and maintain such physical presence or office shall be for the account of the Charterers.
(e)      Changes to the Vessel - Subject to clause 10(a)(ii), the Charterers shall make no structural changes in the Vessel or changes in the machinery, boilers, appurtenances or spare parts thereof without in each instance first securing the Owners’ approval thereof.  If the Owners so agree, the Charterers shall, if the Owners so require, restore the Vessel to its former condition before the termination of this Charter .
(f)      Use of the Vessel’s Outfit, Equipment and Appliances – The Charterers shall have the use of all outfit, equipment, and appliances on board the Vessel at the time of delivery, provided the same or their substantial equivalent shall be returned to the Owners on redelivery in the same good order and condition as when received, ordinary wear and tear expected.  The Charterers shall from time to time during the Charter Period replace such items of equipment as shall be so damaged or worn as to be unfit for use.  The Charterers are to procure that all repairs to or replacement of any damaged, worn or lost parts or equipment be effected in such manner (both as regards workmanship and quality of materials) as not to diminish the value of the Vessel.  Title of equipment so replaced shall remain with the Owners.  The Charterers have the right to fit additional

This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.

equipment at their expense and risk (provided that no permanent structural damage is caused to the Vessel by reason of such installation) and   but the Charterers shall , at their expense, remove such equipment and make good any damage caused by the fitting or removal of such additional equipment before the Vessel is redelivered to the Owners at the end of the period if requested by the Owners .  Any equipment including radio equipment on hire on the Vessel at time of delivery shall be kept and maintained by the Charterers and the Charterers shall assume the obligations and liabilities of the Owners under any lease contracts in connection therewith and shall reimburse the Owners for all expenses incurred in connection therewith, also for any new equipment required in order to comply with radio regulations.
(g)      Periodical Dry-Docking – The Charterers shall dry-dock the Vessel and clean and paint her underwater parts whenever the same may be necessary, but not less than once during the period stated in Box 19 .   or, if Box 19 has been left blank, every sixty (60) calendar months after delivery or such other period as may be required by the Classification Society or Flag State.
11.
Hire (See Clause 36)
(a)     The Charterers shall pay hire due to the Owners punctuality in accordance with the terms of this Charter in respect of which time shall be of the essence.
(b)     The Charterers shall pay to the Owners for the hire of the Vessel a lump sum in the amount indicated in Box 22 which shall be payable no later than every thirty (30) running days in advance, the first lump sum being payable on the date and hour of the Vessel’s delivery to the Charterers.  Hire shall be paid continuously throughout the Charter Period.
( c)     Payments of hire shall be made in cash without discount in the currency and in the manner indicated in Box 25 and at the place mentioned in Box 26 .
(d)     Final payment of hire, if for a period less than thirty (30) running days, shall be calculated proportionally according to the number of days and hours remaining before redelivery and advance payment to be affected accordingly.
(e)     Should the Vessel be lost or missing, hire shall cease from the date and time when she was lost or last heard of.  The date upon which the Vessel is to be treated as lost or missing shall be ten (10) days after the Vessel was last reported or when the Vessel is posted as missing by Lloyd’s, whichever occurs first.  Any hire paid in advance to be adjusted accordingly.
(f)     Any delay in payment of higher shall entitle the Owners to interest at the rate per annum as agreed in Box 24 .  If Box 24 has not been filled in, the three months Interbank offered rate in London (LIBOR or is successor) for the currency stated in Box 25 , as quoted by the British Bankers’ Association (BBA) on the date when the hire fell due, increased by 2 perc., shall apply.
(g)     Payments of interest do under subclause 11(f) shall be made within seven (7) running days of the date of the Owners invoice specifying the amount payable or, in the absence of an invoice, at the time of the next hire payment date.
12.
Mortgage See Clause 62.3
(only to apply if Box 28 has been appropriately filled in)
*)
(a)     The Owners warrant that they have not effected any mortgage(s) of the Vessel and that they shall not effect any mortgage(s) without the prior consent of the Charterers, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
*)
(b)     The Vessel chartered under this Charter is financed by a mortgage according to the Financial Instrument.  The Charterers undertake to comply, and provide such information and documents to enable the Owners to comply, with all such instructions or directions in regard to the employment, insurances, operation, repairs and maintenance of the Vessel as laid down in the Financial Instrument or as may be directed from time to time during the currency of the Charter by the mortgagee(s) in conformity with the Financial Instrument.  The Charterers confirm that, for this purpose, they have acquainted themselves with all relevant terms, conditions and provisions of the Financial Instrument and agree to acknowledge this in writing in any form that may be required by the mortgagee(s).  The Owners warrant that they have not effected any mortgage(s) other than stated in Box 28 . and that they shall not agree to any amendment of the mortgage(s) referred to in Box 26 or effect any other mortgage(s) without the prior consent of the Charterers, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
*)
(Optional, Clauses 12(a) and 12(b) are alternatives; indicate alternative agreed in Box 28 )
13.
Insurance and Repairs (See also Clause 38)
(a)      Subject to Clause 38, During during the Charter Period the Vessel shall be kept insured by the Charterers at their expense   against hull and machinery, marine and war (including blocking and trapping) and Protection and Indemnity risks and freight, demurrage and defence risks (and any risks against which it is compulsory to insure for the operation of the Vessel, including but not limited to maintaining financial security in accordance with sub clause 10(a)(iii)) in such form as the Owners shall in writing approve, which approval shall not be un-reasonably withheld.  During the Charter Period the Charterers shall procure (at Charterers’ expense) that there are in place innocent Owners’ interest insurance, lessor’s additional perils (pollution) insurance and if applicable Mortgagees’ interest insurance and Mortgagees’ additional perils (pollution) insurance for an amount equal to at least one hundred and twenty percent. (120%) of the then Early Prepayment Sum and shall procure (at Charterers’ expense) that there are in place the lessor contingent liability insurance for an amount no less than $500,000,000 and in the name of the Owners.  Such insurances shall be arranged by the Charterers to protect the interests of both the Owners and the Charterers and the mortgagee(s) (if any), and The Charterers shall be at liberty to protect under such insurances the interests of any managers they may appoint .  Insurance policies shall cover the Owners , and the Charterers and the Mortgagees (if any) according to their respective interests.  Subject to the provisions of the Financial Instrument if any the agreed loss payable clauses,   the Financial Instrument, if any , and the approval of the Owners and the insurers, the Charterers shall effect all insured repairs and shall undertake settlement and reimbursement from the insurers of all costs in connection with such repairs as well as insured charges, expenses and liabilities to the extent of coverage under the insurances herein provided for.
The Charterers also to remain responsible for and to effect repairs and settlement of costs and expenses incurred thereby in respect of all other repairs not covered by the insurances and/or not exceeding any possible franchise(s) or deductibles provided for in the insurance.
All time used for repairs under the provisions of sub- clause 13(a) and for repairs of latent defects according to Clause 3(c) above, including any deviation, shall be the Charterers’ account.
(b)      If the conditions of the above insurances permit additional insurance to be placed by the parties, such cover shall be limited to the amount for each party set


This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.

PART II
“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
out in Box 30 and Box 31 , respectively.   The Owners or the Charterers as the case may be shall immediately furnish the other party with particulars of any additional insurance effected, including copies of any cover notes or policies and the written consent of the insurers of any such required insurance in any case where the consent of such insurers are necessary. The Charterers hereby undertake that any additional insurances that they arrange now or in the future will always be compliant with the terms of the underlying hull and machinery policies.
(c)      The Charterers shall upon the request of the Owners, provide information and promptly execute such documents as may be required to enable the Owners to comply with the insurance provisions of the each Financial Instrument (if any) .
(d)      Subject to the provisions of the Financial Instrument s , if any , and Clauses 38 and 40 should the Vessel become   an actual, constructive, compromised or agreed total   Total loss Loss under the insurances required under sub-clause 13(a) , all insurance payments for such loss shall be paid to the Owners (or if applicable, their financiers) in accordance with the agreed loss payable clauses who shall distribute the moneys between the Owners and the Charterers according to their respective interests .The Charterers undertake to notify the Owners and the mortgagee(s), if any, of any occurrences in consequence of which the Vessel is likely to become a total Total   loss Loss as defined in this Clause .
(e)      The Owners shall upon the request of the Charterers, promptly execute such documents as may be required to enable the Charterers to abandon the Vessel to insurers and claim a constructive total loss.
(f)      For the purpose of insurance coverage against hull and machinery and war risks under the provisions of sub-clause 13(a) , the value of the Vessel is the sum indicated in Box 29 . Clause 38.
14.
Insurance, Repairs and Classification – intentionally omitted
(Optional, only to apply if expressly agreed and stated in Box 29 , in which event Clause 13 shall be considered deleted).
(a)     During the Charter Period the Vessel shall be kept insured by the Owners at their expense against hull and machinery and war risks under the form of policy or policies attached hereto.  The Owners and/or insurers shall not have any right of recovery or subrogation against the Charterers on account of loss of or any damage to the Vessel or her machinery or appurtenances covered by such insurance, or on account of payments made to discharge claims against or liabilities of the Vessel or the Owners covered by such insurance. Insurance policies shall cover the Owners and the Charterers according to their respective interests.
(b)      During the Charter Period the Vessel shall be kept insured by the Charterers at their expense against Protection and Indemnity risks (and any risks against which it is compulsory to insure for the operation of the Vessel, including maintaining financial security in accordance with sub-clause 10(a)(iii) ) in such form as the Owners shall in writing approve which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(c)    In the event that any act or negligence of the Charterers shall vitiate any of the insurance herein provided, the Charterers shall pay to the Owners all losses and indemnify the Owners against all claims and demands which would otherwise have been covered by such insurance.
(d)      The Charterers shall, subject to the approval of the Owners or Owners' Underwriters, effect all insured repairs, and the Charterers shall undertake settlement of all miscellaneous expenses in connection with such repairs as well as all insured charges, expenses and liabilities to the extent of coverage under the insurances provided for under the provisions of sub-clause 14(a) .  The Charterers to be secured reimbursement through the Owners' Underwriters for such expenditures upon presentation of accounts.
(e)      The Charterers to remain responsible for and to effect repairs and settlement of costs and expenses incurred thereby in respect of all other repairs not covered by the insurances and/or not exceeding any possible franchise(s) or deductibles provided for in the insurances.
(f)      All time used for repairs under the provisions of sub-clauses 14(d) and 14(e) and for repairs of latent defects according to Clause 3 above, including any deviation, shall be for the Charterers' account and shall form part of the Charter Period.
The Owners shall not be responsible for any expenses  as are incident to the use and operation of the Vessel for such time as may be required to make such repairs.
(g)    If the conditions of the above insurances permit additional insurance to be placed by the parties such cover shall be limited to the amount for each party set out in Box 30 and Box 31 , respectively.  The Owners or the Charterers as the case may be shall immediately furnish the other party with particulars of any additional insurance effected, including copies of any cover notes or policies and the written consent of the insurers of any such required insurance in any case where the consent of such insurers is necessary.
(h)      Should the Vessel become an actual, constructive, compromised or agreed total loss under the insurances required under sub-clause 14(a), all insurance payments for such loss shall be paid to the Owners, who shall distribute the moneys between themselves and the Charterers according to their respective interests.
(i)      If the Vessel becomes an actual, constructive,  compromised or agreed total loss under the insurances arranged by the Owners in accordance with sub-clause 14(a), this Charter shall terminate as of the date of such loss.
(j)      The Charterers shall upon the request of the Owners, promptly execute such documents as may be required to enable the Owners to abandon the Vessel to the insurers and claim a constructive total loss.
(k)      For the purpose of insurance coverage against hull and machinery and war risks under the provisions of sub-clause 14(a) , the value of the Vessel is the sum indicated in Box 29 .
(I)      Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-clause 10(a), it is agreed that under the provisions of Clause 14, if applicable, the Owners shall keep the Vessel's Class fully up to date with the Classification Society indicated in Box 10 and maintain all other necessary certificates in force at all times.
15.
Redelivery See also Clause 40
At the expiration of the Charter Period the Vessel shall be redelivered by the Charterers to the Owners at a safe and ice-free port or place as indicated in Box 16 , in such ready safe berth as the Owners may direct.  The Charterers shall give the Owners not less than thirty (30) running days' preliminary notice of expected date, range of ports of redelivery or port or place of redelivery and not less than fourteen (14) running days' definite notice of expected date and port or place of redelivery.  Any changes thereafter in the Vessel's position shall be notified immediately to the Owners.
The Charterers warrant that they will not permit the Vessel to commence a voyage (including any preceding ballast voyage) which cannot reasonably be expected to be completed in time to allow redelivery of the Vessel within the Charter Period.  Notwithstanding the above,



This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.

PART II
“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
should the Charterers fail to redeliver the Vessel within   the Charter Period, the Charterers shall pay the daily equivalent to the rate of hire stated in Box 22 plus 10 per cent. or to the market rate, whichever is the higher, for the number of days by which the Charter Period is exceeded.  All other terms, conditions and provisions of this Charter shall continue to apply.
Subject to the provisions of Clause 10 , the Vessel shall be redelivered to the Owners in the same or as good structure, state, condition and class as that in which she was delivered, fair wear and tear not affecting class excepted.
The Vessel upon redelivery shall have her survey cycles up to date and trading and class certificates valid for at least the number of months agreed in Box 17 .
16.
Non-Lien
The Charterers will not suffer, nor permit to be continued, any lien or encumbrance incurred by them or their agents, which might have priority over the title and interest of the Owners in the Vessel.  The Charterers further agree to fasten to the Vessel in a conspicuous place and to keep so fastened during the Charter Period a notice reading as follows:
“This Vessel is the property of (name of Owners).  It is under charter to (name of Charterers) and by the terms of the Charter Party neither the Charterers nor the Master have any right, power or authority to create, incur or permit to be imposed on the Vessel any lien whatsoever.” or a notice in such analogous form as reasonably required by an Mortgagee(s).
17.
Indemnity  (See Clauses 33.1, 36.11, 37.3, 38.15, 38.16, 38.18, 41, 52 and 54)
(a)      The Charterers shall indemnify the Owners against any loss, damage or expense incurred by the Owners arising out of or in relation to the operation of the Vessel by the Charterers, and against any lien of whatsoever nature arising out of an event occurring during the Charter Period.  If the Vessel be arrested or otherwise detained by reason of claims or liens arising out of her operation hereunder by the Charterers, the Charterers shall at their own expense take all reasonable steps to secure that within a reasonable time the Vessel is released, including the provision of bail.
Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Charterers agree to indemnify the Owners against all consequences or liabilities arising from the Master, officers or agents signing Bills of Lading or other documents.
(b)      If the Vessel be arrested or otherwise detained by reason of a claim or claims against the Owners, the Owners shall at their own expense take all reasonable steps to secure that within a reasonable time the Vessel is released, including the provision of bail.  In such circumstances the Owners shall indemnify the Charterers against any loss, damage or expense incurred by the Charterers (including hire paid under this Charter) as a direct consequence of such arrest or detention.
18.
Lien
The Owners to have a lien upon all cargoes, sub-hires   and sub-freights belonging or due to the Charterers or   any sub-charterers and any Bill of Lading freight for all   claims under this Charter , and the Charterers to have a lien on the Vessel for all moneys paid in advance and   not earned .
19.
Salvage
All salvage and towage performed by the Vessel shall be for the Charterers' benefit and the cost of repairing damage occasioned thereby shall be borne by the Charterers.
20.
Wreck Removal
In the event of the Vessel becoming a wreck or obstruction to navigation the Charterers shall indemnify the Owners against any sums whatsoever which the Owners shall become liable to pay and shall pay in consequence of the Vessel becoming a wreck or obstruction to navigation.
21.
General Average
The Owners shall not contribute to General Average.
22.
Assignment, Sub-Charter and Sale (See Clauses 45.1(p) and 62)
(a)     The Charterers shall not assign this Charter nor sub-charter the Vessel on a bareboat basis except with the prior consent in writing of the Owners , which shall not be unreasonably withheld, and subject to such terms and conditions as the Owners shall approve.
(b)      The Owners shall not sell the Vessel during the currency of this Charter . except with the prior written consent of the Charterers, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, and subject to the buyer accepting an assignment of this Charter.
23.
Contracts of Carriage
*)
(a)     The Charterers are to procure that all documents issued during the Charter Period evidencing the terms and conditions agreed in respect of carriage of goods shall contain a paramount clause incorporating any legislation relating to carrier's liability for cargo compulsorily applicable in the trade; if no such legislation exists, the documents shall incorporate the Hague-Visby Rules.  The documents shall also contain the New Jason Clause and the Both-to-Blame Collision Clause.
*)
(b)      The Charterers are to procure that all passenger tickets issued during the Charter Period for the carriage of passengers and their luggage under this Charter shall contain a paramount clause incorporating any legislation relating to carrier's liability for passengers and their luggage compulsorily applicable in the trade; if no such legislation exists, the passenger tickets shall incorporate the Athens Convention Relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 1974, and any protocol thereto.
*)
Delete as applicable.
24.
Bank Guarantees
(Optional, only to apply if Box 27 filled in)
The Charterers undertake to furnish on or about the date of this Charter , before delivery of the Vessel, a first class bank   corporate guarantee from the Guarantor or bond in the sum and at the place as indicated in Box 27   as guarantee, and on or about the date of this Charter the other Security Documents as security, in each case for full performance of their obligations under this Charter.
25.
Requisition/Acquisition
(a)      Subject to the provisions of the Financial Instruments (if any) and the General Assignment,, i I n the event of the Requisition for Hire of the Vessel by any governmental or other competent authority (hereinafter referred to as "Requisition for Hire") irrespective of the date during the Charter Period when "Requisition for Hire" may occur and irrespective of the length thereof and whether or not it be for an indefinite or a limited period of time, and irrespective of whether it   may or will remain in force for the remainder of the Charter Period, this Charter shall not be deemed thereby or thereupon to be frustrated or otherwise terminated and the Charterers shall continue to pay the stipulated hire in the manner provided by this Charter until the time when the Charter would have terminated pursuant to any of the provisions hereof always provided however that if all hire has been paid by the Charterers hereunder then in the event of "Requisition for Hire" any Requisition Hire or compensation received or receivable by the

This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


PART II
“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
Owners , the same shall be payable to the Charterers during the remainder of the Charter Period or the period of the "Requisition for Hire" whichever be the shorter.
(b) In the event of the Owners being deprived of their ownership in the Vessel by any Compulsory Acquisition of the Vessel or requisition for title by any governmental or other competent authority (hereinafter referred to as "Compulsory Acquisition"), then, irrespective of the date during the Charter Period when "Compulsory Acquisition" may occur, this Charter shall be deemed terminated as of the date of such "Compulsory Acquisition".  In such event Charter Hire to be considered as earned and to be paid up to the date and time of such "Compulsory Acquisition".
26.
War
(a)     Subject to the provisions of the Financial Instruments (if any), f F or the purpose of this Clause, the words "War Risks" shall include any war (whether actual or threatened), act of war, civil war, hostilities, revolution, rebellion, civil commotion, warlike operations, the laying of mines (whether actual or reported), acts of piracy, acts of terrorists, acts of hostility or malicious damage, blockades (whether imposed against all vessels or imposed selectively against vessels of certain flags or ownership, or against certain cargoes or crews or otherwise howsoever), by any person, body, terrorist or political group, or the Government of any state whatsoever, which may be dangerous or are likely to be or to become dangerous to the Vessel, her cargo, crew or other persons on board the Vessel.
(b)      Subject to Clause 38 and the provisions of the Financial Instruements (if any) the Vessel, unless the written consent of the Owners be first obtained and the Charterers have arranged for requisition insurance in respect of the Vessel (and the same has been assigned to the Owners or at their direction) , shall not continue to or go through any port, place, area or zone (whether of land or sea), or any waterway or canal, where it reasonably appears that the Vessel, her cargo, crew or other persons on board the Vessel, in the reasonable judgement of the Owners, may be, or are likely to be, exposed to War Risks.  Should the Vessel be within any such place as aforesaid, which only becomes dangerous, or is likely to be or to become dangerous, after her entry into it, the Owners shall have the right to require the Vessel to leave such area.
(c)      The Vessel shall not load contraband cargo, or to pass through any blockade, whether such blockade be imposed on all vessels, or is imposed selectively in any way whatsoever against vessels of certain flags or ownership, or against certain cargoes or crews or otherwise howsoever, or to proceed to an area where she shall be subject, or is likely to be subject to a belligerent's right of search and/or confiscation.
(d)   (Intentionally omitted)     If the insurers of the war risks insurance, when Clause 14 is applicable, should require payment of premiums and/or calls because, pursuant to the Charterers' orders, the Vessel is within, or is due to enter and remain within, any area or areas which are specified by such insurers as being subject to additional premiums because of War Risks, then such premiums and/or calls shall be reimbursed by the Charterers to the Owners at the same time as the next payment of hire is due.
(e)       The Charterers shall have the liberty:

(i)
to comply with all orders, directions, recommendations or advice as to departure, arrival, routes, sailing in convoy, ports of call, stoppages, destinations, discharge of cargo, delivery, or in any other way whatsoever, which are given by the Government of the Nation under whose flag the Vessel sails, or any other Government, body or group whatsoever acting with the power to compel compliance with their orders or directions;

(ii)
to comply with the orders, directions or recommendations of any war risks underwriters who have the authority to give the same under the terms of the war risks insurance;

(iii)
to comply with the terms of any resolution of the Security Council of the United Nations, any directives of the European Community, the effective orders of any other Supranational body which has the right to issue and give the same, and with national laws aimed at enforcing the same to which the Owners are subject, and to obey the orders and directions of those who are charged with their enforcement.
(f)       In the event of outbreak of war (whether there be a declaration of war or not) (i) between any two or more of the following countries: the United States of America; Russia; the United Kingdom; France; and the People's Republic of China, (ii) between any two or more of the countries stated in Box 36 , both the Owners and the Charterers shall have the right to cancel this Charter, whereupon the Charterers shall redeliver the Vessel to the Owners in accordance with Clause 15 , if the Vessel has cargo on board after discharge thereof at destination, or if debarred under this Clause from reaching or entering it at a near, open and safe port as directed by the Owners, or if the Vessel has no cargo on board, at the port at which the Vessel then is or if at  sea at a near, open and safe port as directed by the O wners.  In all cases hire shall continue to be paid in accordance with   Clause 11 and except as aforesaid all other provisions of this Charter shall apply until redelivery.
27.
Commission – Intentionally omitted
The Owners to pay a commission at the rate indicated in Box 33 to the Brokers named in Box 33 on any hire paid under the Charter.  If no rate is indicated in Box 33 , the commission to be paid by the Owners shall cover the actual expenses of the Brokers and a reasonable fee for their work.
If the full hire is not paid owing to breach of the Charter by either of the parties the party liable therefor shall indemnify the Brokers against their loss of commission.  Should the parties agree to cancel the Charter, the Owners shall indemnify the Brokers against any loss of commission but in such case the commission shall not exceed the brokerage on one year's hire.
28.
Termination (See Clauses 40 and 48)
(a)       Charterers' Default
The Owners shall be entitled to withdraw the Vessel from the service of the Charterers and terminate the Charter with immediate effect by written notice to the Charterers if:

(i)
the Charterers fail to pay hire in accordance with Clause 34   Clause 11 .  However, where there is a failure to make punctual payment of hire due to oversight, negligence, errors or omissions on the part of the Charterers or their bankers, the Owners shall give   the Charterers written notice of the number of clear banking days stated in Box 34 (as recognised at the agreed place of payment) in which to rectify the failure, and when so rectified within such number of days following the Owners' notice, the payment shall stand as regular and punctual.  Failure by the Charterers to pay hire within the number of days stated in Box 34 of their receiving the Owners' notice as provided herein, shall entitle the Owners to withdraw the Vessel from the service of the Charterers and terminate the Charter without further notice;

(ii)
the Charterers fail to comply with the requirements of:
(1)   Clause 6 (Trading Restrictions)



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PART II
“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
(2)   Clause 13(a) (Insurance and Repairs) provided that the Owners shall have the option, by written notice to the Charterers, to give the Charterers a specified number of days grace within which to rectify the failure without prejudice to the Owners' right to withdraw and terminate under this Clause if the Charterers fail to comply with such notice;

(iii)
the Charterers fail to rectify any failure to comply with the requirements of sub-clause 10(a)(i) (Maintenance and Repairs) as soon as practically possible after the Owners have requested them in writing so to do and in any event so that the Vessel's insurance cover is not prejudiced.
(b)      Owners' Default
If the Owners shall by any act or omission be in breach of their obligations under this Charter to the extent that the Charterers are deprived of the use of the Vessel and such breach continues for a period of fourteen (14) running days after written notice thereof has been given by the Charterers to the Owners, the Charterers shall be entitled to terminate this Charter with immediate effect by written notice to the Owners.
(c)      Loss of Vessel
This Charter shall be deemed to be terminated if the Vessel becomes a total loss or is declared as a constructive or compromised or arranged total loss.  For the purpose of this sub-clause, the Vessel shall not be deemed to be lost unless she has either become an actual total loss or agreement has been reached with her underwriters in respect of her constructive, compromised or arranged total loss or if such agreement with her underwriters is not reached it is adjudged by a competent tribunal that a constructive loss of the Vessel has occurred.
(d)      Either party shall be entitled to terminate this Charter with immediate effect by written notice to the other party in the event of an order being made or resolution passed for the winding up, dissolution, liquidation or bankruptcy of the other party (otherwise than for the purpose of reconstruction or amalgamation) or if a receiver is appointed, or if it suspends payment, ceases to carry on business or makes any special arrangement or composition with its creditors.
(e)      The termination of this Charter shall be without prejudice to all rights accrued due between the parties prior to the date of termination and to any claim that either party might have.
29.
Repossession
In the event of the Owners have made a request for redelivery of the Vessel   termination of this Charter in accordance with the applicable provisions of Clause s 28   40 and 48 , the Owners shall have the right to repossess the Vessel from the Charterers at her current or next port of call, or at a port or place convenient to them without hindrance or interference by the Charterers, courts or local authorities.  Pending physical repossession of the Vessel in accordance with this Clauses 29 and 40 , the Charterers shall hold the Vessel as gratuitous bailee only to the Owners and the Charterers shall procure that the master and the crew follow the orders and directions of the Owners .
The Owners shall arrange for an authorised representative to board the Vessel as soon as reasonably practicable following the termination of the Charter.  The Vessel shall be deemed to be repossessed by the Owners from the Charterers upon the boarding of the Vessel by the Owners' representative.   All arrangements and expenses relating to the settling of wages, disembarkation and repatriation of the Charterers' Master, officers and crew shall be the sole responsibility of the Charterers.
30.
Dispute Resolution (See Clause 63)
*)
(a)      This Charter and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it Contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Charter Contract shall be referred to arbitration in London in accordance with the Arbitration Act or any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof save to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Clause.
The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) Terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
The reference shall be to three arbitrators.  A party wishing to refer a dispute to arbitration shall appoint its arbitrator and send notice of such appointment in writing to the other party requiring the other party to appoint its own arbitrator within 14 calendar days of that notice and stating that it will appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator unless the other party appoints its own arbitrator and gives notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified.  If the other party does not appoint its own arbitrator and give notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified, the party referring a dispute to arbitration may, without the requirement of any further prior notice to the other party, appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator and shall advise the other party accordingly.  The award of a sole arbitrator shall be binding on both parties as if he had been appointed by agreement.
Nothing herein shall prevent the parties agreeing in writing to vary these provisions to provide for the appointment of a sole arbitrator.
In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of US$50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the LMAA Small Claims Procedure current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.  The language or any arbitrator proceedings shall be in English.
*)
(b)      This Contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Title 9 of the United States Code and the Maritime Law of the United States and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Contract shall be referred to three persons at New York, one to be appointed by each of the parties hereto, and the third by the two so chosen; their decision or that of any two of them shall be final, and for the purposes of enforcing any award, judgement may be entered on an award by any court of competent jurisdiction.  The proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc.
In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of US550,000 (or such other sum as   the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the Shortened Arbitration Procedure of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc. current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
*)
(c)      This Contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the place mutually agreed by the parties and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Contract shall be referred to arbitration at a mutually agreed place, subject to the procedures applicable there.
(d)      Notwithstanding (a), (b) or (c) above, the parties may agree at any time to refer to mediation any difference and/or dispute arising out of or in connection with this Contract.
In the case of a dispute in respect of which arbitration has been commenced under (a), (b) or (c) above, the following shall apply:-

(i)
Either party may at any time and from time to time elect to refer the dispute or part of the dispute to mediation by service on the other party of a written notice (the "Mediation Notice') calling on the other party to agree to mediation.

(ii)
The other party shall thereupon within 14 calendar days of receipt of the Mediation Notice confirm that they agree to mediation, in which case the parties shall thereafter agree a mediator within a further 14 calendar days, failing which on the application of either party a mediator will be appointed promptly by the Arbitration Tribunal ("the Tribunal") or such person as the Tribunal may designate for that purpose.  The mediation shall be conducted in such place and in accordance with such procedure and

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PART II
“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
days of receipt of the Mediation Notice confirm that they agree to mediation, in which case the parties shall thereafter agree a mediator within a further 14 calendar days, failing which on the application of either party a mediator will be appointed promptly by the Arbitration Tribunal ("the Tribunal") or such person as the Tribunal may designate for that purpose.  The mediation shall be conducted in such place and in accordance with such procedure and on such terms as the parties may agree or, in the event of disagreement, as may be set by the mediator.

(iii)
If the other party does not agree to mediate, that fact may be brought to the attention of the Tribunal and may be taken into account by the Tribunal when allocating the costs of the arbitration as between the parties.

(iv)
The mediation shall not affect the right of either party to seek such relief or take such steps as it considers necessary to protect its interest.

(v)
Either party may advise the Tribunal that they have agreed to mediation.  The arbitration procedure shall continue during the conduct of the mediation but the Tribunal may take the mediation timetable into account when setting the timetable for steps in the arbitration.

(vi)
Unless otherwise agreed or specified in the mediation terms, each party shall bear its own costs incurred in the mediation and the parties shall share equally the mediator's costs and expenses.

(vii)
The mediation process shall be without prejudice and confidential and no information or documents disclosed during it shall be revealed to the Tribunal except to the extent that they are disclosable under the law and procedure governing the arbitration.
(Note: The parties should be aware that the mediation process may not necessarily interrupt time limits.)
(e)    If Box 35 in Part I is not appropriately filled in, sub-clause 30(a) of this Clause shall apply.  Sub-clause 30(d) shall apply in all cases.
*)     Sub-clauses 30(a) , 30(b) and 30(c) are alternatives;
indicate alternative agreed in Box 35 .
31.
Notices (See Clause 43)
(a)      Any notice to be given by either party to the other party shall be in writing and may be sent by fax, telex, registered or recorded mail or by personal service.
(b)      The address of the Parties for service of such communication shall be as stated in Boxes 3 and 4 respectively.















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“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
   
OPTIONAL
PART
PART III
PROVISIONS TO APPLY FOR NEWBUILDING VESSELS ONLY
(Optional, only to apply if expressly agreed and stated in Box 37)
1.
Specifications and Building Contract
(a)      The Vessel shall be constructed in accordance with the Building Contract (hereafter called the Building Contract") as annexed to this Charter, made between the Builders and the Owners and in accordance with the specifications and plans annexed thereto, such Building Contract, specifications and plans having been counter- signed as approved by the Charterers.
(b)      No change shall be made in the Building Contract or in the specifications or plans of the Vessel as approved by the Charterers as aforesaid, without the Charterers' consent.
(c)      The Charterers shall have the right to send their representative to the Builders' Yard to inspect the Vessel during the course of her construction to satisfy themselves that construction is in accordance with such approved specifications and plans as referred to under sub-clause (a) of this Clause.
(d)      The Vessel shall be built in accordance with the Building Contract and shall be of the description set out therein.  Subject to the provisions of sub-clause 2(c)(ii) hereunder, the Charterers shall be bound to accept the Vessel from the Owners, completed and constructed in accordance with the Building Contract, on the date of delivery by the Builders.  The Charterers undertake that having accepted the Vessel they will not thereafter raise any claims against the Owners in respect of the Vessel's performance or specification or defects, if any.  Nevertheless, in respect of any repairs, replacements or defects which appear within the first 12 months from delivery by the Builders, the Owners shall endeavour to compel the Builders to repair, replace or remedy any defects or to recover from the Builders any expenditure incurred in carrying out such repairs, replacements or remedies.  However, the Owners' liability to the Charterers shall be limited to the extent the Owners have a valid claim against the Builders under the guarantee clause of the Building Contract (a copy whereof has been supplied to the Charterers).  The Charterers shall be bound to accept such sums as the Owners are reasonably able to recover under this Clause and shall make no further claim on the Owners for the difference between the amount(s) so recovered and the actual expenditure on repairs, replacement or remedying defects or for any loss of time incurred.  Any liquidated damages for physical defects or deficiencies shall accrue to the account of the party stated in Box 41(a) or if not filled in shall be shared equally between the parties.  The costs of pursuing a claim or claims against the Builders under this Clause (including any liability to the Builders) shall be borne by the party stated in Box 41(b) or if not filled in shall be shared equally between the parties.
2.
Time and Place of Delivery
(a)      Subject to the Vessel having completed her acceptance trials including trials of cargo equipment in accordance with the Building Contract and specifications to the satisfaction of the Charterers, the Owners shall give and the Charterers shall take delivery of the Vessel afloat when ready for delivery and properly documented at the Builders' Yard or some other safe and readily accessible dock, wharf or place as may be agreed between the parties hereto and the Builders.  Under the Building Contract the Builders have estimated that the Vessel will be ready for delivery to the Owners as therein provided but the delivery date for the purpose of this Charter shall be the date when the Vessel is in fact ready for delivery by the Builders after completion of trials whether that be before or after as indicated in the Building Contract.  The Charterers shall not be entitled to refuse acceptance of delivery of the Vessel and upon and after such acceptance, subject to Clause 1(d), the Charterers shall not be entitled to make any claim against the Owners in respect of any conditions, representations or warranties, whether express or implied, as to the seaworthiness of the Vessel or in respect of delay in delivery.
(b)      If for any reason other than a default by the Owners under the Building Contract, the Builders become entitled under that Contract not to deliver the Vessel to the Owners, the Owners shall upon giving to the Charterers written notice of Builders becoming so entitled, be excused from giving delivery of the Vessel to the Charterers and upon receipt of such notice by the Charterers this Charter shall cease to have effect.
(c)     If for any reason the Owners become entitled under the Building Contract to reject the Vessel the Owners shall, before exercising such right of rejection, consult the Charterers and thereupon
(i) if the Charterers do not wish to take delivery of the Vessel they shall inform the Owners within seven (7) running days by notice in writing and upon receipt by the Owners of such notice this Charter shall cease to have effect; or
(ii) if the Charterers wish to take delivery of the Vessel
they may by notice in writing within seven (7) running days require the Owners to negotiate with the Builders as to the terms on which delivery should be taken and/or refrain from exercising their right to rejection and upon receipt of such notice the Owners shall commence such negotiations and/ or take delivery of the Vessel from the Builders and deliver her to the Charterers;
(iii) in no circumstances shall the Charterers be entitled to reject the Vessel unless the Owners are able to reject the Vessel from the Builders;
(iv) if this Charter terminates under sub-clause (b) or (c) of this Clause, the Owners shall thereafter not be liable to the Charterers for any claim under or arising out of this Charter or its termination.
(d)     Any liquidated damages for delay in delivery under the Building Contract and any costs incurred in pursuing a claim therefor shall accrue to the account of the party stated in Box 41(c) or if not filled in shall be shared equally between the parties.
3.
Guarantee Works
If not otherwise agreed, the Owners authorise the Charterers to arrange for the guarantee works to be performed in accordance with the building contract terms, and hire to continue during the period of guarantee works.  The Charterers have to advise the Owners about the performance to the extent the Owners may request.
4.
Name of Vessel
The name of the Vessel shall be mutually agreed between the Owners and the Charterers and the Vessel shall be painted in the colours, display the funnel insignia and fly the house flag as required by the Charterers.
5.
Survey on Redelivery
The Owners and the Charterers shall appoint surveyors  for the purpose of determining and agreeing in writing the condition of the Vessel at the time of re-delivery Without prejudice to Clause 15 (Part II), the Charterers shall bear all survey expenses and all other costs, if any, including the cost of docking and undocking, if required, as well as all repair costs incurred.  The Charterers shall also bear all loss of time spent in connection with any docking and undocking as well as repairs, which shall be paid at the rate of hire per day or pro rata.

This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.

“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
   
OPTIONAL
PART
PART IV
HIRE/PURCHASE AGREEMENT
(Optional, only to apply if expressly agreed and stated in Box 42)
On expiration of this Charter and provided the Charterers   have fulfilled their obligations according to Part I and II as well as Part III, if applicable, it is agreed, that on payment of the final payment of hire as per Clause 11 the Charterers have purchased the Vessel with everything belonging to her and the Vessel is fully paid  for.

In the following paragraphs the Owners are referred to as the Sellers and the Charterers as the Buyers.

The Vessel shall be delivered by the Sellers and taken over by the Buyers on expiration of the Charter.

The Sellers guarantee that the Vessel, at the time of delivery, is tree from all encumbrances and maritime liens or any debts whatsoever other than those arising from anything done or not done by the Buyers or any existing mortgage agreed not to be paid off by the time of delivery.  Should any claims, which have been incurred prior to the time of delivery be made against the Vessel, the Sellers hereby undertake to indemnify the Buyers against all consequences of such claims to the extent it can be proved that the Sellers are responsible for such claims.  Any taxes, notarial, consular and other charges and expenses connected with the purchase and registration under Buyers' flag, shall be for Buyers' account.  Any taxes, consular and other charges and expenses connected with closing of the Sellers' register, shall be for Sellers' account.

In exchange for payment of the last month's hire instalment the Sellers shall furnish the Buyers with a Bill of Sale duly attested and legalized, together with a certificate setting out the registered encumbrances, if any.  On delivery of the Vessel the Sellers shall provide for deletion of the Vessel from the Ship's Register and deliver a certificate of deletion to the Buyers.  The Sellers shall, at the time of delivery, hand to the Buyers all classification certificates (for hull, engines, anchors, chains, etc.), as well as all plans which may be in Sellers' possession.

The Wireless Installation and Nautical Instruments, unless on hire, shall be included in the sale without any extra payment.

The Vessel with everything belonging to her shall be at Sellers' risk and expense until she is delivered to the Buyers, subject to the conditions of this Contract and the Vessel with everything belonging to her shall be delivered and taken over as she is at the time of delivery, after which the Sellers shall have no responsibility for possible faults or deficiencies of any description.

The Buyers undertake to pay for the repatriation of the Master, officers and other personnel if appointed by the Sellers to the port where the Vessel entered the Bareboat Charter as per Clause 3 (Part II) or to pay the equivalent cost for their journey to any other place.

This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
   
OPTIONAL
PART
PART V
PROVISIONS TO APPLY FOR VESSELS REGISTERED IN BAREBOAT CHARTER REGISTRY
(Optional, only to apply if expressly agreed and stated in Box 43)

1.
Definitions
For the purpose of this PART V, the following terms shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them: " The Bareboat Charter Registry " shall mean the registry of the State whose flag the Vessel will fly and in which the Charterers are registered as the bareboat charterers during the period of the Bareboat Charter.
The Underlying Registry " shall mean the registry of the State in which the Owners of the Vessel are registered as Owners and to which jurisdiction and control of the Vessel will revert upon termination of the Bareboat Charter Registration.
2.
Mortgage
The Vessel chartered under this Charter is financed by a mortgage and the provisions of Clause 12(b) (Part II) shall apply.
3.
Termination of Charter by Default
If the Vessel chartered under this Charter is registered in a Bareboat Charter Registry as stated in Box 44 , and if the Owners shall default in the payment of any amounts due under the mortgage(s) specified in Box 28 . the Charterers shall, if so required by the mortgagee, direct the Owners to re-register the Vessel in the Underlying Registry as shown in Box 45 .
In the event of the Vessel being deleted from the Bareboat Charter Registry as stated in Box 44 , due to a default by the Owners in the payment of any amounts due under the mortgage(s), the Charterers shall have the right to terminate this Charter forthwith and without prejudice to any other claim they may have against the Owners under this Charter.

This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.

ADDITIONAL CLAUSES TO BARECON 2001 DATED 3 Devcember 2018
CLAUSE 32 – CHARTER PERIOD
32.1
For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding the fact that the Charter Period shall commence on the Delivery Date, this Charter shall be:
(a)
in full force and effect; and
(b)
valid, binding and enforceable against the parties hereto,
with effect from the date hereof until the Expiry Date.
CLAUSE 33 – CANCELLATION
33.1
Subject to Clause 48.3, if:
(a)
a Termination Event occurs prior to the delivery of the Vessel by the Charterers as sellers to the Owners as buyers under the MOA;
(b)
it becomes unlawful for the Owners (as buyers) to perform or comply with any or all of their obligations under the MOA or any of the obligations of the Owners under the MOA are not or cease to be legal, valid, binding and enforceable; and/or
(c)
the MOA expires, is cancelled, terminated, rescinded or suspended or otherwise ceases to remain in full force and effect for any reason,
then this Charter shall immediately terminate and be cancelled without the need for either of the Owners or the Charterers to take any action whatsoever, provided that the Owners shall be entitled to:

(i)
retain all fees paid by the Charterers pursuant to Clause 41 (and without prejudice to Clause 41 and if such fees have not been paid, the Charterers shall forthwith pay such fees to the Owners); and

(ii)
any payment, reimbursement, indemnities provided for under Clause 41 (Fees and Expenses) and Clause 52 (Indemnities),
and such payment referred to in paragraphs (i) and (ii) above shall be irrevocable and unconditional and shall not be construed as a penalty but shall represent an agreed estimate of the loss and damage suffered by the Owners in entering into this Charter upon the terms and conditions contained herein (but not being able to complete the chartering arrangements contemplated herein) and shall therefore be paid as compensation to the Owners.
CLAUSE 34 – DELIVERY AND CHARTER OF VESSEL
34.1
The obligation of the Owners to charter the Vessel to the Charterers hereunder is subject to and conditional upon:
(a)
the delivery to and acceptance by the Charterers as buyers of the Vessel under the Contract and the delivery to and acceptance by the Owners as buyers of the Vessel under the MOA;
(b)
no Potential Termination Event or Termination Event having occurred which is continuing from the date of this Charter to the last day of the Charter Period (inclusive);
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(c)
the representations and warranties contained in Clause 44 ( Representations and Warranties ) being true and correct on the date hereof and each day thereafter until and including the last date of the Charter Period;
(d)
Delivery occurring on or before the Cancelling Date;
(e)
the Owners having received from the Charterers:

(i)
on or prior to the Delivery, the documents or evidence set out in Part A of Schedule 2 in form and substance satisfactory to them; and

(ii)
After the Delivery, the documents or evidence set out in Part B of Schedule 2 in form and substance satisfactory to them within the time periods set out thereunder;
and if any of such documents are not in the English language then they shall be accompanied by a certified English translation.
34.2
The conditions precedent specified in Clause 34.1(b) are inserted for the sole benefit of the Owners and may be waived or deferred in whole or in part and with or without conditions by the Owners.
34.3
Upon the requirements of Clause 34.1 ( Delivery and Charter of Vessel ) being fulfilled to the satisfaction of the Owners or waived (with or without conditions) by the Owners in their sole discretion, the Owners shall give notice thereof in writing to the Charterers.
34.4
On (A) delivery to and acceptance by the Charterers as buyers of the Vessel from the Builder under the Contract; and (B) delivery to and acceptance by the Owners as buyers of the Vessel from the Charterers as sellers under the MOA and subject to the provisions of this Clause, the Vessel shall be deemed to have been delivered to, and accepted without reservation by, the Charterers under this Charter and the Charterers shall become and be entitled to the possession and use of the Vessel on and subject to the terms and conditions of this Charter.
34.5
On Delivery, as evidence of the commencement of the Charter Period, the Charterers shall sign and deliver to the Owners, the Acceptance Certificate. Without prejudice to this Clause, the Charterers shall be deemed to have accepted the Vessel under this Charter, and the commencement of the Charter Period having started, on Delivery even if, for whatever reason, the Acceptance Certificate is not signed and/or the Charterers do not take actual possession of the Vessel at that time.
34.6
Without prejudice to and notwithstanding the provisions of this Clause, the Charterers shall not be entitled for any reason whatsoever to refuse to accept delivery of the Vessel under this Charter once the Vessel has been delivered to and accepted by the Owners from the Charterers under the MOA, and the Owners shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses whatsoever or howsoever arising including without limitation, any loss of profit or any loss or otherwise:
(a)
resulting directly or indirectly from any defect or alleged defect in the Vessel (including but not limited to any deficiency in seaworthiness, merchantability, classification, condition, design, quality , operation, performance, capacity or fitness for use or the eligibility of the Vessel for any particular trade or operation) or any failure of the Vessel; or
(b)
arising from any delay in the commencement of the Charter Period or any failure of the Charter Period to commence.
34.7
The Owners shall not be obliged to deliver the Vessel to the Charterers with any bunkers and unused lubricating oils and greases in storage tanks and unopened drums of the Vessel.
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CLAUSE 35 – QUIET ENJOYMENT
35.1
Provided that the Charterers do not breach any terms of this Charter or any other Pertinent Document and subject to the provisions thereof, the Owners hereby agree not to disturb or interfere with the Charterers’ lawful use, possession and quiet enjoyment of the Vessel during the Charter Period.
CLAUSE 36 – CHARTERHIRE
36.1
In consideration of the Owners agreeing to charter the Vessel to the Charterers under this Charter and the Owners buying the Vessel from the Charterers under the MOA at the request of the Charterers, the Charterers hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agree to pay to the Owners each Charterhire.
36.2
The Charterers shall pay to the Owners an amount equivalent to the Advance Charterhire on the Delivery Date which amount shall be deemed paid on such date by it setting off against the corresponding portion of the Purchase Price payable by the Owners as buyers to the Charterers as sellers under the MOA on the Delivery Date pursuant to the terms thereof.
36.3
The Charterers shall pay to the Owners the Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire in the following instalments and manners:
(a)
the first instalment (the “ First Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment ”) in the amount equivalent to $2,742,135 which shall be paid on the same date the First Instalment is payable by the Owners as buyers to the Charterers as sellers under the MOA pursuant to the terms thereof. Such amount shall be deemed paid by it setting off against the First Instalment payable by the Owners as buyers to the Charterers as sellers under the MOA pursuant to the terms thereof;
(b)
the second instalment (the “ Second Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment ”) in the amount equivalent to $2,742,135 which shall be paid on the same date the Second Instalment is payable by the Owners as buyers to the Charterers as sellers under the MOA pursuant to the terms thereof. Such amount shall be deemed paid by it setting off against the Second Instalment payable by the Owners as buyers to the Charterers as sellers under the MOA pursuant to the terms thereof;
(c)
the third instalment (the “ Third Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment ”) in the amount equivalent to $2,742,135 which shall be payable on the same date the Third Instalment is payable by the Owners as buyers to the Charterers as sellers under the MOA pursuant to the terms thereof. Such amount shall be deemed paid by it setting off against the Third Instalment payable by the Owners as buyers to the Charterers as sellers under the MOA pursuant to the terms thereof;
(d)
the fourth instalment (the “ Fourth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment ”) in the amount equivalent to $2,742,135 which shall be payable on the same date the Fourth Instalment payable by the Owners as buyers to the Charterers as sellers under the MOA pursuant to the terms thereof. Such amount shall be deemed paid by it setting off against the Fourth Instalment payable by the Owners as buyers to the Charterers as sellers under the MOA pursuant to the terms thereof; and
(e)
the fifth instalment (the “ Fifth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment ”) in the amount equivalent to $600,000 which shall be payable on the earlier of (i) the day on which the Fifth Instalment is paid by the Owners as buyers under the MOA; and (Ii) the day on which the Sixth Instalment is paid by the Owners as buyers under the MOA. Such amount shall be deemed paid by it setting off against the corresponding portion of the Fifth Instalment or Sixth Instalment, whichever payment occurs earlier, payable by the Owners as buyers to the Charterers as sellers under the MOA pursuant to the terms thereof.
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36.4
Subject to Clause 40.3(d), each instalment of the Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire and the Advance Charterhire shall be unsecured and non-refundable under all circumstances and without interest accrued thereon.
36.5
During the Pre-delivery Period, the Charterers shall pay a fee in the form of Charterhire (“Pre-delivery Charterhire”) computed at the rate of the Pre-delivery Rate on the Pre-delivery Instalment Balance from time to time during the Pre-delivery Period and each such Pre-delivery Charterhire shall be received on the last date of every Term during the Pre-delivery Period and the last instalment of the Pre-delivery Charterhire shall be received on the last day of the Pre-delivery Period, not later, in each case, than 4.00 pm (Shanghai time).
36.6
Following Delivery, Quarter Charterhire shall be payable quarterly in arrears in twenty-eight (28) instalments, with such instalments of Charterhire being received on the last day of every Term by not later than 4.00 pm (Shanghai time).
36.7
The Vessel shall not at any time be deemed off-hire. All Charterhire, the Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire, the Advance Charterhire and other amounts payable in this Charter shall be paid in Dollars and shall be absolutely and unconditionally payable under any and all circumstances and shall not be affected by any circumstances of any nature whatsoever including, but not limited to:
(a)
any set off (other than the Advance Charterhire which shall be set off in accordance with Clause 36.2, each Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire which shall be set off in accordance with Clause 36.3 and the Deposit Refund, the Final Purchase Option Price and the Early Termination Price which shall be set off in accordance with Clause 36.15), counterclaim, recoupment, defence, claim or other right which the Charterers may at any time have against the Owners or any other person for any reason whatsoever including, without limitation, any act, omission or breach on the part of the Owners under this Charter or any other agreement at any time existing between the Owners and the Charterers;
(b)
any change, extension, indulgence or other act or omission in respect of any indebtedness or obligation of the Charterers, or any sale, exchange, release or surrender of, or other dealing in, any security for any such indebtedness or obligation;
(c)
any unavailability of the Vessel, including any title defect or encumbrance or any dispossession of the Vessel by title paramount or otherwise;
(d)
any defect in the seaworthiness, condition, value, design, merchantability, operation or fitness for use of the Vessel or the ineligibility of the Vessel for any particular trade, or for registration or documentation under the laws of any relevant jurisdiction;
(e)
the Total Loss or any damage to or forfeiture or court marshall’s or other sale of the Vessel;
(f)
any libel, attachment, levy, detention, sequestration or taking into custody of the Vessel or any restriction or prevention of or interference with or interruption or cessation in, the use or possession thereof by the Charterers unless for such period where such arrest, detention or seizure is solely attributable to the fault of the Owners;
(g)
any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, readjustment, dissolution, liquidation or similar proceedings by or against the Charterers;
(h)
any invalidity, unenforceability, lack of due authorization or other defects, or any failure or delay in performing or complying with any of the terms and provisions of this Charter or any of the Pertinent Documents by any party to this Charter or any other person;
(i)
any enforcement or attempted enforcement by the Owners of their rights under this Charter or any of the Pertinent Documents executed or to be executed pursuant to this Charter; or
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(j)
any loss of use of the Vessel due to deficiency or default or strike of officers or crew, fire, breakdown, damage, accident, defective cargo or any other cause which would or might but for this provision have the effect of terminating or in any way affecting any obligation of the Charterers under this Charter.
36.8
Time of payment of Charterhire, the Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire and the Advance Charterhire and other payments by the Charterers shall be of the essence of this Charter and the other Pertinent Documents.
36.9
All Charterhire and any moneys payable hereunder shall be payable by the Charterers to the Owners to such account as the Owners may notify the Charterers in writing.
36.10
Payment of Charterhire, the Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire, and Advance Charterhire and any other moneys hereunder shall be at the Charterers’ risk until receipt by the Owners.
36.11
All stamp duty, value added tax, withholding or other taxes and import and export duties and all other similar types of charges which may be levied or assessed on or in connection with:
(a)
the operation of this Charter in respect of the hire and all other payments to be made pursuant to this Charter and the remittance thereof to the Owners; and
(b)
the import, export, purchase, delivery and re-delivery of the Vessel,
shall be borne by the Charterers. The Charterers shall pay, if applicable, value added tax and other similar tax levied on any Charterhire, the Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire and Advance Charterhire and other payments payable under this Charter by addition to, and at the time of payment of, such amounts.
36.12
If the Charterers (including in their capacity as Sellers) fail to make any payment due under this Charter for any other Leasing Document on the due date, they shall pay interest on such late payment at the default rate of two per cent. (2%) per annum from the date on which such payment became due until the date of payment thereof.
36.13
All default interest and any other payments under this Charter which are of an annual or periodic nature shall accrue from day to day and shall be calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and a 360 day year.
36.14
Any payment which is due to be made on a day which is not a Business Day, shall be made on the preceding Business Day in the same calendar month (if there is no preceding Business Day in the same calendar month, then payment shall be made on the next Business Day following the day on which payment is due to be made).
36.15
(a)
The Deposit shall be refunded to the Charterers together with the applicable Deposit Interest (such amount to be refunded, the “ Deposit Refund ”) upon irrevocable payment in full of all amounts due and payable by the Charterers and any other Relevant Party under the Pertinent Documents, provided that and subject to Clause 36.15(b), if the Charterers exercises the Purchase Option in accordance with Clause 50 or Early Termination Price is payable by the Charterers pursuant to Clause 40.1(a), Clause 48A or Clause 49, the Deposit Refund shall be set off against part of (or if the Deposit Refund is larger than the Final Purchase Option Price or the then applicable Early Termination Price, as the case may be, the whole of) the Final Purchase Option Price or the then applicable Early Termination Price, as the case may be, payable by the Charterers pursuant to Clause 50 or Clause 40.1(a), Clause 48A or Clause 49 (as the case may be) and upon such set-off, the Owners shall be deemed to have discharged their obligations to refund to the Charterers the Deposit Refund under this Clause 36.15 and the Charterers shall be deemed to have paid part of (or if the Deposit Refund is larger than the Final Purchase Option Price or the then applicable Early Termination Price, as the case may
5


be, the whole of) the Final Purchase Option Price in accordance with Clause 50 or the Early Termination Price in accordance with Clause 40.1(a), Clause 48A or Clause 49 (as the case may be).
(b)
If the Charterers exercises the Final Purchase Option or the Charterers makes payment of the Early Termination Price pursuant to Clause 40.1(a), Clause 48A or Clause 49 (as the case may be) and the Deposit Refund is set off against the Final Purchase Option Price or the then applicable Early Termination Price, as the case may be, pursuant to Clause 36.15(a):

(i)
and if the Deposit Refund so set off is lower than the Final Purchase Option Price or the then applicable Early Termination Price (as the case may be), the Charterers shall be fully liable for such shortfall and shall pay to the Owners such shortfall without set-off or deduction on, in respect the Final Purchase Option Price, the Expiry Date or, in respect of the Early Termination Price, the date on which such Early Termination Price is to be made by the Charterers, to satisfy their payment obligations of the Final Purchase Option Price or the Early Termination Price in full; and

(ii)
if the Deposit Refund so set off exceeds the Final Purchase Option Price or the then applicable Early Termination Price (as the case may be), the Owners shall refund such excess to the Charterers upon irrevocable payment in full of all amounts due and payable by the Charterers and any other Relevant Party under the Pertinent Documents and upon such refund the Owners shall be deemed to have discharged their obligation to refund the Deposit Refund to the Charterers under this Clause 36.15.
(c)
The Deposit paid to the Owners shall be in the possession and ownership of the Owners until the Deposit is refunded in accordance with this Clause 36.15 and shall only be refundable in accordance with this Clause 36.15.
CLAUSE 37 – POSSESSION OF VESSEL
37.1
The Charterers shall not, without the prior written consent of the Owners, assign, mortgage or pledge the Vessel or any interest therein, its Earnings, Insurances and/or any Requisition Compensation and shall not permit the creation of any Security Interest thereon other than the Permitted Security Interests.
37.2
The Charterers shall promptly notify any party including, without limitation, the BP Charterer or any other subcharterer of the Vessel (as the Owners may request) in writing that the Vessel is the property of the Owners and the Charterers shall provide the Owners with a copy of such written notification and satisfactory evidence to the opinion of the Owners that such party has received such written notification.
37.3
If the Vessel is arrested, seized, impounded, forfeited, detained or taken out of their possession or control (whether or not pursuant to any distress, execution or other legal process), the Charterers shall procure the immediate release of the Vessel (whether by providing bail or procuring the provision of security or otherwise do such lawful things as the circumstances may require) and shall immediately notify the Owners of such event and shall indemnify the Owners against all losses, costs or charges incurred by the Owners by reason thereof in re-taking possession or otherwise in re-acquiring the Vessel. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing and Clause 52, the Charterers agree to indemnify the Owners against all consequences or liabilities arising from the master, officers or agents signing bills of lading or other documents.
37.4
The Charterers shall pay and discharge or cause the BP Charterer or any other subcharterer of the Vessel to pay and discharge all obligations and liabilities whatsoever which have given or may give rise to liens on or claims enforceable against the Vessel and take all steps to prevent (and procure any subcharterer of the Vessel to prevent) an arrest (threatened or otherwise) of the Vessel.
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Clause 38 – INSURANCE
38.1
The Charterers shall procure that such insurances are effected:
(a)
in Dollars;
(b)
in the case of fire and usual hull and machinery, marine risks and war risks (including blocking and trapping), on an agreed value basis in an amount of at least the higher of (i) 120% of the then applicable Early Prepayment Sum; and (ii) the then current Market Value;
(c)
in the case of oil pollution liability risks for the Vessel, for an aggregate amount equal to the highest level of cover from time to time available under protection and indemnity club entry and in the international marine insurance market and for an amount of not less than $1,000,000,000;
(d)
in relation to protection and indemnity risks in respect of the full tonnage of the Vessel;
(e)
in the case of innocent Owners’ interest insurance, innocent additional perils (oil pollution) insurance, lessor’s additional perils (pollution) insurance, Mortgagees’ interest insurance and Mortgages’ additional perils (pollution) insurance, for an amount equal to at least one hundred and twenty percent. (120%) of the then applicable Early Prepayment Sum;
(f)
in the case of lessor contingent liability insurance, for an amount no less than $500,000,000 and in the name of the Owners;
(g)
on terms and in form acceptable to the Owners and their financiers (if any); and
(h)
through approved brokers and with first class international insurers and/or underwriters acceptable to the Owners (including having a Standard & Poor’s rating of BBB+ or above, a Moody’s rating of A or above or an AM Best rating of A- or above) or, in the case of war risks and protection and indemnity risks, in a war risks and protection and indemnity risks associations (being either Gard or Britannia P&I Club) acceptable to the Owners and their financiers (if any).
38.2
In addition to the terms set out in Clause 13(a) ( Insurance and Repairs ), the Charterers shall procure that the obligatory insurances shall:
(a)
subject always to paragraph (b), name the Charterers, the Approved Manager and the Owners (and if applicable the Owners’ financiers if so required by the Owners) as the only named assureds unless the interest of every other named assured or co-assured is limited:

(i)
in respect of any obligatory insurances for hull and machinery and war risks;

(1)
to any provable out-of-pocket expenses that they have incurred and which form part of any recoverable claim on underwriters; and

(2)
to any third party liability claims where cover for such claims is provided by the policy (and then only in respect of discharge of any claims made against them); and

(ii)
in respect of any obligatory insurances for protection and indemnity risks, to any recoveries they are entitled to make by way of reimbursement following discharge of any third party liability claims made specifically against them,
and every other named assured or co-assured has undertaken in writing to the Owners or their financiers (in such form as they require) that any deductible shall be apportioned between the Charterers and every other named assured or co-assured in proportion to the gross claims made or paid by each of them and that they shall do all things necessary and
7


provide all documents, evidence and information to enable the Owners and their financiers (if any) in accordance with the terms of the loss payable clause, to collect or recover any moneys which at any time become payable in respect of the obligatory insurances;
(b)
whenever a financier of the Owners requires:

(i)
in respect of fire and other usual marine risks and war risks, name (or be amended to name) the same as additional named assured for their rights and interests, warranted no operational interest and with full waiver of rights of subrogation against such financiers, but without such financiers thereby being liable to pay (but having the right to pay) premiums, calls or other assessments in respect of such insurance;

(ii)
in relation to protection and indemnity risks, name (or be amended to name) the same as additional insured or co-assured for their rights and interests to the extent permissible under the relevant protection and indemnity club rules; and

(iii)
name the Owners’ financiers (if any) and the Owners as respectively the first ranking loss payee and the second ranking loss payee (and in the absence of any financiers, the Owners as first ranking loss payee) in accordance with the terms of the relevant loss payable clauses approved by the Owners’ financiers and the Owners with such directions for payment in accordance with the terms of such relevant loss payable clause, as the Owners and their financiers (if any) may specify;
(c)
provide that all payments by or on behalf of the insurers under the obligatory insurances to the Owners and/or their financiers (as applicable) shall be made without set-off, counterclaim or deductions or condition whatsoever;
(d)
provide that such obligatory insurances shall be primary without right of contribution from other insurances which may be carried by the Owners or their financiers (if any);
(e)
provide that the Owners and/or their financiers (if any) may make proof of loss if the Charterers fail to do so; and
(f)
provide that if any obligatory insurance is cancelled, or if any substantial change is made in the coverage which adversely affects the interest of the Owners and/or their financiers (if any), or if any obligatory insurance is allowed to lapse for non-payment of premium, such cancellation, change or lapse shall not be effective with respect to the Owners and/or their financiers (if any) for thirty (30) days after receipt by the Owners and/or their financiers (if any) of prior written notice from the insurers of such cancellation, change or lapse.
38.3
The Charterers shall:
(a)
at least fifteen (15) days prior to Delivery (or such lesser period agreed by the parties), notify the terms and conditions of all Insurances in writing to the Owners (copied to their financiers (if any) and the brokers or insurers with whom the Insurances are or will be placed);
(b)
at least fifteen (15) days before the expiry of any obligatory insurance notify the Owners (copied to their financiers (if any)) of the brokers (or other insurers) and any protection and indemnity or war risks association through or with whom the Charterers propose to renew that obligatory insurance and of the proposed terms of renewal and obtain the Owners' approval to such matters;
(c)
at least seven (7) days before the expiry of any obligatory insurance, procure that such obligatory insurance is renewed or to be renewed on its expiry date in accordance with the provisions of this Charter;
(d)
procure that the approved brokers and/or the war risks and protection and indemnity associations with which such a renewal is effected shall promptly after the renewal or the
8


effective date of the new insurance and protection and indemnity cover notify the Owners (copied to their financiers (if any)) in writing of the terms and conditions of the renewal; and
(e)
as soon as practicable after the expiry of any obligatory insurance, deliver to the Owners a letter of undertaking as required by this Charter in respect of such Insurances for the Vessel as renewed pursuant to Clause 38.3(c) ( Insurance ) together with copies of the relevant policies or cover notes or entry certificates duly endorsed with the interest of the Owners and/or their financiers (if any).
38.4
The Charterers shall ensure that all insurance companies and/or underwriters, and/or (if any) insurance brokers provide the Owners with all (if required by the Owners, in original) policies, cover notes and certificates of entry relating to the obligatory insurances which they are to effect or renew and a letter or letters of undertaking in a form required by the Owners and/or their financiers (if any) and including undertakings by the insurance companies and/or underwriters that:
(a)
they will have endorsed on each policy, immediately upon issuance, a loss payable clause and a notice of assignment complying with the provisions of this Charter and the Financial Instruments;
(b)
they will hold the benefit of such policies and such insurances, to the order of the Owners and/or their financiers (if any) and/or such other party in accordance with the said loss payable clause;
(c)
they will advise the Owners and their financiers (if any) promptly of any material change to the terms of the obligatory insurances of which they are aware;
(d)
(i) they will indicate in the letters of undertaking that they will immediately notify the Owners and their financiers (if any) when any cancellation, charge or lapse of the relevant obligatory insurance occur and (ii) following a written application from the Owners and/or their financiers (if any) not later than one (1) month before the expiry of the obligatory insurances they will notify the Owners and their financiers (if any) not less than fourteen (14) days before the expiry of the obligatory insurances, in the event of their not having received notice of renewal instructions from the Charterers and, in the event of their receiving instructions to renew, they will promptly notify the Owners and their financiers (if any) of the terms of the instructions; and
(e)
if any of the obligatory insurances form part of any fleet cover, the Charterers shall procure that the insurance broker(s), or leading insurer, as the case may be, undertakes to the Owners and their financiers (if any) that such insurance broker or insurer will not set off against any sum recoverable in respect of a claim relating to the Vessel under such obligatory insurances any premiums due in respect of any other vessel under any fleet cover of which the Vessel forms a part or any premium due for other insurances, they waive any lien on the policies, or any sums received under them, which they might have in respect of such premiums, and they will not cancel such obligatory insurances by reason of non-payment of such premiums or other amounts, and will arrange for a separate policy to be issued in respect of the Vessel forthwith upon being so requested by the Owners and/or their financiers (if any) and where practicable.
38.5
The Charterers shall ensure that any protection and indemnity and/or war risks associations in which the Vessel is entered provides the Owners and their financiers (if any) with:
(a)
a copy of the certificate of entry for the Vessel as soon as such certificate of entry is issued;
(b)
a letter or letters of undertaking in such form as may be required by the Owners and their financiers (if any) or in such association’s standard form; and
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(c)
a certified copy of each certificate of financial responsibility for pollution by oil or other Environmentally Sensitive Material issued by the relevant certifying authority in relation to the Vessel.
38.6
The Charterers shall ensure that all policies relating to obligatory insurances are deposited with the approved brokers through which the insurances are effected or renewed.
38.7
The Charterers shall procure that all premiums or other sums payable in respect of the obligatory insurances are punctually paid and produce all relevant receipts when so required by the Owners.
38.8
The Charterers shall ensure that any guarantees required by a protection and indemnity or war risks association are promptly issued and remain in full force and effect.
38.9
The Charterers shall neither do nor omit to do (nor permit to be done or not to be done) any act or thing which would or might render any obligatory insurance invalid, void, voidable or unenforceable or render any sum payable under an obligatory insurance repayable in whole or in part; and, in particular:
(a)
the Charterers shall procure that all necessary action is taken and all requirements are complied with which may from time to time be applicable to the obligatory insurances, and (without limiting the obligations contained in this Clause 38) ensure that the obligatory insurances are not made subject to any exclusions or qualifications to which the Owners have not given their prior approval (unless such exclusions or qualifications are made in accordance with the rules of a protection and indemnity association which is a member of the International Group of protection and indemnity associations);
(b)
the Charterers shall not make or permit any changes relating to the classification or classification society of the Vessel or manager or operator of the Vessel unless such changes have first been approved by the underwriters of the obligatory insurances and are approved by the Owners;
(c)
the Charterers shall procure that all quarterly or other voyage declarations which may be required by the protection and indemnity risks association in which the Vessel is entered to maintain cover for trading to the United States of America and Exclusive Economic Zone (as defined in the United States Oil Pollution Act 1990 or any other applicable legislation) are made and the Charterers shall promptly provide the Owners with copies of such declarations and a copy of the certificate of financial responsibility; and
(d)
the Charterers shall not employ the Vessel, nor allow it to be employed, otherwise than in conformity with the terms and conditions of the obligatory insurances, without first obtaining the consent of the insurers and complying with any requirements (as to extra premium or otherwise) which the insurers specify.
38.10
The Charterers shall not make or agree to any alteration to the terms of any obligatory insurance nor waive any right relating to any obligatory insurance without the prior written consent of the Owners and the Owners’ financiers (if any).
38.11
The Charterers shall not settle, compromise or abandon any claim under any obligatory insurance for Total Loss or for a Major Casualty, and shall do all things necessary and provide all documents, evidence and information to enable the Owners to collect or recover any moneys which at any time become payable in respect of the obligatory insurances.
38.12
The Charterers shall provide the Owners upon written request (except that upon the occurrence of a Total Loss or a Major Casualty the Charterers shall provide the following immediately without the Owners’ making any request), copies of:
(a)
all communications between the Charterers and:
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(i)
the approved brokers;

(ii)
the approved protection and indemnity and/or war risks associations; and/or

(iii)
the first class international insurers and/or underwriters, which relate directly or indirectly to:

(A)
the Charterers’ obligations relating to the obligatory insurances including, without limitation, all requisite declarations and payments of additional premiums or calls; and

(B)
any credit arrangements made between the Charterers and any of the persons referred to in paragraphs (i) or (ii) relating wholly or partly to the effecting or maintenance of the obligatory insurances; and
(b)
any communication with all parties involved in case of a claim under any of the Vessel’s insurances.
38.13
The Charterers shall promptly provide the Owners (or any persons which they may designate) with:
(a)
any information which the Owners or their financiers (or any such designated person) request for the purpose of:

(i)
obtaining or preparing any report from an independent marine insurance broker as to the adequacy of the obligatory insurances effected or proposed to be effected; and/or

(ii)
effecting, maintaining or renewing any such insurances as are referred to in Clause 13(a) ( Insurance and Repairs ) or dealing with or considering any matters relating to any such insurances; and
(b)
copies of any communication between all parties involved in case of a claim under any of the Vessel’s insurances exceeding the Major Casualty amount.
38.14
If one or more of the obligatory insurances are not effected and maintained with first class international insurers or are effected with an insurance or captive Subsidiary of the Owners or the Charterers, then the Charterers shall procure, at their own expense, that the relevant insurers maintain in full force and effect facultative reinsurances with reinsurers and through brokers, in each case, of recognised standing and acceptable in all respects to the Owners. Any reinsurance policy shall include, if and when permitted by law, a cut-through clause in a form acceptable to the Owners and/or their financiers (if any). The Charterers shall procure that underwriters of the primary insurances assign each reinsurance to the relevant financiers in full, if required.
38.15
The Charterers shall upon demand fully indemnify the Owners and/or their financiers (if any) in respect of all premiums and other expenses which are incurred by (i) the Owners in connection with or with a view to effecting, maintaining or renewing an innocent Owners’ interest insurance, innocent additional perils (oil pollution) insurance, lessor’s additional perils (pollution) insurance, lessor contingent liability insurance that is taken out in respect of the Vessel and/or (ii) the financier(s) of the Owners (if any) in connection with or with a view to effecting, maintaining or renewing a mortgagee’s interest insurance, innocent additional perils (oil pollution insurance) and a mortgagee’s additional perils (pollution) insurance that is taken out in respect of the Vessel, in each case as referred to in aforementioned (i) or (ii), on such terms and through such insurers as the Owners and/or their financiers (if any) may from time to time consider appropriate in its sole discretion.
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38.16
The Charterers shall be solely responsible for and indemnify the Owners in respect of all loss or damage to the Vessel (insofar as the Owners shall not be reimbursed by the proceeds of any insurance in respect thereof) however caused occurring at any time or times before physical possession thereof is retaken by the Owners, reasonable wear and tear to the Vessel only excepted.
38.17
The Charterers shall:
(a)
if so requested by the Owners, but at the expense of the Charterers, furnish the Owners once every year not later than the annual anniversary of the Delivery Date (or, after a Termination Event has occurred and is continuing, as many times per year as the Owners may require) with a detailed report signed by an independent firm of marine insurance brokers appointed by the Owners dealing with the Insurances and stating the opinion of such firm as to the adequacy of the Insurances;
(b)
reimburse the Owners, promptly on the Owners’ demand, any expenses incurred by the Owners in obtaining the reports described in Clause 38.13(a) and/or 38.17(a) ( Insurance ); and
(c)
procure that there is delivered to the insurance brokers described in Clause 38.17(a) ( Insurance ) such information in relation to the Insurances as such brokers may require.
38.18
The Charterers shall:
(a)
keep the Vessel insured at their expense against such other risks (other than loss of hire which shall be insured against upon an occurrence and during the continuance of a Potential Termination Event or Termination Event) which the Owners or their financiers consider reasonable for a prudent shipowner or operator to insure against at the relevant time (as notified by the Owners and having regard to the then existing available insurance cover and standard practice in the operation of vessels of the same type as the Vessel) and which are, at that time, generally insured against by owners or operators of vessels similar to the Vessel or of the same type as the Vessel; and
(b)
upon demand fully indemnify the Owners in respect of all premiums and other expenses incurred by the Owners in respect of any other insurances (other than loss of hire insurances which the Owners may take out upon an occurrence and during the continuance of a Potential Termination Event or Termination Event) which the Owners deem necessary (having regard to the existing insurance cover and standard practice in the operation of vessels of the same type) and takes out in respect of the Vessel.
CLAUSE 39 – WARRANTIES RELATING TO VESSEL
39.1
It is expressly agreed and acknowledged that the Owners are not the manufacturer or original supplier of the Vessel which has been purchased by the Owners as buyers from the Charterers as sellers pursuant to the MOA for the purpose of then chartering the Vessel to the Charterers hereunder and that no condition, term, warranty or representation of any kind is or has been given to the Charterers by or on behalf of the Owners in respect of the Vessel (or any part thereof).
39.2
All conditions, terms or warranties express or implied by the law relating to the specifications, quality, description, merchantability or fitness for any purpose of the Vessel (or any part thereof) or otherwise are hereby expressly excluded.
39.3
The Charterers agree and acknowledge that the Owners shall not be liable for any claim, loss, damage, expense or other liability of any kind or nature caused directly or indirectly by the Vessel or by any inadequacy thereof or the use or performance thereof or any repairs thereto or servicing thereof and the Charterers shall not by reason thereof be released from any liability to pay any Charterhire, the Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire or the Advance Charterhire or other payment due under this Charter or the other Pertinent Documents.
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CLAUSE 40 – TERMINATION, REDELIVERY AND TOTAL LOSS
40.1
If:
(a)
subject to Clause 36.15, the Early Termination Price becomes payable in accordance with Clause 48.2 or Clause 48.3, the same shall (in each such case) be payable in consideration of the purchase and transfer of the legal and beneficial title of the Vessel pursuant to Clause 40.4;
(b)
the Pre-delivery Termination Sum becomes payable in accordance with Clause 48.3 the same shall (in each such case) be payable in consideration of the Pre-delivery Releases pursuant to the terms of the Pre-delivery Assignment,
and it is hereby agreed by the parties hereto that payment of the Early Termination Price or the Pre-delivery Termination Sum (as the case may be) shall not be construed as a penalty but shall represent an agreed estimate of the loss and damage suffered by the Owners in purchasing or part-purchasing the Vessel (as the case may be) and entering into this Charter upon the terms and conditions contained herein, in each case, at the request of the Charterers and shall therefore be paid as compensation to the Owners for early termination and acquisition of the Vessel by the Charterers or the Pre-delivery Releases (as the case may be).
40.2
Upon irrevocable receipt of the Early Termination Price or the Pre-delivery Termination Sum (as the case may be) by the Owners pursuant to Clause 40.1 or Clause 40.7, in full, this Charter shall terminate.
40.3
(a)

(i)
At any time after a Termination Event Notice is served (or if a Termination Event has occurred pursuant to Clauses 48.1(a) or 48.1(g), at any time after its occurrence) and regardless of if the Charterers’ Remarketing Period having commenced and the Charter having not been terminated because of the application of Clause 48.3(B), the Charterers' right to possess and operate the Vessel shall immediately cease and (without in any way affecting the Charterers' obligation to pay the relevant Early Termination Price) the Charterers shall, upon the Owners' request (at the Owners' sole discretion), be obliged to immediately (and at the Charterers' own cost) redeliver the Vessel to the Owners at such ready and nearest safe and practical for redelivery port as the Owners may require; further and for the avoidance of doubt, the Owners shall be entitled (at Owners' sole discretion) to operate the Vessel as they may require and may create whatsoever interests thereon, including without limitation charterparties or any other form of employment contracts (" Post-enforcement Interests ");

(ii)
subject to paragraph (iii) below, at any time after a Termination Event Notice is served unless the Charterers’ Remarketing Period has commenced and the Owners’ rights provided under this paragraph (ii) have not been suspended pursuant to Clause 48.3(B), the Owners shall be entitled (at the Owners' sole discretion) to sell the Vessel on an arm’s length basis and on terms they deem fit (an " Owners' Sale "); and

(iii)
at any time this Charter is terminated pursuant to Clause 48.3, the Owners shall be entitled (at the Owners’ sole discretion) to sell the Vessel on whatever terms they deem fit and for the avoidance of doubt such sale shall not constitute an Owners’ Sale.
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(b)
If the Charterers fail to make any payment of the Pre-delivery Termination Sum on the due date therefor :

(i)
Clauses 36.12 and 36.13 shall apply; and

(ii)
shall be entitled to exercise its rights under the Pre-delivery Assignment and the other Leasing Documents (for the avoidance of doubt, Clause 6 of the Pre-delivery Assignment shall continue to apply).
(c)
Prior to effecting an Owners’ Sale, the Owners shall notify the Charterers in writing and the Charterers may thereafter but prior to the completion of the Owners’ Sale:

(i)
submit to the Owners evidence (to the satisfaction of the Owners) of a purchaser offering by way of a firm offer (subject to customary closing conditions and Owners’ investigation on know your client issues) (a “ Third Party’s Offer ”) an amount at least equal to the then current amount of the Early Termination Price following which the Owners will use reasonable endeavors to enter into a memorandum of agreement (in a form acceptable to the Owners and the relevant counterparty buyer) pursuant to such Third Party’s Offer; or

(ii)
elect to purchase the Vessel by paying the Owners the then current amount of the Early Termination Price (which has become due and payable pursuant to Clause 48.2,
provided that, in either case, the sale of the Vessel pursuant to a Third Party’s Offer in accordance with Clause 40.3(c)(i) or pursuant to Clause 40.3(c)(ii), the payment of purchase price of the Vessel and the completion of such sale shall be made no later than the Owners’ Sale and the Owners may at its sole discretion (acting reasonably) proceed to complete the Owners’ Sale notwithstanding a Third Party’s Offer or the Charterers’ election to purchase the Vessel pursuant to Clause 40.3(c)(ii).
(d)
The proceeds of any sale (in any case other than the sale of the Vessel made after this Charter is terminated pursuant to Clause 48.3) of the Vessel pursuant to an Owners’ Sale, a Third Party’s Offer or Clause 48.3(B)(1) (as the case may be) shall be applied:

(i)
first, towards the Owners’ documented costs incurred in relation to such sale;

(ii)
second, towards payment of the then applicable Early Termination Price and other sums then due and payable to the Owners under the Leasing Documents; and

(iii)
third, any remaining balance to be paid to the Charterers subject to all actual and/or contingent liabilities incurred under any of the Leasing Documents being fully discharged; provided also in the case of the sale proceeds are not in an amount sufficient to discharge in full the aggregate amounts due to the Owners under (i) and (ii), the Charterers shall continue to be liable for the shortfall.
40.4
(a)
Concurrently with the Owners receiving irrevocable payment of the Early Termination Price in full together with other sums then due and payable to the Owners pursuant to the terms of this Charter or any other Leasing Documents from the Charterers pursuant to Clause 40.3(c)(ii) or Clause 48.3(B)(2) (as the case may be), the Owners shall (save, for the avoidance of doubt, in the event of Total Loss or where ownership has already been or agreed to be transferred pursuant to an Owners’ Sale, a Third Party’s Offer, Clause or Clause 48.3(B)(1) (as the case may be)) transfer the legal and beneficial ownership of the Vessel on an "as is where
14


is" basis (and, for the avoidance of doubt, subject to any Post-enforcement Interests), and otherwise in accordance with the terms and conditions set out at Clause 51.1(a) and 51.1(b) (in which case Clause 51.1(a) and 51.1(b) shall be deemed to be applicable notwithstanding other provisions contained therein), to the Charterers or their nominees and shall (at the Charterers' cost) execute a bill of sale and a protocol of delivery and acceptance evidencing the same and any other document strictly necessary to transfer the title of the Vessel to the Charterers (and to the extent required for such purposes, the Vessel shall be deemed first to have been redelivered to the Owners).
(b)
Clause 6.1(b) of the Pre-delivery Assignment shall apply to any receipt by the Owners of the Pre-delivery Termination Sum pursuant to the terms of this Charter and the Pre-delivery Assignment.
40.5
The Charterers hereby undertake to indemnify the Owners against any claims incurred in relation to the Vessel as a result of the Charterers' action or performance prior to transfer of ownership pursuant to Clause 40.4(a). Any taxes, notarial, consular and other costs, charges and expenses connected with closing of the Owners' register shall be for the Charterers' account.
40.6
(a)
If the Charterers are required to redeliver the Vessel to the Owners pursuant to Clause 40.3(a) or if they do not exercise the Purchase Option, the Charterers shall ensure that the Vessel shall, at the time of redelivery to the Owners (at Charterers' cost and expense, including as to docking and repair costs in respect of the below):

(i)
be in compliance with its Insurances;

(ii)
be in an equivalent classification as she was as at the Delivery Date without any recommendation or condition, and with valid, unextended certificates for not less than six (6) months and free of average damage affecting the Vessel's classification and in the same or as good structure, state, condition and classification as that in which she was deemed on the Delivery Date, fair wear and tear not affecting the Vessel's classification excepted ;

(iii)
have passed her 5-year and if applicable, 10-year special surveys, and subsequent second intermediate surveys and drydock at the Charterers' time and expense without any condition or outstanding issue and to the satisfaction of the Classification Society and with all the Vessel's classification, trading, national and international certificates that the Vessel had when she was delivered under this Charter and the log book and whatsoever necessary relating to the operation of the Vessel, valid and un-extended without conditions or recommendation falling due;

(iv)
have her survey cycles up to date and trading and classification certificate valid for at least six (6) months;

(v)
be redelivered to the Owners together with all spare parts and spare equipment as were on board at the time of Delivery except for any spare parts already used and replaced in accordance with the terms of this Charter, and any such spare parts and spare equipment on board at the time of redelivery shall be taken over by the Owners free of charge;
15



(vi)
be free of any cargo and Security Interests (save for the Security Interests granted pursuant to the Financial Instruments);

(vii)
be redelivered to the Owners together with all material information generated during the Charter Period in respect of the use, possession, operation, navigation and the physical condition of the Vessel, whether or not such information is contained in the Charterers' equipment, computer or property;

(viii)
subject to any quiet enjoyment agreement or similar agreement between the Owners and the BP Charterer, be free of any charter (unless the Owners wish to retain the continuance of any then existing charter in which case the Charterers shall use their best endeavors to procure such continuance);

(ix)
be free of officers and crew (unless otherwise agreed by the Owners); and

(x)
shall have had her underwater parts treated with ample anti-fouling to last for the ensuing period up to the next scheduled dry docking of the Vessel in accordance with Classification Society requirements.
(b)
The Owners shall, at the time of the redelivery of the Vessel, take over all bunkers, lubricating oil, unbroached provisions, paints, ropes and other consumable stores in the Vessel at no cost to the Owners.
(c)
In the case of a redelivery of the Vessel if required because the Charterers do not exercise the Purchase Option:

(i)
the Charterers shall give the Owners not less than sixty (60) days preliminary notice of the range of ports of redelivery or port of place or redelivery and not less than fourteen (14) days definite notice of port or place of redelivery. Any changes thereafter in the Vessel’s position shall be notified by the Charterers immediately to the Owners ;

(ii)
the Charterers shall not permit the Vessel to commence any voyage (including any preceding ballast voyage) which cannot be expected to be completed prior on the Expiry Date; and

(iii)
if the time of actual redelivery is after the date on which redelivery is required to take place pursuant to Clause 50 (the " Redelivery Date "), the Charterer shall, without prejudice to any other amounts payable under the Leasing Documents (including without limitation pursuant to this Clause 40) pay to the Owners, as from the first date following the Expiry Date and for each day until the date on which the Vessel is redelivered in accordance with the conditions Clause 40.6(a), the rate of hire equivalent to the higher of:

(A)
the daily Charterhire that would have been payable in the last month of the Charter Period;

(B)
the prevailing market rate for the bareboat chartering of vessels of a similar type as the Vessel (as determined by an Approved Valuer appointed by the Owners); and

(C)
the prevailing market rate for the chartering of vessels of a similar type as the Vessel on the Index
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For the avoidance of doubt, all other terms, conditions and provisions of this Charter and the other Leasing Documents shall continue to apply during such period.
(d)
The Owners reserve all rights to recover from the Charterers any costs, expense and/or liabilities incurred or suffered by them (including without limitation, the costs of any docking and/or repairs which may be required to restore the Vessel to the structure, state, condition and class as that in which the Vessel was delivered (fair wear and tear not affecting class excepted, but without any recommendations or conditions as to class)) as a result of the Vessel not being redelivered in accordance with the terms of this Charter.
40.7
If the Vessel, for any reason, becomes a Total Loss after Delivery, the Charterers shall pay the Early Termination Price to the Owners on the earlier of:
(a)
the date falling ninety (90) days after such Total Loss has occurred; and
(b)
the date of receipt by the Owners and/or their financiers (if any), in accordance with the terms of the relevant loss payable clause, of the proceeds of insurance relating to such Total Loss,
provided that it is hereby agreed that any insurance proceeds in respect of the Vessel received by the Owners shall be applied in or towards discharging the Charterers' obligation to pay the Early Termination Price and any interest accrued thereon (and such application shall be deemed satisfaction of the Charterers' obligation to pay the Early Termination Price to the extent so satisfied) and in the event that the insurance proceeds received from the insurers exceed the Early Termination Price due (and any interest accrued thereon), the excess shall be firstly paid towards satisfying any amounts outstanding and owing by the Charterers pro rata and thereafter paid to the Charterers by way of rebate of hire.
For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that the Vessel becomes a Total Loss:

(i)
payment of the Charterhire and all other sums payable under the Leasing Documents during such period shall continue to be made by the Charterers in accordance with the terms thereof unless and until the Owners receive in full the Early Termination Price;

(ii)
should insurance proceeds be received by the Owners from the insurers, the Charterers' obligations to pay the Early Termination Price shall be accordingly reduced by an amount corresponding to such insurance proceeds but in the event that such insurance proceeds are less than the amount of the Early Termination Price together with any interest accrued thereon, the Charterers shall remain obliged to pay to the Owners the balance so that the full amount of the Early Termination Price due together with any interest accrued thereon is received by the Owners; and;

(iii)
the obligation of the Charterers to pay the Early Termination Price shall remain unaffected and exist regardless of whether any of the insurers have agreed or refused to meet or has disputed in good faith, the claim for Total Loss.
40.8
The Owners shall have no obligation to supply to the Charterers with a replacement vessel following the occurrence of a Total Loss.
CLAUSE 41 – FEES AND EXPENSES
41.1
In consideration of the Owners entering into this Charter, the Charterers shall pay to the Owners or their nominee
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(a)
a non-refundable arrangement fee equal to one point one per cent. (1.10%) of the Financing Amount (the total amount of such arrangement fee payable, the “ Arrangement Fee Amount ”) which shall be payable, and actually received by the Owners or their nominee in two instalments, each payable in the following amount and at the following times:

(i)
the first instalment shall be payable and received by the Owners no later than the payment of the Fifth Instalment or the Sixth Instalment (whichever happens first) or, if this Charter is terminated prior to the Delivery Date, the date of such termination in an amount equal to zero point five per cent. (0.50%) of the Estimated Financing Amount (the “ First Instalment Arrangement Fee Amount ”); and

(ii)
the second instalment shall be payable and received by the Owners no later than the date the Final Instalment is remitted by the Owners as buyer under the MOA to the Builder’s Bank pursuant to clause 19(b)(iii) ( Payment of Purchase Price by Buyer ) of the MOA or, if this Charter is terminated prior to the Scheduled Delivery Date with no Delivery taking place, the date of such termination, in an amount in Dollars equal to the Arrangement Fee Amount minus the First Instalment Arrangement Fee Amount; and
(b)
a commitment fee (the “ Commitment Fee ”) in Dollars computed at the rate of zero point five per cent. (0.50%) per annum on the Committed Amount (Estimated) from time to time for the Pre-delivery Period and the accrued commitment fee is payable on the last day of each successive period of three (3) months which ends during the Pre-delivery Period and on the last day of the Pre-delivery Period (so that the last payment of the Commitment Fee shall be made by the Charterers on the last day of the Pre-delivery Period), provided that :

(i)
if the Actual Commitment Fee is higher than the aggregate amount of the Commitment Fee payable during the Pre-delivery Period (applying the Committed Amount (Estimated) in its calculation and disregarding the application of sub-paragraphs (b)(i) and (b)(ii) of this Clause) (such excess amount, the “ Additional Fee ”), the last payment of the Commitment Fee the Charterers shall make on the last day of the Pre-delivery Period shall be increased by the amount of the Additional Fee; and

(ii)
if the Actual Commitment Fee is lower than the aggregate amount of the Commitment Fee payable during the Pre-delivery Period (applying the Committed Amount (Estimated) in its calculation and disregarding the application of the sub-paragraphs (b)(i) and (b)(ii) of this Clause) (such a shortfall, the “ Excess Fee ”), the last payment of the Commitment Fee the Charterers shall make on the last day of the Pre-delivery Period shall be reduced by the amount of the Excess Fee, provided that if the amount of the Excess Fee is higher than the last payment of the Commitment Fee payable on the last day of the Pre-delivery Period disregarding the application of this sub-paragraph (b)(ii) (such difference, the “ Fee Reimbursement ”), the Owners shall reimburse the Charterers with an amount in Dollars equal to the Fee Reimbursement without any interest.
41.2
Without prejudice to any other rights of the Owners hereunder, the Charterers shall promptly pay to the Owners on written demand on a full indemnity basis all costs, charges and expenses incurred by the Owners in collecting any Charterhire, the Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire or the Advance Charterhire or other payments not paid on the due date under this Charter and in remedying any other failure of the Charterers to observe the terms and conditions of this Charter.
41.3
All costs and expenses (including, but not limited to, legal costs) incurred by the Owners or Owners’ legal counsel in the preparation, negotiation and execution of all documentation in relation to this Charter or any other Pertinent Document (including without limitation any registration or filing expenses, all costs incurred by the Owners and all legal costs, expenses and
18


other disbursement incurred by the Owners’ legal counsels in connection with the same) shall be for the account of the Charterers.
41.4
All costs and expenses incurred by the Owners in relation to the acquisition and registration of the Vessel by the Owners in the Owners’ name in the Buyers’ Nominated Flag State together with any and all fees (including but not limited to any vessel registration and tonnage fees) payable by the Owners to such flag state to maintain and/or renew such registration shall be for the account of the Charterers. Without prejudice to the foregoing, if the Buyers’ Nominated Flag State requires the Owners to establish a physical presence or office in the jurisdiction of such flag state, all fees, costs and expenses payable by the Owners to establish and maintain such physical presence or office shall be for the account of the Charterers.
41.5
All costs and expenses incurred by the Owners in relation to the redelivery of the Vessel by the Owners to the Charterers pursuant to Clause 40 ( Termination, Redelivery and Total Loss ) shall be for the account of the Charterers.
41.6
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the indemnities provided by the Charterers shall be provided in favour of the Owners and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any breach of the terms of this Charter or termination of this Charter pursuant to the terms hereof.
CLAUSE 42 - NO WAIVER OF RIGHTS
42.1
No neglect, delay, omission or indulgence on the part of either party in enforcing the terms and conditions of this Charter shall prejudice the strict rights of that party or be construed as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right of either party preclude any other or further exercise thereof.
42.2
No right or remedy conferred upon either party by this Charter shall be exclusive of any other right or remedy provided for herein or by law and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative.
CLAUSE 43 - NOTICES
Any notice, certificate, demand or other communication to be served, given made or sent under or in relation to this Charter shall be in English and in writing and (without prejudice to any other valid method or giving making or sending the same) shall be deemed sufficiently given or made or sent if sent by registered post, fax or by email to the following respective addresses:
 
(A)
to the Owners:
SEA 103 LEASING CO., LIMITED
21F, China Merchants Bank Building, No.1088, Lujiazui Ring
Road, Shanghai, China
Attention: Man Xin
Email: x_man@cmbchina.com
Tel: +8621 61061737
Fax: +8621 61059911*1737
       
 
(B)
to the Charterers:
Top Ships Inc.
Attention:   Alexandros Tsirikos
Email:        atsirikos@topships.org
Tel:            +30 210 8128180
Fax:           +30 210 8056441
       
or, if a party hereto changes its address or fax number, to such other address or fax number as that party may notify to the other.
19


CLAUSE 44 – REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
44.1 The Charterers represent and warrant to the Owners as of the date hereof, and on each day during the Security Period, as follows:
(a)
the Charterers are legally, wholly and directly owned and controlled by the Guarantor and the Guarantor is controlled by affiliate companies to the family of Mr. Evangelos Pistiolis;
(b)
each Relevant Person is duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of its incorporation;
(c)
each Relevant Person has the corporate capacity, and has taken all corporate actions and obtained all consents, approvals, authorisations, licenses or permits necessary for it:

(i)
to execute each of the Pertinent Documents to which it is a party; and

(ii)
to comply with and perform its obligations under each of the Pertinent Documents to which it is a party;
(d)
all the consents, approvals, authorisations, licenses or permits referred to in Clause 44.1(c) ( Representations and Warranties ) remain in force and nothing has occurred which makes any of them liable to revocation;
(e)
each of the Pertinent Documents to which a Relevant Person is a party constitutes such Relevant Person’s legal, valid and binding obligations enforceable against such party in accordance with its respective terms and any relevant insolvency laws affecting creditors’ rights generally;
(f)
the entry into and performance by each Relevant Person of, and the transactions contemplated by, each Pertinent Document to which it is a party do not and will not conflict with:

(i)
any law or regulation applicable to it;

(ii)
the constitutional documents of such Relevant Person; and

(iii)
any agreement or instrument binding upon it or any of its assets or constitute a default or termination event (however described) under any such agreement or instrument;
(g)
there are no outstanding notices or demands from any governmental, quasi-governmental or public authority or instrumentality or any other person claiming authority in respect of the Vessel requiring any work or other action to be taken or the expenditure of any money to be taken in respect of the Vessel or any part thereof;
(h)
the Vessel is free of encumbrances and liens except for the Permitted Security Interests; no third party has any Security Interest, other than the Permitted Security Interests, or any other interest, right or claim over, in or in relation to the Vessel, this Charter or any moneys payable hereunder and/or any of the other Pertinent Documents;
(i)
all payments which a Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) is liable to make under any Pertinent Document to which such Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) is a party may be made by such party without deduction or withholding for or on account of any tax payable under the laws of its Relevant Jurisdiction;
(j)
no legal or administrative action involving a Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) has been commenced or taken (including but not limited
20


to actions involving any Environmental Claim but excluding the class action involving certain of the Guarantor’s executive officers pending in the US District Court of the Eastern District of New York on behalf of certain shareholders of the Guarantor as reflected in a 20(f) filing filed on 29 March 2018);
(k)
each Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) has paid all taxes applicable to, or imposed on or in relation to it, its business or if applicable, the Vessel, except for those being contested in good faith with adequate reserves;
(l)
it is not necessary under the laws of the Relevant Jurisdictions that this Charter or any other Leasing Document be registered, filed, recorded, notarized or enrolled with any court or other authority in that jurisdiction or that any stamp, registration, notarial or similar taxes or fees be paid on or in relation to the Leasing Documents to which it is a party or the transactions contemplated by those Leasing Documents; the choice of governing law as stated in each Pertinent Document to which a Relevant Person is a party and the agreement by such party to refer disputes to the relevant courts or tribunals as stated in such Pertinent Document are valid and binding against such Relevant Person;
(m)
no Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) nor any of their assets are entitled to immunity on the grounds of sovereignty or otherwise from any legal action or proceeding (which shall include, without limitation, suit, attachment prior to judgment, execution or other enforcement);
(n)
the obligations of each Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) under each Pertinent Document to which it is a party, are the direct, general and unconditional obligations of such Relevant Person and rank at least pari passu with all other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated creditors of such Relevant Person save for any obligation which is mandatorily preferred by law and not by virtue of any contract;
(o)
each Pertinent Document creates (or, once entered into, will create) the Security Interest which it is expressed to create with the ranking and priority it is expressed to have;
(p)
the Charterers and any other Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) (i) are not US Tax Obligors and (ii) have not established a place of business in the United Kingdom or the United States of America;
(q)
no Relevant Person or any of their respective directors, officers, and employees is a Restricted Person or is otherwise a target of applicable Sanctions;
(r)
no Relevant Person or any of their respective directors, officers, and employees is in breach of applicable Sanctions laws, and none of them (i) has been or is currently being investigated on compliance with Sanctions, (ii) has received notice or is aware of any claim, action, suit or proceeding against any of them with respect to Sanctions and (iii) has taken any action to evade the application of Sanctions;
(s)
no Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) is in breach of any Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws and/or Business Ethics Laws and each Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) has instituted and maintained systems, controls, policies and procedures designed to:

(i)
prevent and detect incidences of bribery and corruption, money laundering and terrorism financing; and

(ii)
promote and achieve compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws and or Business Ethics Laws including, but not limited to, ensuring thorough and accurate books and records, and utilization of best efforts to ensure
21


that Affiliates acting on behalf of a Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) shall act in compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws and Business Ethics Laws,.
(t)
that in relation to the Shipbuilding Documents and the BP Charter:

(i)
each copy of the Shipbuilding Documents and BP Charter provided to the Owners is a true and complete copy of such document and there have been no amendments, supplements or variations to the same;

(ii)
all amounts due and payable to the Builder under the Contract on or prior to the date hereof have been fully and irrevocably paid to the Builder (receipt of which has been duly acknowledged by the Builder) and there are no outstanding amounts as at the date hereof which are due, owing or payable to the Builder thereunder;

(iii)
there are no unresolved disputes and/or pending claims for payment between the Builder and the Charterers in respect of the Shipbuilding Documents and/or the Vessel and/or the BP Charter; and

(iv)
each of the BP Charterer, Builder and the Refund Guarantor is fully aware of the transactions contemplated under the MOA and this Charter;

(v)
each of the Builder and the Refund Guarantor has consented to the assignment by the Charterers to the Owners of all their rights, interests and benefits in relation to the Shipbuilding Documents pursuant to the Pre-delivery Assignment;

(vi)
the BP Charterer has consented to the assignment by the Charterers to the Owners of all their rights, interests and benefits in relation to the BP Charter pursuant to the General Assignment;
(u)
the Vessel is not employed, operated or managed in any manner which (i) is contrary to any Sanctions and in particular, the Vessel is not used by or to benefit any party which is a target of Sanctions or trade to any area or country where trading the Vessel to such area or country would constitute a breach of any Sanctions or published boycotts imposed by any of the United Nations, the European Union, the United States of America, the United Kingdom or the People’s Republic of China (provided that operation or use of the Vessel by the BP Charterer pursuant to the BP Charter shall not in any case be deemed to be in breach or contrary to any published boycotts imposed by the People’s Republic of China) or (ii) would trigger the operation of any sanctions limitation or exclusion clause in any insurance documentation;
(v)
none of the Relevant Persons nor any of their assets, in each case, has any right to immunity from set off, legal proceedings, attachment prior to judgment or other attachment or execution of judgement on the grounds of sovereign immunity or otherwise;
(w)
none of the Relevant Persons is insolvent, bankrupt or in liquidation, bankruptcy or administration or subject to any other formal or informal insolvency or bankruptcy procedure (including, without limitation, those referred to under Clause 48.1(g) ( Termination Events ) and for the avoidance of doubt including the presentation of a petition for commencing such procedures), and no receiver, administrative receiver, administrator, liquidator, trustee or analogous officer has been appointed in respect of the any Relevant Person or all or material part of their assets;
(x)
no Termination Event or Potential Termination Event is continuing or might reasonably be expected to result from the entry into and performance of this Charter or any other Pertinent Document;
22


(y)
any factual information provided by any Relevant Person (or on their behalf) to the Owners was true and accurate in all material respects as at the date it was provided or as at the date at which such information was stated;
(z)
none of the following events has occurred:

(i)
any default by the Charterers or the BP Charterer under the terms of the BP Charter;

(ii)
any default by the Charterers or the Builder under the terms of the Contract;

(iii)
breach of any Sanctions;

(iv)
upon delivery of the Vessel under the Contract, any casualty or occurrence (including damage caused to the Vessel for any reason whatsoever) which results, or may be expected to result, in repairs on the Vessel; and

(v)
upon and after the commencement of the Charter Period, any casualty or occurrence (including damage caused to the Vessel for any reason whatsoever which results, or may be expected to result, in repairs on the Vessel) which exceed the Major Casualty Amount and which are not being dealt with in accordance with the Leasing Documents (including without limitation in accordance with Clause 38 and the General Assignment);
(aa)
all Environmental Laws relating to the ownership, operation and management of the Vessel and the business of each Relevant Person (as now conducted and as reasonably anticipated to be conducted in the future) have been complied with;
(bb)
no Environmental Claim has been made or threatened against any Relevant Person or otherwise in connection with the Vessel; and
(cc)
no Environmental Incident has occurred and no person has claimed that an Environmental Incident has occurred.
CLAUSE 45 –UNDERTAKINGS
45.1
The Charterers undertake that they shall comply or procure compliance with the following undertakings during the Security Period:
(a)
the Charterers shall, on the Delivery Date, procure the delivery of the full legal and beneficial title (free of any Security Interests save for those created under a Pertinent Document or Financial Instrument) in the Vessel to the Owners;
(b)
there shall be sent to the Owners:

(i)
as soon as possible, but in no event later than one hundred and twenty (120) days after the end of each financial year of the Charterers, the audited annual financial statement accounts of the Charterers for that financial year as referred to in the Guarantor’s audited consolidated annual financial statement accounts of the Guarantor for that financial year to be delivered under Clause 45.1(b)(iii);

(ii)
as soon as possible, but in no event later than ninety (90) days after the end of each half-year, the unaudited semi-annual accounts of the Charterers for that half-year;

(iii)
as soon as possible, but in no event later than one hundred and twenty (120) days after the end of each financial year of the Guarantor, the audited consolidated annual financial statement accounts of the Guarantor for that financial year; and
23



(iv)
as soon as possible, but in no event later than ninety (90) days after the end of each half-year, the semi-annual consolidated unaudited accounts of the Guarantor for that half-year certified as to their correctness by at least one director of the Guarantor;
and if any of the statements above are not in the English language then they shall be accompanied by an English translation and each set of financial statements delivered pursuant to this paragraph (b) shall be prepared using the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States;
(c)
they shall provide to the Owners, at the same time as they are despatched, copies of all notices and minutes relating to any of their extraordinary shareholders’ meeting which are despatched to the Charterers’ or the Guarantor’s respective shareholders or creditors or any class of them;
(d)
they shall, and shall procure that each other Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) will, provide the Owners with details of any legal or administrative action involving such Relevant Person or the Vessel as soon as such action is instituted;
(e)
they shall, and shall procure that each other Relevant Person will, obtain and promptly renew or procure the obtainment or renewal of and provide copies of, from time to time, any necessary consents, approvals, authorisations, licenses or permits of any regulatory body or authority for the transactions contemplated under each Pertinent Document to which it is a party (including without limitation to sell, charter and operate the Vessel);
(f)
they shall not, and shall procure that each other Relevant Person will not, create, assume or permit to exist any Security Interest (other than any Permitted Security Interest) of any kind upon any Pertinent Document to which such Relevant Person is a party, and if applicable, the Vessel;
(g)
they shall at their own cost and shall procure that each other Relevant Person will:

(i)
do all that such Relevant Person reasonably can to ensure that any Pertinent Document to which such Relevant Person is a party validly creates the obligations and the Security Interests which such Relevant Person purports to create; and

(ii)
without limiting the generality of paragraph (i), promptly register, file, record or enroll any Pertinent Document to which such Relevant Person is a party with any court or authority in all Relevant Jurisdictions, pay any stamp duty, registration or similar tax in all Relevant Jurisdictions in respect of any Pertinent Document to which such Relevant Person is a party, give any notice or take any other step which, is or has become necessary or desirable for any such Pertinent Document to be valid, enforceable or admissible in evidence or to ensure or protect the priority of any Security Interest which such Relevant Person creates;
(h)
they shall notify the Owners as soon as possible (but in any event no later than ninety (90) days prior to the third anniversary of the charter period commencement date under the BP Charter), together with any evidence requested by the Owners, whether the BP Charterer intends to and will (with irrevocable confirmation from the BP Charterer) extend the charter period of the BP Charter in accordance with the terms thereunder;
(i)
they shall, and shall procure that each other Relevant Person will (where applicable), notify the Owners as soon as they become aware of the occurrence of:

(i)
any default by either the BP Charterer or Charterers of the terms of the BP Charter;
24



(ii)
an event of default or termination event howsoever called under the terms of the BP Charter entitling either the Charterers or the BP Charterer to terminate the BP Charter;

(iii)
any default by any party of the terms of any Shipbuilding Document;

(iv)
any event entitling the Charterers or the Builder to rescind the Contract;

(v)
breach of any Sanctions; or

(vi)
any Potential Termination Event or a Termination Event,
and will keep the Owners fully up-to-date with all developments and the Charterers shall, if so requested by the Owners, provide any such certificate signed by at least one officer, confirming that there exists no Potential Termination Event or Termination Event;
(j)
they shall, and shall procure that each other Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) will, on the sixth month anniversary of the Delivery Date and at six-monthly intervals thereafter and otherwise upon the Owners’ and/or their financiers (if any) request from time to time and as soon as practicable after receiving such request, provide the Owners with any additional financial or other information relating:

(i)
to themselves and/or the Vessel (including, but not limited to the employment, condition, class records and location of the Vessel) and, to their best knowledge having made due enquiry, to the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor;

(ii)
the terms and conditions of any sub-charter together with any other information relating to such sub-charter; and

(iii)
to any other matter (which include without limitation, to their best knowledge having made due enquiry, any other matters relating to the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) which may be reasonably requested by the Owners (or their financiers (if any)) at any time or which under the terms of the relevant Pertinent Document may be sought from the person in possession of such information.
(k)
without prejudice to Clause 45.1(q) ( Undertakings ), comply, or procure compliance, and shall procure that each other Relevant Person will comply or procure compliance, with all laws or regulations relating to the Vessel and its construction, ownership, employment, operation, management and registration, including the ISM Code, the ISPS Code, all Environmental Laws and the laws of the Vessel’s registry and shall procure that the Technical Manager and the Commercial Manager and the Vessel to be in the possession of proper trading certificates and other vessel related documents and to comply with other relevant laws and regulations;
(l)
the Vessel shall be classed with the Approved Classification Society and shall be free of all overdue recommendations and requirements;
(m)
they shall not and ensure that neither the Other Charterer nor the Guarantor shall enter into any form of merger, sub-division, amalgamation, demerger, reorganization, corporate reconstruction or change of ownership without the Owners’ prior consent;
(n)
subject to Clause 45(v), they shall ensure that the Market Value of the Vessel will be tested at the following instances:

(i)
on or about the date of this Charter, on the date falling six months thereafter and at six-monthly intervals thereafter (each such date the “ Market Value Test Date ”) and the Charterers shall procure a valuation report issued by the Approved Valuers evidencing such Market Value applicable to a Market Value Test Date to be delivered to the Owners no later than that Market Value Test Date; and
25



(ii)
if, in the opinion of the Owners, any volatile market fluctuations occurs that may affect the value of the Vessel or vessels of the similar type of the Vessel, at any time at the request of the Owners;

(iii)
at any time at the request of the Owners if the Owners have determined that the Market Value of the Vessel is likely to fall below an amount equal to 125% of the then applicable Early Prepayment Sum;

(iv)
valuation of the Market Value of the Vessel is required pursuant to Clause 45(v); and

(v)
upon the occurrence of a Potential Termination Event or Termination Event, at any time at the request of the Owners,
and in each case above the Charterers shall bear the fees and expenses of the Approved Valuers or reimburse the same to the Owners (as the case may be).
(o)
they shall notify the Owners immediately of:

(i)
any Environmental Claim made against the Charterers or any subcharter of the Vessel in connection with the Vessel or any Environmental Incident;

(ii)
arrest or detention of the Vessel;

(iii)
any exercise or purported exercise of any lien on that Vessel or its Earnings or any requisition of that Vessel for hire;

(iv)
any damage caused to or alteration of the Vessel for any reason whatsoever which results, or may be expected to result, in repairs on the Vessel which exceed $1,000,000; or

(v)
any casualty or occurrence as a result of which the Vessel has become or is, by the passing of time or otherwise, likely to become, a Major Casualty;
(p)
they shall not permit the sub-chartering of the Vessel except in the following situations:

(i)
the Vessel is let on a time charter basis for a period not exceeding twelve (12) months (inclusive of optional extension periods) unless
the Owners’ prior approval is obtained in relation to such sub-chartering and that any such sub-charter is assigned by the Charterers in favour of the Owners in form and substance satisfactory to the Owners;
(q)
they shall, and shall procure that each other Relevant Person (other than the Refund Guarantor and the Builder) will, comply with all applicable laws and regulations in respect of Sanctions, and in particular, the Charterers shall effect and maintain a sanctions compliance policy to ensure compliance with all such laws and regulations implemented from time to time;
(r)
they shall, and shall procure that each other Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Refund Guarantor and the Builder) and their respective officers, directors and employees, will:

(i)
conduct its business in compliance with all Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws and/or Business Ethics Laws;

(ii)
maintain systems, controls, policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve ongoing compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws and/or Business Ethics Laws;
26



(iii)
in respect of the Charterers, not use, or permit or authorize any person to directly or indirectly use, the Financing Amount for any purpose that would breach any Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws and/or Business Ethics Laws;

(iv)
not lend, invest, contribute or otherwise make available the Financing Amount to or for any other person in a manner which would result in a violation of Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws and/or Business Ethics Laws.
(s)
they shall, and shall procure that that each other Relevant Person will, promptly notify the Owners and provide all information in relation to its business and operations which may be relevant for the purposes of ascertaining whether they are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations relating to Sanctions, and in particular, the Charterers shall notify the Owners in writing immediately upon being aware that any of the Charterers’ shareholders, directors, officers or employees is a Restricted Person or has otherwise become a target of Sanctions;
(t)
they shall not appoint or permit to be appointed any manager of the Vessel save for an Approved Manager on terms acceptable to the Owners and their financiers (if any) and such Approved Manager has (prior to accepting its appointment entered into a Manager’s Undertaking and, if required by the Owners, acceded to the Trust Deed);
(u)
if at any time, the Market Value of the Vessel falls below the amount equivalent to 125% of the then applicable Early Prepayment Sum (the “ LTV Breach ” and the said difference between the Market Value of the Vessel and 125% of the then applicable Early Prepayment Sum shall be referred to as the “ shortfall ”), the Charterers shall promptly, and in any event no later than the date falling thirty (30) days from the earlier of (a) the Charterers’ receipt from the Owners notifying them of such LTV Breach and (b) the Charterers’ receipt of the relevant valuation of the Market Value, pay to the Owners to an account nominated by the Owners and notified to the Charterers, without set-off or deduction, an amount in Dollars equivalent to that shortfall as deposit and such amount actually received by the Owners shall constitute to part of the Deposit then retained by the Owners.
(v)
once the number of Fleet Vessels owned by the Group becomes less than five (the “ Relevant Time ”):

(i)
the Charterers shall notify the Owners immediately of such occurrence;

(ii)
the Owners shall have the right to request the Market Value of all the Fleet Vessels to be tested (at the Charterers’ costs) at any time as from the Relevant Time and the Charterers shall ensure such Market Value be so tested (at the Charterers’ costs) immediately upon the Owners’ request; and

(iii)
upon request by the Owners, the Charterers shall promptly and in any event no later than the date falling thirty (30) days from such request, pay to the Owners to an account nominated by the Owners and notified to the Charterers, without set-off or deduction, an amount in Dollars as deposit an amount which will ensure that after payment of such deposit the Market Value of the Vessel is not more than sixty per cent. (60%) of the amount equal to the then applicable Early Prepayment Sum and such amount actually received by the Owners shall become part of the Deposit then retained by the Owners;
(w)
save with the prior written consent of the Owners, they shall not, and shall procure that no other Relevant Person shall, agree or enter into any transaction, arrangement, document or do or omit to do anything which will have the effect of varying, amending, supplementing or waiving any term of any Shipbuilding Document or the BP Charter;
(x)
they shall ensure that:
27



(i)
all Earnings and any other amounts received by them in connection with the Vessel are paid into the Operating Account;

(ii)
all operating expenses in connection with the Vessel are paid from the Operating Account or via the monthly budget from the manager’s bank account which shall be credited from the Operating Account; and

(iii)
the credit balance in the Operating Account shall not at any time as from the Delivery Date be less than $1,000,000,
(y)
they shall not make or pay any dividend or other distribution (in cash or in kind) in respect of its share capital following the occurrence of a Potential Termination Event or Termination Event;
(z)
the Vessel shall be registered under the Buyers’ Nominated Flag State at all times;
(aa)
they shall be responsible for losses directly or indirectly arising out of the defects of the design of the Vessel and/or the Charterers' negligence in the supervision of the construction of the Vessel; and
(bb)
they shall ensure that the Vessels to be maintained with all spare parts on board and on order and with all stores on board together with all records, logs, plans, operating manuals and drawings in relation to the Vessel or the Vessel’s operations and/or maintenance.
CLAUSE 46 – INSPECTION OF VESSEL
46.1
Without prejudice to Clause 46.2 ( Inspection of Vessel ) below, the Owners shall, after giving notice to the Charterers, be entitled to inspect or survey the Vessel or instruct a surveyor to carry out such survey on their behalf:
(a)
to ascertain the condition of the Vessel and satisfy themselves that the Vessel is being properly repaired and maintained;
(b)
in dry-dock if the Charterers have not dry-docked the Vessel in accordance with Clause 10(g) ( Periodical Dry-docking ); and
(c)
for any other reason they consider necessary,
provided it does not unduly interfere with the normal commercial operation of the Vessel.
46.2
The Owners shall be entitled to exercise its rights of inspection or survey as described under Clause 46.1 ( Inspection of Vessel ) once a year at the cost of the Charterers and at any other time at the cost of the Owners (and, except where inspection or survey is carried out pursuant to the following (a) or (b), without interference to the operation of the Vessel), save that (a) upon the occurrence of a Termination Event or Potential Termination Event or the occurrence of any major insurance claims (in the opinion of the Owners) in respect of the Vessel, the Owners shall have the right to inspect or survey the Vessel or instruct a duly authorized surveyor to carry out such survey on their behalf at any time (and for the avoidance of doubt, more than once a year) without prior notice to, and at the cost of, the Charterers; and (b) the Owners shall have the right to inspect or survey the Vessel or instruct a duly authorized surveyor to carry out such survey on their behalf at any time prior to the Delivery Date. The Charterers shall procure that the Owners can fully exercise such rights of inspection and survey.
46.3
The Charterers shall also permit the Owners to inspect the Vessel’s log books whenever requested and shall whenever required by the Owners furnish them with full information regarding any casualties or other accidents or damage to the Vessel.
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CLAUSE 47 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED
CLAUSE 48 – TERMINATION EVENTS
48.1
The Owners and the Charterers hereby agree that any of the following events shall constitute a Termination Event:
(a)
any Relevant Person fails to make any payment on the due date or on demand in accordance with the terms of any Pertinent Document to which it is a party, unless such non-payment is caused by administrative or technical error and the relevant payment is made within five (5) Business Days of the relevant due date;
(b)
the Charterers breach or omit to observe or perform any of their undertakings in Clause 45.1(a), 45.1(e), 45.1(f), 45.1(i), 45.1(k), 45.1(o), 45.1(q), 45.1(r), 45.1(s), 45.1(u), 45.1(v), 45.1(x)(iii), or 45.1(z) ( Undertakings ) or the Guarantor breaches or omits to observe or perform any of its undertakings or the financial covenants contained under clause 11.14 ( financial covenants ) of the Guarantee;
(c)
the Charterers fail to obtain and/or maintain the Insurances required under Clause 38 ( Insurance ) in accordance with the provisions thereof (or any insurer in respect of such Insurances cancels the Insurances or disclaims liability with respect thereto);
(d)
any Relevant Person commits any other breach of, or omits to observe or perform, any of their other obligations or undertakings in this Charter or any Pertinent Document (other than a breach referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) above) unless such breach or omission is in the opinion of the Owners, remediable and the Relevant Person remedies (or cause to remedy) such breach or omission to the satisfaction of the Owners within five (5) Business Days of the occurrence of such breach or omission;
(e)
any representation or warranty made by any Relevant Person in or pursuant to any Pertinent Document to which it is a party proves to be untrue or misleading when it is made;
(f)
any of the following occurs in relation to any Financial Indebtedness of the Charterers, each Other Charterer, the Guarantor or any member of the Group:

(i)
any Financial Indebtedness of such entity is not paid when due or, if so payable, on demand after any applicable grace period has expired;

(ii)
any Financial Indebtedness of such entity becomes due and payable, or capable of being declared due and payable, prior to its stated maturity date as a consequence of any event of default and not as a consequence of the exercise of any voluntary right of prepayment;

(iii)
a lease, hire purchase agreement or charter creating any Financial Indebtedness of such entity is terminated by the lessor or owner as a consequence of any termination event or event of default (howsoever defined); or

(iv)
any overdraft, loan, note issuance, acceptance credit, letter of credit, guarantee, foreign exchange or other facility, or any swap or other derivative contract or transaction, relating to any Financial Indebtedness of such entity ceases to be available or becomes capable of being terminated or declared due and payable or cash cover is required or becomes capable of being required, as a result of any termination event or event of default (howsoever defined);
(g)
any of the following occurs in relation to the Charterers, each Other Charterer, the Guarantor or any member of the Group:
29



(i)
such entity becomes, in the opinion of the Owners, unable to pay their debts as they fall due;

(ii)
in respect of such entity, the value of its assets is less than its liabilities (taking into account contingent liabilities);

(iii)
any administrative or other receiver is appointed over all or a substantial part of the assets of such entity unless as part of a solvent reorganisation which has been approved by the Owners;

(iv)
such entity makes any formal declaration of bankruptcy or any formal statement to the effect that they are insolvent or likely to become insolvent, or a winding up or administration order is made in relation to such entity, or the members or directors of such entity pass a resolution to the effect that they should be wound up, placed in administration or cease to carry on business;

(v)
a petition is presented in any Relevant Jurisdiction for the winding up or administration, or the appointment of a provisional liquidator, of such entity;

(vi)
such entity petitions a court, or presents any proposal for, any form of judicial or non-judicial suspension or deferral of payments, reorganisation of their debt (or certain of their debt) or arrangement with all or a substantial proportion (by number or value) of their creditors or of any class of them or with a minority proportion (by number or value) of their creditors or of any class of them which would reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect or any such suspension or deferral of payments, reorganisation or arrangement is effected by court order, contract or otherwise;

(vii)
any meeting of the members or directors of such entity is summoned for the purpose of considering a resolution or proposal to authorise or take any action of a type described in paragraph (iii), (iv), (v) or (vi);

(viii)
,in any jurisdiction, any event occurs or any procedure is commenced which, in the opinion of the Owners, is similar to any of the foregoing referred to in (ii) to and including (vii) above; or

(ix)
any expropriation, attachment, sequestration, distress or execution (or any analogous process in any jurisdiction which affects any asset or assets of such entity which is not discharged within fourteen (14) days;
(h)
a Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) suspends or ceases or threatens to suspend or cease carrying on its business;
(i)
any consent, approval, authorisation, license or permit necessary to enable the Charterers or the BP Charterer to operate or charter the Vessel, the Builder to sell and construct the Vessel, or any of Relevant Person to comply with any provision of Pertinent Document (as the case may be) and/or to ensure that the obligations of any Relevant Person under any Pertinent Document are legal, valid, binding or enforceable (I) is not granted, (II) expires without being renewed, (III) is revoked or becomes liable to revocation or (IV) any condition of such a consent, approval, authorisation, license or permit is not fulfilled;
(j)
any event or circumstance occurs which (in the opinion of the Owners) has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(k)
this Charter or any Pertinent Document or any Security Interest created by a Pertinent Document:
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(i)
is cancelled, terminated, rescinded or suspended or otherwise ceases to remain in full force and effect for any reason or no longer constitutes valid, binding and enforceable obligations of any party to that document for any reason whatsoever; or

(ii)
is amended or varied without the prior written consent of the Owners;
(l)
a Relevant Person rescinds or purports to rescind or repudiates or purports to repudiate a Pertinent Document;
(m)
the Security Interest constituted by any Pertinent Document is in any way imperiled or in jeopardy;
(n)
any Termination Event (as defined in the Other Charter) occurs under the Other Charter;
(o)
the occurrence of any of the following events;

(i)
an event of default or termination event howsoever called under the terms of the BP Charter entitling either the BP Charterer or the Charterers to terminate the BP Charter;

(ii)
any default by any party of the terms of any Shipbuilding Document (including the occurrence of any Buyer’s Default) including, without limitation, any event entitling the Charterers to rescind or terminate the Contract; or

(iii)
breach of any Sanctions;
(p)
Delivery does not occur on or prior to the Cancelling Date;
(q)
there occurs:

(i)
the filing of a petition or the making of an order or the passing of an effective resolution for the winding up of the bank issuing the Refund Guarantee (other than for the purpose of reconstruction or amalgamation which has been previously approved in writing by the Owners) or the appointment of a receiver, administrator, compulsory manager, trustee, liquidator or other similar officer has been made against the Refund Guarantor or any of its assets under the laws of any jurisdiction or the appointment of a receiver of the undertaking or property of the Refund Guarantor, or the insolvency of or suspension of payments by the Refund Guarantor, or the making by the Refund Guarantor of any special arrangement or composition with the creditors of the Refund Guarantor, provided there is a the failure to replace the Refund Guarantor with an alternative refund guarantor acceptable to the Charterers and the Owners; or

(ii)
an event analogous to any of those set out at paragraph (i) above in relation to the Builder (disregarding the proviso thereto);
(r)
a Total Loss has occurred in respect of the Vessel or any damage has occurred in respect of the Vessel which, in the opinion of Owners, with the passage of time may result in a Total Loss of the Vessel or otherwise materially and adversely affects the value of the Vessel;
(s)
the BP Charterer does not exercise its option to extend the charter period of the BP Charter beyond the third anniversary or, if such charter period extends beyond its third anniversary, the fourth anniversary of the charter period commencement date thereunder unless the Charterers, subject to Clause 45.1(p), has entered into a Substitute Charter, and the Charterers have provided evidence requested by the Owners relating to the entry into, and validity of, such Substitute Charter no later than one (1) month prior to the third anniversary and, if such charter period extends beyond its third anniversary, the fourth anniversary (each a “ Notification Date ”) of the charter period commencement date of the BP Charter, provided
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that if the Charterer does not enter into a Substitute Charter by a Notification Date non-entry thereof shall not constitute a Termination Event under this Clause 48.1(s) if the Charterer (i) serves a notice of its intention to pay to the Owners as deposit an amount in Dollars equal to 13.5% of the aggregate of the then applicable Early Prepayment Sum on the first Payment Date to occur after that Notification Date and (ii) such deposit shall be paid by the Charterers to an account nominated by the Owners and notified to the Charterers and received by the Owners (without set-off or deduction and without counting the Charterhire instalment payable on that Payment Date) on such Payment Date and such amount actually received by the Owners shall become a part of the Deposit then retained by the Owners;
(t)
if a Substitute Charter has been entered into pursuant to Clause 48.1(s) or pursuant to this Clause (t) (as a New Substitute Charter (as defined hereunder) and the charter period under such Substitute Charter expires or is otherwise terminated prior to the Expiry Date, unless the Charterers, subject to Clause 45.1(p), has entered into another replacing Substitute Charter (each such replacing Substitute Charter, the “ New Substitute Charter ”), and the Charterers have provided evidence requested by the Owners relating to the entry into, and validity of, such New Substitute Charter no later than one (1) month prior to the expiry or termination date of the then existing Substitute Charter (each a “ New Notification Date ”), provided that if the Charterer does not enter into a New Substitute Charter by a New Notification Date non-entry thereof shall not constitute a Termination Event under this Clause 48.1(t) if the Charterer (i) serves a notice of its intention to pay to the Owners as deposit an amount equal to 13.5% of the aggregate of the then applicable Early Prepayment Sum on the first Payment Date to occur after that New Notification Date and (ii) such deposit shall be paid by the Charterers to an account nominated by the Owners and notified to the Charterers and received by the Owners (without set-off or deduction and without counting the Charterhire instalment payable on that Payment Date) on such Payment Date and such amount actually received by the Owners shall become a part of the Deposit then retained by the Owners;
(u)
there is a merger, amalgamation, demerger or corporate reconstruction of the Charterer, the Other Charterer and the Guarantor without the Owners’ prior written consent;
(v)
the Guarantor is de-listed from the NASDAQ Capital Markets or the trading of its shares is suspended for more than 5 Business Days for any reason whatsoever;
(w)
there is a change in control of ownership or control of the Charterers or there is a change of control in the case of the Guarantor that set out in Clause 44.1(a) unless prior written consent from the Owners has been obtained prior to such change;
(x)
the Refund Guarantee ceases to be valid and enforceable (unless, for the avoidance of doubt, Delivery has already taken place); or
(y)
there is any occurrence of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings or investigations involving a Relevant Person which has been commenced or taken and has been adversely determined and which would have or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.
48.2
Subject to Clause 48.3 below, upon the occurrence of a Termination Event which is continuing on or after Delivery whereupon the then applicable Early Termination Price shall become immediately due and payable by the Charterers unless this Charter is terminated pursuant to Clause 48.3.The Owners shall notify the Charterers of occurrence of such Termination Event (the " Termination Event Notice ") other than if the relevant Termination Event is an event described under Clause 48.1(g), the Owners are not required to serve such a notice to the Charterers.
48.3
If

(i)
a Termination Event Notice is served by the Owners to the Charterers; or
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(ii)
a Termination Event has occurred on or after Delivery pursuant to Clause 48.1(g); or

(iii)
a Termination Event has occurred prior to Delivery,
then the Owners shall be entitled, provided the Termination Event is continuing:

(A)
in the case where the relevant Termination Event is an event described under Clause 48.1(a) or Clause 48.1(g), to notify the Charterers at any time of the Owners’ intention to terminate this Charter whereupon this Charter shall immediately terminate, provided that the Owners’ rights under Clause 40.3 shall remain until this Charter is so terminated;

(B)
in the case of paragraph (i) above and if the relevant Termination Event is not an event described under Clause 48.1(a) or Clause 48.1(g), to notify the Charterers of the Owners’ intention to terminate this Charter (the “ Termination Notice ”) whereupon, unless the Charterers request in writing for a period no longer than 30 days commencing from the date of the Termination Notice (such period the “ Charterers’ Remarketing Period ”) before this Charter can be so terminated and then this Charter shall terminate on the earlier of the end of the Charterers’ Remarketing Period or the completion of the sale of the Vessel pursuant to Sub-paragraph B(1) or (B)(2) below:

(1)
the Charterers may submit to the Owners evidence (to the satisfaction of the Owners) of a purchaser offering by way of a firm offer (on the basis that sale and purchase of the Vessel shall take place within the Charterers’ Remarketing Period and subject to customary closing conditions and Owners’ investigation on know your client issues) an amount at least equal to the then current amount of the Early Termination Price following which the Owners will use reasonable endeavors to enter into a memorandum of agreement (in a form acceptable to the Owners and the relevant counterparty buyer and on the basis that sale and purchase of the Vessel shall take place within the Charterers’ Remarketing Period) pursuant to such offer; or

(2)
the Charterers may elect by delivering a written notice to the Owners to purchase the Vessel by payment of the then current amount of the Early Termination Price (which has become due and payable pursuant to Clause 48.2) and such payment shall be made no later than the end of the Charterers’ Remarketing Period and upon receipt of such payment the Owners shall transfer the title of the Vessel to the Charterers in accordance with Clause 40.4,
provided that, notwithstanding the commencement of the Charterers’ Remarketing Period and this Charter having not been terminated by the Owners pursuant to the application of this Clause 48.3(B), the Charterers shall redeliver the Vessel to the Owners in accordance with Clause 40.3 and Clause 40.6; any sale proceeds made pursuant to paragraph (B)(1) above shall be applied in accordance with Clause 40.3(d) and further provided that during the Charterers’ Remarketing Period when this Charter has not been terminated pursuant to the operation of this Clause 48.3(B) the Owners’ rights to proceed to an Owners’ Sale shall be suspended; and

(C)
in the case of paragraph (iii), in accordance with Clause 6.1(a)(ii)(A) of the Pre-delivery Assignment, to require the Charterers to pay the Pre-delivery
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Termination Sum to the Owners and to terminate this Charter in accordance with the procedures set out in Clause 40.
48.4
For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding any action taken by the Owners following a Termination Event, the Charterers shall remain liable for the outstanding obligations on their part to be performed under this Charter.
48.5
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or any other rights of the Owners, upon the occurrence of a Termination Event which is continuing, the Owners shall have the sole and exclusive right and power to (i) settle, compromise, compound, adjust or defend any actions, suits or proceedings relating to or pertaining to the Vessel and this Charter and (ii) make proof of loss, appear in and prosecute any action arising from any policy or policies of insurance maintained pursuant to this Charter, and settle, adjust or compromise any claims for loss, damage or destruction under, or take any other action in respect of, any such policy or policies, (iii) change or appoint a new manager (whether or not it is an Approved Manager) for the Vessel and the appointment of the originally appointed Approved Manager may be terminated immediately without any recourse to the Owners.
CLAUSE 48A – MANDATORY SALE
48A.1
If it becomes unlawful in any applicable jurisdiction for the Owners to perform any of their obligations as contemplated by this Charter or the MOA or their financiers to perform their obligations under the Financial Instruments, the Owners shall notify the Charterers of this event and the Charterers shall be required:

(i)
if such circumstance occurs on or after Delivery, to pay the Early Termination Price; or

(ii)
if such circumstance occurs prior to Delivery, to pay the Pre-delivery Termination Sum,
to the Owners within 30 days following such notice by the Owners or, if earlier, the date specified by the Owners in the notice delivered to the Charterers (being no earlier than the last day of any applicable grace period permitted by law), and this Charter shall terminate in accordance with the procedures set out in Clause 48A.4.
48A.2
If it is or has become:

(i)
unlawful or prohibited, whether as a result of the introduction of a new law, an amendment to an existing law or a change in the manner in which an existing law is or will be interpreted or applied; or

(ii)
contrary to, or inconsistent with, any regulation,
for any Relevant Person to maintain or give effect to any of its obligations under this Charter or any of the other Leasing Documents to which it is a party in the manner it is contemplated under such Leasing Document or any of the obligations of such Relevant Person under any Leasing Document to which it is a party are not or cease to be legal, valid, binding and enforceable, the Charterers shall be required:

(A)
if such circumstance occurs on or after Delivery, to pay the Early Termination Price; or

(B)
if such circumstance occurs prior to Delivery, to pay the Pre-delivery Termination Sum,
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to the Owners within 30 days following such occurrence or, if earlier, a date specified by the Owners (being no earlier than the last day of any applicable grace period permitted by law), and this Charter shall terminate in accordance with the procedures set out in Clause 48A.4.
48A.3
If there is a breach of 45.1(i), 45.1(q), 45.1(r) or 45.1(s) in any such case on the basis that reference to “the People’s Republic of China” applies to the definition of “Restricted Person” or paragraph (e) of the definition of “Sanctions Authority” applies to the definition of “Sanctions Authority”, the Charterers shall be required:

(A)
if such circumstance occurs on or after Delivery, to pay the Early Termination Price; or

(B)
if such circumstance occurs prior to Delivery, to pay the Pre-delivery Termination Sum,
to the Owners within 45 days following such occurrence or, if earlier, a date specified by the Owners (being no earlier than the last day of any applicable grace period permitted by law or the relevant official institution, agency or the government of the People’s Republic of China) and this Charter shall terminate in accordance with the procedures set out in Clause 48A.4.
48A.4
(a)
If the Early Termination Price becomes payable in accordance with Clause 48A.1 or Clause 48A.2 or Clause 48A.3 the same shall (in each such case) be payable in consideration of the purchase and transfer of the legal and beneficial title of the Vessel pursuant to Clause 51. The day on which the Early Termination Price is paid pursuant to Clause 48A1, Clause 48A2 or Clause 48A3 is a “ Mandatory Sale Date ” and such transfer of Vessel provided under this paragraph (a) is a “ Mandatory Sale ”.
(b)
The Pre-delivery Termination Sum becomes payable in accordance with Clause 48A.1 or Clause 48A.2 or Clause 48A.3 the same shall (in each such case) be payable in consideration of the Pre-delivery Releases pursuant to the terms of the Pre-delivery Assignment,
and it is hereby agreed by the parties hereto that payment of the Early Termination Price or the Pre-delivery Termination Sum (as the case may be) shall not be construed as a penalty but shall represent an agreed estimate of the loss and damage suffered by the Owners in purchasing or part-purchasing the Vessel (as the case may be) and entering into this Charter upon the terms and conditions contained herein, in each case, at the request of the Charterers and shall therefore be paid as compensation to the Owners for early termination and acquisition of the Vessel by the Charterers or the Pre-delivery Releases (as the case may be).
CLAUSE 49 – EARLY TERMINATION OPTION
49.1
Subject to Clause 49.2 ( Early Termination Option ), the Owners hereby grant to the Charterers an early termination option to require the Owners to sell all of the Owners’ beneficial and legal right, title and interest in the Vessel and all belongings to her, to the Charterers upon the terms and conditions of this Charter.
49.2
Subject to the other terms and conditions of this Charter, the Early Termination Option shall only be exercisable by the Charterers on an Early Termination Date provided that no Termination Event has occurred and is continuing and all obligations, duties, liabilities and indemnities of the Charterers under the Leasing Documents have been fully performed and (if applicable) paid.
49.3
The Early Termination Date:
(a)
shall not fall on a date falling before the third anniversary of the Delivery Date; and
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(b)
shall fall on a Payment Date.
49.4
The Early Termination Option may be exercised by the Charterers by giving the Owners a notice to such effect (“ Early Termination Notice ”) at least sixty (60) days prior to the relevant intended Early Termination Date of its intention to exercise the Early Termination Option.
49.5
The Early Termination Notice shall be signed by a duly authorised officer or attorney of the Charterers and shall contain the following information:
(a)
the relevant Early Termination Date; and
(b)
the relevant Early Termination Price,
and once delivered to the Owners, the Early Termination Notice is irrevocable and the Charterers shall be bound to pay to the Owners the applicable Early Termination Price on the Early Termination Date, subject to Clause 49.4.
49.6
The Charterers may only serve an Early Termination Notice once throughout the duration of the Charter Period (unless otherwise agreed by the Owners in their absolute discretion).
49.7
Upon the exercise of the Early Termination Option, the Owners and the Charterers shall thereupon perform their respective obligations referred to in Clause 51 ( Sale of the Vessel) and the Early Termination Price shall be paid by the Charterers on the Early Termination Date.
CLAUSE 50 –PURCHASE OPTION
50.1
The Charterers shall, on the Expiry Date (unless the Early Termination Option has been exercised and the Early Termination Price has been paid in accordance with the terms of this Charter), have the right to purchase from the Owners all of the Owners’ beneficial and legal rights, title and interest in the Vessel and all belongings to her (the “ Purchase Option ”) upon payment to the Owners the Final Purchase Option Price in full (subject to Clause 36.15) in accordance with Clause 51 ( Sale of the Vessel ), provided that the Charterers shall give the Owners a notice confirming the Charterers’ intention to exercise the Purchase Option at least sixty (60) days prior to the Expiry Date and such notice shall be irrevocable. If the Charterers do not exercise the Purchase Option, the Charterers shall redeliver the Vessel to the Owners in accordance with Clause 40.6 on the Expiry Date.
CLAUSE 51 – SALE OF THE VESSEL
51.1
The exercise of any of the Purchase Option or the Early Termination Option or the completion of the Mandatory Sale shall take place on the Expiry Date or the Early Termination Date or the Mandatory Sale Date (as the case may be) whereupon the Owners will sell to the Charterers (or their nominee), and the Charterers (or their nominee) will purchase from the Owners, all the legal and beneficial interest and title in the Vessel, for the Final Purchase Option Price or Early Termination Price on an “as is where is” basis and on the following terms and conditions:
(a)
the Charterers expressly agree and acknowledge that no condition, warranty or representation of any kind is or has been given by or on behalf of the Owners in respect of the Vessel or any part thereof, and accordingly the Charterers confirm that they have not, in entering into this Charter, relied on any condition, warranty or representation by the Owners or any person on the Owners’ behalf, express or implied, whether arising by law or otherwise in relation to the Vessel or any part thereof, including, without limitation, warranties or representations as to the description, suitability, quality, merchantability, fitness for any purpose, value, state, condition, appearance, safety, durability, design or operation of any kind or nature of the Vessel or any part thereof, and the benefit of any such condition, warranty or representation by the Owners is hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waived by the Charterers to the extent permissible under applicable law;
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(b)
the Charterers hereby also waive any rights which they may have in tort in respect of any of the matters referred to under paragraph (a) above and irrevocably agree that the Owners shall have no greater liability in tort in respect of any such matter than they would have in contract after taking account of all of the foregoing exclusions. No third party making any representation or warranty relating to the Vessel or any part thereof is the agent of the Owners nor has any such third party authority to bind the Owners thereby. Notwithstanding anything contained above, nothing contained herein is intended to obviate, remove or waive any rights or warranties or other claims relating thereto which the Charterers (or their nominee) or the Owners may have against the manufacturer or supplier of the Vessel or any third party;
(c)
the Vessel shall be free from any registered mortgages incurred by the Owners (save for those mortgages, liens, encumbrances and debts arising out of or in connection with the Charter or the Pertinent Documents or any other Permitted Security);
(d)
the Final Purchase Option Price or Early Termination Price shall be paid by (or on behalf of) the Charterers to the Owners on the Expiry Date or the Early Termination Date or the Mandatory Sale Date (as the case may be) together with unpaid amounts of Charterhire and other moneys owing by or accrued or due from the Charterers under this Charter on or prior to the Expiry Date or the Early Termination Date or the Mandatory Sale Date (as the case may be) which remain unpaid; and
(e)
concurrently with the Owners receiving irrevocable payment of the Final Purchase Option Price or, as the case may be, the applicable Early Termination Price and all other moneys payable under this Charter in full pursuant to the terms of this Charter, the Owners shall (save in the event of Total Loss) (at the Charterer’s cost) transfer the legal and beneficial ownership of the Vessel on an “as is where is” basis to the Charterers or their nominees and shall (at the Charterers’ cost) execute a bill of sale and a protocol of delivery and acceptance evidencing the same and any other document strictly necessary to transfer the title of the Vessel to the Charterers (and to the extent required for such purposes, the Vessel shall be deemed first to have been redelivered to the Owners), provided that the Owners shall not be obliged to transfer the legal and beneficial interest in the Vessel to the Charterers in any event unless the Owners are satisfied that no Termination Event has occurred and is continuing and all obligations, duties, liabilities and indemnities of the Charterers under the Pertinent Documents have been fully performed and (if applicable) paid.
CLAUSE 52 – INDEMNITIES
52.1
The Charterers shall pay such amounts to the Owners, on the Owners’ demand, in respect of all claims, expenses, liabilities, losses, fees (including but not limited to any vessel registration and tonnage fees or any tax incurred by the Owners as a result of the operation and/or trading of the Vessel) suffered or incurred by or imposed on the Owners arising from this Charter and any Pertinent Document, including but not limited to (i) in connection with delivery, possession, performance, control, registration, repair, survey, insurance, maintenance, manufacture, purchase, ownership and operation of the Vessel by the Owners, (ii) costs related to the prevention or release of liens or detention of or requisition, use, operation or redelivery, sale or disposal of the Vessel or any part of it and (iii) enforcing the Owners’ rights under this Charter or any Pertinent Document, in each case of paragraphs (i) to (iii), whether prior to, during or after termination of the leasing of this Charter and whether or not the Vessel is in the possession or the control of the Charterers or otherwise. Without prejudice to its generality, this Clause covers any claims, expenses, liabilities and losses which arise, or are asserted, under or in connection with any law relating to safety at sea, the ISM Code, the ISPS Code, the MARPOL Protocol, any Environmental Law, any Sanctions or any Anti- Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws or Business Ethics Laws.
52.2
The Charterers agree to indemnify the Owners against all consequences or liabilities arising from the Master, officers or agents signing Bills of Lading or other documents.
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52.3
In consideration of the Charterers requesting the Other Owners to charter the Other Vessels to the Other Charterers under the Other Charters, the Charterers hereby irrevocably and unconditionally undertake to pay immediately on demand from the Owners such amounts in respect of all claims, expenses, liabilities, losses, fees of every kind and nature and all other moneys due, owing and/or payable to the Other Owners (or any of them) under or in connection with the Other Charters (or any of them), and to indemnify and hold the Other Owners harmless against all such moneys, costs, fees and expenses.
52.4
All rights which the Charterers have at any time (whether in respect of this Charter or any other transaction) against the Other Charterer or any Relevant Person shall be fully subordinated to the rights of the Owners under the Pertinent Documents and until the end of this Charter and unless the Owners otherwise direct, the Charterers shall not exercise any rights which it may have (whether in respect of this Charter or any other transaction) by reason of performance by it of its obligations under the Pertinent Documents or by reason of any amount becoming payable, or liability arising, under this Clause:
(a)
to be indemnified by the Other Charterer or such Relevant Person;
(b)
to claim any contribution from any third party providing security for, or any other guarantor of, the Other Charterer’s or such Relevant Person’s obligations under the Pertinent Documents;
(c)
to take any benefit (in whole or in part and whether by way of subrogation or otherwise) of any rights of the Other Charterer or such Relevant Person under the Pertinent Documents or of any other guarantee or security taken pursuant to, or in connection with, the Pertinent Documents by any of the aforesaid parties;
(d)
to bring legal or other proceedings for an order requiring any of the Other Charterer or such Relevant Person to make any payment, or perform any obligation, in respect of any Pertinent Document;
(e)
to exercise any right of set-off against any of the Other Charterer or such Relevant Person; and/or
(f)
to claim or prove as a creditor of any of the Other Charterer or such Relevant Person,
and if the Charterers receive any benefit, payment or distribution in relation to such rights it shall hold that benefit, payment or distribution to the extent necessary to enable all amounts which may be or become payable to the Owners or the Other Owner by the Other Charterer or such Relevant Person under or in connection with the Pertinent Documents to be repaid in full on trust for the Owners or the Other Owner and shall promptly pay or transfer the same to the Owners or the Other Owner as may be directed by the Owners.
52.5
The Charterers hereby irrevocably agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Owners against any claim, expense, liability or loss reasonably incurred by the Owners in liquidating or employing deposits from their financiers or third parties to fund the acquisition of the Vessel pursuant to the MOA and the Contract.
52.6
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein (but subject and without prejudice to Clause 33 ( Cancellation ) ) and without prejudice to any right to damages or other claim which the Charterers may have at any time against the Owners under this Charter, the indemnities provided by the Charterers in favour of the Owners shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any breach of the terms of this Charter or termination of this Charter pursuant to the terms hereof or termination of this Charter by the Owners.
52.7
The obligations of the Charterers under this Clause 52 and in respect of any Security Interest created pursuant to the Security Documents will not be affected or discharged by an act, omission, matter or thing which would reduce, release or prejudice any of its obligations
38


under this Clause 52 or in respect of any Security Interest created pursuant to the Security Documents (without limitation and whether or not known to it or any Relevant Person) including:
(a)
any time, waiver or consent granted to, or composition with, any Relevant Person or other person;
(b)
the release of any other Relevant Person or any other person under the terms of any composition or arrangement with any creditor of a Relevant Person or any of its affiliates;
(c)
the taking, variation, compromise, exchange, renewal or release of, or refusal or neglect to perfect or delay in perfecting, or refusal or neglect to take up or enforce, or delay in taking or enforcing any rights against, or security over assets of, any Relevant Person or other person or any non-presentation or non-observance of any formality or other requirement in respect of any instrument or any failure to realise the full value of any security;
(d)
any incapacity or lack of power, authority or legal personality of or dissolution or change in the members or status of a Relevant Person or any other person;
(e)
any amendment, novation, supplement, extension, restatement (however fundamental and whether or not more onerous) or replacement of any Leasing Document or any other document or security;
(f)
any unenforceability, illegality or invalidity of any obligation of any person under any Security Document or any other document or security; or
(g)
any insolvency or similar proceedings.
CLAUSE 53 – NO SET-OFF OR TAX DEDUCTION
53.1
All Charterhire, the Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire, the Advance Charterhire, payment of the Final Purchase Option Price or Early Termination Price and any other payment made from any Relevant Person to the Owners under a Leasing Document shall be paid punctually:
(a)
without any form of set-off (except in the case of the Advance Charterhire, each Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire, the Deposit Refund, the Final Purchase Option Price and the Early Termination Price which shall be set off in accordance with Clause 36.2, Clause 36.3 and (in respect of the Final Purchase Option Price or the Early Termination Price) Clause 36.15respectively), cross-claim or condition and in the case of Charterhire, the Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire, Advance Charterhire, the Deposit, the Early Prepayment Sum or the Final Purchase Option Price, without previous demand unless expressly permitted under the terms of the Leasing Documents or otherwise agreed with the Owners; and
(b)
free and clear of any tax deduction or withholding unless required by law.
53.2
Without prejudice to Clause 53.1 ( No Set-off or Tax Deduction ), if the Owners are required by law to make a tax deduction from any payment:
(a)
the Owners shall notify the Charterers as soon as they become aware of the requirement; and
(b)
the amount due in respect of the payment shall be increased by the amount necessary to ensure that the Owners receive and retain (free from any liability relating to the tax deduction) a net amount which, after the tax deduction, is equal to the full amount which they would otherwise have received.
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53.3
In this Clause “ tax deduction ” means any deduction or withholding for or on account of any present or future tax, other than a FATCA Deduction.
CLAUSE 54 – INCREASED COSTS
54.1
This Clause 54 ( Increased Costs ) applies if the Owners notify the Charterers that they (or their financiers) consider that as a result of:
(a)
the introduction or alteration after the date of this Charter of a law or an alteration after the date of this Charter in the manner in which a law is interpreted or applied (disregarding any effect which relates to the application to payments under this Charter of a tax on the Owners' overall net income); or
(b)
complying with any regulation (including any which relates to capital adequacy or liquidity controls or which affects the manner in which the Owners allocates capital resources to their obligations under this Charter) which is introduced, or altered, or the interpretation or application of which is altered, after the date of this Charter,
the Owners or a parent company of them or a financier of the Owners (if any) has incurred or will incur an “ increased cost ”.
54.2
In this Clause 54 ( Increased Costs ), “ increased cost ” means, in relation to the Owners and the Owners’ financiers:
(a)
an additional or increased cost incurred as a result of, or in connection with, the Owners or the Owners’ parent company or the Owners’ financiers (if any) having entered into, or being a party to, this Charter, of funding the acquisition of the Vessel pursuant to the MOA or performing their obligations under this Charter;
(b)
a reduction in the amount of any payment to the Owners under this Charter or in the effective return which such a payment represents to the Owners or the Owners’ parent company or the Owners’ financiers (if any) on their capital;
(c)
a reduction in the amount of any payment to the Owners’ financiers (if any) under their financing arrangements and relevant Financial Instruments or in the effective return which such a payment represents to the Owners’ financiers (if any) or on their capital;
(d)
an additional or increased cost of funding the acquisition of the Vessel pursuant to the MOA; or
(e)
a liability to make a payment, or a return foregone, which is calculated by reference to any amounts received or receivable by the Owners under this Charter,
and for the purposes of this Clause 54.2 ( Increased Costs ) the Owners may in good faith allocate or spread costs and/or losses among their assets and liabilities (or any class of their assets and liabilities) on such basis as they consider appropriate.
54.3
Subject to the terms of Clause 54.1 ( Increased Costs ), the Charterers shall pay to the Owners, upon the Owners' demand and production of reasonable evidence thereto, the amounts which the Owners from time to time notify the Charterers to be necessary to compensate the Owners for the increased cost.
54.4
If any sum due from the Charterers to the Owners under this Charter or any other Pertinent Document or under any order or judgment relating thereto has to be converted from the currency in which this Charter or such Pertinent Document provided for the sum to be paid (the “ Contractual Currency ”) into another currency (the “ Payment Currency ”) for the purpose of:
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(a)
making or lodging any claim or proof against the Charterers, whether in their liquidation, any arrangement involving them or otherwise; or
(b)
obtaining an order or judgment from any court or other tribunal; or
(c)
enforcing any such order or judgment;
the Charterers shall indemnify the Owners against the loss arising when the amount of the payment actually received by the Owners is converted at the available rate of exchange into the Contractual Currency.
In this Clause 54.4, the “ available rate of exchange ” means the rate at which the Owners are able at the opening of business (Shanghai time) on the Business Day after it receives the sum concerned to purchase the Contractual Currency with the Payment Currency.
CLAUSE 55 – CONFIDENTIALITY
55.1
The Parties agree to keep the terms and conditions of this Charter and any other Leasing Documents (the “ Confidential Information ”) strictly confidential, provided that a Party may disclose Confidential Information in the following cases:
(a)
it is already known to the public or becomes available to the public other than through the act or omission of the disclosing Party;
(b)
it is required to be disclosed under the applicable laws of any Relevant Jurisdiction, Stock Market regulation, the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules or by a governmental order, decree, regulation or rule (provided that the disclosing Party shall give written notice of such required disclosure to the other Party prior to the disclosure);
(c)
in filings with a court or arbitral body in proceedings in which the Confidential Information is relevant and in discovery arising out of such proceedings;
(d)
to (or through) whom a Party assigns or transfers (or may potentially assign or transfer) all or any of its rights and/or obligations under one or more Pertinent Document (as permitted by the terms thereof), provided that such person receiving Confidential Information shall undertake that it would not disclose Confidential Information to any other party save for circumstances arising which are similar to those described under this Clause or such other circumstances as may be permitted by all Parties;
(e)
to any permitted subcharterer of the Vessel provided that such person receiving Confidential Information shall undertake that it would not disclose Confidential Information to any other party save for circumstances arising which are similar to those described under this Clause or such other circumstances as may be permitted by all Parties;
(f)
to any of the following persons on a need to know basis:

(i)
a shareholder or an Affiliate of either Party or a party referred to in either paragraph (d) or (e) (including the employees, officers and directors thereof);

(ii)
professional advisers retained by a disclosing party; or

(iii)
persons advising on, providing or considering the provision of financing to the disclosing party or an Affiliate,
provided that the disclosing party shall exercise due diligence to ensure that no such person shall disclose Confidential Information to any other party save for circumstances arising which are similar to those described under this Clause or such other circumstances as may be permitted by all Parties; or
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(g)
with the prior written consent of all Parties.
CLAUSE 56 – RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES
No term of this Charter is enforceable under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 by a person who is not party to this Charter, save that the Other Owners may rely on the rights conferred on them under Clause 52.3 ( Indemnities ).
CLAUSE 57 – PARTIAL INVALIDITY
If, at any time, any provision of a Leasing Document is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect under any law of any jurisdiction, neither the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions under the law of that jurisdiction nor the legality, validity or enforceability of such provision under the law of any other jurisdiction will in any way be affected or impaired.
CLAUSE 58 – SETTLEMENT OR DISCHARGE CONDITIONAL
58.1
Any settlement or discharge under any Leasing Document between the Owners and any Relevant Person shall be conditional upon no security or payment to the Owners by any Relevant Person or any other person being set aside, adjusted or ordered to be repaid, whether under any insolvency law or otherwise.
58.2
If the Owners consider that an amount paid or discharged by, or on behalf of, a Relevant Person or by any other person in purported payment or discharge of an obligation of that Relevant Person to the Owners under the Leasing Documents is capable of being avoided or otherwise set aside on the liquidation or administration of that Relevant Person or otherwise, then that amount shall not be considered to have been unconditionally and irrevocably paid or discharged for the purposes of the Leasing Documents.
CLAUSE 59 – IMMUNITY
The Charterers waive any rights of sovereign immunity which they or any of their properties may enjoy in any jurisdiction and subjects itself to civil and commercial law with respect to their obligations under this Charter or any other Leasing Document.
CLAUSE 60 – COUNTERPARTIES
This Charter and each other Leasing Document may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Charter or that Leasing Document, as the case may be.
CLAUSE 61 – FATCA
61.1
Defined terms. For the purposes of Clause 53 ( No Set-off of Tax Deduction ) and this Clause 61 ( FATCA ), the following terms shall have the following meanings:
Code ” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
FATCA ” means:

(a)
sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code or any associated regulations;

(b)
any treaty, law or regulation of any other jurisdiction, or relating to an intergovernmental agreement between the US and any other jurisdiction, which (in either case) facilitates the implementation of any law or regulation referred to in paragraph (a) above; or
42



(c)
any agreement pursuant to the implementation of any treaty, law or regulation referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b) above with the IRS, the US government or any governmental or taxation authority in any other jurisdiction.
FATCA Deduction ” means a deduction or withholding from a payment under this Charter or the Pertinent Documents required by or under FATCA.
FATCA Exempt Party ” means a Relevant Party that is entitled under FATCA to receive payments free from any FATCA Deduction.
FATCA Non-Exempt Party ” means any Relevant Party who is not a FATCA Exempt Party.
Relevant Party ” means any of the parties to this Charter and the Pertinent Documents except that the BP Charterer shall cease to be a Relevant Party upon expiration of the BP Charter.
IRS ” means the United States Internal Revenue Service or any successor taxing authority or agency of the United States government.
61.2
FATCA Information.
(a)
Subject to paragraph (c) below, each Relevant Party shall, on the date of this Charter, and thereafter within ten Business Days of a reasonable request by another Relevant Party:

(i)
confirm to that other party whether it is a FATCA Exempt Party or is not a FATCA Exempt Party; and

(ii)
supply to the requesting party (with a copy to all other Relevant Parties) such other form or forms (including IRS Form W-8 or Form W-9 or any successor or substitute form, as applicable) and any other documentation and other information relating to its status under FATCA (including its applicable “pass thru percentage” or other information required under FATCA or other official guidance including intergovernmental agreements) as the requesting party reasonably requests for the purpose of the requesting party’s compliance with FATCA .
(b)
If a Relevant Party confirms to any other Relevant Party that it is a FATCA Exempt Party or provides an IRS Form W-8 or W-9 showing that it is a FATCA Exempt Party and it subsequently becomes aware that it is not, or has ceased to be a FATCA Exempt Party, or that the said form provided has ceased to be correct or valid, that party shall so notify all other Relevant Parties or provide the relevant revised form, as applicable, reasonably promptly.
(c)
Nothing in this clause shall oblige any Relevant Party to do anything which would or, in its reasonable opinion, might constitute a breach of any law or regulation, any policy of that party, any fiduciary duty or any duty of confidentiality, or to disclose any confidential information (including, without limitation, its tax returns and calculations); provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall excuse any Relevant Party from providing a true, complete and correct IRS Form W-8 or W-9 (or any successor or substitute form where applicable). Any information provided on such IRS Form W-8 or W-9 (or any successor or substitute forms) shall not be treated as confidential information of such party for purposes of this paragraph.
(d)
If a Relevant Party fails to confirm its status or to supply forms, documentation or other information requested in accordance with the provisions of this Charter or the provided information is insufficient under FATCA, then:

(i)
if that party failed to confirm whether it is (and/or remains) a FATCA Exempt Party then such party shall be treated for the purposes of this Charter and the Pertinent Documents as if it is a FATCA Non-Exempt Party; and
43



(ii)
if that party failed to confirm its applicable passthru percentage then such party shall be treated for the purposes of this Charter and the Pertinent Documents (and payments made thereunder) as if its applicable passthru percentage is 100%,
until (in each case) such time as the party in question provides sufficient confirmation, forms, documentation or other information to establish the relevant facts.
61.3
FATCA Deduction and gross-up by Relevant Party
(a)
If the representation made by the Charterers under Clause 44.1(p) ( Representations and Warranties ) proves to be untrue or misleading such that the Charterers are required to make a FATCA Deduction, the Charterers shall make the FATCA Deduction and any payment required in connection with that FATCA Deduction within the time allowed and in the minimum amount required by FATCA.
(b)
If the Charterers are required to make a FATCA Deduction then the Charterers shall increase the payment due from them to the Owners to an amount which (after making any FATCA Deduction) leaves an amount equal to the payment which would have been due if no FATCA Deduction had been required.
(c)
The Charterers shall promptly upon becoming aware that they must make a FATCA Deduction (or that there is any change in the rate or basis of a FATCA Deduction) notify the Owners accordingly. Within thirty (30) days of the Charterers making either a FATCA Deduction or any payment required in connection with that FATCA Deduction, the Charterers shall deliver to the Owners evidence satisfactory to the Owners that the FATCA Deduction has been made or (as applicable) any appropriate payment paid to the relevant governmental or taxation authority.
61.4
FATCA Deduction by Owners
The Owners may make any FATCA Deduction they are required by FATCA to make, and any payment required in connection with that FATCA Deduction, and the Owners shall not be required to increase any payment in respect of which they make such a FATCA Deduction or otherwise compensate the recipient for that FATCA Deduction.
61.5
FATCA Mitigation
Notwithstanding any other provision to this Charter, if a FATCA Deduction is or will be required to be made by any party under Clause61.3 ( FATCA ) in respect of a payment to the Owners as a result of the Owners not being a FATCA Exempt Party, the Owners shall have the right to transfer their interest in the Vessel (and this Charter) to any person nominated by the Owners and all costs in relation to such transfer shall be for the account of the Charterers.
CLAUSE 62 ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER
62.1
The Charterers shall not assign this Charter except with the Owners’ prior consent in writing.
62.2
The Owners may assign any of their rights or transfer by novation any of their rights and obligations under the Leasing Documents to any of the Other Owners, a financial institution, a trust, a fund, a leasing company or any other entity which is regularly engaged in or established for the purpose of making, purchasing or investing in loans securities or other financial assets.
62.3
Without limiting the generality of Clause 62.2:
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(a)
the Owners are entitled to enter into certain funding arrangements with their financier(s), including but not limited to, an affiliate of the Owners or any other banks and financial institutions acceptable to the Owners in their sole discretion (the " Mortgagee ");
(b)
the Owners may do any of the following as security for the funding arrangements referred to in paragraph (a) above:

(i)
execute a ship mortgage over the Vessel or any other Financial Instrument in favour of a Mortgagee (or its agent, trustee or nominee);

(i)
assign their rights and interests to, in or in connection with this Charter or any other Leasing Documents in favour of a Mortgagee (or its agent, trustee or nominee);

(ii)
assign their rights and interests to, in or in connection with the Insurances, the Earnings and the Requisition Compensation of the Vessel in favour of the Mortgagee (or its agent, trustee or nominee); and

(ii)
enter into any other document or arrangement which is necessary to give effect to such financing arrangements;
(c)
the Charterers undertake to comply, and provide such information and documents required to enable the Owners to comply, with all such instructions or directions in regard to the employment, insurances, operation, repairs and maintenance of the Vessel as laid down in any Financial Instrument or as may be directed from to time during the currency of this Charter by the Mortgagee (or its agent, trustee or nominee) in conformity with any Financial Instrument. The Charterers further agree and acknowledge all relevant terms, conditions and provisions of each Financial Instrument (if any) and agree to acknowledge this in writing in any form that may be required by the Mortgagee (or its agent, trustee or nominee) ; and
(d)
during the Charter Period a change in the registered or beneficial ownership of the Vessel or the Owners (by sale of shares in the Owners or other transactions having the same effect) may be effected without the Charterers’ consent, provided always that, in the event of change in the registered or beneficial ownership of the Vessel, notwithstanding such change, this Charter would continue on identical terms (save for logical, consequential or mutually agreed amendments). The Guarantor and the Charterers shall (where applicable) remain jointly and severally liable to the aforesaid new owner of the Vessel for its performance of all obligations pursuant to this Charter after change of the registered and/or beneficial ownership of the Vessel or the Owners from the Owners to such new owner and agree and undertake to enter into any such usual documents as the Owners shall reasonably require to complete or perfect the transfer of the Vessel (with the benefit and burden of this Charter) pursuant to this Clause.
(e)
All expenses arising out of assignment or transfer of this Charter as per Clause 62 shall be for the Owner’s account subject to no Termination Event or Potential Termination Event having occurred or being continuing at the relevant time.
CLAUSE 63 GOVERNING LAW AND ENFORCEMENT
(a)
This Charter and any non-contractual obligations arising under or in connection with it, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law.
(b)
Any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Charter (including a dispute regarding the existence, validity or termination of this Charter or any non-contractual obligation arising out of or in connection with this Charter) (a " Dispute ")) shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration in London in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996 or any statutory
45


modification or re-enactment thereof save to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Clause 25. The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (“ LMAA ”) Terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
(c)
The reference shall be to three arbitrators. A party wishing to refer a Dispute to arbitration shall appoint its arbitrator and send notice of such appointment in writing to the other party requiring the other party to appoint its own arbitrator within 14 calendar days of that notice and stating that it will appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator unless the other party appoints its own arbitrator and gives notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified. If the other party does not appoint its own arbitrator and give notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified, the party referring a Dispute to arbitration may, without the requirement of any further prior notice to the other party, appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator and shall advise the other party accordingly. The award of a sole arbitrator shall be binding on both parties as if he had been appointed by agreement. Nothing herein shall prevent the parties agreeing in writing to vary these provisions to provide for the appointment of a sole arbitrator.
(d)
Where the reference is to three arbitrators the procedure for making appointments shall be in accordance with the procedure for full arbitration stated above.
(e)
The language of the arbitration shall be English.
CLAUSE 64 DEFINITIONS
64.1
In this Charter, unless as expressly defined otherwise, the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them below:
Acceptance Certificate ” means a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule 1 to be signed by the Charterers at Delivery.
Account Bank ” means ABN AMRO Bank NV in the Netherlands or another designated third party bank acceptable to the Owners, in and/or through which all revenues and operating expenses of the Charterers shall be credited and/or transferred.
Account Security ” means the document creating security over the Operating Account made or to be made between the Charterers, the Other Charterers, the Owners and the Other Owners.
Actual Commitment Fee ” means the aggregate amount of the Commitment Fee that would have been payable (calculated retrospectively) during the Pre-delivery Period calculated in accordance with Clause 41.1(b) if the Committed Amount (Actual) were used in such calculation instead of the Committed Amount (Estimated) disregarding the application of Clause 41.1 (b)(i) and Clause 41.1(b)(ii).
Adjusted Quarter Charterhire ” means, in respect of a relevant time, an amount equal to (A) the Quarter Charterhire payable on the Payment Date immediately following such relevant time; multiplied by (B) the number of days such relevant time (inclusive) lapsed from the immediately preceding Payment Date (exclusive); and divided by (C) the number of days in the current Term.
Advance Charterhire ” means the amount which is equal to the difference between the Estimated Financing Amount and the Financing Amount.
Affiliate ” means in relation to any person, a Subsidiary of that person or a Holding Company of that person or any other Subsidiary of that Holding Company.
Anti-Money Laundering Laws " means all applicable financial record-keeping and reporting requirements, anti-money laundering statutes (including all applicable rules and regulations thereunder) and all applicable related or similar laws, rules, regulations or guidelines, of all
46


jurisdictions including and without limitation, the United States of America, the European Union and the People’s Republic of China (including Hong Kong for the avoidance of doubt) and which in each case are (a) issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency having jurisdiction over any Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) or the Owners; (b) of any jurisdiction in which any Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) or Owner conducts business; or (c) to which any Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) or Owner is subjected or subject to.
Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws ” means all applicable anti-terrorism laws, rules, regulations or guidelines of any jurisdiction, including and not limited to the United States of America or the People’s Republic of China which are: (a) issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency, having jurisdiction over any Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) or the Owners; (b) of any jurisdiction in which any Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) or the Owners conduct business; or (c) to which any Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) or the Owners are subjected or subject to.
Approved Classification Society ” means DVN-GL or such first class international classification society as may be approved in writing by the Owners.
Approved Manager ” means the Commercial Manager or the Technical Manager.
Approved Valuer ” means Simpson Spence Young Shipbrokers, Clarksons Platou, Maersk Broker, Arrow ShipBrokers, Howe Robinson, Braemar ACM Ship Broking, BRS or any other reputable shipbroker nominated by the Charterers and approved by the Owners from time to time.
Arrangement Fee Amount ” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 41.1(a).
BP Charter ” means a time charter entered into between the Charterers and the BP Charterer as time charterer dated 1 June 2018 in relation to the Vessel, as amended from time to time.
BP Charterer ” means BP Shipping Limited or any other nominee nominated as the charterers under the BP Charter (which is acceptable to the Owners) in accordance with the terms of the BP Charter.
Breakfunding Costs ” means all breakfunding costs and expenses (including without limitation any early termination costs under any swap or hedging arrangements) incurred or payable by the Owners pursuant to the relevant funding arrangement entered into by the Owners for the purpose of financing any part of the Purchase Price as a result of the receipt of an amount pursuant to this Charter on a day other than a Payment Date.
“Breakfunding Gains” means all gains that the Owners have unconditionally and irrevocably received under any swap or hedging arrangements entered by the Owners pursuant to the relevant funding arrangement for the purpose of financing any part of the Purchase Price as a result of the receipt of an amount pursuant to this Charter on a day other a Payment Date.
“Builder ” means Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.., a company organised and existing under the laws of the Republic of Korea, having its registered office at 93, Daebul-Ro, Samho-Eup, Yeongam-Gun, Jellanam-Do, Korea.
Builder’s Bank ” has the meaning given to that term in the MOA.
Business Day ” means a day on which banks are open for business in the principal business centres of Hong Kong, Shanghai, London and Greece and, in respect of a day on which a
47


payment is required to be made or other dealing is due to take place under a Pertinent Document in Dollars, also a day on which commercial banks are open in New York City.
Business Ethics Law ” means any laws, regulations and/or other legally binding requirements or determinations in relation to corruption, fraud, collusion, bid-rigging or anti-trust, human rights violations (including forced labour and human trafficking) which are applicable to any Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) or the Owners or to any jurisdiction where activities are performed and which shall include but not be limited to (i) the United Kingdom Bribery Act 2010 and (ii) the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act 1977 and all rules and regulations under each of (i) and (ii).
" Buyer’s Default " has the meaning given to that term in the Direct Agreement.
Buyers ” means the Owners acting in their capacity as buyers under the MOA.
Buyers’ Nominated Flag State ” means Marshall Islands or any other state or jurisdiction approved to the Owners.
Cancelling Date ” shall have the same meaning as defined under the MOA.
Charterhire ” means each of, or as the context may require, all of the instalments of hire payable under this Charter comprising of (as the context may require):

(a)
the Advance Charterhire;

(b)
the Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire;

(c)
the Pre-delivery Charterhire; and

(d)
the Quarter Charterhire.
Charter Period ” means the period commencing on the Delivery Date and ending on the Expiry Date.
Charterers’ Remarketing Period ” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 48.3(B) .
Commercial Manager ” means Central Shipping Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Marshall Islands with registration number 98339 or any reputable management company designated by the Charterers and approved by the Owners in writing from time to time as the commercial manager of the Vessel.
Committed Amount (Actual) ” means, at any time, the Financing Amount minus the Pre-delivery Instalment Balance at such time.
Committed Amount (Estimated) ” means, at any time:

(a)
the Estimated Financing Amount; minus

(b)
the Pre-delivery Instalment Balance at such time.
Commitment Fee ” has the meaning given to that term in 41.1(b).
Contract ” means a shipbuilding contract in respect of the construction and sale of the Vessel dated 9 January 2018 between the Builder and the Charterers as may be further amended or supplemented from time to time.
Contract Price ” has the meaning given to that term in the MOA.
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Delivery ” means the delivery of the legal and beneficial ownership in the Vessel from the Owners to the Charterers hereunder.
Delivery Date ” means the date on which Delivery takes place.
Deposit ” means the aggregate amount of any deposit paid by the Charterers pursuant to Clause 45.1(u), 45.1(v)(iii), Clause 48.1(s) or Clause 48.1(t) (as the case may be) and received by the Owners and unless as other specified shall mean, in respect of any time, the aggregate of all such deposit paid by the Charterers and received by the Owners at such time.
Deposit Interest ” means the interest component of the Deposit which shall be computed as the interest accrued on the funds comprising the Deposit for each date such funds have been received and retained by the Owners until the date the Owners have discharged their obligations to refund the Deposit Refund to the Charterers in accordance with Clause 36.15 at the Post-Delivery Rate.
Deposit Refund ” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 36.1536.15(a).
Direct Agreement ” means the tripartite agreement entered into between the Owners, the Charterers and the Builder dated on or around the date of this Charter in respect of the Vessel.
Dollars ” and “ $ ” mean the lawful currency for the time being of the United States of America.
Document of Compliance ” shall have the same meaning as ascribed under the ISM Code.
Early Termination Date ” means the date specified in the Early Termination Notice as being the date on which the Owners shall sell and transfer the legal and beneficial interest in the Vessel to the Charterers, and the Charterers shall buy and accept the same.
Early Termination Fee ” means, at any relevant time, a fee in an amount equivalent to one per cent (1.00%) on the relevant Indicative Amount at such time.
Early Termination Notice ” has the meaning as defined under Clause 49.5 ( Early Termination Option ).
Early Termination Option ” means the early termination option granted by the Owners to the Charterers pursuant to Clause 49.1 ( Early Termination Option ).
Early Prepayment Sum ” means, in respect of any time, the sum of the then applicable Indicative Amount netting the aggregate amount of Deposit (for the avoidance of doubt excluding any Deposit Interest) actually received and held by the Owners at such time.
Early Termination Price ” means, at any time, an aggregate amount including but not limited to the following:

(a)
the Indicative Amount applicable to that time;

(b)
the amount of any outstanding Quarter Charterhire due and unpaid at such relevant time (or if such relevant time is not a Payment Date, due on the Payment Date immediately preceding such relevant time but unpaid) and, if such relevant time is not a Payment Date, plus the amount of the Adjusted Quarter Charterhire;

(c)
the amount of the applicable Early Termination Fee if the Early Termination Date under Clause 49 occurs prior to the fifth anniversary of the Delivery Date;

(d)
if the Early Termination Price becomes payable under Clause 48.2 or, as the case may be, 48.3, the Early Termination Fee plus an amount equal to 2 per cent. (2%) of the Indicative Amount applicable to that time;
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(e)
Breakfunding Costs;

(f)
legal costs incurred as a result of the early termination of the Charter;

(g)
any other amount payable under the terms of any Pertinent Document; and

(h)
any other costs incurred by the Owners as a result of the early termination of the Charter including without limitation any costs as a result of the termination of any financing by the Owners in connection with the Vessel,
and netting any Breakfunding Gains (if any).
Earnings ” means all moneys whatsoever which are now, or later become, payable (actually or contingently) to the Charterers and which arise out of the use or operation of the Vessel, including (but not limited to):

(a)
except to the extent that they fall within paragraph (b),

(i)
all freight, hire and passage moneys;

(ii)
compensation payable to the Charterers in the event of requisition of the Vessel for hire;

(iii)
remuneration for salvage and towage services;

(iv)
demurrage and detention moneys;

(v)
damages for breach (or payments for variation or termination) of any charterparty or other contract for the employment of the Vessel; and

(vi)
all moneys which are at any time payable under any Insurances in respect of loss of hire (if any); and

(b)
if and whenever the Vessel is employed on terms whereby any moneys falling within paragraphs (a)(i) to (vi) are pooled or shared with any other persons, that proportion of the net receipts of the relevant pooling or sharing arrangements which is attributable to the Vessel.
Environmental Claim ” means:

(a)
any claim by any governmental, judicial or regulatory authority which arises out of an Environmental Incident or which relates to any Environmental Law; or

(b)
any claim by any other person which relates to an Environmental Incident,
and “ claim ” means a claim for damages, compensation, fines, penalties or any other payment; an order or direction to take, or not to take, certain action or to desist from or suspend certain action; and any form of enforcement or regulatory action, including the arrest or attachment of any asset.
Environmental Incident ” means:

(a)
any release of Environmentally Sensitive Material from the Vessel;

(b)
any incident in which Environmentally Sensitive Material is released from a vessel other than the Vessel and which involves a collision between the Vessel and such other vessel or some other incident of navigation or operation, in either case, in connection with which the Vessel is actually liable to be arrested, attached, detained or injuncted and/or
50


the Vessel and/or the Owners and/or the Charterers and/or any other operator or manager of the Vessel is at fault or otherwise liable to any legal or administrative action; or

(c)
any other incident involving the Vessel in which Environmentally Sensitive Material is released otherwise than from the Vessel and in connection with which the Vessel is actually arrested and/or where the Owners and/or the Charterers and/or any other operator or manager of the Vessel is at fault or otherwise liable to any legal or administrative action.
Environmental Law ” means any law relating to pollution or protection of the environment, to the carriage or releases of Environmentally Sensitive Material.
Environmentally Sensitive Material ” means oil, oil products and any other substances (including any chemical, gas or other hazardous or noxious substance) which are (or are capable of being or becoming) polluting, toxic or hazardous.
Estimated Financing Amount ” means 80% of the Contract Price.
" Expiry Date " means the date falling eighty-four (84) months after the Delivery Date unless the Charter is terminated earlier or extended in accordance with the provisions of this Charter (in which case it would be such earlier date of termination or extended date, as the case may be).
Fifth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment ” has the meaning given to such term in Clause 36.3(e).
First Instalment ” shall have the same meaning as defined under clause 19 ( payment of purchase price by buyer ) of the MOA.
First Instalment Arrangement Fee Amount ” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 41.1(a)(i).
First Market Value ” means the Market Value of the Vessel as at a date no earlier than fifteen (15) days prior to the Delivery Date.
First Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment ” has the meaning given to such term in Clause 36.3(a).
Final Purchase Option Price ” means an amount equal to the sum of 56.25% of the Financing Amount plus $800,000.
Financial Indebtedness ” means, in relation to a person (the “ debtor ”), a liability of the debtor:

(a)
for principal, interest or any other sum payable in respect of any moneys borrowed or raised by the debtor;

(b)
under any loan stock, bond, note or other security issued by the debtor;

(c)
under any acceptance credit, guarantee or letter of credit facility made available to the debtor;

(d)
under a financial lease, a deferred purchase consideration arrangement (other than deferred payments for assets or services obtained on normal commercial terms in the ordinary course of business) or any other agreement having the commercial effect of a borrowing or raising of money by the debtor;
51



(e)
under any foreign exchange transaction, any interest or currency swap or any other kind of derivative transaction entered into by the debtor or, if the agreement under which any such transaction is entered into requires netting of mutual liabilities, the liability of the debtor for the net amount; or

(f)
under a guarantee, indemnity or similar obligation entered into by the debtor in respect of a liability of another person which would fall within paragraphs (a) to (e) if the references to the debtor referred to the other person.
Final Instalment ” has the meaning given to that term in the MOA.
Financial Instruments ” means the mortgage, deed of covenant, the general assignment or such other financial security instruments granted to the Owners’ financiers (or its agent, trustee or nominee) as security for the obligations of the Owners in relation to the financing of the acquisition of the Vessel.
Financing Amount ” means an amount equal to eighty per cent. (80%) of the Purchase Price.
" Fleet Vessel " means any ship or vessel (including, but not limited to, the Vessel and the Other Vessel) from time to time wholly owned, leased under a capital lease, operating lease with a purchase option at the end of the relevant charter period, vessels owned under a joint venture agreement where the relevant member of the Group owns no less than 50 per cent. of the issued share capital of the jointly owned entity or controlled by the Guarantor (directly or indirectly) excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any newbuilding vessels not delivered to the relevant member of the Group at the relevant time.
Fourth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment ” has the meaning given to such term in 36.3(d).
General Assignment ” means the general assignment executed or to be executed between the Charterers and the Owners in respect of the Vessel, pursuant to which the Charterers shall, inter alia, assign its rights under the Insurances, Earnings and Requisition Compensation and any bareboat charter and any sub-charters or other form of employment contracts having a duration of more than twelve (12) months (or which are capable of exceeding twelve (12) months) or any bareboat charter in respect of the Vessel, in favour of the Owners and in the agreed form agreed on or prior to signing of this Charter.
Group ” means the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries from time to time.
Guarantee ” means the guarantee entered into by the Guarantor in favour of the Owners securing, amongst others, the Charterers’ obligations in connection with the Leasing Documents.
Guarantor ” means Top Ships Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Marshall Islands and having its registered address at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Islands, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960.
Holding Company ” means, in relation to a person, any other person in relation to which it is a Subsidiary.
" Index " means the Baltic Tanker Indices applicable to the Vessel.
Indicative Amount ” means, in respect of any date (the “ Determination Date ”):

(a)
if such Determination Date falls on a Reference Date, the Reference Amount corresponding to that Reference Date; or
52



(b)
if such Determination Date does not fall on any Reference Date, the Reference Amount corresponding to the Reference Date following immediately before such Determination Date,
provided that in any case if the Financing Amount is less than 80% of the Contract Price, each such Reference Amount shall be reduced pro-rata.
Insurances ” means:

(a)
all policies and contracts of insurance, including entries of the Vessel in any protection and indemnity or war risks association, which are effected in respect of the Vessel or otherwise in relation to it whether before, on or after the date of this Charter; and

(b)
all rights and other assets relating to, or derived from, any of the foregoing, including any rights to a return of a premium and any rights in respect of any claim whether or not the relevant policy, contract of insurance or entry has expired on or before the date of this Charter.
ISM Code ” means the International Safety Management Code (including the guidelines on its implementation), adopted by the International Maritime Organisation Assembly as Resolutions A.741 (18) and A.788 (19), as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.
" ISPS Code " means the International Ship and Port Security Code as adopted by the Conference of Contracting Governments to the Safety of Life at Sea Convention 1974 on 13 December 2002 and incorporated as Chapter XI-2 of the Safety of Life at Sea Convention 1974, as the same may be supplemented or amended from time to time.
Leasing Documents ” means this Charter, the MOA, the Quiet Enjoyment Agreement, the Direct Agreement, the Trust Deed and the Security Documents.
LIBOR ” means, in relation to a Term, subject to Schedule 3 ( Rate ), the London Interbank offered rate administered by ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (or any other person which takes over the administration of that rate) for dollars ending on the first day of that Term displayed on page LIBOR 01 of the Thomson Reuters screen (or any replacement Thomson Reuters page which displays that rate) or on the appropriate page of such other information service which publishes that rate from time to time in place of Thomson Reuters, and if such page or service ceases to be available, LIBOR for such Term shall be the arithmetic (rounded upwards to four decimal places) of the rates quoted to the Owners by the Reference Banks at the request of the Owners as the Reference Banks’ offered rates for deposits in US Dollars in an amount equal to the amount in relation to which LIBOR is to be determined and for a period equivalent to such period to prime banks in the London Interbank Market at or about 11.00 a.m. (London time) on the date of such LIBOR determination. If any such rate is below zero, LIBOR shall be deemed to be zero.
Major Casualty ” means any casualty to the Vessel in respect of which the claim or the aggregate of the claims against all insurers, before adjustment for any relevant franchise or deductible, exceeds $1,000,000 or the equivalent in any other currency.
Manager’s Undertaking ” means, in relation to an Approved Manager, the letter of undertaking from that Approved Manager subordinating the rights of such Approved Manager against the Vessel and the Charterers to the rights of the Owners under the Leasing Documents and their financiers (if any) under (amongst others) the relevant Financial Instruments in an agreed form agreed on or prior to signing of this Charter.
Mandatory Sale ” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 48A.4.
Mandatory Sale Date ” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 48A.4.
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Margin ” means, in relation to the Pre-Delivery Rate, three point six five per cent. (3.65%) per annum.
Market Value ” means:

(a)
in relation to the Vessel or any other Fleet Vessel at any relevant time, the market value of the Vessel as determined by a valuation prepared:

i.
on a date no earlier than fifteen (15) days previously (provided that the requirement in this paragraph (a) is not applicable when determining the Market Value of the Vessel and the Fleet Vessel pursuant to Clause 45.1(v));

ii.
with or without physical inspection of that Vessel;

iii.
on the basis of a sale for prompt delivery for cash on normal arm’s length commercial terms as between a willing seller and a willing buyer, free of any existing charter or other contract of employment,
and such valuation shall be prepared by one Approved Valuer selected and appointed by the Owners; and

(b)
in relation to the Vessel at a Market Value Test Date where the Market Value of the Vessel is to be determined pursuant to Clause 45.1(n), the market value of the Vessel as determined by a valuation prepared:

i.
on a date no earlier than five (5) days prior to that Market Value Test Date;

ii.
with or without physical inspection of that Vessel;

iii.
on the basis of a sale for prompt delivery for cash on normal arm’s length commercial terms as between a willing seller and a willing buyer, free of any existing charter or other contract of employment,
and such valuation shall be prepared by one Approved Valuer selected and appointed by the Owners.
MARPOL Protocol ” means Annex VI (Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973 (as amended in 1978 and 1997).
Material Adverse Effect ” means, in the opinion of the Owners, a material adverse effect on:

(a)
the business, operations, property, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of any Relevant Person or the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries as a whole;

(b)
the ability of any Relevant Person to perform its obligations under any Pertinent Document to which it is a party; or

(c)
the validity or enforceability of, or the effectiveness or ranking of any Security Interests granted pursuant to any of the Pertinent Documents or the rights or remedies of the Owners under any of the Pertinent Documents.
MOA ” means the memorandum of agreement entered into by the Sellers and the Buyers dated on the date hereof in relation to the sale and purchase of the Vessel.
Operating Account ” means an account in the name of the Charterers with an Account Bank.
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“Original Financial Statements” means, with respect to the Charterers and the Guarantor, each of their audited financial statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2017 (and if such statements are not in English, they shall be accompanied by a certified English translation).
Original Jurisdiction ” means, in relation to any Relevant Person, the jurisdiction under whose laws such Relevant Person incorporated or resided as at the date of this Charter.
Other Charter ” means the bareboat charterparty entered into between the Other Owner and the Other Charterer In respect of either of the Other Vessels.
Other Charterers ” means Malibu Warrior Inc.
Other Owners ” means Sea 104 Leasing Co., Limited.
“Other Vessel ” means the 157,000 DWT Class Crude Oil Tanker having Builder’s hull number S875.
Payment Date ” means each of the dates upon which Charterhire is to be paid by the Charterers to the Owners pursuant to Clauses 36.2, 36.3 and 36.6 ( Charterhire ).
Permitted Security Interests ” means:

(a)
Security Interests created by a Pertinent Document or a Financial Instrument;

(b)
other Security Interests arising by operation of law or otherwise in the ordinary course of the operation, repair or maintenance of the Vessel in respect of obligations which are not overdue or in respect of which the Charterers are contesting the claim giving rise to such lien in good faith by appropriate steps and for the payment of which adequate reserves have been made in case the Charterers finally have to pay such claim so long as any such proceedings shall not, and may reasonably be considered unlikely to, lead to the arrest, sale, forfeiture or loss of the Vessel or any interest in the Vessel; and

(c)
other Security Interests permitted by the Owners in writing.
Pertinent Document ” means each of the Shipbuilding Documents, Leasing Documents and the BP Charter.
Post-enforcement Interests ” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 40.3(a)(ii). “ Post-delivery Rate ” means six point seven two per cent. (6.72%) per annum.
Potential Termination Event ” means, an event or circumstance which, with the expiry of a grace period, the giving of any notice, the lapse of time and/or a determination of the Owners and/or the satisfaction of any other condition, would constitute a Termination Event.
" Pre-delivery Assignment " means the pre-delivery assignment executed or to be executed between the Charterers and the Owners in respect of the Building Contract and the Refund Guarantee, pursuant to which the Charterers shall, inter alia, assign their rights thereunder, in favour of the Owners and in the agreed form.
" Pre-delivery Termination Sum " means, in respect of any date (for the purpose of this definition only, the “ Relevant Date ”), an amount equal to an aggregate of the following:

(a)
the Pre-delivery Instalment Balance (as of the Relevant Date);
55



(b)
all sums which (as of the Relevant Date) are owed by the Charterers as sellers under the MOA;

(c)
the amount of outstanding Pre-delivery Charterhire accrued and being unpaid as at the Relevant Date;

(d)
three per cent (3%) of the Pre-delivery Instalment Balance (as of the Relevant Date);

(e)
Breakfunding Costs;

(f)
any costs or losses incurred with respect to unwinding of swaps entered into by the Owners or its financiers in connection with or under this Charter or any Financial Instrument;

(g)
legal costs incurred as a result of the early termination of the Charter;

(h)
any other amount payable under the terms of any Pertinent Document; and

(i)
any other costs incurred by the Owners as a result of the termination of the Charter and/or the termination and/or cancellation of the MOA including without limitation any costs as a result of the termination and/or cancellation of any financing by the Owners in connection with the Vessel,
and netting any Breakfunding Gains (if any).
" Pre-delivery Releases " has the meaning given to that term in the Pre-delivery Assignment.
Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire ” means the First Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment, the Second Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment, the Third Pre-delivery Upfront Chaterhire Instalment, the Fourth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire and the Fifth Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire (as the case may be).
Pre-delivery Instalment Balance ” means, at any time, the aggregate of any Instalment paid by the Owners pursuant to clause 19 ( Payment of Purchase price by Buyer ) of the MOA including the Final Instalment remitted to the Builder’s Bank pursuant to Clause 19(b)(iii) ( Payment of Purchase Price by Buyer ) of the MOA (to the extent not refunded by the Owners as buyers in accordance with the terms of the Conditional Payment Instruction) at or before such time minus the aggregate of any Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire paid by the Charterers pursuant to Clause 36.3 ( Charterhire ) at or before such time.
Pre-delivery Charterhire ” shall have the meaning as defined under Clause 36.3 of this Charter.
Pre-delivery Rate ” means, subject to Schedule 3 ( Rate ), the sum of the applicable Margin and the prevailing LIBOR in respect of the relevant Term.
Pre-delivery Period ” means the period commencing from the date the First Instalment is payable by the Buyers to the Sellers under the terms of the MOA (except that for the purpose of Clause 41.1(b) ( Fees and Expenses ) and the definition of “Actual Commitment Fee” such period shall commence from the date of this Charter) up to and including the Delivery Date or, if this Charter is terminated without Delivery taking place, the date of such termination.
Purchase Option ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it under Clause 50.1 ( Purchase Option ).
“Purchase Price ” has the meaning given to that term in the MOA.
Quarter Charterhire ” means:
56



(a)
in relation to each of the first twelve Quarter Charterhire instalments payable during the Charter Period and each of the first twelve relevant Payment Dates during the Charter Period, an amount equal to $1,492,951; and

(b)
in relation to each of the remaining Quarter Charterhire instalments and the remaining relevant Payment Dates during the Charter Period, an amount equal to $1,213,362 ,
if the Financing Amount is less than 80% of the Contract Price, the amount of each Quarter Charterhire shall be reduced pro-rata.
“Quiet Enjoyment Agreement” means an agreement between, amongst others, the Owners and the BP Charterer in relation to the BP Charterer’s quiet enjoyment right of the Vessel and its consent to the transactions contemplated under the MOA and this Charter, in agreed form to be agreed on or prior to signing of this Charter.
Reference Amount ” means, in respect of a Reference Date, the amount in Dollars set out in the second column “Indicative Amount” in the table of Schedule 4 next to that Reference Date.
“Reference Bank” means the principal London offices of HSBC Bank plc, Citibank N.A. and China Merchants Bank (or the relevant affiliates thereof that provide reference rates), or such other banks as may be appointed by the Owners.
Reference Date ” means any Payment Date set out in the first column in the table of Schedule 4.
Refund Guarantee " means a refund guarantee dated 18 June 2018 with reference no. 1372300030792001 issued by the Refund Guarantor in favour of the Charterers in respect of the Builder's obligation to refund instalments paid by the Charterers under the Contract, as may be amended or supplemented from time to time.
Refund Guarantor " means Woori Bank with registered office at 51, Sogong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, 04632 South Korea.
Relevant Interbank Market ” means the London interbank market.
Relevant Person ” means each of the Charterers (for the avoidance of doubt, reference to Charterers here include the Charterers acting in their capacities as sellers under the MOA), the Other Charterers, the Builder, the Refund Guarantor, the Guarantor, any Approved Manager, the BP Charterer (but until the BP Charter has expired in accordance with the terms thereunder) and any other party providing security to the Owners in respect of the Charterers’ obligations under this Charter pursuant to a Security Document.
Relevant Jurisdiction ” means, in relation to each Relevant Person:

(a)
its Original Jurisdiction;

(b)
any jurisdiction where any property owned by it and charged under a Pertinent Document is situated;

(c)
any jurisdiction where it conducts its business; and

(d)
any jurisdiction whose laws govern the perfection of any of the Pertinent Documents entered into by it creating a Security Interest.
Requisition Compensation ” includes all compensation or other moneys payable by reason of any act or event such as is referred to in paragraph (b) of the definition of “Total Loss”.
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Restricted Countries ” means those countries subject to country-wide or territory-wide Sanctions and/or trade embargoes, in particular but not limited to pursuant to the U.S.'s Office of Foreign Asset Control of the U.S. Department of Treasury (“ OFAC ”) or the United Nations, including at the date of this Charter, but without limitation, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan and Syria and any additional countries based on respective country-wide or territory-wide Sanctions being imposed by OFAC or any of the regulative bodies referred to in the definition of Restricted Persons.
Restricted Person ” means a person, entity or any other parties (i) located, domiciled, resident or incorporated in Restricted Countries, and/or (ii) subject to any Sanctions administrated by the United Nations, the European Union, Switzerland, the United States (including but not limited to the U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control), the United Kingdom (including but not limited to Her Majesty's Treasury and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom), the People's Republic of China (provided that reference to the People’s Republic of China shall not apply to any undertaking or representation with reference(s) to “Restricted Person” in this Charter applicable to the BP Charterer when the Vessel is chartered under the BP Charter or the operation or use of the Vessel by the BP Charterer (but not any further sub-lessee of the Vessel) when the Vessel is operated by the BP Charterer (but not any further sub-lessee of the Vessel), in each case unless otherwise specified in Clause 48A.3) and/or (iii) owned or controlled by or affiliated with persons, entities or any other parties as referred to in (i) and (ii).
Safety Management Certificate ” shall have the same meaning as ascribed under the ISM Code.
Sanctions ” means any sanctions, embargoes, freezing provisions, prohibitions or other restrictions relating to trading, doing business, investment, exporting, financing or making assets available (or other activities similar to or connected with any of the foregoing):

(a)
imposed by law or regulation of a Sanctions Authority, to the extent applicable to this transaction; or

(b)
otherwise imposed by any applicable law or regulation by which any Relevant Person is bound or to which it is subject.
Sanctions Authority ” means:

(a)
the Security Council of the United Nations;

(b)
the United States;

(c)
the European Union;

(d)
the United Kingdom;

(e)
the People’s Republic of China (including for the avoidance of doubt, Hong Kong), provided that this paragraph (e) shall not apply to the BP Charterer when the Vessel is chartered under the BP Charter or the operation or use of the Vessel by the BP Charterer (but not any further sub-lessee of the Vessel) when the Vessel is operated by the BP Charterer (but not any further sub-lessee of the Vessel), in each case unless otherwise specified in Clause 48A.3; and

(f)
the governments and official institutions or agencies of any of paragraphs (a) to (e) above, including the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, the United States Department of State, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and Her Majesty's Treasury.
Scheduled Delivery Date ” has the meaning given to this term in the MOA.
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Second Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment ” has the meaning given to such term in Clause 36.3(b).
" Secured Liabilities " means all present and future obligations and liabilities (whether actual or contingent and whether owed jointly or severally or in any other capacity whatsoever) of a Relevant Person to the Owners under or in connection with the Leasing Documents or any judgment relating to the Leasing Documents; and for this purpose, there shall be disregarded any total or partial discharge of these liabilities, or variation of their terms, which is effected by, or in connection with, any bankruptcy, liquidation, arrangement or other procedure under the insolvency laws of any country.
Security Documents ” means the Guarantee, the Account Security, the Shares Security, the General Assignment, the Pre-delivery Assignment, the Manager’s Undertaking and any other document whether or not it creates a Security Interest which is executed as security for the obligations of the Charterers under or in connection with this Charter.
Security Period ” means the period commencing on the date of this Charter and ending on the date on which the Owners are satisfied that the Secured Liabilities have been irrevocably and unconditionally paid and discharged in full.
Security Interest ” means:

(a)
a mortgage, charge (whether fixed or floating) or pledge, lien, assignment, hypothecation or any other security interest of any kind or any other agreement or arrangement having the effect of conferring a security interest;

(b)
the security rights of a plaintiff under an action in rem ; or

(c)
any other right which confers on a creditor or potential creditor a right or privilege to receive the amount actually or contingently due to it ahead of the general unsecured creditors of the debtor concerned; however this paragraph (c) does not apply to a right of set off or combination of accounts conferred by the standard terms of business of a bank or financial institution.
Sellers ” means the Charterers acting in their capacity as sellers under the MOA.
“Shares Security ” means the share charge entered into by the Guarantor (in its capacity as sole shareholder of the Charterers) creating a Security Interest over all its shares in the Charterers in favour of the Owners.
“Shipbuilding Documents ” mean the Contract and the Refund Guarantee.
Subsidiary ” means a subsidiary within the meaning of section 1159 of the Companies Act 2006.
Substitute Charter ” means a time charter with a duration not less than one (1) year, with a daily charterhire not less than the aggregate of 110% of the daily operating expenses in respect of the Vessel and the daily Quarter Charterhire (determined pro rata) applicable at the relevant time and with a charterer approved by the Owners (acting reasonably).
Technical Manager ” means Central Mare Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Marshall Islands whose registered office is at Trust Group Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960 or any reputable management company designated by the Charterers and approved by BP, while on time charter to BP, and the Owners, thereafter, in writing from time to time as the technical manager of the Vessel.
Term ” means, in relation to the Pre-delivery Charterhire, the Quarter Charterhire, a period of three (3) months’ duration, in each case provided that:
59



(a)
in relation to the Pre-delivery Charterhire, the first Term shall commence on the date of payment of the First Instalment by the Buyers under clause 19 ( payment of purchase price by buyer ) of the MOA and the last shall end on the Delivery Date or, if any, the date on which the Pre-delivery Termination Sum is fully paid to the Owners in accordance with this Charter;

(b)
in relation to the Quarter Charterhire, the first Term shall commence on the Delivery Date;

(c)
each subsequent Term shall commence on the last day of the preceding Term;

(d)
any Term which would otherwise end on a non-Business Day shall instead end on the next following Business Day or, if that Business Day is in another calendar month, on the immediately preceding Business Day;

(e)
if any Term commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month three (3) months thereafter, as the case may be, that Term shall, subject to sub-paragraphs (d), (f) and (g) of this definition, end on the last Business Day of such later calendar month;

(f)
any Term which would otherwise overrun a Payment Date shall instead end on that Payment Date; and

(g)
subject to paragraph (a), any Term which would otherwise extend beyond the Pre-delivery Period or, as the case may be, the Charter Period shall instead end on the last day of the Pre-delivery Period or, as the case may be, the Expiry Date.
Termination Event ” means any event described in Clause 48.1 ( Termination Events ).
Termination Event Notice ” has the meaning given in Clause 48.2.
Third Pre-delivery Upfront Charterhire Instalment ” has the meaning given to such term in Clause 36.3(c).
Total Loss ” means:

(a)
actual, constructive, compromised, agreed or arranged total loss of the Vessel;

(b)
any expropriation, confiscation, requisition or acquisition of the Vessel, whether for full consideration, a consideration less than its proper value, a nominal consideration or without any consideration, which is effected by any government or official authority or by any person or persons claiming to be or to represent a government or official authority (excluding a requisition for hire for a fixed period not exceeding one (1) year without any right to an extension) unless it is redelivered within twenty-one (21) days to the full control of the Owners or the Charterers; or

(c)
any arrest, capture, seizure or detention of the Vessel (including any hijacking or theft but excluding any event specified in paragraph (b) of this definition) unless it is redelivered within thirty (30) days to the full control of the Owners or the Charterers.
Total Loss Date ” means, in relation to the Total Loss of the Vessel:

(a)
in the case of an actual loss of the Vessel, the date on which it occurred;

(b)
in the case of a constructive, compromised, agreed or arranged total loss of the Vessel, the earlier of:
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(i)
the date on which a notice of abandonment is given to the insurers;

(ii)
the date when the Vessel was last heard of; and

(iii)
the date of any compromise, arrangement or agreement made by or on behalf of the Charterers with the Vessel's insurers in which the insurers agree to treat the Vessel as a Total Loss; and

(c)
in the case of any expropriation, confiscation, requisition or acquisition of the Vessel whether for full consideration, a consideration less than its proper value, a nominal consideration or without any consideration, which is effected by any government or official authority or by any person or persons claiming to be or to represent a government or official authority (excluding a requisition for hire for a fixed period not exceeding one (1) year without any right to an extension, on the date on which the expropriation, confiscation, requisition or, as the case may be, the acquisition of the Vessel is completed by delivery of the Vessel to the relevant government or official authority or the person or persons claiming to be or to represent the relevant government or official authority unless it is redelivered within twenty-one (21) days to the full control of the Owners or the Charterers; and

(d)
in the case of any arrest, condemnation, capture, seizure or detention of the Vessel (including any hijacking or theft), unless it is redelivered within thirty (30) days to the full control of the Owners or the Charterers, the date falling on the expiration of such days.
Trust Deed ” means a trust deed dated on or around the date of this Charter entered into between the Owners, the Other Owners, the Charterers, the Other Charterers, the Guarantor, and the Approved Manager which, inter alia, sets out the obligations of the Owners in respect of holding on trust all moneys or other assets received or recovered by or on behalf of the Owners by virtue of any Security Interest or other rights granted to the Owner under or by virtue of the Security Documents.
" US Tax Obligor " means (a) a person which is resident for tax purposes in the United States of America or (b) a person some or all of whose payments under the Pertinent Documents are from sources within the United States for United States federal income tax purposes.
Vessel ” means the 157,000 DWT Class Crude Oil Tanker having Builder’s hull number S874 being constructed by the Builder under the Contract.
64.2
Construction . Unless a contrary indication appears, in this Charter:
“Approved Manager”, “Builder”, “Charterers”, “Guarantor”, “Refund Guarantor”, “Relevant Person”, or any other person shall be construed so as to include its successors in title, permitted assigns and permitted transferees to, or of, its rights and/or obligations under the Pertinent Documents;
agreed form ” means, in relation to a document, such document in a form agreed in writing between the Owners and the Charterers and, if required by the Owners in their sole discretion, the Owners’ financiers;
asset ” includes every kind of property, asset, interest or right, including any present, future or contingent right to any revenues or other payment;
company ” includes any partnership, joint venture and unincorporated association;
consent ” means:
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(a)
an authorisation, consent, approval, resolution, licence, exemption, filing, registration, notarisation and legalization; and

(b)
in relation to anything which will be prohibited or restricted by law if a governmental or official authority intervenes or acts in any way within a specified period after lodgment, filing, registration or notification, the expiry of that period without intervention or action.
contingent liability ” means a liability which is not certain to arise and/or the amount of which remains unascertained;
continuing ” means, in relation to any Termination Event, a Termination Event which has not been waived by the Owners and in relation to any Potential Termination Event, a Potential Termination Event which has not been waived by the Owners or remedied to the satisfaction of the Owners;
control ” over a particular company means the power (whether by way of ownership of shares, proxy, contract, agency or otherwise) to:

(a)
cast, or control the casting of, more than 51 per cent, of the maximum number of votes that might be cast at a general meeting of such company;

(b)
appoint or remove all, or the majority, of the directors or other equivalent officers of such company; or

(c)
give directions with respect to the operating and financial policies of such company with which the directors or other equivalent officers of such company are obliged to comply;
document ” includes a deed; also a letter, fax or telex;
expense ” means any kind of cost, charge or expense (including all legal costs, charges and expenses) and any applicable value added or other tax;
" gross negligence " means a form of negligence which is distinct from ordinary negligence, in which the due diligence and care which are generally to be exercised have been disregarded to a particularly high degree, in which the plainest deliberations have not been made and that which should be most obvious to everybody has not been followed.
law ” includes any order or decree, any form of delegated legislation, any treaty or international convention and any regulation or resolution of the Council of the European Union, the European Commission, the United Nations or its Security Council;
legal or administrative action ” means any legal proceeding or arbitration and any administrative or regulatory action or investigation;
liability ” includes every kind of debt or liability (present or future, and including contingent liabilities only in the case of Clause 48.1(g)(ii) ( Termination Events ), Clause 52 ( Indemnities ) and the definition of “Financial Indebtedness”), whether incurred as principal or surety or otherwise;
months ” shall be construed in accordance with Clause 64.3 ( Meaning of “month” );
person ” includes any company; any state, political sub-division of a state and local or municipal authority; and any international organisation;
policy ”, in relation to any insurance, includes a slip, cover note, certificate of entry or other document evidencing the contract of insurance or its terms;
62


protection and indemnity risks ” means the usual risks covered by a protection and indemnity association which is a member of the International Group of P&I Clubs including pollution risks, extended passenger cover and the proportion (if any) of any sums payable to any other person or persons in case of collision which are not recoverable under the hull and machinery policies by reason of the incorporation in them of clause 6 of the International Hull Clauses (1/11/02 or 1/11/03), clause 8 of the Institute Time Clauses (Hulls)(1/10/83) or clause 8 of the Institute Time Clauses (Hulls) (1/11/1995) or the Institute Amended Running Down Clause (1/10/71) or any equivalent provision;
regulation ” includes any regulation, rule, official directive, request or guideline whether or not having the force of law of any governmental, intergovernmental or supranational body, agency, department or regulatory, self-regulatory or other authority or organisation; and
tax ” includes any present or future tax, duty, impost, levy or charge of any kind which is imposed by any state, any political sub-division of a state or any local or municipal authority (including any such imposed in connection with exchange controls), and any connected penalty, interest or fine.
64.3 Meaning of “month”. A period of one or more “months” ends on the day in the relevant calendar month numerically corresponding to the day of the calendar month on which the period started (“ the numerically corresponding day ”), but:

(a)
on the Business Day following the numerically corresponding day if the numerically corresponding day is not a Business Day or, if there is no later Business Day in the same calendar month, on the Business Day preceding the numerically corresponding day; or

(b)
on the last Business Day in the relevant calendar month, if the period started on the last Business Day in a calendar month or if the last calendar month of the period has no numerically corresponding day;
and “ month ” and “ monthly ” shall be construed accordingly.
64.4   In this Charter:

(a)
references to a Pertinent Document or any other document being in the form of a particular appendix or to any document referred to in the recitals include references to that form with any modifications to that form which the Owners approve;

(b)
references to, or to a provision of, a Pertinent Document or any other document are references to it as amended or supplemented, whether before the date of this Charter or otherwise;

(c)
references to, or to a provision of, any law include any amendment, extension, re-enactment or replacement, whether made before the date of this Charter or otherwise; and

(d)
words denoting the singular number shall include the plural and vice versa.
64.5
Construction of Insurance terms . In this Charter:
" approved " means, for the purposes of Clause 38 ( Insurance ), approved in writing by the Owners.
" excess risks " means the proportion of claims for general average, salvage and salvage charges not recoverable under the hull and machinery policies in respect of the Vessel in consequence of its insured value being less than the value at which the Vessel is assessed for the purpose of such claims.
63


" obligatory insurances " means all insurances effected, or which the Charterers are obliged to effect, under Clause 38 ( Insurance ) or any other provision of this Clause or another Leasing Document.
" policy " includes a slip, cover note, certificate of entry or other document evidencing the contract of insurance or its terms.
" protection and indemnity risks " means the usual risks (including but not limited to freight, demurrage and defence cover) covered by a protection and indemnity association managed in London, including pollution risks and the proportion (if any) of any sums payable to any other person or persons in case of collision which are not recoverable under the hull and machinery policies by reason of the incorporation in them of clause 6 of the International Hull Clauses (1/11/02) (1/11/03), clause 8 of the Institute Time Clauses (Hulls) (1/10/83) (1/11/95) or the Institute Amended Running Down Clause (1/10/71) or any equivalent provision.
" war risks " includes the risk of mines and all risks excluded by clause 29 of the International Hull Clauses (1/11/02 or 1/11/03), clause 24 of the Institute Time Clauses (Hulls) (1/11/95) or clause 23 of the Institute Time Clauses (Hulls)(1/10/83).
64.6
Headings. In interpreting a Pertinent Document or any provision of a Pertinent Document, all clauses, sub-clauses and other headings in that and any other Pertinent Document shall be entirely disregarded.
64


SCHEDULE 1
ACCEPTANCE CERTIFICATE
SOUTH CALIFORNIA INC. (the “ Charterers ”) hereby acknowledges that at [ ] hours on [ ], there was delivered to, and accepted by, the Charterers the Vessel known as m.v. “ECO BEVERLY HILLS, registered in the name of SEA 103 LEASING CO. LIMITED (the “ Owners ”) under the flag of [Marshall Islands] with IMO number [ ] under a bareboat charter dated [ ] (the “ Charter ”) and made between the Owners and the Charterers and that Delivery (as defined in the Charter) thereupon took place and that, accordingly, the Vessel is and will be subject to all the terms and conditions contained in the Charter.
The Charterers warrant that the representations and warranties made by them in Clause 44 ( Representation and Warranties ) of the Charter remain correct and that no Termination Event (as defined in the Charter) has occurred and is continuing at the date of this Acceptance Certificate.




     
     
Name:
   
Title:
   
for and on behalf of
   
SOUTH CALIFORNIA INC.
   
Dated:
   

65


SCHEDULE 2


Part A

The following are the documents referred to in Clause 34.1(e)(i):
1
Corporate Authorisations/Confirmation
1.1
A certificate of an authorized signatory of each Relevant Person (other than the Refund Guarantor, the BP Charterer, the Builder and each Approved Manager) certifying that each copy document provided under paragraph 1 of Part A of Schedule 1 ( Conditions Precedent to Signing ) of the MOA remains correct, complete and in full force and effect as on the Delivery Date.
1.2
A certificate of an authorized signatory of the Charterers certifying that there is no Potential Termination Event or Termination Event has occurred and is continuing as of the Delivery Date.
2
Pertinent Documents
2.1
Duly executed and dated copies of the General Assignment, the Quiet Enjoyment Agreement and each Manager’s Undertaking and of each document to be delivered under it and evidence of their delivery within the timing prescribed under it.
2.2
Documentary evidence that the Security Interests intended to be created by each of the Security Documents have been duly perfected under applicable law or will be perfected under applicable law within the prescribed period contained in such Security Documents.
3
Vessel certificates
3.1
A copy of the Vessel’s class certificate evidencing that the Vessel maintains its classification as set out in Article I of the Contract with the Approved Classification Society free of all recommendations and conditions.
3.2
Copies of the Vessel’s Safety Management Certificate (together with any other details of the applicable Safety Management System which the Owners require) and of any other documents required under the ISM Code and the ISPS Code (including without limitation an ISSC and IAPPC).
3.3
A copy of the valid and current Safety Management Certificate under the ISM Code in respect of the Vessel.
3.4
A copy of the valid and current International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC) in respect of the Vessel.
3.5
A copy of the valid and current International Air Pollution Prevention (IAPPC) Certificate in respect of the Vessel issued under Annex VI (Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) to MARPOL.
3.6
A copy of any other certificate mandatorily required by the International Maritime Organisation or the Approved Classification Society.
66


3.7
A copy of the tonnage certificate of the Vessel.
3.8
Safety construction, safety equipment, safety radio and load line certificates in respect of the Vessel.
3.9
Any other document required to be delivered by the Builder to the Buyers under the terms of the Contract (including the documents to be delivered by the Builder as set out under Article VII paragraph 3 of the Contract).
3.10
Documentary evidence that the Vessel has been delivered by the Builder to the Charterers pursuant to the terms of the Contract, where such documents shall include, in particular:
(a)
the original notarized and if required, legalised copies of the bill of sale and builder’s certificate duly executed by the Builder (and where executed by an attorney of the Builder, together with such original notarized Builder’s power of attorney); and
(b)
the original protocol of delivery and acceptance duly executed by the Builder and the Charterers.
4
Delivery and title registration of the Vessel
4.1
Documentary evidence that the Vessel:
(a)
will simultaneously upon Delivery definitively and permanently registered in the name of the Owners under the flag of the Buyers’ Nominated Flag State; and
(b)
will simultaneously upon Delivery in the absolute and unencumbered ownership of the Owners.
4.2
The commercial invoice of the Vessel.
2
Legal opinions
2.1
A signed legal opinion of Watson Farley & Williams, legal advisers to the Owners on such matters on the laws of England as may be satisfactory to the Owners.
2.2
Signed legal opinions by lawyers appointed by the Owners on such matters on the laws of the Marshall Islands and the Netherlands and any other jurisdictions as may be satisfactory to the Owners.
3
Others
3.1
The Owners being satisfied that all conditions precedent or documents or evidence specified in Schedule 1 to the MOA have been satisfied or provided in form and substance satisfactory to the Owners.
The Buyers’ receipt of full payment of all accrued Commitment Fee which is outstanding and payable by the Sellers to the Buyers and the Advance Charterhire.
67


Part B
The following are the documents referred to in Clause 34.1(e)(ii)
Within seven (7) days from the Delivery Date, signed letters of undertaking from the relevant approved brokers, approved war risks associations and/or approved protection and indemnity associations in favour of the Owners in agreed form in relation to the Insurances of the relevant Vessel.
68


SCHEDULE 3

RATE

1.
Subject to the provisions of this Schedule 3, the rate applied on the Pre-delivery Instalment Balance for the purpose of computing the relevant Pre-delivery Interest Charterhire (such rate, the “ Rate ”) in respect of a Term shall be LIBOR for a three (3) months period ending on the last day of such Term plus the Margin.
2.
The Owners shall notify the Charterers of each such Rate in respect of a Term as soon as reasonably practicable after such Rate is determined by the Owners but not later than 2 Business Days prior to the relevant Payment Date.
3.
If, in relation to any Term:

(i)
no screen rate is available for the LIBOR determination and the Reference Banks (or if at any time there is only one Reference Bank) do not provide quotations to the Owners in order to fix LIBOR; and

(ii)
the Owners determine (which determination shall be conclusive and binding) that by reason of circumstances affecting the London interbank market generally, adequate and fair means do not or will not exist for ascertaining LIBOR at the beginning of that Term or the same does not reflect the cost of funding of the Owners; or

(iii)
the Owners determine (which determination shall be conclusive and binding) that by reason of circumstances affecting the London interbank market generally, deposits in Dollars in the required amount for the 3-month period commencing on the first day of that Term are not available to it in the London interbank market or from whatever sources it may select to obtain funds for that Term,
the Owners shall promptly notify the Charterers accordingly.
4.
Immediately following the notification referred to in paragraph 3 above, the Owners and the Charterers, shall negotiate in good faith with a view to agreeing upon a substitute basis for funding the Pre-delivery Instalment Balance and determining the applicable Rate for that Term, within thirty (30) days after the Owners serve the notice to the Charterers.
5.
If a substitute basis is not so agreed pursuant to paragraph 4 above, the Charterers shall pay the Owners an amount computed at the rate per annum equal to the cost certified to the Owners ((expressed as an annual rate) of funding the Pre-delivery Instalment Balance during that relevant Term (as conclusively determined by the Owners and which shall be binding on the Charterers)) on the Pre-delivery Instalment Balance from time to time for the relevant Term.
6.
Interest shall accrue from day to day, shall be calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and a 360 day year, including the first day of the period during which it accrues but excluding the last day.
69


SCHEDULE 4


Payment Date
Indicative Amount ($)
1st
$45,558,177.73
2nd
$44,830,173.73
3rd
$44,089,946.14
4th
$43,337,289.71
5th
$42,571,995.77
6th
$41,793,852.12
7th
$41,002,643.01
8th
$40,198,149.06
9th
$39,380,147.21
10th
$38,548,410.65
11th
$37,702,708.78
12th
$36,842,807.11
13th
$36,248,056.22
14th
$35,643,319.12
15th
$35,028,428.16
16th
$34,403,212.84
17th
$33,767,499.81
18th
$33,121,112.80
19th
$32,463,872.60
20th
$31,795,596.97
21st
$31,116,100.63
22nd
$30,425,195.16
23rd
$29,722,689.01
24th
$29,008,387.40
25th
$28,282,092.26
26th
$27,543,602.23
27th
$26,792,712.54
28th
$26,029,215.00

70


EXECUTION PAGE
OWNERS
   
     
     
SIGNED
)
 
by Zhou Ling
)
 
SEA 104 LEASING CO. LIMITED
)
/s/ Zhou Ling
for and on behalf of
)
 
 
)
 
in the presence of:
)
 
     
     
Witness’ signature: /s/ Wang Wei
)
 
Witness’ name: Wang Wei
)
 
Witness’ address:
22F, China Merchants Bank Building, NO.1088
Lujiazui Ring Road, Shanghai, China
)
 
     
     
     
CHARTERERS
   
     
     
SIGNED
)
 
by Andreas Louka
)
 
MALIBU WARRIOR INC.
)
/s/ Andreas Louka
for and on behalf of
)
 
 
)
 
in the presence of:
)
 
     
     
Witness’ signature: /s/ Alexandros Tsirikos
)
 
Witness’ name: Alexandros Tsirikos
)
 
Witness’ address:
12 N. Parizsi St., Athens, Greece
 
)
 
     


71
Exhibit 4.92
EXECUTION VERSION



Dated 3 December 2018









TOP SHIPS INC.
as Guarantor


and


SEA 104 LEASING CO., LIMITED
as Owner




________________________________

GUARANTEE
_________________________________

relating to a Bareboat Charter of the vessel m.v. ECO BEVERLY HILLS
dated _____________ 2018

Index

Clause
 
Page
     
1
INTERPRETATION
 1

2
GUARANTEE
 2

3
LIABILITY AS PRINCIPAL AND INDEPENDENT DEBTOR
 2

4
EXPENSES
 3

5
ADJUSTMENT OF TRANSACTIONS
 3

6
PAYMENTS
 3

7
INTEREST
 3

8
SUBORDINATION
 4

9
ENFORCEMENT
 4

10
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
 4

11
UNDERTAKINGS
 7

12
JUDGMENTS AND CURRENCY INDEMNITY
12

13
SUPPLEMENTAL
12

14
ASSIGNMENT
14

15
NOTICES
14

16
INVALIDITY OF BAREBOAT CHARTER
14

17
GOVERNING LAW AND ENFORCEMENT
15

SCHEDULE 1
16

FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
16

EXECUTION PAGE
17

THIS GUARANTEE is made on 3 December 2018
BETWEEN
(1)
TOP SHIPS INC. , a corporation incorporated under the laws of Marshall Islands whose registered office is at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands, MH96960 (the “ Guarantor ”); and
(2)
SEA 104 LEASING CO., LIMITED , a company incorporated under the laws of Hong Kong whose registered office is at 46 th Floor, Champion Tower, 3 Garden Road, Central (the “ Owner ” which expression includes its successors and assigns).
BACKGROUND
(A)
By a bareboat charter dated 3 December 2018 (the “ Bareboat Charter ”) and made between (i) the Owner, as owner and (ii) Malibu Warrior Inc. , a corporation incorporated under the laws of Marshall Islands whose registered office is at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands, MH96960, as charterer (the “ Charterer ”), the Owner has agreed to bareboat charter the crude oil carrier with Builder hull no. S875 (the “ Vessel ”) to the Charterer pursuant to the terms and conditions contained therein.
(B)
The Guarantor is a shareholder of the Charterer and holds 100 per cent. of all of the issued shares in the Charterer.
(C)
The execution and delivery to the Owner of this Guarantee is one of the conditions to the chartering of the Vessel under the Bareboat Charter.
(D)
This Guarantee is the Guarantee referred to in the Bareboat Charter.
IT IS AGREED as follows:
1
INTERPRETATION
1.1
Defined expressions. Words and expressions defined in the Bareboat Charter shall have the same meanings when used in this Guarantee unless the context otherwise requires.
1.2
Construction of certain terms . In this Guarantee:
bankruptcy ” includes a liquidation, receivership or administration and any form of suspension of payments, arrangement with creditors or reorganisation under any corporate or insolvency law of any country.
control ” over a particular company means the power (whether by way of ownership of shares, proxy, contract, agency or otherwise) to:
(a)   cast, or control the casting of, more than 51 per cent, of the maximum number of votes that might be cast at a general meeting of such company;
(b)   appoint or remove all, or the majority, of the directors or other equivalent officers of such company; or
(c)   give directions with respect to the operating and financial policies of such company with which the directors or other equivalent officers of such company are obliged to comply.
1


Compliance Certificate ” means a certificate in the form set out in Schedule 1 or in any other form approved by the Owner.
Group ” means the Guarantor and its subsidiaries from time to time.
Party ” means a party to this Guarantee.
Relevant Person ” means each “Relevant Person” as defined in the Bareboat Charter.
2
GUARANTEE
2.1
Guarantee and indemnity . The Guarantor unconditionally and irrevocably:
(a)
guarantees the due payment of all amounts payable by each other Relevant Person under or in connection to each Leasing Document to which such Relevant Person is a party;
(b)
undertakes to pay to the Owner on the Owner’s demand any such amount which is not paid by that Relevant Person when due and payable under or in connection to that Leasing Document;
(c)
guarantees the punctual performance by that Relevant Person of all that Relevant Person’s obligations under or in connection with that Leasing Document; and
(d)
fully indemnifies the Owner on its demand in respect of all claims, expenses, liabilities and losses which are made or brought against or incurred by the Owner as a result of or in connection with any obligation or liability guaranteed by the Guarantor being or becoming unenforceable, invalid, void or illegal; and the amount recoverable under this indemnity shall be equal to the amount which the Owner would otherwise have been entitled to recover.
2.2
No limit on number of demands. The Owner may serve more than one demand under Clause 2.1.
2.3
Guarantee of whole amount. This Guarantee shall be construed and take effect as a guarantee of all amounts due to the Owner under the Leasing Documents to which each other Relevant Person is a party.
3
LIABILITY AS PRINCIPAL AND INDEPENDENT DEBTOR
3.1
Principal and independent debtor. The Guarantor shall be liable under this Guarantee as a principal and independent debtor and accordingly it shall not have, as regards this Guarantee, any of the rights or defences of a surety.
3.2
Waiver of rights and defences. Without limiting the generality of Clause 3.1, the Guarantor shall neither be discharged by, nor have any claim against the Owner in respect of:
(a)
any amendment or supplement being made to the Bareboat Charter or any other Leasing Document;
(b)
any arrangement or concession (including a rescheduling or acceptance of partial payments) relating to, or affecting, the Bareboat Charter or any other Leasing Document;
(c)
any release or loss (even though negligent) of any right or Security Interest created by any Leasing Document;
(d)
any failure (even though negligent) promptly or properly to exercise or enforce any such right or Security Interest, including a failure to realise for its full market value an asset covered by such a Security Interest; or
2


(e)
the Bareboat Charter or any other Leasing Document now being or later becoming void, unenforceable, illegal or invalid or otherwise defective for any reason, including a neglect to register it.
4
EXPENSES
4.1
Costs of preservation of rights, enforcement etc . The Guarantor shall pay to the Owner on its demand the amount of all expenses (including, without limitation, legal fees) incurred by the Owner in connection with the enforcement of, or the preservation of any rights under this Guarantee or any other Leasing Document, including any advice, claim or proceedings relating to such matters.
4.2
Fees and expenses payable under Leasing Documents . Clause 4.1 is without prejudice to the Guarantor’s liabilities in respect of any other Relevant Person’s obligations under any Leasing Document to which it is a party.
5
ADJUSTMENT OF TRANSACTIONS
5.1
Reinstatement of obligation to pay . The Guarantor shall pay to the Owner on its demand any amount which the Owner is required, or agrees, to pay pursuant to any claim by, or settlement with, a trustee in bankruptcy of any other Relevant Person on the ground that any Leasing Document to which that Relevant Person is a party, or a payment by that Relevant Person, was invalid or unenforceable or on any similar ground.
6
PAYMENTS
6.1
Method of payments . Any amount due under this Guarantee shall be paid:
(a)
in immediately available funds;
(b)
to such account as the Owner may from time to time notify to the Guarantor;
(c)
without any form of set-off, cross-claim or condition; and
(d)
free and clear of any tax deduction or withholding for or on account of any tax payable under any law of relevant jurisdictions except a tax deduction which the Guarantor is required by law to make.
6.2
Grossing-up for taxes . If the Guarantor is required by law to make a tax deduction, the amount due to the Owner shall be increased by the amount necessary to ensure that the Owner receives and retains a net amount which, after the tax deduction, is equal to the full amount that it would otherwise have received.
6.3
Indemnity and evidence of payment of taxes . The Guarantor shall fully indemnity the Owner on the Owner’s demand in respect of all claims, expenses, liabilities and losses incurred by the Owner by reason of any failure of the Guarantor to make any tax deduction or by reason of any increased payment not being made on the due date for such payment in accordance with Clause 6.2. Within 30 days after making tax deduction, that Guarantor shall deliver to the Owner any receipts, certificates or other documentary evidence satisfactory to the Owner that the tax had been paid to the appropriate taxation authority.
7
INTEREST
7.1
Accrual of interest . Any amount due under this Guarantee shall carry interest after the date on which the Owner demands payment of it until it is actually paid, unless interest on that same amount also accrues under the Bareboat Charter.
3


7.2
Calculation of interest. Interest under this Guarantee shall be calculated and accrue (as well after as before judgment) at the rate described in Clause 36.12 of the Bareboat Charter and otherwise in accordance with the terms thereof.
8
SUBORDINATION
8.1
Subordination of rights of Guarantor. All rights which the Guarantor at any time has (whether in respect of this Guarantee or any other transaction) against each other Relevant Person or its assets shall be fully subordinated to the rights of the Owner under the Leasing Documents (or any of them), and in particular, the Guarantor shall not:
(a)
claim, or in a bankruptcy of that Relevant Person prove for, any amount payable to the Guarantor by that Relevant Person, whether in respect of this Guarantee or any other transaction;
(b)
take or enforce any Security Interest for any such amount;
(c)
claim to set-off any such amount against any amount payable by the Guarantor to that Relevant Person; or
(d)
claim any subrogation or other right in respect of any Leasing Document or any sum received or recovered by the Owner under such Leasing Document.
9
ENFORCEMENT
9.1
No requirement to commence proceedings against other Relevant Person. The Owner will not need to commence any proceedings under, or enforce any Security Interest created by, the Bareboat Charter or any other Leasing Document before claiming or commencing proceedings under this Guarantee.
9.2
Conclusive evidence of certain matters . However, as against the Guarantor:
(a)
any final and unappealable judgment or order of a court in England or any Relevant Jurisdiction or award of an arbitration tribunal in London in connection with the Bareboat Charter or any other Leasing Document; and
(b)
any statement or admission of any other Relevant Person in connection with the Bareboat Charter or any other Leasing Document,
shall be binding and conclusive as to all matters of fact and law to which it relates.
10
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
10.1
General. The Guarantor represents and warrants to the Owner and the Other Owners as of the date of this Guarantee, and on each day henceforth until the last day of the Security Period as follows.
10.2
Status .
(a)
The Guarantor is duly incorporated and validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Marshall Islands.
(b)
The Guarantor is not a FATCA FFI or a US Tax Obligor.
10.3
Corporate power.  The Guarantor has the corporate capacity, and has taken all corporate action and obtained all consents necessary for it:
(a)
to execute this Guarantee or any other Leasing Document to which it is a party; and
4


(b)
to make all the payments contemplated by, and to comply with, this Guarantee or any other Leasing Document to which it is a party.
10.4
Consents in force. All the capacities, actions and consents referred to in Clause 10.3 remain in full force and nothing has occurred which makes any of them liable to revocation.
10.5
No conflicts. The execution by the Guarantor of the Leasing Documents to which it is a party and its compliance with this Guarantee will not involve or lead to a contravention of:
(a)
any law or regulation; or
(b)
the constitutional documents of the Guarantor; or
(c)
any contractual or other obligation or restriction which is binding on the Guarantor or any of its assets.
10.6
Legal, valid and binding obligations. This Guarantee and the Leasing Document to which it is a party do now or will upon execution and delivery constitute the Guarantor’s legal, valid and binding obligations enforceable against it in accordance with its terms and any relevant insolvency laws affecting creditors’ rights generally.
10.7
Governing law. The choice of governing law as stated in this Guarantee and the agreement by the Guarantor to refer disputes to the relevant courts or tribunals as stated herein are valid and binding against the Guarantor.
10.8
Immunity. Neither the Guarantor nor any of its assets are entitled to immunity on the grounds of sovereignty or otherwise from any legal action or proceeding (which shall include, without limitation, suit, attachment prior to judgment, execution or other enforcement).
10.9
Pari passu ranking. The obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee, are the direct, general and unconditional obligations of the Guarantor and rank at least pari passu with all other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated creditors of the Guarantor save for any obligation which is mandatorily preferred by law and not by virtue of any contract.
10.10
Legal or administrative action. No legal or administrative action involving the Guarantor has been commenced or taken which would have required notification to the Owner under Clause 11.8.
10.11
No insolvency. The Guarantor is not insolvent or in liquidation or administration or subject to any other formal or informal insolvency procedure, and no receiver, administrative receiver, administrator, liquidator, trustee or analogous officer has been appointed in respect of the Guarantor or all or material part of their assets.
10.12
Tax obligor and place of business . The Guarantor is not a US Tax Obligor, and has not established a place of business in the United Kingdom or the United States of America.
10.13
No withholding taxes. All payments which the Guarantor is liable to make under the Leasing Documents to which it is a party may be made without deduction or withholding for or on account of any tax payable under any law of relevant jurisdictions.
10.14
Taxes paid. The Guarantor has paid all taxes applicable to, or imposed on or in relation to it, its business or except for those being contested in good faith with adequate reserves.
10.15
No default. No Termination Event or Potential Termination Event has occurred nor is continuing or might reasonably be expected to result from the entry into and performance of this Guarantee or any other Leasing Document.
5


10.16
Information. Any factual information provided by the Guarantor (or on its behalf) to the Owner was true and accurate in all material respects as at the date it was provided or as the date at which such information was stated; all accounts (audited and unaudited) delivered under Clause 11.3 satisfied the requirements of Clause 11.4; and there has been no Material Adverse Effect on the Guarantor from its position disclosed in the latest of those accounts.
10.17
No litigation. No legal or administrative action involving the Guarantor has been commenced or taken or, to the Guarantor’s knowledge, is likely to be commenced or taken which, in either case, would be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Guarantor.
10.18
Sanctions.
(a)
No Relevant Person, nor any of their respective directors, officers, or employees, is a Restricted Person.
(b)
Each Relevant Person, and their respective directors, officers, and employees is in compliance with all Sanctions laws, and none of them have been or are currently being investigated on compliance with Sanctions, they have not received notice or are aware of any claim, action, suit or proceeding against any of them with respect to Sanctions and they have not taken any action to evade the application of Sanctions.
(c)
No Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) is in breach of any Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws and/or Business Ethics Laws and, to the extent required by applicable law, has instituted and maintained systems, controls, policies and procedures designed to:

(i)
prevent and detect incidences of bribery and corruption, money laundering and terrorism financing; and

(ii)
promote and achieve compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws and Business Ethics Laws including, but not limited to, ensuring thorough and accurate books and records, and utilization of best efforts to ensure that Affiliates acting on behalf of a Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) shall act in compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws and Business Ethics Laws.
10.19
Environmental Laws. All Environmental Laws relating to the ownership, operation and management of the Vessel and the business of each Relevant Person (as now conducted and as reasonably anticipated to be conducted in the future) have been complied with.
10.20
Environmental Claim. No Environmental Claim has been made or threatened against any Relevant Person or otherwise in connection with the Vessel.
10.21
Environmental Incident. No Environmental Incident has occurred and no person has claimed that an Environmental Incident has occurred.
10.22
Ownership of the Charterer. The Charterer is legally and beneficially and indirectly wholly owned and controlled by the Guarantor.
10.23
Ownership of the Guarantor. The Guarantor is listed on the NASDAQ Composite and its shares are trading in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. There is no change in the controlling shareholder of the Guarantor from the date of this Guarantee.
6


11
UNDERTAKINGS
11.1
General . The Guarantor undertakes with the Owner to comply with the following provisions of this Clause 11 at all times during the Security Period, except as the Owner may otherwise permit.
11.2
Information provided to be accurate . All financial and other information which is provided by or on behalf of the Guarantor under or in connection with the Leasing Documents will be true and not misleading and will not omit any material fact or consideration.
11.3
Provision of financial statements . The Guarantor will send to the Owner:
(a)
as soon as possible, but in no event later than one hundred and twenty (120) days after the end of each financial year of the Charterers, the audited annual financial statement accounts of the Charterers for that financial year as referred to in the Guarantor’s audited consolidated annual financial statement accounts of the Guarantor for that financial year to be delivered under Clause 11.3(c);
(b)
as soon as possible, but in no event later than ninety (90) days after the end of each half-year, the unaudited semi-annual accounts of the Charterers for that half-year;
(c)
as soon as possible, but in no event later than one hundred and twenty (120) days after the end of each financial year of the Guarantor, the audited consolidated annual financial statement accounts of the Guarantor for that financial year; and
(d)
as soon as possible, but in no event later than ninety (90) days after the end of each half-year, the semi-annual consolidated unaudited accounts of the Guarantor for that half-year certified as to their correctness by at least one director of the Guarantor.
11.4
Form of financial statements . All accounts (audited and unaudited) delivered under Clause 11.3 will:
(a)
be prepared in accordance with all applicable laws and generally accepted accounting principles in the United Stated consistently applied;
(b)
give a true and fair view of (in respect of the audited accounts) or fairly representing (in the case of the management accounts) the state of affairs of the Group at the date of those accounts and of their profit for the period to which those accounts relate;
(c)
fully disclose or provide for all significant liabilities of the Group; and
(d)
If not in the English language, be accompanied by an English translation duly certified as to its correctness.
11.5
Shareholder and creditor notices . The Guarantor will send the Owner, upon its request, copies of all communications which are despatched to the Guarantor’s shareholders or creditors or any class of them.
11.6
Consents . The Guarantor will obtain and promptly renew and will procure that each other Relevant Person obtains and promptly renews or procure the obtainment or renewal of and provide copies of, from time to time, any necessary consents, approvals, authorisations, licenses or permits of any regulatory body or authority for the transactions contemplated under each Leasing Document to which it is a party.
11.7
Valid obligations . The Guarantor will at its own cost, and will procure that each other Relevant Person will:
7


(a)
do all that such Relevant Person reasonably can to ensure that any Leasing Document to which such Relevant Person is a party validly creates the obligations and the Security Interests which such Relevant Person purports to create; and
(b)
without limiting the generality of paragraph (a), promptly register, file, record or enrol any Leasing Document to which such Relevant Person is a party with any court or authority in all Relevant Jurisdictions, pay any stamp duty, registration or similar tax in all Relevant Jurisdictions in respect of any Leasing Document to which such Relevant Person is a party, give any notice or take any other step which, is or has become necessary or desirable for any such Leasing Document to be valid, enforceable or admissible in evidence or to ensure or protect the priority of any Security Interest which such Relevant Person creates.
11.8
Notification of legal or administrative action. The Guarantor will provide or will procure that each other Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) provides the Owner with details of any legal or administrative action involving such Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) or the Vessel that is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect as soon as such action is instituted or it becomes apparent is likely to be instituted and is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.
11.9
Notification of damage or default. The Guarantor :
(a)
will, and will procure that each other Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) will, notify the Owner immediately of the occurrence of any damage and/or alteration caused to the Vessel by any reason whatsoever which results, or may be expected to result, in repairs on the Vessel which exceed $1,000,000; and
(b)
will, and will procure that each other Relevant Person will, notify the Owner immediately of the occurrence of any Termination Event,
and will keep the Owner fully up-to-date with all developments and the Guarantor will, if so requested by the Owner, provide any such certificate signed by its authorised signatory, confirming that there exists no Potential Termination Event or Termination Event.
11.10
Additional information. The Guarantor will, and will procure that each other Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) will, as soon as practicable after receiving the request, provide the Owner with any additional financial or other information relating:
(a)
to themselves and/or the Vessel (including, but not limited to the condition, location and employment status of the Vessel); or
(b)
to any other matter relevant to, or to any provision of any Leasing Document to which it is a party,
which may be reasonably requested by the Owner (or their financiers (if any)) at any time, provided that, in the case of information on the employment status of the Vessel, such information shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Owner and shall be provided by the Charterers to the Owner at least once every six-monthly period during each calendar year.
11.11
Compliance with operational laws. The Guarantor shall procure compliance, and will procure that each other Relevant Person will comply or procure compliance, with all laws or regulations relating to the Vessel and its construction, ownership, employment, operation, management and registration, including the ISM Code, the ISPS Code, all Environmental Laws and the laws of the Vessel’s registry.
11.12
Compliance with other laws .
8


(a)
The Guarantor shall comply, and shall procure that each other Relevant Person (other than the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) complies with all laws and regulations in respect of Sanctions, and in particular, they shall ensure that the Charterers shall effect and maintain a sanctions compliance policy to ensure compliance with all such laws and regulations implemented from time to time.
(b)
The Guarantor:

(i)
shall, and will procure that each other Relevant Person will, promptly notify the Owner of any non-compliance by any Relevant Person or their respective officers, directors, or employees with all laws and regulations relating to Sanctions, (including but not limited to notifying the Owner in writing immediately upon being aware that any Relevant Person or their respective shareholders, directors, officers or employees is a Restricted Person or has otherwise become a target of Sanctions) as well as provide all information (once available) in relation to its business and operations which may be relevant for the purposes of ascertaining whether any of the aforesaid parties are in compliance with such laws.

(ii)
shall, and will procure that each other Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) will, promptly notify the Owner of any non-compliance by any Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) or their respective officers, directors, or employees with all laws and regulations relating to Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws and/or Business Ethics Laws as well as provide all information (once available) in relation to its business and operations which may be relevant for the purposes of ascertaining whether any of the aforesaid parties are in compliance with such laws.
(c)
The Guarantor shall procure that the Vessel shall not be employed, operated or managed in any manner which (i) is contrary to any Sanctions and in particular, the Vessel shall not be used by or to benefit any party which is a target of Sanctions and/or is a Restricted Person or trade to any area or country where trading the Vessel to such area or country would constitute or reasonably be expected to constitute a breach of any Sanctions or published boycotts imposed by any of the United Nations, the European Union, the United States of America, the United Kingdom or the People’s Republic of China (provided that operation or use of the Vessel by the BP Charterer pursuant to the BP Charter shall not in any case be deemed to be in breach or contrary to any published boycotts imposed by the People’s Republic of China); (ii) would result or reasonably be expected to result in any Relevant Person or the Owner becoming a Restricted Person; or (iii) would trigger the operation of any sanctions limitation or exclusion clause in any insurance documentation.
(d)
The Guarantor shall, and shall procure that each other Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) and their respective officers, directors and employees, will:

(i)
comply with all Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws and Business Ethics Laws;

(ii)
to the extent required by applicable law, maintain systems, controls, policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve ongoing compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws and Business Ethics Laws; and

(iii)
in respect of the Charterers, not use, or permit or authorize any person to directly or indirectly use, the Financing Amount for any purpose that would breach any Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws or Business Ethics Laws; and

(iv)
they shall not lend, invest, contribute or otherwise make available the Financing Amount to or for any other person in a manner which would
9


result in a violation of Anti-Money Laundering Laws, Anti-Terrorism Financing Laws or Business Ethics Laws.
11.13
No Security Interests. The Guarantor will not and will procure that each other Relevant Person will not create, assume or permit to exist any Security Interest of any kind upon any Leasing Document to which it is a party or any asset subject thereto, other than the Permitted Security Interests.
11.14
Financial covenants.
(a)
The Guarantor shall ensure that, at any time during the Security Period, the Guarantor’s Leverage Ratio shall not be more than eighty per cent (80%).
(b)
The Guarantor shall ensure that all time during the Security Period the Liquid Funds shall not be less than the aggregate of:

(i)
$750,000 multiplied by the number of Fleet Vessels (other than the Chartered Fleet Vessels, the Vessel and the Other Vessel); and

(ii)
$500,000 multiplied by the number of the Chartered Fleet Vessels; and

(iii)
$1,000,000 multiplied by two (representing the Vessel and the Other Vessel).
In this Guarantee:
"50% Owned Vessel " means any ship or vessel (other than the Vessel, the Other Vessel, or any other Fleet Vessel) from time to time owned under a joint venture agreement where the relevant member of the Group owns at least 50 per cent. of the issued share capital of the jointly owned entity by the Guarantor (directly or indirectly) excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any newbuilding vessels not delivered to such jointly owned entity.
" Chartered Fleet Vessel " means, at any relevant time, a Fleet Vessel (other than the Vessel and the Other Vessel) which is subject to a bareboat charter at that time and, in the plural, means all of them.
" Liquid Funds " means, at any time, cash at bank and credited to an account in the name of any member of the Group and to which the Guarantor is solely (or together with other members of the Group) beneficially entitled and for so long as such cash has not been blocked due to the existence of any Security Interest held by any bank or any other third party or otherwise.
" Leverage Ratio " means, at any date, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of:

(a)
the Total Net Debt; and

(b)
the aggregate Market Value of all Fleet Vessels adjusted to include 50% of the value of 50% Owned Vessels.
Market Value ” means, in relation to the Vessel or any other Fleet Vessel or any 50% Owned Vessel at any relevant time, the arithmetic mean of two (2) valuations, each prepared:

(a)
on a date no earlier than fifteen (15) days previously;

(b)
with or without physical inspection of that Vessel;
10



(c)
on the basis of a sale for prompt delivery for cash on normal arm’s length commercial terms as between a willing seller and a willing buyer, free of any existing charter or other contract of employment,
and such valuations shall be prepared by one Approved Valuer selected and appointed by the Owners and one Approved Valuer selected by the Charterers (but appointed by the Owners) provided that if the difference in the two valuations obtained is more than ten per cent. (10%) of the lower valuation obtained, a third Approved Valuer shall be selected and appointed by the Owners and the Market Value shall be the arithmetic mean of such three valuations and shall be binding to the Owners, the Guarantor and the Charterers.
Total Net Debt " means, at any date, the aggregate Financial Indebtedness of the Group as per US GAAP as at such date, adjusted to include 50 per cent. of the Financial Indebtedness of any joint venture with a minimum holding of 50 per cent by any member of the Group, minus the aggregate amount of all cash balances standing on such date to the credit of a bank account of any Member of the Group, adjusted to include 50 per cent. of the cash balances of any entity holding directly 100% ownership of any 50% Owned Vessel, but excluding (x) any cash held in any bank account which is subject to any Security Interest which is not secured in favour of the Owner or the Other Owner and (y) the aggregate amount of Deposit (for the avoidance of doubt excluding any Deposit Interest) actually received and held by the Owners pursuant to the Bareboat Charter at such date.
US GAAP ” means the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.
11.15
Compliance Certificate . The Guarantor shall supply to the Owner, a Compliance Certificate setting out (in reasonable detail) computations as to compliance with Clause 11.14 on each Testing Date; and each Compliance Certificate shall be signed by a Co-Chief Financial Officer of the Guarantor.
11.16
Negative Pledge . The Guarantor shall:
(a)
procure that the Charterers will not create or permit to arise any Security Interest over any of its assets present or future except for the Permitted Security Interests.; and
(b)
procure that its liabilities under this Guarantee will rank at least pari passu with all its other present and future unsecured liabilities, except for liabilities which are mandatorily preferred by law.
11.17
No disposal of assets, change of business. The Guarantor will not, and shall (at all times) procure that no other Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) shall:
(a)
transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or a substantial part of their respective assets (or any of their assets, in the case of the Charterer), whether by one transaction or a number of transactions, whether related or not except in the usual course of their respective trading operations; or
(b)
make any substantial change (or any change, in the case of the Charterer) to the nature of their respective business or corporate structure from that existing as at the date of this Guarantee.
11.18
No merger etc. The Guarantor shall not enter into any form of merger, sub-division, amalgamation or other reorganisation.
11.19
FATCA. The Guarantor shall not, and shall procure that no Relevant Person (other than the BP Charterer, the Builder and the Refund Guarantor) will become a FATCA FFI or US Tax Obligor.
11


11.20
No payment of dividend. The Guarantor shall not declare, make or pay any dividend or other distribution (or interest on any unpaid dividend or other distribution) on or in respect of its share capital (whether in cash or in kind) upon the occurrence of a Termination Event described in clause 48 of the Bareboat Charter.
12
JUDGMENTS AND CURRENCY INDEMNITY
12.1
Judgments relating to Bareboat Charter and other Leasing Documents. This Guarantee shall cover any amount payable by any other Relevant Person under or in connection with any judgment or award relating to the Bareboat Charter and any other Leasing Document.
12.2
Currency indemnity. If any sum due from the Guarantor to the Owner under this Guarantee or under any order, judgment or award relating to this Guarantee has to be converted from the currency in which this Guarantee provided for the sum to be paid (the “ Contractual Currency ”) into another currency (the “ Payment Currency ”) for the purpose of:
(a)
making or lodging any claim or proof against the Guarantor, whether in its liquidation, any arrangement involving it or otherwise; or
(b)
obtaining an order, judgment or award from any court or other tribunal; or
(c)
enforcing any such order, judgment or award;
the Guarantor shall indemnify the Owner against the loss arising when the amount of the payment actually received by the Owner is converted at the available rate of exchange into the Contractual Currency.
In this Clause 12.2, the “ available rate of exchange ” means the rate at which the Owner is able at the opening of business (Shanghai time) on the Business Day after it receives the sum concerned to purchase the Contractual Currency with the Payment Currency.
13
SUPPLEMENTAL
13.1
Continuing guarantee. This Guarantee shall remain in force as a continuing security interest at all times during the Security Period.
13.2
Rights cumulative, non-exclusive. The Owner’s rights under and in connection with this Guarantee are cumulative, may be exercised as often as appears expedient and shall not be taken to exclude or limit any right or remedy conferred by law.
13.3
No impairment of rights under Guarantee. If the Owner omits to exercise, delays in exercising or invalidly exercises any of its rights under this Guarantee, that shall not impair that or any other right of the Owner under this Guarantee.
13.4
Severability of provisions. If any provision of this Guarantee is or subsequently becomes void, illegal, unenforceable or otherwise invalid, that shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of its other provisions.
13.5
Guarantee not affected by other Security Interests. This Guarantee shall not impair, nor be impaired by, any other guarantee or any right of set-off or netting or to combine accounts which the Owner may now or later hold in connection with the Bareboat Charter or any other Leasing Document.
13.6
Guarantor bound by Bareboat Charter and other Leasing Documents. The Guarantor agrees with the Owner to be bound by all provisions of the Bareboat Charter and any other Leasing Document in the same way as if those provisions had been set out (with any necessary modifications) in this Guarantee.
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13.7
Applicability of provisions of Guarantee to other rights. Clauses 3 and 16 shall also apply to any right of set-off or netting or to combine accounts which the Guarantor creates by an agreement entered into at the time of this Guarantee or at any later time (notwithstanding that the agreement does not include provisions similar to Clauses 3 and 16), being an agreement referring to this Guarantee.
13.8
Third party rights. A person who is not a party to this Guarantee has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce or to enjoy the benefit of any term of this Guarantee.
13.9
Counterpart . This Guarantee may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Guarantee.
13.10
FATCA Information.
(a)
Subject to paragraph (c) below, each Party shall, within ten Business Days of a reasonable request by the other Party:

(i)
confirm to the other Party whether it is:

(A)
a FATCA Exempt Party; or

(B)
not a FATCA Exempt Party; and

(ii)
supply to the other Party such forms, documentation and other information relating to its status under FATCA (including its applicable “passthru payment percentage” or other information required under the US Treasury Regulations or other official guidance including intergovernmental agreements) as the other Party reasonably requests for the purposes of the other Party's compliance with FATCA.
(b)
If a Party confirms to the other Party pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) above that it is a FATCA Exempt Party and it subsequently becomes aware that it is not, or has ceased to be a FATCA Exempt Party, that Party shall notify the other Party reasonably promptly.
(c)
Paragraph (a) above shall not oblige either Party to do anything which would or might in its reasonable opinion constitute a breach of:

(i)
any law or regulation;

(ii)
any fiduciary duty; or

(iii)
any duty of confidentiality.
(d)
If a Party fails to confirm its status or to supply forms, documentation or other information requested in accordance with paragraph (a) above (including, for the avoidance of doubt, where paragraph (c) above applies), then:

(i)
if that Party failed to confirm whether it is (and/or remains) a FATCA Exempt Party then such Party shall be treated for the purposes of this Guarantee and the Leasing Documents as if it is not a FATCA Exempt Party; and

(ii)
if that Party failed to confirm its applicable "passthru payment percentage" then such Party shall be treated for the purposes of the Finance Documents (and payments made thereunder) as if its applicable "passthru payment percentage" is one hundred per cent. (100%),
13


until (in each case) such time as the Party in question provides the requested confirmation, forms, documentation or other information.
14
ASSIGNMENT
14.1
Assignment by Owner.
Clauses 62 of the Bareboat Charter shall apply to this Guarantee as if they were expressly incorporated herein with any necessary modifications including the references to “the Charterers” therein shall be references to “the Guarantor” when applied herein and references to “the Leasing Document” and “this Charter” therein shall be references to “this Guarantee” when applied herein.
14.2
The Guarantor may not assign any of its rights or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Guarantee.
15
NOTICES
15.1
Notices to Guarantor. Any notice or demand to the Guarantor under or in connection with this Guarantee shall be given by letter or fax or mail at:
TOP SHIPS INC.
Attention:  Alexandros Tsirikos
Email: atsirikos@topships.org
Tel: +30 210 8128180
Fax: +30 210 8056441
or to such other address which the Guarantor may notify to the Owner.
15.2
Validity of demands. A demand under this Guarantee shall be valid notwithstanding that it is served:
(a)
on the date on which the amount to which it relates is payable by the relevant Relevant Person under the Leasing Document to which it is a party;
(b)
at the same time as the service of a notice under clause 43 of the Bareboat Charter;
and a demand under this Guarantee shall (i) be in writing; (ii) be signed by a duly authorised officer of the Owner and delivered to the Guarantor pursuant to the provisions under this Guarantee; (iii) make reference to this Guarantee; (iv) specifically identify the Charterer or any other Relevant Person and the Guaranteed Obligations to be paid and/or performed (as the case may be); and (v) set forth payment instructions in respect of any amount or amounts payable to the Owner.
15.3
Notices to Owner. Any notice to the Owner under or in connection with this Guarantee shall be sent to the same address and in the same manner as notices to the Owner under the Bareboat Charter.
16
INVALIDITY OF BAREBOAT CHARTER
16.1
Invalidity of Bareboat Charter or other Leasing Documents . In the event of:
(c)
the Bareboat Charter or any other Leasing Document now being or later becoming, with immediate or retrospective effect, void, illegal, unenforceable or otherwise invalid for any other reason whatsoever, whether of a similar kind or not; or
(d)
without limiting the scope of paragraph (a), a bankruptcy of the Relevant Person party thereto, the introduction of any law or any other matter resulting in that Relevant Person
14


being discharged from liability under the Bareboat Charter or other Leasing Document, or the Bareboat Charter or other Leasing Document ceasing to operate (for example, by interest ceasing to accrue);
this Guarantee shall cover any amount which would have been or become payable under or in connection with the Bareboat Charter or other Leasing Document if the Bareboat Charter or other Leasing Document had been and remained entirely valid, legal and enforceable, or that Relevant Party had not suffered bankruptcy, or any combination of such events or circumstances, as the case may be, and the Charterer had remained fully liable under it for liabilities whether invalidly incurred or validly incurred but subsequently retrospectively invalidated; and references in this Guarantee to amounts payable by that Relevant Party under or in connection with the Bareboat Charter or other Leasing Document shall include references to any amount which would have so been or become payable as aforesaid.
17
GOVERNING LAW AND ENFORCEMENT
17.1
Governing law .
This Guarantee and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law.
17.2
Arbitration .
(a)
Any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Guarantee (including a dispute regarding the existence, validity or termination of this Guarantee or any non-contractual obligation arising out of or in connection with this Guarantee) (a " Dispute ") shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration in London in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996 or any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof save to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Clause 17. The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (“ LMAA ”) Terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
(b)
The reference shall be to three arbitrators. A Party wishing to refer a Dispute to arbitration shall appoint its arbitrator and send notice of such appointment in writing to the other Party requiring the other Party to appoint its own arbitrators within 14 calendar days of that notice and stating that it will appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator unless any of the other Party appoints its own arbitrator and gives notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified. If the other Party does not appoint its own arbitrator and give notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified, the Party referring a Dispute to arbitration may, without the requirement of any further prior notice to the other Party, appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator and shall advise the other Party accordingly. The award of a sole arbitrator shall be binding on all Parties as if he had been appointed by agreement. Nothing herein shall prevent the Parties agreeing in writing to vary these provisions to provide for the appointment of a sole arbitrator.
(c)
Where the reference is to three arbitrators the procedure for making appointments shall be in accordance with the procedure for full arbitration stated above.
(d)
The language of the arbitration shall be English.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF this GUARANTEE has been executed as a DEED and delivered on the date stated at the beginning of this GUARANTEE.
15



SCHEDULE 1


FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
To:
SEA 104 LEASING CO., LIMITED
From:
TOP SHIPS INC.
Date: _________________
Guarantee dated [ ] 2018 (the “Guarantee”) in respect of a bareboat charter for m.v. “ECO BEVERLY HILLS”
Dear Sirs
1.
We refer to the Guarantee. This is a Compliance Certificate. Terms defined in the Guarantee have the same meaning when used in this Compliance Certificate unless given a difference meaning in this Compliance Certificate.
2.
We confirm that, as at the date hereof, no Termination Event has occurred and is continuing which has not been waived or remedied at the date hereof [or if that is not the case, specifying the same and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy the same].
3.
We confirm that, at any time during the Security Period, Leverage Ratio was not be more than 80 per cent (80%).
4.
We confirm that all time during the Security Period the Liquid Funds was not be less than the aggregate of:

(i)
$750,000 multiplied by the number of Fleet Vessels (other than the Chartered Fleet Vessels, the Vessel and the Other Vessel); and

(ii)
$500,000 multiplied by the number of the Chartered Fleet Vessels; and

(iii)
$1,000,000 multiplied by two (representing the Vessel and the Other Vessel).
Yours faithfully
Signed:____________________
Co-Chief Financial Officer of
TOP SHIPS INC.
16

EXECUTION PAGE

GUARANTOR
   
     
EXECUTED AS A DEED
)
 
by TOP SHIPS INC.
)
 
acting by Alexandros Tsirikos
)
/s/Alexandros Tsirikos
 
)
 
pursuant to a power of attorney dated 21 Nov 2018
)
 
in the presence of:
)
 
 
)
 
Witness’ signature: /s/Andreas M. Louka
)
 
Witness’ name:  Andreas M. Louka - Advocate
)
 
Witness’ address: 2 Peloponnisou Street
)
 
                             Filothel, 152 37, Greece
)
 
     
     
OWNER
   
     
SIGNED, SEALED and DELIVERED
)
 
by SEA 104 LEASING CO., LIMITED
)
 
acting by
)
 
being an attorney-in-fact
)
 
 
)
 
in the present of:
)
 
Witness’ signature:
)
 
Witness’ name:
)
 
Witness; address:
)
 
17


EXECUTION PAGE

GUARANTOR
   
     
EXECUTED AS A DEED
)
 
by TOP SHIPS INC.
)
 
acting by
)
 
 
)
 
pursuant to a power of attorney dated __________
)
 
in the presence of:
)
 
 
)
 
Witness’ signature:
)
 
Witness’ name:
)
 
Witness’ address:
)
 
 
)
 
     
     
OWNER
   
     
SIGNED, SEALED and DELIVERED
)
 
by SEA 104 LEASING CO., LIMITED
)
 
acting by
)
 /s/                                           
being an attorney-in-fact
)
 
 
)
 
in the presence of:
)
 
Witness’ signature: /s/                                
)
 
Witness’ name:
)
 
Witness; address: 22F, China Merchants Bank Building, No. 1088
                             Lujiazui Ring Road, Shanghai, China
)
 





18
Exhibit 4.93

Confidential


Dated 5 September 2017



ASTARTE INTERNATIONAL INC.
as Borrower

arranged by
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V.

with
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V.
as Agent

AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V.
as Security Agent

and
TOP SHIPS INC.
as Guarantor


FACILITY AGREEMENT
for up to $23 , 500 , 000Loan Facility



Contents

Clause
Page
   
Section 1 -  Interpretation
1
1
Definitions and interpretation
1
Section 2 -  The Facility
24
2
The Facility
24
3
Purpose
24
4
Conditions of Utilisation
25
Section 3 -  Utilisation
26
5
Utilisation
26
Section 4 -   Repayment, Prepayment and Cancellation
27
6
Repayment
27
7
Illegality, prepayment and cancellation
28
8
Restrictions
31
Section 5 -  Costs of Utilisation
34
9
Interest
34
10
Interest Periods
35
11
Changes to the calculation of interest
35
12
Fees
36
Section 6 -   Additional Payment Obligations
38
13
Tax gross-up and indemnities
38
14
Increased Costs
42
15
Other indemnities
43
16
Mitigation by the Lenders
47
17
Costs and expenses
47
Section 7 -   Guarantee
49
18
Guarantee and indemnity
49
Section 8 -   Representations, Undertakings and Events of Default
52
19
Representations
52
20
Information undertakings
59
21
Financial covenants
62
22
General undertakings
63
23
Construction period
67
24
Dealings with Ship
68
25
Condition and operation of Ship
70
26
Insurance
73


     
27
Minimum security value
77
28
Chartering undertakings
80
29
Bank accounts
81
30
Business restrictions
82
31
Events of Default
85
Section 9 -   Changes to Parties
90
32
Changes to the Lenders
90
33
Changes to the Obligors
93
Section 10 -  - The Finance Parties
94
34
Roles of Agent. Security Agent and Arranger
94
35
Trust and security matters
105
36
Enforcement of Transaction Security
109
37
Application of proceeds
 110
38
Conduct of business by the Finance Parties
113
39
Sharing among the Finance Parties
113
Section 11 -  Administration
115
40
Payment mechanics
115
41
Set-off
118
42
Notices
119
43
Calculations and certificates
121
44
Partial invalidity
121
45
Remedies and waivers
121
46
Amendments and waivers
121
47
Confidential Information
126
48
Confidentiality of Funding Rates
128
49
Counterparts
129
50
Contractual recognition of bail-in
130
Section 12 -  Governing Law and Enforcement.
131
51
Governing law
131
52
Enforcement
131
Schedule 1 The original parties
132
Schedule 2 Ship information
134
Schedule 3 Conditions precedent.
135
Schedule 4 Utilisation Request.
141
Schedule 5 Form of Transfer Certificate
142
Schedule 6 Form of Compliance Certificate Part A - Borrower
145
Part B - Guarantor
146


     
Schedule 7 Forms of Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction Notice
147
Schedule 8 Semi-Annual Vessel Performance Report
149







THIS AGREEMENT is dated 5 September 2017 and made between:
(1)
ASTARTE INTERNATIONAL INC. (the Borrower );
(2)
TOP SHIPS INC. (the Guarantor );
(3)
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V. as mandated lead arranger (the Arranger );
(4)
THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS listed in Schedule 1 as lenders (the Original Lenders );
(5)
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V. as agent of the other Finance Parties (the Agent );   and
(6)
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V. as security trustee for the Finance Parties (the Security Agent ).
IT IS AGREED as follows:
Section 1 - Interpretation
1.
Definitions and interpretation
1.1
Definitions
In this Agreement and (unless otherwise defined in the relevant Finance Document) the other Finance Documents:
Acceptable Bank means:

(a)
a bank or financial institution which has a rating for its long-term unsecured and non-credit-enhanced debt obligations of “A-” or higher by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services or Fitch Ratings Ltd or “Baa1” or higher by Moody’s Investors Service Limited or a comparable rating from an internationally recognised credit rating agency; or

(b)
any other bank or financial institution approved by the Agent and the Borrower.
Account means any bank account, deposit or certificate of deposit opened, made or established in accordance with clause 29 (Bank accounts).
Account Bank means, in relation to any Account, either the bank or financial institution specified as such in Schedule 1 (The original parties) or another bank or financial institution approved by the Majority Lenders at the request of the Borrower.
Account Security means, in relation to an Account, a deed or other instrument executed by the Borrower in favour of the Security Agent in an agreed form conferring a Security Interest over that Account.
Accounting Reference Date means 31 December or such other date as may be approved by the Lenders.
Additional Minimum Value means, the amount in dollars which is at the relevant time, one hundred and sixty seven per cent (167%) of the Loan.
Additional Unacceptable Country means a country or territory listed in the Agent’s Unacceptable Countries List which is not considered a Restricted Person for the purposes of Sanctions.
Affiliate means, in relation to any person, a Subsidiary of that person or a Holding Company of that person or any other Subsidiary of that Holding Company.
1



Agent includes any person who may be appointed as such under the Finance Documents.
Agent’s Unacceptable Countries List means the list issued by the Agent named “Unacceptable Countries List” and notified to the Borrower on or prior to the date of this Agreement, as such list may be amended by the Agent and notified to the Borrower from time to time.
Approved Valuers means any of Clarksons Valuations Limited, Braemar ACM Valuations Limited, Arrow Research Ltd., Simpson, Spence & Young Valuation Services Ltd. and Fearnleys Shipbrokers A/S or any other independent firm of shipbrokers approved by the Agent, as may be withdrawn or reinstated in accordance with clause 27.9 (Approval of Valuers).
Auditors means one of PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, KPMG or Deloitte & Touche or another firm proposed by the Borrower and approved by the Majority Lenders (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
Authorisation means any authorisation, consent, concession, approval, resolution, licence, exemption, filing, notarisation or registration.
Available Commitment means a Lender’s Commitment minus the amount of its participation in the Loan.
Available Facility means the aggregate for the time being of all the Lenders’ Available Commitments.
Bail-In Action means the exercise of any Write-down and Conversion Powers.
Bail-In legislation means:

(a)
in relation to an EEA Member Country which has implemented, or which at any time implements, Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU establishing a framework for the recovery and resolution of credit institutions and investment firms, the relevant implementing law or regulation as described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule from time to time; and

(b)
in relation to any other state, any analogous law or regulation from time to time which requires contractual recognition of any Write-down and Conversion Powers contained in that law or regulation.
Balloon Instalment shall have the meaning ascribed to it in clause 6.2(b).
Basel II Accord means the “International Convergence of Capital Measurement and Capital Standards, a Revised Framework” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in June 2004 as updated prior to, and in the form existing on, the date of this Agreement, excluding any amendment thereto arising out of the Basel III Accord.
Basel II Approach means, in relation to any Finance Party, either the Standardised Approach or the relevant Internal Ratings Based Approach (each as defined in the Basel II Regulations applicable to such Finance Party) adopted by that Finance Party (or any of its Affiliates) for the purposes of implementing or complying with the Basel II Accord.
Basel II Regulation means:

(a)
any law or regulation in force as at the date hereof implementing the Basel II Accord, (including the relevant provisions of CRD IV and CRR) to the extent only that such law or regulation re-enacts and/or implements the requirements of the Basel II Accord but excluding any provision of such law or regulation implementing the Basel III Accord; and

(b)
any Basel II Approach adopted by a Finance Party or any of its Affiliates.
2



Basel III Accord means, together:

(a)
the agreements on capital requirements, a leverage ratio and liquidity standards contained in “Basel III: A global regulatory framework for more resilient banks and banking systems”, “Basel III: International framework for liquidity risk measurement, standards and monitoring” and “Guidance for national authorities operating the countercyclical capital buffer” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in December 2010, each as amended, supplemented or restated;

(b)
the rules for global systemically important banks contained in “Global systemically important banks: assessment methodology and the additional loss absorbency requirement - Rules text” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in November 2011, as amended, supplemented or restated; and

(c)
any further guidance or standards published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision relating to “Basel III”.
Basel III Increased Cost means an Increased Cost which is attributable to the implementation or application of or compliance with any Basel III Regulation (whether such implementation, application or compliance is by a government, regulator, Finance Party or any of its Affiliates).
Basel III Regulation means any law or regulation implementing the Basel III Accord (including the relevant provisions of CRD IV and CRR) save to the extent that such law or regulation re- enacts a Basel II Regulation.
Borrower Affiliate means the Guarantor, each of its Affiliates, any trust of which the Guarantor or any of its Affiliates is a trustee, any partnership of which the Guarantor or any of its Affiliates is a partner and any trust, fund or other entity which is managed by, or is under the control of, the Guarantor or any of its Affiliates.
Break Costs means the amount (if any) by which:

(a)
the interest (excluding the Margin) which a Lender should have received for the period from the date of receipt of all or any part of its participation in the Loan or relevant part of it or Unpaid Sum to the last day of the current Interest Period in respect of the Loan or relevant part of it or Unpaid Sum, had the relevant principal amount or Unpaid Sum received been paid on the last day of that Interest Period;
exceeds:

(b)
the amount which that Lender would be able to obtain by placing an amount equal to the relevant principal amount or Unpaid Sum received by it on deposit with a leading bank for a period starting on the Business Day following receipt or recovery and ending on the last day of that Interest Period.
Builder means the person specified as such in Schedule 2 (Ship information).
Building Contract means the shipbuilding contract specified in Schedule 2 (Ship information) between the Builder and the Borrower relating to the construction of the Ship.
Building Contract Documents means the Building Contract and any other guarantee or security given to any person for the Builder’s obligations under the Building Contract.
Business Day means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in London, Amsterdam and New York.
Charged Property means all of the assets of the Obligors which from time to time are, or are expressed or intended to be, the subject of the Transaction Security.
3



Charter means the charter commitment details of which are provided in Schedule 2 ( Ship information).
Charter Assignment means, in relation to any Charter Documents, an assignment by the Borrower of its interest in such Charter Documents in favour of the Security Agent in the agreed form.
Charter Documents means the Charter, any documents supplementing it and any guarantee  or security given by any person to the Borrower for the Charterer’s obligations under it.
Charterer means the entity details of which are provided in Schedule 2 (Ship information.)
Classification means the classification specified in Schedule 2 (Ship information) with the Classification Society or another classification approved by the Majority Lenders as its classification, at the request of the Borrower.
Classification Society means the classification society specified in Schedule 2 (Ship information) or another classification society approved by the Majority Lenders as its Classification Society, at the request of the Borrower.
Code means the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Commitment means:

(a)
in relation to an Original Lender, the amount set opposite its name under the heading “Commitment” in Schedule 1 (The original parties) and the amount of any other Commitment assigned to it under this Agreement; and

(b)
in relation to any other Lender, the amount of any Commitment assigned to it under this Agreement,
to the extent not cancelled, reduced or assigned by it under this Agreement.
Compliance Certificate means in respect of the Borrower and the Guarantor a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule 6 (Form of Compliance Certificate) applicable to the relevant Party (Form of Compliance Certificate) or otherwise approved.
Confidential Information means all information relating to an Obligor (other than the Charterer), the Group, the Finance Documents or the Facility of which a Finance Party becomes aware in its capacity as, or for the purpose of becoming, a Finance Party or which is received by a Finance Party in relation to, or for the purpose of becoming a Finance Party under, the Finance Documents or the Facility from either:

(a)
any member of the Group or any of its advisers; or

(b)
another Finance Party, if the information was obtained by that Finance Party directly or indirectly from any member of the Group or any of its advisers,
in whatever form, and includes information given orally and any document, electronic file or any other way of representing or recording information which contains or is derived or copied from such information but excludes:

(i)
information that:

(A)
is or becomes public information other than as a direct or indirect result of any breach by that Finance Party of clause 47 (Confidential Information); or

(B)
is identified in writing or orally if given orally at the time of delivery as non-confidential by any member of the Group or any of its advisers; or
4




(C)
is known by that Finance Party before the date the information is disclosed to it in accordance with paragraphs (a) or (b) above or is lawfully obtained by that Finance Party after that date, from a source which is, as far as that Finance Party is aware, unconnected with the Group and which, in either case, as far as that Finance Party is aware, has not been obtained in breach of, and is not otherwise subject to, any obligation of confidentiality; and

(ii)
any Funding Rate.
Confidentiality Undertaking means a confidentiality undertaking substantially in a recommended form of the Loan Market Association or in any other form agreed between the Borrower and the Agent.
Constitutional Documents means, in respect of an Obligor (other than the Charterer), such Obligor’s articles of incorporation, bye-laws or other constitutional documents including as referred to in any certificate relating to an Obligor delivered pursuant to Schedule 3 ( Conditions precedent).
Contract Price means the price of the Ship payable under the Building Contract.
CRO IV means the directive 2013/36/EU of the European Union on access to the activity of credit institutions and the prudential supervision of credit institutions and investment firms.
CRR means the regulation 575/2013 of the European Union on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms.
CSM means Central Shipping Monaco S.A.M.   of Les Orchidees, 16 rue R.P. Louis Frolla, 98000 Monaco, registered with the Register of Commerce and Industry under number 11 S 05588.
Debt Purchase Transaction means, in relation to a person, a transaction where such person:

(a)
purchases by way of assignment or transfer;

(b)
enters into any sub-participation in respect of; or

(c)
enters into any other agreement or arrangement having an economic effect substantially similar to a sub-participation in respect of,
any Commitment or amount outstanding under this Agreement.
Default means an Event of Default or any event or circumstance specified in clause 31 (Events of Default) which would (with the expiry of a grace period, the giving of notice, the making of any determination under the Finance Documents or any combination of any of the foregoing) be an Event of Default.
Defaulting Lender means any Lender (other than a Lender which is a Borrower Affiliate):

(a)
which has failed to make its participation in the Loan available (or has notified the Agent or the Borrower (which has notified the Agent) that it will not make its participation in the Loan available) by the Utilisation Date in accordance with clause 5.4 (Lenders’ participation);

(b)
which has otherwise rescinded or repudiated a Finance Document; or

(c)
with respect to which an Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing,
5



unless, in the case of paragraph (a) above:

(i)
its failure to pay is caused by:

(A)
administrative or technical error; or

(B)
a Disruption Event; and,
payment is made within five Business Days of its due date; or

(ii)
the Lender is disputing in good faith whether it is contractually obliged to make the payment in question.
Delegate means any delegate, agent, attorney, additional trustee or co-trustee appointed by the Security Agent under the terms of the Finance Documents.
Delivery means the delivery and acceptance of the Ship by the Borrower under the Building Contract.
Delivery Date means the date on which Delivery occurs.
Delivery Instalment means the instalment of the Contract Price falling due on Delivery.
Disclosed Persons means the person or persons disclosed to the Agent in writing pursuant to paragraph 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 3.
Disruption Event means either or both of:

(a)
a material disruption to those payment or communications systems or to those financial markets which are, in each case, required to operate in order for payments to be made in connection with the Facility (or otherwise in order for the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents to be carried out) which disruption is not caused by, and is beyond the control of, any of the Parties; or

(b)
the occurrence of any other event which results in a disruption (of a technicalor systems- related nature) to the treasury or payments operations of a Party preventing that, or any other Party:

(i)
from performing its payment obligations under the Finance Documents: or

(ii)
from communicating with other Parties in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents,
and which (in either such case) is not caused by, and is beyond the control of, the Party whose operations are disrupted.
Earnings means, in relation to the Ship and a person, all money at any time payable to that person for or in relation to the use or operation of the Ship, including freight, hire and passage moneys, money payable to that person for the provision of services by or from the Ship or under any charter commitment, requisition for hire compensation, remuneration for salvage and towage services, demurrage and detention moneys and damages for breach and payments for termination or variation of any charter commitment.
EEA Member Country means any member state of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
Eligible Institution means any Lender or other bank, financial institution, trust, fund or other entity selected by the Borrower and which, in each case, is not a Borrower Affiliate or an Obligor or another Group Member.
6



Environmental Claims means:

(a)
enforcement, clean-up, removal or other governmental or regulator y action or orders or claims instituted or made pursuant to any Environmental Laws or resulting from a Spill; or

(b)
any claim made by any other person relating to a Spill.
Environmental Incident means any Spill from any vessel in circumstances where:

(a)
any Fleet Vessel or its owner, operator or manager is liable for Environmental Claims arising from the Spill (other than Environmental Claims arising and fully satisfied before the date of this Agreement); and/or

(b)
any Fleet Vessel is arrested or attached in connection with any such Environmental Claim.
Environmental Laws means all laws, regulations and conventions concerning pollution or protection of human health or the environment.
EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule means the document described as such and published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person) from time to time.
Event of Default means any event or circumstance specified as such in clause 31 (Events of Default).
Existing Agreement means the loan agreement dated 5 September 2017 made between (among others) the Borrower as borrower, the banks and financial institutions set out therein as lenders and Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V. as agent and security agent, in respect of a $8,993,100 facility.
Existing Agreement Events means each one of the events described in clauses 7.1 (Illegality), 7.7 (Mandatory Pre-Delivery cancellation) (excluding the events set out in clause 7.7(vi) of the Existing Agreement, in the event that the Borrower has made the prepayment required under such clause 7.7 (Mandatory Pre-Delivery cancellation)) and 31 (Events of Default) of the Existing Agreement.
Existing Indebtedness means, at any relevant time, all amounts of principal, interest and all other amounts outstanding and owing by the Borrower under the Existing Agreement.
Facility means the term loan facility made available under this Agreement as described in clause 2 (The Facility).
Facility Office means:

(a)
in respect of a Lender, the office or offices notified by that Lender to the Agent in writing on or before the date it becomes a Lender (or, following that date. by not less than five Business Days’ written notice) as the office or offices through which it will perform its obligations under this Agreement; or

(b)
in respect of any other Finance Party, the office in the jurisdiction in which it is resident for tax purposes.
Facility Period means the period from and including the date of this Agreement to and including the date on which the Total Commitments have reduced to zero and all indebtedness of the Obligors under the Finance Documents has been fully paid and discharged.
FATCA means :

(a)
sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code or any associated regulations;
7




(b)
any treaty, law or regulation of any other jurisdiction, or relating to an intergovernmental agreement between the US and any other jurisdiction, which (in either case) facilitates the implementation of any law or regulation referred to in paragraph (a) above; or

(c)
any agreement pursuant to the implementation of any treaty, law or regulation referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b) above with the US Internal Revenue Service, the US government or any governmental or taxation authority in any other jurisdiction.
FATCA Application Date means:

(a)
in relation to a “withholdable payment” described in section 1473(1)(A)(i) of the Code (which relates to payments of interest and certain other payments from sources within the US), 1 July 2014;

(b)
in relation to a “withholdable payment” described in section 1473 (1)(A)(ii) of the Code (which relates to “gross proceeds” from the disposition of property of a type that can produce interest from sources within the US), 1 January 2019; or

(c)
in relation to a “passthru payment” described in section 1471(d)(7) of the Code not falling within paragraphs (a) or (b) above, 1 January 2019,
or, in each case, such other date from which such payment may become subject to a deduction or withholding required by FATCA as a result of any change in FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
FATCA Deduction means a deduction or withholding from a payment under a Finance Document required by FATCA.
FATCA Exempt Party means a Party that is entitled to receive payments free from any FATCA Deduction.
Fee Letter means any letter or letters dated on the date of this Agreement between the Arranger and the Borrower (or the Agent and the Borrower) setting out any of the fees referred to in clause 12 (Fees) and includes any agreement setting out any fees payable to a Finance Party under any other Finance Document.
Final Repayment Date means, subject to clause 40.8 (Business Days), the earlier of:

(a)
30 September 2023; and

(b)
the date falling sixty Months after the Utilisation Date.
Finance Documents means this Agreement, any Fee Letter, the Security Documents and any other document designated as such by the Agent and the Borrower.
Finance Party means the Agent, the Security Agent, the Arranger or a Lender.
Financial Indebtedness means any indebtedness for or in respect of:

(a)
moneys borrowed and debit balances at banks or other financial institutions;

(b)
any amount raised under any acceptance under any acceptance credit or bill discounting facility (or dematerialised equivalent);

(c)
any amount raised pursuant to any note purchase facility or the issue of bonds, notes, debentures, loan stock or any similar instrument:

(d)
the amount of any liability in respect of any lease or hire purchase contract which would, in accordance with GAAP be treated as a finance or capital lease;
8




(e)
receivables sold or discounted (other than any receivables to the extent they are sold on a non-recourse basis and meet any requirement for de-recognition u n der GAAP);

(f)
any Treasury Transaction (and, when calculating the value of that Treasury Transaction, only the marked to market value (or, if any actual amount is due as a result of the termination or close-out of that Treasury Transaction, that amount) shall be taken into account);

(g)
any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a guarantee, indemnity, bond, standby or documentary letter of credit or any other instrument issued by a bank or financial institution;

(h)
in respect of the Borrower only, any amount raised by the issue of shares which are redeemable (other than at the option of the issuer) before the Final Repayment Date or are otherwise classified as borrowings under GAAP);

(i)
any amount of any liability under an advance or deferred purchase agreement if (i) one of the primary reasons behind entering into the agreement is to raise finance or to finance the acquisition or construction of the asset or service in question or (ii) the agreement is in respect of the supply of assets or services and payment is due more than 180 days after the date of supply;

(j)
any amount raised under any other transaction (including any forward sale or purchase, sale and sale back or sale and leaseback agreement) of a type not referred to in any other paragraph of this definition having the commercial effect of a borrowing or otherwise classified as borrowings under GAAP; and

(k)
the amount of any liability in respect of any guarantee or indemnity for any of the items referred to in paragraphs (a) to (j) above.
Financial Year means the annual accounting period of the Borrower or, as the context may require, the Guarantor ending on the Accounting Reference Date in each year.
First Repayment Date means, subject to clause 40.8 (Business Days), the date falling three Months after the Utilisation Date.
Flag State means the country specified in Schedule 2 ( Ship information), or such other state or territory as may be approved by the Lenders, at the request of the Borrower, as being the “Flag State” for the purposes of the Finance Documents.
Fleet Vessel means the Ship and any other vessel owned by any Group Member.
Funding Rate means any individual rate notified by a Lender to the Agent pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii) of clause 11.3 (Cost of funds).
GAAP means general accounting principles and standards as applying in the United States of America from time to time.
General Assignment means a first assignment of, and/or (as the case may be) a first deed of covenant in relation to, its interest in the Ship’s Insurances, Earnings and Requisition Compensation by the Borrower in favour of the Security Agent in the agreed form.
Group means the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries for the time being and, for the purposes of clause 20.3 (Financial statements) and clause 21 (Financial covenants), any other entity required to be treated as a subsidiary in its consolidated accounts in accordance with GAAP and/or any applicable law.
Group Member means any Obligor (other than CSM to the extent it is not part of the Group) and any other entity which is part of the Group.
9



Guarantor means the company described as such in Schedule 1 (The original parties).
Holding Company means, in relation to a person, any other person in respect of which it is a Subsidiary.
Impaired Agent means the Agent at any time when:

(a)
it has failed to make (or has notified a Party that it will not make) a payment required to be made by it under the Finance Documents by the due date for payment;

(b)
the Agent otherwise rescinds or repudiates a Finance Document;

(c)
(if the Agent is also a Lender) it is a Defaulting Lender under paragraphs (a) or (b) of the definition of “Defaulting Lender”; or

(d)
an Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Agent; unless, in the case of paragraph (a) above:

(i)
its failure to pay is caused by:

(A)
administrative or technical error; or

(B)
a Disruption Event; and
payment is made within five Business Days of its due date; or

(ii)
the Agent is disputing in good faith whether it is contractually obliged to make the payment in question.
Increased Costs has the meaning given to that term in paragraph (b) of clause 14.1 (Increased costs).
Indemnified Person means:

(a)
each Finance Party, each Receiver, any Delegate and any attorney, agent or other person appointed by them under the Finance Documents;

(b)
each Affiliate of those persons; and

(c)
any officers, directors, employees, advisers, representatives or agents of any of the above persons.
Insolvency Event in relation to an entity means that the entity:

(a)
is dissolved (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger);

(b)
becomes insolvent or is unable to pay its debts or fails or admits in writing its inability generally to pay its debts as they become due;

(c)
makes a general assignment, arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of its creditors;

(d)
institutes or has instituted against it, by a regulator, supervisor or any similar official with primary insolvency, rehabilitative or regulatory jurisdiction over it in the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organisation or the jurisdiction of its head or home office, a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or a petition is presented for its winding-up or liquidation by it or such regulator, supervisor or similar official;
10




(e)
has instituted against it a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or a petition is presented for its winding-up or liquidation, and, in the case of any such proceeding or petition instituted or presented against it, such proceeding or petition is instituted or presented by a person or entity not described in paragraph (d) above and:

(i)
results in a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or the entry of an order for relief or the making of an order for its winding up or liquidation; or

(ii)
is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained in each case within 30 days of the institution or presentation thereof;

(f)
has a resolution passed for its winding-up, official management or liquidation (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger);

(g)
seeks or becomes subject to the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all its assets (other than, for so long as it is required by law or regulation not to be publicly disclosed, any such appointment which is to be made, or is made, by a person or entity described in paragraph (d) above);

(h)
has a secured party take possession of all or substantially all its assets or has a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other enforcement action or legal process levied, enforced, taken or sued on or against all or substantially all its assets and such secured party maintains possession, or any such process is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained, in each case within 30 days thereafter;

(i)
causes or is subject to any event with respect to it which, under the applicable laws of any jurisdiction, has an analogous effect to any of the events specified in paragraphs (a) to (h) above; or

(j)
takes any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing acts.
Insurance Notice means a notice of assignment in the form scheduled to the General Assignment or in another approved form.
Insurances means, in relation to the Ship:

(a)
all policies and contracts of insurance; and

(b)
all entries in a protection and indemnity or war risks or other mutual insurance association,
in the name of the Ship’s owner or the joint names of its owner and any other person in respect of or in connection with the Ship and/or its owner’s Earnings from the Ship and includes all benefits thereof (including the right to receive claims and to return of premiums).
Interbank Market means the London interbank market.
Interest Period means, in relation to the Loan (or any part of the Loan), each period determined in accordance with clause 10 (Interest Periods) and, in relation to an Unpaid Sum, each period determined in accordance with clause 9.3 (Default interest).
Interpolated Screen Rate means, in relation to LIBOR for an Interest Period with respect to the Loan or any part of it or any Unpaid Sum, the rate (rounded to the same number of decimal places as the two relevant Screen Rates) which results from interpolating on a linear basis between:
11




(a)
the applicable Screen Rate for the longest period (for which that Screen Rate is available) which is less than the relevant Interest Period; and

(b)
the applicable Screen Rate for the shortest period (for which that Screen Rate is available) which exceeds the relevant Interest Period,
each as of 11:00 a.m. on the relevant Quotation Day.
Last Availability Date means 30 September 2018 (or such later date as may be approved by the Lenders).
Legal Opinion means any legal opinion delivered to the Agent under clause 4 (Conditions of Utilisation).
Legal Reservations means:

(a)
the principle that equitable remedies may be granted or refused at the discretion of a court and the limitation of enforcement by laws relating to insolvency, reorganisation and other laws generally affecting the rights of creditors;

(b)
the time barring of claims under the Limitation Act 1980 and the Foreign Limitation Periods Act 1984, the possibility that an undertaking to assume liability for, or indemnify a person against, non-payment of UK stamp duty may be void and defences of set-off or counterclaim; and

(c)
similar principles, rights and defences under the laws of any Relevant Jurisdiction.
Lender means:

(a)
any Original Lender; and

(b)
any bank, financial institution, trust, fund or other entity which has become a Party as a Lender in accordance with clause 32 (Changes to the Lenders),
which in each case has not ceased to be a Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
LIBOR means, in relation to the Loan or any part of it or any Unpaid Sum:

(a)
the applicable Screen Rate as of 11:00 a.m. on the relevant Quotation Day for a period equal in length to the Interest Period of the Loan or relevant part of it or Unpaid Sum; or

(b)
as otherwise determined pursuant to clause 11.1 (Unavailability of Screen Rate),
and if, in either case, that rate is less than zero, LIBOR shall be deemed to be zero.
Loan means the loan made or to be made under the Facility or the principal amount outstanding for the time being of that loan.
Losses means any costs, expenses, payments, charges, losses, demands, liabilities, claims, actions, proceedings, penalties, fines, damages, judgments, orders or other sanctions.
Loss Payable Clauses means the provisions concerning payment of claims under the Ship’s Insurances in the form scheduled to the General Assignment or in another approved form.
Major Casualty means any casualty to the Ship for which the total insurance claim, inclusive of any deductible, exceeds or is reasonably expected to exceed the Major Casualty Amount.
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Major Casualty Amount means the amount specified as such in Schedule 2 (Ship information) or the equivalent in any other currency.
Majority Lenders means a lender or Lenders whose Commitments aggregate more than 66 2/3 per cent of the Total Commitments (or, if the Total Commitments have been reduced to zero, aggregated more than 66 2/3 per cent of the Total Commitments immediately prior to that reduction).
Manager’s Undertaking means an undertaking by any manager of the Ship to the Security Agent in the agreed form pursuant to clause 24.4 (Manager).
Margin means four per cent (4%) per annum .
Material Adverse Effect means, in the reasonable opinion of the Major it y Lenders, a material adverse effect on:

(a)
the business or financial condition of an Obligor (other than CSM);

(b)
the ability of an Obligor to perform its obligations under the Finance Documents; or

(c)
the legality, validity or enforceability of, or the effectiveness or ranking of any Security Interest granted or purporting to be granted pursuant to any of, the Finance Documents or the rights or remedies of any Finance Party under any of the Finance Documents.
Minimum Value means at any time, the amount in dollars which is:

(a)
for the period commencing on the Utilisation Date and ending on the date falling twelve Months thereafter (the First Anniversary ),   115% of the Loan;

(b)
for the period commencing on the first day falling after the First Anniversary and ending on the date falling twelve Months thereafter (the Second Anniversary ),   120% of the loan;

(c)
for the period commencing on the first day falling after the Second Anniversary and ending on the date falling twelve Months thereafter (the Third Anniversary ),   125% of the Loan; and

(d)
from the period commencing on the first day falling after the Third Anniversary and ending on the last day of the Facility Period and as long as the Ship is subject to a Mortgage, 140% of the Loan.
Month means a period starting on one day in a calendar month and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the next calendar month, except that:

(a)
(subject to paragraph (c) below) if the numerically corresponding day is not a Business Day, that period shall end on the next Business Day in the calendar month in which that period is to end (if there is one) or on the immediately preceding Business Day (if there is not);

(b)
if there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month in which that period is to end, that period shall end on the last Business Day in that calendar month; and

(c)
if an Interest Period begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month, that Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day in the calendar month in which that Interest Period is to end.
The above rules will only apply to the last Month of any period.
Mortgage means a first preferred or (as the case may be) a first priority mortgage of the Ship in the agreed form by the Borrower in favour of the Security Agent and/or the Finance Parties.
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Mortgage Period means the period from the date the Mortgage is executed and registered until the date such Mortgage is released and discharged or, if earlier, the Total Loss Date.
New Lender has the meaning given to that term in clause 32 (Changes to the Lenders).
Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction has the meaning given to that term in clause 46.9 (Disenfranchisement of Borrower Affiliates).
Obligors means the parties to the Finance· Documents (other than the Finance Parties) and
Obligor means any one of them.
Operating Account means any Account designated as an “Operating Account” under  clause 29 (Bank accounts).
Original Jurisdiction means, in relation to an Original Obligor, the jurisdiction under whose laws that Obligor is incorporated as at the date of this Agreement or, in the case of any other Obligor, as at the date on which that Obligor becomes an Obligor.
Original Obligor means each party to this Agreement and the Original Security Documents (other than a Finance Party).
Original Security Documents means:

(a)
the Mortgage;

(b)
the General Assignment;

(c)
the Share Security;

(d)
the Charter Assignment;

(e)
the Account Security in relation to the Operating Account; and

(f)
any Manager’s Undertaking if required under clause 24.4 (Manager).
Participating Member State means any member state of the European Union that has the euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Union relating to Economic  and Monetary Union.
Party means a party to this Agreement.
Permitted Maritime Liens means, in relation to the Ship:

(a)
any ship repairer’s or outfitter’s possessory lien in respect of the Ship for an amount not exceeding the Major Casualty Amount;

(b)
any lien on the Ship for master’s, officer’s or crew’s wages outstanding in the ordinary course of its trading;

(c)
any lien on the Ship for salvage or general average; and

(d)
any other lien on the Ship arising by operation of law for claims incurred in the ordinary course of the operation, repair or maintenance of the Ship and which are outstanding for not longer than thirty (30) days or for an aggregate amount not exceeding the Major Casualty Amount.
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Permitted Security Interests means, in relation to the Ship, any Security Interest over it which is:

(a)
granted by the Finance Documents; or

(b)
a Permitted Maritime Lien; or

(c)
approved by the Majority Lenders.
Pollutant means and includes crude oil and its products, any other polluting, toxic or hazardous substance and any other substance whose release into the environment is regulated or penalised by Environmental Laws.
Quasi-Security has the meaning given to that term in clause 30.2 (General negative pledge).
Quotation Day means, in relation to any period for which an interest rate is to be determined, two Business Days before the first day of that period unless market practice in the Interbank Market differs, in which case the Quotation Day shall be determined by the Agent in accordance with market practice in the Interbank Market (and if quotations would norm ally be given on more than one day, the Quotation Day will be the last of those days).
Receiver means a receiver or receiver and manager or administrative receiver of the whole or any part of the Charged Property appointed under any Security Document.
Registry means such registrar, commissioner or representative of the relevant Flag State who is duly authorised and empowered to register the Ship, the Borrower’s title to the Ship and the Mortgage under the laws of its Flag State.
Related Fund in relation to a fund (the first fund ),   means a fund which is managed or advised by the same investment manager or investment adviser as the first fund or, if it is managed by a different investment manager or investment adviser, a fund whose investment manager or investment adviser is an Affiliate of the investment manager or investment adviser of the first fund.
Relevant Jurisdiction means, in relation to an Obligor:

(a)
its Original Jurisdiction;

(b)
any jurisdiction where any Charged Property owned by it is situated;

(c)
any jurisdiction where it conducts its business; and

(d)
any jurisdiction whose laws govern the perfection of any of the Security Documents entered into by it.
Repayment Date means:

(a)
the First Repayment Date;

(b)
each of the dates falling at intervals of three Months thereafter up to but not including the Final Repayment Date; and

(c)
the Final Repayment Date.
Repeating Representations means each of the representations set out in clauses 19.1 (Status) to clause 19.10 (Centre of main interests and establishments).
Representative means any delegate, agent, manager, administrator, nominee, attorney, trustee or custodian.
15



Requisition Compensation means any compensation paid or payable by a government entity for the requisition for title, confiscation or compulsory acquisition of the Ship.
Resolution Authority means any body which has authority to exercise any Write-down and Conversion Powers.
Restricted Person means a person that:

(a)
is listed on any Sanctions List (whether designated by name or by reason of being included in a class of person) or otherwise a target of Sanctions;

(b)
is domiciled, registered as located or having its main place of business in, or is incorporated under the laws of or, such country or territory which is, or whose government is, subject to Sanctions broadly prohibiting dealings with such government, country or territory;

(c)
is directly or indirectly owned by or controlled by a person referred to in (a) and/or (b) above; or

(d)
owns or controls a person referred to in (a) and/or (b) above.
Sanctions means any economic sanctions laws, sanctions regulations, embargoes or restrictive measures administered enacted or enforced by:

(a)
the United States of America;

(b)
the United Nations Security Council;

(c)
the United Kingdom;

(d)
the European Union or any of its member states;

(e)
Monaco;

(f)
any country to which any Obligor or any Affiliate of any of them is bound; or

(g)
the respective governmental institutions and agencies of any of the foregoing, including without limitation, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of Treasury (OFAC), the United States Department of State, Her Majesty’s Treasury (HMT) and Service d’Information et de Controle sur les Circuits Financiers (together Sanctions Authorities ).
Sanctions List means the “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” list issued by OFAC, the “Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets and Investment Ban List” issued by HMT, or any similar list issued or maintained or made public by any of the Sanctions Authorities.
Screen Rate means the London interbank offered rate administered by ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (or any other person which takes over the administration of that rate) for dollars and the relevant period displayed (before any correction, recalculation or republication by the administrator) on pages LIBOR01 or LIBOR02 of the Thomson Reuters screen (or any replacement Thomson Reuters page which displays that rate), or on the appropriate page of such other information service which publishes that rate from time to time in place of Thomson Reuters. If such page or service ceases to be available, the Agent may specify another page or service displaying the relevant rate with the agreement of the Borrower and the Lenders.
Secured Liabilities means all indebtedness and obligations at any time of any Obligor to any Finance Party (whether for its own account or as agent or trustee for itself and/or other Finance Parties) under, or related to, the Finance Documents.
16



Secured Obligations means all the Secured Liabilities and all other indebtedness and obligations at any time due, owing or incurred by each Obligor to any Finance Party under the Finance Documents.
Security Agent includes any person as may be appointed as such under the Finance Documents and includes any separate trustee or co-trustee appointed under clause 35.8 (Additional trustees)).
Security Documents means:

(a)
the Original Security Documents; and

(b)
any other document as may be executed to guarantee and/or secure any amounts owing to the Finance Parties under this Agreement or any other Finance Document.
Security Interest means a mortgage, charge, pledge, lien, assignment, trust, hypothecation or other security interest of any kind securing any obligation of any person or any other agreement or arrangement having a similar effect.
Security Property means:

(a)
the Transaction Security expressed to be granted in favour of the Security Agent as trustee for the Finance Parties and all proceeds of that Transaction Security;

(b)
all obligations expressed to be undertaken by any Obligor to pay amounts in respect of the Secured Liabilities to the Security Agent as trustee for the Finance Parties and secured by the Transaction Security together with all representations and warranties expressed to be given by an Obligor in favour of the Security Agent as trustee for the Finance Parties; and

(c)
any other amounts or property, whether rights, entitlements, choses in action or otherwise, actual or contingent, which the Security Agent is required by the terms of the Finance Documents to hold as trustee on trust for the Finance Parties .
Security Value means, at any time until the Ship has become a Total Loss, the amount in dollars which, at that time, is the aggregate of (a) the value of the Ship (or, if less, the maximum amount capable of being secured by the Mortgage) and (b) the value of any additional security then held by the Security Agent or any other Finance Party provided under clause 27 (Minimum security value)), in each case as most recently determined in accordance with this Agreement.
Share Security means the document constituting a first Security Interest executed by the Guarantor in favour of the Security Agent in the agreed form in respect of all of the shares in the Borrower.
Ship means the ship (to be built by the Builder at the Shipyard under the Building Contract) described in Schedule 2 (Ship information).
Ship Representations means each of the representations and warranties set out in clauses 19.33 (Ship status) and 19.34 (Ship’s employment).
Shipyard means Hyundai-Vinashin Shipyard Co., Ltd. of 01 My Giang, Minh Hoa District, Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam.
Spill means any actual or threatened spill, release or discharge of a Pollutant into the environment.
Subsequent Charter means any charter commitment which is approved pursuant to clause 24.8(a) and required to be subject to a Security Interest pursuant to clause 24.8(b) and which in any case is in all respects acceptable to the Agent in its reasonable opinion.
17



Subsidiary of a person means any other person:

(a)
directly or indirectly controlled by such person; or

(b)
of whose dividends or distributions on ordinary voting share capital such person is beneficially entitled to receive more than 50 per cent,
and a person is a “wholly-owned Subsidiary” of another person if it has no members except that other person and that other person’s wholly-owned Subsidiaries or persons acting on behalf of that other person or its wholly-owned Subsidiaries.
Tax means any tax, levy, impost, duty or other charge or withholding of a similar nature (including any penalty or interest payable in connection with any failure to pay or any delay in paying any of the same).
Total Commitments means the aggregate of the Commitments, being $23,500,000 at the date of this Agreement.
Total Loss means, in relation to the Ship, its:

(a)
actual, constructive, compromised or arranged total loss; or

(b)
requisition for title, confiscation or other compulsory acquisition by a government entity; or

(c)
hijacking, theft, condemnation, capture, seizure, arrest or detention for more than 90 days or in the case of piracy for more than 180 days.
Total Loss Date means, in relation to the Total Loss:

(a)
in the case of an actual total loss, the date it happened or, if such date is not known, the date on which the Ship was last reported;

(b)
in the case of a constructive, compromised, agreed or arranged total loss, the earliest of:

(i)
the date notice of abandonment of the Ship is given to its insurers; or

(ii)
if the insurers do not admit such a claim, the date later determined by a competent court of law to have been the date on which the total loss happened; or

(iii)
the date upon which a binding agreement as to such compromised or arranged total loss has been entered into by the Ship’s insurers;

(c)
in the case of a requisition for title, confiscation or compulsory acquisition, the date it happened; and

(d)
in the case of hijacking, theft, condemnation, capture, seizure, arrest or detention, the date 90 days after the date upon which it happened or in the case of piracy, the date falling 180 days after the date it happened.
Total Loss Repayment Date means, where the Ship has become a Total Loss after Delivery, the earlier of:

(a)
the date 180 days after its Total Loss Date; and

(b)
the date upon which insurance proceeds or Requisition Compensation for such Total Loss are paid by insurers or the relevant government entity.
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Transaction Document means:

(a)
each of the Finance Documents;

(b)
each Building Contract Document; and

(c)
each Charter Document.
Transaction Security means the Security Interests created or evidenced or expressed to be created or evidenced under or pursuant to the Security Documents.
Transfer Certificate means a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule 5 (Form of Transfer Certificate) or any other form agreed between the Agent and the Borrower.
Transfer Date means, in relation to an assignment pursuant to a Transfer Certificate, the later of:

(a)
the proposed Transfer Date specified in the Transfer Certificate; and

(b)
the date on which the Agent executes the Transfer Certificate.
Treasury Transaction means any derivative transaction entered into in connection with protection against or benefit from fluctuation in any rate or price.
Unpaid Sum means any sum due and payable but unpaid by an Obliger under the Finance Documents.
US means the United States of America.
US Tax Obliger means:

(a)
a Borrower which is resident for tax purposes in the US; or

(b)
an Obligor some or all of whose payments under the Finance Documents are from sources within the US for US federal income tax purposes.
Utilisation means the making of the Loan.
Utilisation Date means the date on which the Utilisation is to be made.
Utilisation Request means a notice substantially in the form set out in Schedule 4 ( Utilisation Request).
VAT means:

(a)
any tax imposed in compliance with the Council Directive of 28 November 2006 on the common system of value added tax (EC Directive 2006/112); and

(b)
any other tax of a similar nature, whether imposed in a member state of the European Union or Monaco in substitution for, or levied in addition to, such tax referred to in paragraph (a) above, or imposed elsewhere.
Write-down and Conversion Powers means:

(a)
in relation to any Bail-In Legislation described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule from time to time, the powers described as such in relation to that Bail-In Legislation in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule; and
19




(b)
in relation to any other applicable Bail-In Legislation:

(i)
any powers under that Bail-In Legislation to cancel, transfer or dilute shares issued by a person that is a bank or investment firm or other financial institution or affiliate of a bank, investment firm or other financial institution, to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of such a person or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers; and

(ii)
any similar or analogous powers under that Bail-In Legislation .
1.2
Construction

(a)
Unless a contrary indication appears, a reference in any of the Finance Documents to:

(i)
Sections, clauses and Schedules are to be construed as references to the Sections and clauses of, and the Schedules to, the relevant Finance Document and references to a Finance Document include its Schedules;

(ii)
a Finance Document or any other agreement or instrument is a reference to that Finance Document or other agreement or instrument as it may from time to time be amended, restated, novated or replaced, however fundamentally ;

(iii)
words importing the plural shall include the singular and vice versa;

(iv)
a time of day are to London time;

(v)
any person includes its successors in title, permitted assignees or transferees;

(vi)
a document in agreed form means:

(A)
where a Finance Document has already been executed by all of the relevant parties, such Finance Document in its executed form;

(B)
prior to the execution of a Finance Document, the form of such Finance Document separately agreed in writing between the Agent and the Borrower as the form in which that Finance Document is to be executed or another form approved at the request of the Borrower or, if not so agreed or approved, is in the form specified by the Agent;

(vii)
approved by the Majority Lenders or approved by the Lenders means approved in writing by the Agent acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders or, as the case may be, all of the Lenders (on such conditions as they may respectively impose) and otherwise approved means approved in writing by the Agent (on such conditions as the Agent may impose) and approval and approve shall be construed accordingly;

(viii)
assets includes present and future properties, revenues and rights of every description;

(ix)
charter commitment means, in relation to a vessel, any charter or contract for the use, employment or operation of that vessel or the carriage of people and/or cargo or the provision of services by or from it and includes any agreement for pooling or sharing income derived from any such charter or contract;
20




(x)
control of an entity means:

(A)
the power (whether by way of ownership of shares, proxy, contract, agency or otherwise) to:

(1)
cast, or control the casting of, more than 50 per cent of the maximum number of votes that might be cast at a general meeting of that entity; or

(2)
appoint or remove all, or the majority, of the directors or other equivalent officers of that entity; or

(3)
give directions with respect to the operating and financial policies of that entity with which the directors or other equivalent officers of that entity are obliged to comply; or

(B)
the holding beneficially of more than 50 per cent of the issued share capital of that entity (excluding any part of that issued share capital that carries no right to participate beyond a specified amount in a distribution of either profits or capital) (and, for this purpose, any Security Interest over share capital shall be disregarded in determining the beneficial ownership of such share capital);
and controlled shall be construed accordingly;

(xi)
the term disposal or dispose means a sale, transfer or other disposal (including by way of lease or loan but not including by way of loan of money) by a person of all or part of its assets, whether by one transaction or a series of transactions and whether at the same time or over a period of time, but not the creation of a Security Interest;

(xii)
the equivalent of an amount specified in a particular currency (the specified currency amount )   shall be construed as a reference to the amount of the other relevant currency which can be purchased with the specified currency amount in the London foreign exchange market at or about 11 a.m. on the date the calculation falls to be made for spot delivery, as conclusively determined by the Agent (with the relevant exchange rate of any such purchase being the Agent’s spot rate of exchange );

(xiii)
a government entity means any government, state or agency of a state;

(xiv)
a group of Lenders or a group of Finance Parties includes all the Lenders or (as the case may be) all the Finance Parties;

(xv)
a guarantee means (other than in clause 18 (Guarantee and indemnity)) any guarantee, letter of credit, bond, indemnity or similar assurance against loss, or any obligation, direct or indirect, actual or contingent, to purchase or assume any indebtedness of any person or to make an investment in or loan to any person or to purchase assets of any person where, in each case, such obligation is assumed in order to maintain or assist the ability of such person to meet its indebtedness;

(xvi)
indebtedness includes any obligation (whether incurred as principal or as surety) for the payment or repayment of money, whether present or future, actual or contingent;

(xvii)
an obligation means any duty, obligation or liability of any kind;

(xviii)
something being in the ordinary course of business of a person means something  that is in the ordinary course of that person’s current day-to-day
21


operational business (and not merely anything which that person is entitled to do under its Constitutional Documents);

(xix)
pay or repay in clause 30 (Business restrictions) includes by way of set-off, combination of accounts or otherwise;

(xx)
a person includes any individual, firm, company, corporation, government entity or any association, trust, joint venture, consortium, partnership or other entity (whether or not having separate legal personality);

(xxi)
a regulation includes any regulation, rule, official directive, request or guideline (whether or not having the force of law but if not having the force of law, one with which a person habitually complies) of any governmental, intergovernmental or supranational body, agency, department or regulatory, self-regulatory or other authority or organisation and, in relation to any Lender, includes (without limitation) any Basel II Regulation or Basel III Regulation applicable to that Lender;

(xxii)
right means any right, privilege, power or remedy, any proprietary interest in any asset and any other interest or remedy of any kind, whether actual or contingent, present or future, arising under contract or law, or in equity;

(xxiii)
trustee , fiduciary and fiduciary duty has in each case the meaning given to such term under applicable law;

(xxiv)
(i) the liquidation , winding up , dissolution , or administration of person or (ii) a receiver or administrative receiver or administrator in the context of insolvency proceedings or security enforcement actions in respect of a person shall be construed so as to include any equivalent or analogous proceedings or any equivalent and analogous person or appointee (respectively) under the law of the jurisdiction in which such person is established or incorporated or any jurisdiction in which such person carries on business including (in respect of proceedings) the seeking or occurrences of liquidation, winding-up, reorganisation, dissolution, administration, arrangement, adjustment, protection or relief of debtors; and

(xxv)
a provision of law is a reference to that provision as amended or re-enacted.

(b)
The determination of the extent to which a rate is “for a period equal in length” to an Interest Period shall disregard any inconsistency arising from the last day of that Interest Period being determined pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

(c)
Where in this Agreement a provision includes a monetary reference level in one currency, unless a contrary indication appears, such reference level is intended to apply equally to its equivalent in other currencies as of the relevant time for the purposes of applying such reference level to any other currencies.

(d)
Section, clause and Schedule headings are for ease of reference only.

(e)
Unless a contrary indication appears, a term used in any other Finance Document or in any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document has the same meaning in that Finance Document or notice as in this Agreement.

(f)
A Default is continuing if it has not been remedied or waived.
1.3
Currency symbols and definitions
$ , USO and dollars denote the lawful currency of the United States of America.
22



1.4
Third party rights

(a)
Unless expressly provided to the contrary in a Finance Document for the benefit of a Finance Party or another Indemnified Person, a person who is not a party to a Finance Document has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties ) Act 1999 (the Third Parties Act )   to enforce or enjoy the benefit of any term of the relevant Finance Document.

(b)
Any Finance Document may be rescinded or varied by the parties to it without the consent of any person who is not a party to it (unless otherwise provided by this Agreement).

(c)
An Indemnified Person who is not a party to a Finance Document may only enforce its rights under that Finance Document through a Finance Party and if and to the extent and in such manner as the Finance Party may determine.
1.5
Finance Documents
Where any other Finance Document provides that this clause 1.5 shall apply to that Finance Document, any other provision of this Agreement which, by its terms, purports to apply to all or any of the Finance Documents and/or any Obligor shall apply to that Finance Document as if set out in it but with all necessary changes.
1.6
Conflict of documents
The terms of the Finance Documents (other than as relates to the creation and/or perfection of security) are subject to the terms of this Agreement and, in the event of any conflict between any provision of this Agreement and any provision of any Finance Document (other than in relation to the creation and/or perfection of security) the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail.
23


Section 2 - The Facility
2.
The Facility
2.1
The Facility
Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Lenders make available to the Borrower a term loan facility in an aggregate amount equal to the Total Commitments.
2.2
Finance Parties’ rights and obligations

(a)
The obligations of each Finance Party under the Finance Documents are several. Failure by a Finance Party to perform its obligations under the Finance Documents does not affect the obligations of any other Party under the Finance Documents. No Finance Party is responsible for the obligations of any other Finance Party under the Finance Documents.

(b)
The rights of each Finance Party under or in connection with the Finance Documents are separate and independent rights and any debt arising under the Finance Documents to a Finance Party from an Obligor shall be a separate and independent debt.

(c)
(c) A Finance Party may, except as otherwise stated in the Finance Documents, separately enforce its rights under the Finance Documents.
2.3
Reduction of Commitments on Utilisation Date

(a)
On the Utilisation Date, the Total Commitments shall be reduced if and to the extent necessary to ensure that the Total Commitments do not exceed the amount in dollars which is equal to 72.5% of the market value of the Ship, as determined in accordance with the valuations obtained under Part 3 of Schedule 3 (Conditions precedent on Delivery).

(b)
Any reduction under paragraph (a) above shall be applied in reducing the Commitments of the Lenders rateably.
3.
Purpose
3.1
Purpose
The Borrower shall apply all amounts borrowed under the Facility in accordance with this clause 3.
3.2
Use of Commitment
The Commitment shall be made available solely for the purpose of assisting the Borrower to refinance in full the Existing Indebtedness and, as to the balance, to finance part of the Delivery Instalment by paying the same to the Builder or (as the context may require) if and to the extent that the Borrower has already paid any such part of the Delivery Instalment to the Builder when the same was due, to reimburse the Borrower for such payment.
3.3
Monitoring
No Finance Party is bound to monitor or verify the application of any amount borrowed pursuant to this Agreement.
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4.
Conditions of Utilisation
4.1
Initial conditions precedent
The Lenders will only be obliged to comply with clause 5.4 (Lenders’ participation) in relation to the Utilisation if on or before the Utilisation Date, the Agent, or its duly authorised representative, has received all of the documents and other evidence listed in Part 1 of Schedule 3 (Conditions precedent to any Utilisation) in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.
4.2
Conditions precedent on Delivery
The Commitments may only be borrowed under this Agreement if the Agent, or its duly authorised representative, has received all of the documents and evidence listed in Part 2 of Schedule 3 ( Conditions precedent on Delivery) in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.
4.3
Notice of satisfaction of conditions
The Agent shall notify the Lenders and the Borrower promptly after receipt by it of the documents and evidence referred to in this clause 4 in form and substance satisfactory to it. Other than to the extent that the Majority Lenders notify the Agent in writing to the contrary before the Agent gives any such notification, the Lenders authorise (but do not require) the Agent to give that notification. The Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses whatsoever as a result of giving any such notification.
4.4
Further conditions precedent
The Lenders will only be obliged to comply with clause 5.4 (Lenders’ participation) if:

(a)
on the date of the Utilisation Request and on the proposed Utilisation Date, no Default is continuing or would result from the proposed Utilisation;

(b)
on the date of the Utilisation Request and on the proposed Utilisation Date, all of the representations set out in clause 19 (Representations) (except the Ship Representations) are true; and

(c)
where the proposed Utilisation Date is to be the first day of the Mortgage Period, the Ship Representations are true on the proposed Utilisation Date.
4.5
Waiver of conditions precedent
The conditions in this clause 4 are inserted solely for the benefit of the Finance Parties and may be waived on their behalf in whole or in part and with or without conditions by the Agent acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders.
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Section 3 - Utilisation
5.
Utilisation
5.1
Delivery of a Utilisation Request
The Borrower may utilise the Facility by delivery to the Agent of a duly completed Utilisation Request not later than 11:00 a.m. two Business Days before the proposed Utilisation Date.
5.2
Completion of a Utilisation Request

(a)
A Utilisation Request is irrevocable and will not be regarded as having been duly completed unless:

(b)
the proposed Utilisation Date is a Business Day falling on  or before the Last Availability Date;

(i)
the currency and amount of the Utilisation comply with clause 5.3 (Currency and amount);

(ii)
the proposed Interest Period complies with clause 10 (Interest Periods); and

(iii)
it identifies the purpose for the Utilisation and that purpose complies with clause 3 (Purpose).

(c)
Only one Utilisation Request may be made.

(d)
The Commitment may be borrowed in a single Utilisation.
5.3
Currency and amount

(a)
The currency specified in a Utilisation Request must be dollars.

(b)
Only one Utilisation Request may be made.

(c)
The amount of the proposed Utilisation must not exceed the amount of the Total Commitments.
5.4
Lenders’ participation

(a)
If the conditions set out in this Agreement have been met. each Lender shall make its participation in the Loan available by the Utilisation Date through its Facility Office.

(b)
The amount of each Lender’s participation in the Loan will be equal to the proportion borne by its Available Commitment to the Available Facility immediately prior to making the Loan.

(c)
The Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the amount of the Loan and the amount of its participation in the Loan, in each case by 11:00 a.m. on the relevant Quotation Day.

(d)
The Agent shall pay all amounts received by it in respect of the Loan (and its own participation in it, if any) to the Borrower or for its account or the Builder, in each case in accordance with the instructions contained in the Utilisation Request.
26


Section 4 - Repayment, Prepayment and Cancellation
6.
Repayment
6.1
Repayment
The Borrower shall on each Repayment Date repay such part of the Loan as is required to be repaid on that Repayment Date by clause 6.2 (Scheduled repayment of Facility).
6.2
Scheduled repayment of Facility

(a)
To the extent not previously reduced, the Loan shall be repaid by instalments on each Repayment Date by the amount specified below (as revised by clause 6.3 (Adjustment of scheduled repayments)):
 
Repayment Date
Amount $
 
 
First
325,000
 
 
Second
325,000
 
 
Third
325,000
 
 
Fourth
325,000
 
 
Fifth
325,000
 
 
Sixth
325,000
 
 
Seventh
325,000
 
 
Eighth
325,000
 
 
Ninth
325,000
 
 
Tenth
325,000
 
 
Eleventh
325,000
 
 
Twelfth
325,000
 
 
Thirteenth
325,000
 
 
Fourteenth
325,000
 
 
Fifteenth
325,000
 
 
Sixteenth
325,000
 
 
Seventeenth
325,000
 
 
Eighteenth
325,000
 
 
Nineteenth
325,000
 
 
Twentieth
17,325,000
 
 
TOTAL
23,500,000
 


(b)
The twentieth instalment referred to above , comprises two parts, a repayment instalment in the amount of $325,000 and a balloon instalment in the amount of $17,000,000 (the Balloon Instalment ).

(c)
On the Final Repayment Date (without prejudice to any other provision of this Agreement) , the Loan shall be repaid in full.
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6.3
Adjustment of scheduled repayments
If the Total Commitments have been partially reduced under this Agreement and/or any part of the Loan is prepaid (other than under clause 6.2 (Scheduled repayment of Facility)) before any Repayment Date then the amount of the instalment by which the Loan shall be repaid under clause 6.2 (Schedule repayment of facility) on any such Repayment Date (as reduced by any earlier operation of this clause 6.3) shall be reduced pro rata to such re duction in the Total Commitments and/or prepayment of the Loan (except in the case of a prepayment under clause 7.4 (Voluntary prepayment) which shall be applied first towards any prepayment required under clause 7.2 (Additional Minimum Value prepayment) and secondly (as to any balance after any such prepayment) towards reducing the instalments by which the Loan shall be repaid under clause 6.2 (Schedule repayment of facility) (including the Balloon Instalment) pro rata to such prepayment of the Loan).
7.
Illegality, prepayment and cancellation
7.1
Illegality
If, in any applicable jurisdiction, it becomes unlawful for a Lender to perform any of its obligations as contemplated by this Agreement or to fund or maintain Its participation in the Loan or it becomes unlawful for any Affiliate of a Lender for that Lender to do so:

(a)
that Lender shall promptly notify the Agent upon becoming aware of that event;

(b)
upon the Agent notifying the Borrower, the Available Commitment of that Lender will be immediately cancelled; and

(c)
to the extent that the Lender’s participation has not been assigned pursuant to clause 7.7 (Replacement of Lender), the Borrower shall repay that Lender’s participation in the Loan on the last day of the Interest Period occurring after the Agent has notified the Borrower or, if earlier, the date specified by the Lender in the notice delivered to the Agent (being no earlier than the last day of any applicable grace period permitted by law) and that Lender’s corresponding Commitment shall be cancelled in the amount of the participation repaid.
7.2
Additional Minimum Value prepayment

(a)
Subject to paragraph (b) below:

(i)
if on a Repayment Date the Security Value is equal to or less than the Additional Minimum Value, any money which is at that Repayment Date (but after payment of the relevant repayment instalment payable under clause 6.2 (Scheduled repayment of Facility) together with interest due on such Repayment Date and any other amounts owed to the Lenders under the Finance Documents at that time) in excess of the Minimum Liquidity required under clause 21.5 (Minimum Liquidity) together with an amount equal to $300,000 standing to the credit of the Operating Account at that time, shall be applied by the Agent on such Repayment Date (and the Borrower instructs hereunder the Agent to make such application) in or towards reduction of the Balloon Instalment; or

(ii)
if at any relevant time, the Security Value is greater than the Additional Minimum Value and payment of any dividend is to be made under clause 30.13 (Distributions and other payments) at the time, the Borrower shall make a prepayment of the Loan on a Repayment Date immediately before the payment of such dividend in an amount equal to the amount of such dividend. Such prepayment shall be applied in reduction of the Balloon Instalment.

(b)
Any prepayment of the Loan under paragraph (a) above shall be made in a minimum amount of $10,000 and a multiple of $10,000 and the aggregate amount of any such prepayments throughout the Facility Period shall not exceed $1,300,000.
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7.3
Voluntary cancellation
The Borrower may, if it gives the Agent not less than 15 Business Days’ ( or such shorter period as the Majority Lenders may agree) prior notice, cancel the whole or any part (being a minimum amount of $500,000 or a multiple of $500,000) of the Available Facility. Any cancellation under this clause 7.3 shall reduce the Commitments of the Lenders rateably.
7.4
Voluntary prepayment
The Borrower may, if it gives the Agent not less than 15 Business Days’ ( or such shorter period as the Majority Lenders may agree) prior notice, prepay the whole or any part of the Loan (but if in part, being an amount that reduces the amount of the Loan by a minimum amount of $500,000 or a multiple of $500,000), on the last day of an Interest Period in respect of the amount to be prepaid.
7.5
Right of cancellation and prepayment in relation to a single Lender

(a)
If:

(i)
any sum payable to any Lender by an Obligor is required to be increased under clause 13.2 (Tax gross-up); or

(ii)
any Lender claims indemnification from the Borrower under clause 13.3 (Tax indemnity) or clause 14.1 (Increased costs),
the Borrower may, whilst the circumstance giving rise to the requirement for that increase or indemnification continues, give the Agent notice of cancellation of the Commitment of that Lender and its intention to procure the repayment of that Lender’s participation in the Loan.

(b)
On receipt of a notice referred to in paragraph (a) above, the Commitment of that Lender shall immediately be reduced to zero.

(c)
On the last day of each Interest Period which ends after the Borrower has given notice under paragraph (a) above in relation to a Lender (or, if earlier, the date specified by the Borrower in that notice), the Borrower shall repay that Lender’s participation in the Loan together with all interest and other amounts accrued under the Finance Documents which is then owing to it.
7.6
Right of cancellation in relation to a Defaulting Lender

(a)
If any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, the Borrower may, at any time whilst the Lender continues to be a Defaulting Lender give the Agent 15 Business Days’ notice of cancellation of the Available Commitment of that Lender.

(b)
On such notice becoming effective, the Available Commitment of the Defaulting Lender shall immediately be reduced to zero and the Agent shall as soon as practicable after receipt of such notice, notify all the Lenders.
7.7
Replacement of Lender

(a)
If:

(i)
the Borrower becomes obliged to repay any amount in accordance with clause 7.1 (Illegality) to any Lender; or

(ii)
any of the circumstances set out in paragraph (a) of clause 7.5 (Right of cancellation and prepayment in relation to a single Lender) apply to a Lender,
29



the Borrower may, on 15 Business Days’ prior notice to the Agent and such Lender, replace that Lender by requiring such Lender to assign (and, to the extent permitted by law, such Lender shall assign) pursuant to clause 32 (Changes to the Lenders) all (and not part only) of its rights under this Agreement (and any Security Document to which such Lender is a party in its capacity as a Lender) to an Eligible Institution (a Replacement Lender )   which confirms its willingness to undertake and does undertake all the obligations of the assigning Lender in accordance with clause 32 (Changes to the Lenders) for a purchase price in cash payable at the time of the assignment in an amount equal to the aggregate of:

(A)
the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s participation in the Loan;

(B)
all accrued interest owing to such Lender;

(C)
the Break Costs which would have been payable to such Lender pursuant to clause 11.5 (Break Costs) had the Borrower prepaid in full that Lender’s participation in the Loan on the date of the assignment; and

(D)
all other amounts payable to that Lender under the Finance Documents on the date of the assignment.

(b)
The replacement of a Lender pursuant to this clause 7.7 shall be subject to the following conditions:

(i)
the Borrower shall have no right to replace the Agent or the Security Agent;

(ii)
neither the Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to find a Replacement Lender;

(iii)
in no event shall the Lender replaced under this clause 7.7 be required to pay or surrender any of the fees received by such Lender pursuant to the Finance Documents; and

(iv)
the Lender shall only be obliged to assign its rights pursuant to paragraph (a) above once it is satisfied that it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to that assignment.

(c)
A Lender shall perform the checks described in paragraph (b)(iv) above as soon as reasonably practicable following delivery of a notice referred to in paragraph (a) above and shall notify the Agent and the Borrower when it is satisfied that it has complied with those checks.
7.8
Total Loss
On the Total Loss Repayment Date:

(a)
the Total Commitments will be reduced to zero; and

(b)
the Borrower shall prepay the Loan.
7.9
Mandatory cancellation

(a)
If, at any time:

(i)
the Charter is novated or assigned by the Borrower;

(ii)
the Charter is for any reason and by any method cancelled, terminated or rescinded or  is not, or  ceases  to be, legal, valid, binding and enforceable
30



obligations of the Charterer or the Borrower or it is or it becomes unlawful for either the Charterer or the Borrower to perform its respective obligations under it; or

(iii)
a competent court or arbitration panel decides that the Charter has been validly cancelled, terminated or rescinded; or

(iv)
the Charter is varied in a way prohibited by any Finance Document; or

(v)
the Charterer becomes subject to any of the events or circumstances described in clause 31.9 (Insolvency) or clause 31.10 (Insolvency proceedings),
then:

(A)
the Agent may, and shall if so directed by the Majority Lenders, by notice to the Borrower with effect from the date 15 days after the giving of such notice (or such later date as may be approved in advance by the Majority Lenders) cancel the Total Commitments; and

(B)
the Borrower shall on the date any such event occurs prepay the Loan in full.
7.10
Automatic cancellation
Any part of the Total Commitments which has not become available by the Last Availability Date shall be automatically cancelled at close of business in London on the Last Availability Date.
8.
Restrictions
8.1
Notices of cancellation and prepayment
Any notice of cancellation or prepayment given by any Party under clause 7 shall be irrevocable and, unless a contrary indication appears in this Agreement, shall specify the date or dates upon which the relevant cancellation or prepayment is to be made and the amount of that cancellation or prepayment.
8.2
Interest and other amounts
Any prepayment under this Agreement shall be made together with accrued interest on the amount prepaid and, subject to any Break Costs (if payment is not made on the last day of an Interest Period), without premium or penalty.
8.3
No reborrowing
The Borrower may not re-borrow any part of the Facility which is prepaid or repaid.
8.4
Prepayment in accordance with Agreement
The Borrower shall not repay or prepay all or any part of the Loan or cancel all or any part of the Commitments except at the times and in the manner expressly provided for in this Agreement.
8.5
No reinstatement of Commitments
No amount of the Total Commitments cancelled under this Agreement may be subsequently reinstated.
8.6
Agent’s receipt of notices
If the Agent receives a notice under clause 7 it shall promptly forward a copy of that notice to either the Borrower or the affected Lender, as appropriate.
31



8.7
Effect of repayment and prepayment on Commitments
If all or part of any Lender’s participation in the Loan is repaid or prepaid, an amount of that Lender’s Commitment equal to the amount of the participation which is repaid or prepaid will be deemed to be cancelled on the date of repayment or prepayment.
8.8
Application of cancellations
If the Total Commitments are partially reduced and/or the Loan partially prepaid under this Agreement (other than under clause 7.1 (Illegality) and clause 7.5 (Right of cancellation and prepayment in relation to a single Lender)), the Commitments of the Lenders shall be reduced rateably.
8.9
Application of prepayments

(a)
Any prepayment required as a result of a cancellation in full of an individual Lender’s Commitment under clause 7.1 (Illegality) or clause 7.5 (Right of cancellation and prepayment in relation to a single Lender) shall be applied in prepaying the relevant Lender’s participation in the Loan.

(b)
Any other prepayment shall be applied pro rata to each Lender’s participation in the Loan.
8.10
Removal of Lender from security
Upon cancellation and prepayment in full of an individual Lender’s Commitment under clause 7.1 (Illegality) or clause 7.5 (Right of cancellation and prepayment in relation to a single Lender), that Lender and the other Parties must promptly take (and the Borrower shall ensure that any other relevant Obliger promptly takes) whatever action the Agent may, in its reasonable opinion, deem necessary for the purpose of removing that Lender as a party to and beneficiary of any Security Documents granted in favour of (among others) the Lenders.
8.11
Prepayment fee
The Borrower shall, in addition to any other payment that needs to be made under this Agreement, pay to the Agent (for the account of the Lenders):

(a)
subject to paragraph (b) below, a fee:

(i)
if a prepayment of the Loan is to be made at any time during the period commencing on the Utilisation Date and ending on the date falling twenty four months thereafter (the Second Anniversary ),   in an amount in dollars equal to two per cent (2%) of the amount of the Loan to be so prepaid;

(ii)
if a prepayment of the Loan is to be made at any time during the period commencing on the date after the Second Anniversary and ending on the date falling twelve months after the Second Anniversary (the Third Anniversary ),   in an amount in dollars equal to one per cent (1%) of the amount of the Loan to be so prepaid; and

(iii)
if a prepayment of the Loan is to be made at any time during the period commencing on the date after the Third Anniversary and ending on the date falling twelve months after the Third Anniversary (the Fourth Anniversary ),   in an amount in dollars equal to zero point five per cent (0.5%) of the amount of the Loan to be so prepaid.
If a prepayment of the Loan is to be made at any time after the Fourth Anniversary, no prepayment fee under this clause 8.11 shall be payable; and
32




(b)
no prepayment fee shall be payable under this clause 8.11 if the Loan is prepaid in full:

(i)
as a result of it being refinanced by Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V. or any of its Affiliates or any syndicate of banks including Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V.; or

(ii)
pursuant to clause 7.1 (Illegality); or

(iii)
pursuant to clause 7.2 (Additional Minimum Value prepayment ); or

(iv)
pursuant to clause 7.4 (Voluntary prepayment) if such voluntary prepayment is made in case no agreement is reached between the Agent and the Borrower under clause 11.3 (Cost of funds); or

(v)
pursuant to clause 7.8 (Total Loss); or

(vi)
pursuant to clause 7.5 (Right of cancellation and prepayment in relation to a single Lender).
The Borrower acknowledges that the prepayment fee referred to in this clause 8.11 represents a genuine pre-estimate of the loss the Lenders shall suffer in such circumstances.
33


Section 5 - Costs of Utilisation
9.
Interest
9.1
Calculation of interest
The rate of interest on the Loan (or any relevant part of it for which there is a separate Interest Period) for each Interest Period is the percentage rate per annum which is the aggregate of the applicable:

(a)
Margin; and

(b)
LIBOR for the relevant Interest Period.
9.2
Payment of interest
The Borrower shall pay accrued interest on the Loan (or any relevant part of it) on the last day of each Interest Period.
9.3
Default interest

(a)
If an Obligor fails to pay any amount payable by it under a Finance Document to a Finance Party on its due date, interest shall accrue on the overdue amount from the due date up to the date of actual payment (both before and after judgment) at a rate which, subject to paragraph(c) below, is 2 per cent per annum higher than the rate which would have been payable if the overdue amount had, during the period of non-payment, constituted the Loan for successive Interest Periods, each of a duration selected by the Agent (acting reasonably).

(b)
Any interest accruing under this clause 9.3 shall be immediately payable by the Obligor on demand by the Agent.

(c)
If any overdue amount consists of all or part of the Loan (or any relevant part of it) which became due on a day which was not the last day of an Interest Period relating to the Loan or the relevant part of it:

(i)
the first Interest Period for that overdue amount shall have a duration equal to the unexpired portion of the current Interest Period relating to the Loan or the relevant part of it; and

(ii)
the rate of interest applying to the overdue amount during that first Interest Period shall be 2 per cent per annum higher than the rate which would have applied if the overdue amount had not become due.

(d)
Default interest payable under this clause 9.3 (if unpaid) arising on an overdue amount will be compounded with the overdue amount at the end of each Interest Period applicable to that overdue amount but will remain immediately due and payable.
9.4
Notification of rates of interest

(a)
The Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders and the Borrower of the determination of a rate of interest under this Agreement.

(b)
The Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower of each Funding Rate relating to the Loan (or any relevant part of it).
34



10.
Interest Periods
10.1
Interest Periods

(a)
The first Interest Period for the Loan shall have a duration of three months. Each subsequent Interest Period for the Loan shall also have a duration of three months.

(b)
The first Interest Period for the Loan shall start on the Utilisation Date and each subsequent Interest Period for the Loan shall start on the last day of its preceding Interest Period.

(c)
No Interest Period shall extend beyond the Final Repayment Date.
10.2
Interest Periods overrunning Repayment Dates
If an Interest Period would overrun any later Repayment Date, the Loan shall be divided into parts corresponding to the amounts by which the Loan is scheduled to be repaid under clause 6.2 (Scheduled repayment of Facility) on each of the Repayment Dates falling during such Interest Period (each of which shall have a separate Interest Period ending on the relevant Repayment Date) and to the balance of the Loan (which shall have an Interest Period of three months).
10.3
Non-Business Days
If an Interest Period would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day, that Interest Period will instead end on the next Business Day in that calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not).
11.
Changes to the calculation of interest
11.1
Unavailability of Screen Rate

(a)
If no Screen Rate is available for LIBOR for an Interest Period, LIBOR shall be the Interpolated Screen Rate for a period equal in length to that Interest Period.

(b)
If no Screen Rate is available for LIBOR for:

(i)
dollars; or

(ii)
the relevant Interest Period and it is not possible to calculate the Interpolated Screen Rate,
there shall be no LIBOR for that Interest Period and clause 11.3 (Cost of funds) shall apply for that Interest Period.
11.2
Market disruption
If before close of business in London on the Quotation Day for an Interest Period the Agent receives notifications from a Lender or Lenders (whose participations in the Loan exceed 51 per cent. of the Loan) that the cost to it of funding its participation in the Loan or relevant part of it from whatever source it may reasonably select would be in excess of LIBOR then clause 11.3 (Cost of funds) shall apply to the Loan or relevant part of it for the relevant Interest Period.
11.3
Cost of funds

(a)
If this clause 11.3 applies, the rate of interest on each Lender’s share of the Loan or relevant part of it for the Interest Period shall be the percentage rate per annum which is the sum of:

(i)
the Margin;
35




(ii)
the rate notified to the Agent by that Lender as soon as practicable and in any event within ten Business Days of the first day of that Interest Period (or, if earlier, on the date falling ten Business Days before the date on which interest is due to be paid in respect of that Interest Period), to be that which expresses as a percentage rate per annum the cost to the relevant Lender of funding its participation in the Loan or relevant part of it from whatever source it may reasonably select.

(b)
If this clause 11.3 applies and the Agent or the Borrower so require, the Agent and the Borrower shall enter into negotiations (for a period of not more than thirty days) with a view to agreeing a substitute basis for determining the rate of interest.

(c)
Any alternative basis agreed pursuant to paragraph (b) above shall. with the prior consent of all the Lenders and the Borrower, be binding on all Parties.

(d)
If this clause 11.3 applies pursuant to clause 11.2 (Market disruption) and:

(i)
a Lender’s Funding Rate is less than LIBOR; or

(ii)
a Lender does not supply a quotation by the time specified in paragraph (a)(ii) above,
the cost to that Lender of funding its participation in the Loan or relevant part of it for that Interest Period shall be deemed, for the purposes of paragraph (a) above, to be LIBOR.
11.4
Notification to Borrower
If clause 11.3 (Cost of funds) applies, the Agent shall, as soon as is practicable, notify the Borrower and provide to the Borrower evidence of the cost in relation to a Lender of funding its participation in the Loan or relevant part of it for the purpose of determining the rate of interest under clause 11.3 (d) (such evidence to not be contested by the Borrower).
11.5
Break Costs

(a)
The Borrower shall, within five Business Days of demand by a Finance Party, pay to that Finance Party its Break Costs attributable to all or any part of the Loan or any relevant part of it or Unpaid Sum being paid by the Borrower on a day other than the last day of an Interest Period for the Loan or that relevant part of it or Unpaid Sum.

(b)
Each Lender shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after a demand by the Agent, provide a certificate confirming the amount and basis of calculation of its Break Costs for any Interest Period in which they accrue.
12.
Fees
12.1
Commitment commission

(a)
The Borrower shall pay to the Agent (for the account of each Lender) a fee in dollars computed at the rate of 2% per annum on that Lender’s Available Commitment calculated from the date of this Agreement (the start date ).

(b)
The Borrower shall pay the accrued commitment commission on the last day of the period of three Months commencing on the start date, on the last day of each successive period of three Months, on the Last Availability Date and, if cancelled in full, on the cancelled amount of the relevant Lender’s Available Commitment at the time the cancellation is effective.

(c)
No commitment fee is payable to the Agent (for the account of a Lender) on any Available Commitment of that Lender for any day on which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender.
36



12.2
Arrangement fee
The Borrower shall pay to the Agent (for the account of the Lenders) an arrangement fee in the amount and at the times agreed in a Fee Letter.
37


Section6 - Additional Payment Obligations
13.
Tax gross-up and indemnities
13.1
Definitions

(a)
In this Agreement:
Protected Party means a Finance Party or, in relation to clause 15.4 (Indemnity concerning security) and clause 15.7 (Interest) insofar as it relates to interest on any amount demanded by that Indemnified Person under clause 15.4 (Indemnity concerning security), any Indemnified Person, which is or will be subject to any liability, or required to make any payment, for or on account of Tax in relation to a sum received or receivable (or any sum deemed for the purposes of Tax to be received or receivable) under a Finance Document.
Tax Deduction means a deduction or withholding for or on account of Tax from a payment under a Finance Document other than a FATCA Deduction .

(b)
Unless a contrary indication appears, in this clause 13 a reference to “determines” or “determined” means a determination made in the absolute discretion of the person making the determination.
13.2
Tax gross-up

(a)
Each Obligor shall make all payments to be made by it under any Finance Document without any Tax Deduction, unless a Tax Deduction is required by law.

(b)
The Borrower shall, promptly upon becoming aware that an Obligor must make a Tax Deduction (or that there is any change in the rate or the basis of a Tax Deduction), notify the Agent accordingly. Similarly, a Lender shall notify the Agent on becoming so aware in respect of a payment payable to that Lender. If the Agent receives such notification from a Lender it shall notify the Borrower and that Obligor.

(c)
If a Tax Deduction is required by law to be made by an Obligor, the amount of the payment due from that Obligor under the relevant Finance Document shall be increased to an amount which (after making any Tax Deduction) leaves an amount equal to the payment which would have been due if no Tax Deduction had been required.

(d)
If an Obligor is required to make a Tax Deduction, that Obligor shall make that Tax Deduction and any payment required in connection with that Tax Deduction within the time allowed and in the minimum amount required by law.

(e)
Within 30 days of making either a Tax Deduction or any payment required in connection with that Tax Deduction, the Obligor making that Tax Deduction shall deliver to the Agent for the Finance Party entitled to the payment evidence reasonably satisfactory to that Finance Party that the Tax Deduction has been made or (as applicable) any appropriate payment paid to the relevant taxing authority.
13.3
Tax indemnity

(a)
Each Obligor who is a Party shall (within five Business Days of demand by the Agent) pay to a Protected Party an amount equal to the loss, liability or cost which that Protected Party determines will be or has been (directly or indirectly) suffered for or on account of Tax by that Protected Party in respect of a Finance Document.
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(b)
Paragraph (a) above shall not apply:

(i)
with respect to any Tax assessed on a Finance Party:

(A)
under the law of the jurisdiction in which that Finance Party is incorporated or, if different, the jurisdiction (or jurisdictions) in which that Finance Party is treated as resident for tax purposes; or

(B)
under the law of the jurisdiction in which that Finance Party’s Facility Office is located in respect of amounts received or receivable in that jurisdiction,
if that Tax is imposed on or calculated by reference to the net income received or receivable (but not any sum deemed to be received or receivable) by that Finance Party; or

(ii)
to the extent a loss, liability or cost:

(A)
is compensated for by an increased payment under clause 13.2 (Tax gross- up); or

(B)
relates to a FATCA Deduction required to be made by a Party or any Obligor which is not a Party.

(c)
A Protected Party making, or intending to make a claim under paragraph (a) above shall promptly notify the Agent of the event which will give, or has given, rise to the claim, following which the Agent shall notify the Borrower.

(d)
A Protected Party shall, on receiving a payment from an Obligor under this clause 13.3, notify the Agent.
13.4
Indemnities on after Tax basis

(a)
If and to the extent that any sum payable to any Protected Party by the Borrower under any Finance Document by way of indemnity or reimbursement proves to be insufficient, by reason of any Tax suffered thereon, for that Protected Party to discharge the corresponding liability to a third party, or to reimburse that Protected Party for the cost incurred by it in discharging the corresponding liability to a third party, the Borrower shall pay that Protected Party such additional sum as (after taking into account any Tax suffered by that Protected Party on such additional sum) shall be required to make up the relevant deficit.

(b)
If and to the extent that any sum (the Indemnity Sum )   constituting (directly or indirectly) an indemnity to any Protected Party but paid by the Borrower to any person other than that Protected Party, shall be treated as taxable in the hands of the Protected Party, the Borrower shall pay to that Protected Party such sum (the Compensating Sum )   as (after taking into account any Tax suffered by that Protected Party on the Compensating Sum) shall reimburse that Protected Party for any Tax suffered by it in respect of the Indemnity Sum.

(c)
For the purposes of paragraphs (a) and (b) above, a sum shall be deemed to be taxable in the hands of a Protected Party if it falls to be taken into account in computing the profits or gains of that Protected Party for the purposes of Tax and, if so, that Protected Party shall be deemed to have suffered Tax on the relevant sum at the rate of Tax applicable to that Protected Party’s profits or gains for the period in which the payment of the relevant sum falls to be taken into account for the purposes of such Tax.
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13.5
Stamp taxes
The Borrower shall pay and, within five Business Days of demand, indemnify each Finance Party against any cost, loss or liability that Finance Party incurs in relation to all stamp duty, registration and other similar Taxes payable in respect of any Finance Document.
13.6
Value added tax

(a)
All amounts expressed in a Finance Document to be payable by any party to a Finance Party which (in whole or in part) constitute the consideration for any supply for VAT purposes are deemed to be exclusive of any VAT which is chargeable on that supply, and accordingly, subject to paragraph (b) below, if VAT is or becomes chargeable on any supply made by any Finance Party to any party under a Finance Document, and such Finance Party is required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT, that party must pay to such Finance Party (in addition to and at the same time as paying any other consideration for such supply) an amount equal to the amount of the VAT (and such Finance Party must promptly provide an appropriate VAT invoice to that party).

(b)
If VAT is or becomes chargeable on any supply made by any Finance Party (the Supplier )   to any other Finance Party (the Recipient )   under a Finance Document, and any party to a Finance Document other than the Recipient (the Subject Party )   is required by the terms of any Finance Document to pay an amount equal to the consideration for that supply to the Supplier (rather than being required to reimburse or indemnify the Recipient in respect of that consideration):

(i)
(where the Supplier is the person required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT) the Subject Party must also pay to the Supplier (at the same time as paying that amount) an additional amount equal to the amount of the VAT. The Recipient must (where this paragraph (i) applies) promptly pay to the Subject Party an amount equal to any credit or repayment the Recipient receives from the relevant tax authority which the Recipient reasonably determines relates to the VAT chargeable on that supply; and

(ii)
(where the Recipient is the person required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT) the Subject Party must promptly, following demand from the Recipient, pay to the Recipient an amount equal to the VAT chargeable on that supply but only to the extent that the Recipient reasonably determines that it is not entitled to credit or repayment from the relevant tax authority in respect of that VAT.

(c)
Where a Finance Document requires any party to it to reimburse or indemnify a Finance Party for any cost or expense, that party shall reimburse or indemnify (as the case may be) such Finance Party for the full amount of such cost or expense, including such part thereof as represents VAT save to the extent that such Finance Party reasonably determines that it is entitled to credit or repayment in respect of such VAT from the relevant tax authority.

(d)
Any reference in this clause 13.6 to any party shall, at any time when such party is treated as a member of a group for VAT purposes, include (where appropriate and unless the context otherwise requires) a reference to the representative member of such group at such time (the term “representative member” to have the same meaning as in the Value Added Tax Act 1994).

(e)
In relation to any supply made by a Finance Party to any party under a Finance Document, if reasonably requested by such Finance Party, that party must promptly provide such Finance Party with details of that party’s VAT registration and such other information as is reasonably requested in connection with such Finance Party’s VAT reporting requirements in relation to such supply.
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13.7
FATCA Information

(a)
Subject to paragraph (c) below, each Party shall, within ten Business Days of a reasonable request by another Party:

(i)
confirm to that other Party whether it is:

(A)
a FATCA Exempt Party; or

(B)
not a FATCA Exempt Party;

(ii)
supply to that other Party such forms, documentation and other information relating to its status under FATCA as that other Party reasonably requests for the purposes of that other Party’s compliance with FATCA; and

(iii)
supply to that other Party such forms, documentation and other information relating to its status as that other Party reasonably requests for the purposes of that other Party’s compliance with any other law, regulation, or exchange of information regime.

(b)
If a Party confirms to another Party pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) above that it is a FATCA Exempt Party and it subsequently becomes aware that it is not or has ceased to be a FATCA Exempt Party, that Party shall notify that other Party reasonably promptly.

(c)
Paragraph (a) above shall not oblige any Finance Party to do anything, and paragraph (a)(iii) above shall not oblige any other Party to do anything, which would or might in its reasonable opinion constitute a breach of:

(i)
any law or regulation;

(ii)
any fiduciary duty; or

(iii)
any duty of confidentiality.

(d)
If a Party fails to confirm whether or not it is a FATCA Exempt Party or to supply forms, documentation or other information requested in accordance with paragraphs (a)(i) or (a)(ii) above (including, for the avoidance of doubt, where paragraph (c) above applies), then such Party shall be treated for the purposes of the Finance Documents (and payments under them) as if it is not a FATCA Exempt Party until such time as the Party in question provides the requested confirmation, forms, documentation or other information.

(e)
If the Borrower is a US Tax Obligor or the Agent reasonably believes that its obligations under FATCA or any other applicable law or regulation require it, each Lender shall, within ten Business Days of:

(i)
where the Borrower is a US Tax Obligor and the relevant Lender is an Original Lender, the date of this Agreement;

(ii)
where the Borrower is a US Tax Obligor on a date on which any other Lender becomes a Party as a Lender, that date; or

(iii)
where the Borrower is not a US Tax Obligor, the date of a request from the Agent,
supply to the Agent:

(A)
a withholding certificate on Form W-8, Form W-9 or any other relevant form; or
41




(B)
any withholding statement or other document, authorisation or waiver as the Agent may require to certify or establish the status of such Lender under FATCA or that other law or regulation.

(f)
The Agent shall provide any withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver it receives from a Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) above to the Borrower.

(g)
If any withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver provided to the Agent by a Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) above is or becomes materially inaccurate or incomplete, that Lender shall promptly update it and provide such updated withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver to the Agent unless it is unlawful for the Lender to do so (in which case the Lender shall promptly notify the Agent). The Agent shall provide any such updated withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver to the Borrower.

(h)
The Agent may rely on any withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver it receives from a Lender pursuant to paragraphs (e) or (g) above without further verification. The Agent shall not be liable for any action taken by it under or in connection with paragraphs (e), (f) or (g) above.
13.8
FATCA Deduction

(a)
Each Party may   make any FATCA Deduction it is required to make by FATCA, and any payment required in connection with that FATCA Deduction, and no Party shall be required to increase any payment in respect of which it makes such a FATCA Deduction or otherwise compensate the recipient of the payment for that FATCA Deduction.

(b)
Each Party shall promptly, upon becoming aware that it must make a FATCA Deduction (or that there is any change in the rate or the basis of such FATCA Deduction), notify the Party to whom it is making the payment and, in addition, shall notify the Borrower and the Agent and the Agent shall notify the other Finance Parties.
14.
Increased Costs
14.1
Increased costs

(a)
Subject to clause 14.3 (Exceptions), the Borrower shall, within five Business Days of a demand by the Agent, pay for the account of a Finance Party the amount of any Increased Cost incurred by that Finance Party or any of its Affiliates which:

(i)
arises as a result of (i) the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any law or regulation or (ii) compliance with any law or regulation made after the date of this Agreement; and/or

(ii)
is a Basel III Increased Cost.

(b)
In this Agreement Increased Costs means:

(i)
a reduction in the rate of return from the Facility or on a Finance Party’s (or its Affiliate’s) overall capital;

(ii)
an additional or increased cost; or

(iii)
a reduction of any amount due and payable under any Finance Document,
which is incurred or suffered by a Finance Party or any of its Affiliates to the extent that it is attributable to that Finance Party having entered into its Commitment or funding or performing its obligations under any Finance Document.
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14.2
Increased cost claims

(a)
A Finance Party intending to make a claim pursuant to clause 14.1 (Increased costs) shall notify the Agent of the event giving rise to the claim, following which the Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower.

(b)
Each Finance Party shall, as soon as practicable after a demand by the Agent and/or the Borrower through the Agent, provide a certificate confirming the amount of its Increased Costs and the basis of calculation of such amount.
14.3
Exceptions

(a)
Clause 14.1 (Increased costs) does not apply to the extent any Increased Cost is:

(i)
attributable to a Tax Deduction required by law to be made by an Obliger;

(ii)
attributable to a FATCA Deduction required to be made by a Party;

(iii)
compensated for by clause 13.3 (Tax indemnity) (or would have been compensated for under clause 13.3 (Tax indemnity) but was not so compensated solely because any of the exclusions in paragraph (b) of clause 13.3 (Tax indemnity) applied);

(iv)
compensated for by the payment to a Lender under clause 15.10 (Mandatory Cost); and

(v)
attributable to the wilful breach by the relevant Finance Party or its Affiliates of any law or regulation.

(b)
In paragraph (a) above, a reference to a Tax Deduction has the same meaning given to the term in clause 13.1 (Definitions).
15.
Other indemnities
15.1
Currency indemnity

(a)
If any sum due from an Obligor under the Finance Documents (a Sum ),   or any order, judgment or award given or made in relation to a Sum, has to be converted from the currency (the First Currency )   in which that Sum is payable into another currency (the Second Currency )   for the purpose of:

(i)
making or filing a claim or proof against that Obliger; and/or

(ii)
obtaining or enforcing an order, judgment or award in relation to any litigation or arbitration proceedings,
that Obliger shall, as an independent obligation, within three Business Days of demand by a Finance Party, indemnify each Finance Party to whom that Sum is due against any Losses arising out of or as a result of the conversion including any discrepancy between (i) the rate of exchange used to convert that Sum from the First Currency into the Second Currency and (ii) the rate or rates of exchange available to that person at the time of its receipt of that Sum.

(b)
Each Obligor waives any right it may have in any jurisdiction to pay any amount under the Finance Documents in a currency or currency unit other than that in which it is expressed to be payable.
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15.2
Other indemnities
The Borrower shall, within five Business Days of demand by a Finance Party, indemnify each Finance Party against any and all Losses incurred by that Finance Party as a result of:

(a)
the occurrence of any Event of Default;

(b)
a failure by an Obligor to pay any amount due under a Finance Document on its due date, including without limitation, any and all Losses arising as a result of clause 39 (Sharing among the Finance Parties);

(c)
funding, or making arrangements to fund, its participation in a Utilisation requested by the Borrower in a Utilisation Request but not made by reason of the operation of any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement (other than by reason of default or negligence by that Finance Party alone); or

(d)
the Loan (or part of the Loan) not being prepaid in accordance with a notice of prepayment given by the Borrower.
15.3
Indemnity to the Agent and the Security Agent
The Borrower shall promptly indemnify the Agent and the Security Agent against:

(a)
any and all Losses (together with any applicable VAT) incurred by the Agent or the Security Agent (acting reasonably) as a result of:

(i)
investigating any event which it reasonably believes is a Default;

(ii)
acting or relying on any notice, request or instruction which it reasonably believes to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised;

(iii)
instructing lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, insurance consultants, ship managers, valuers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts as permitted under the Finance Documents; or

(iv)
any action taken by the Agent or the Security Agent or any of its or their representatives, agents or contractors in connection with any powers conferred by any Security Document to remedy any breach of any Obligor’s obligations under the Finance Documents. and

(b)
any and all Losses (including. without limitation, in respect of liability for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever) (together with any applicable VAT) incurred by the Agent or the Security Agent (otherwise than by reason of the Agent’s or the Security Agent’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct) (or, in the case of any cost, loss or liability pursuant to clause 40.11 (Disruption to payment systems etc.) notwithstanding the Agent’s or the Security Agent’s negligence, gross negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Agent in acting as Agent or the Security Agent under the Finance Documents.
15.4
Indemnity concerning security

(a)
The Borrower shall (or shall procure that another Obligor will) promptly indemnify each Indemnified Person against any and all Losses (together with any applicable VAT) incurred by it as a result of:

(i)
any failure by the Borrower to comply with its obligations under clause 17 (Costs and expenses) or any similar provision in any other Finance Document;

(ii)
acting or relying on any notice, request or instruction which it reasonably believes to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised;
44




(iii)
the taking, holding, protection or enforcement of the Transaction Security;

(iv)
the exercise or purported exercise of any of the rights, powers, discretions, authorities and remedies vested in the Security Agent and/or any other Finance Party and each Receiver and each Delegate by the Finance Documents or by law (otherwise, in each case, than by reason of the relevant Security Agent’s and/or other Finance Party’s, Receiver’s or Delegate’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct);

(v)
any default by any Obligor in the performance of any of the obligations expressed to be assumed by it in the Finance Documents;

(vi)
any claim (whether relating to the environment or otherwise) made or asserted against the Indemnified Person which would not have arisen but for the execution or enforcement of one or more Finance Documents (unless and to the extent it is caused by the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of that Indemnified Person);

(vii)
instructing lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, insurance consultants, ship managers, valuers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts as permitted under the Finance Documents; or

(viii)
(in the case of the Security Agent and/or any other Finance Party, any Receiver and any Delegate) acting as Security Agent and/or as holder of any of the Transaction Security, Receiver or Delegate under the Finance Documents or which otherwise relates to the Charged Property (otherwise, in each case, than by reason of the relevant Security Agent’s and/or other Finance Party’s, Receiver’s or Delegate’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct).

(b)
The Security Agent may, in priority to any payment to the other Finance Parties, indemnify itself out of the Charged Property in respect of, and pay and retain, all sums necessary to give effect to the indemnity in this clause 15.4 and shall have a lien on the Transaction Security and the proceeds of the enforcement of the Transaction Security for all moneys payable to it.
15.5
Continuation of indemnities
The indemnities by the Borrower in favour of any Indemnified Persons contained in this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any breach by any Finance Party or the Borrower of the terms of this Agreement, the repayment or prepayment of the Loan, the cancellation of the Total Commitments or the repudiation by any Finance Party or the Borrower of this Agreement.
15.6
Third Parties Act

(a)
Each Indemnified Person may rely on the terms of clause 15.4 (Indemnity concerning security) and clauses 13 (Tax gross-up and indemnities) and 15.7 (Interest) insofar as it relates to interest on, or the calculation of, any amount demanded by that Indemnified Person under clause 15.4 (Indemnity concerning security), subject to clause 1.4 (Third party rights) and the provisions of the Third Parties Act.

(b)
Where an Indemnified Person (other than a Finance Party) (the Relevant Beneficiary ) who is:

(i)
appointed by a Finance Party under the Finance Documents;

(ii)
an Affiliate of any such person or that Finance Party; or

(iii)
an officer, director, employee, adviser, representative or agent of any of the above persons or that Finance Party,
45



is entitled to receive any amount (a Third Party Claim )   under any of the provisions referred to in paragraph (a) above:

(A)
the Borrower shall at the same time as the relevant Third Party Claim is due to the Relevant Beneficiary pay to that Finance Party a sum in the amount of that Third Party Claim;

(B)
payment of such sum to that Finance Party shall, to the extent of that payment, satisfy the corresponding obligations of the Borrower to pay the Third Party Claim to the Relevant Beneficiary; and

(C)
if the Borrower pays the Third Party Claim direct to the Relevant Beneficiary, such payment shall, to the extent of that payment, satisfy the corresponding obligations of the Borrower to that Finance Party under sub-paragraph (A) above.
15.7
Interest
Moneys becoming due by the Borrower to any Indemnified Person under the indemnities contained in this clause 15 (Other indemnities) or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be paid on demand made by such Indemnified Person and shall be paid together with interest on the sum demanded from the date of demand therefor to the date of reimbursement by the Borrower to such Indemnified Person (both before and after judgment) at the rate referred to in clause 9.3 (Default interest).
15.8
Exclusion of liability
Without prejudice to any other provision of the Finance Documents excluding or limiting the liability of any Indemnified Person, no Indemnified Person will be in any way liable or responsible to any Obligor (whether as mortgagee in possession or otherwise) who is a Party or is a party to a Finance Document to which this clause applies for any loss or liability arising from any act, default, omission or misconduct of that Indemnified Person, except to the extent caused by its own gross negligence or wilful misconduct. Any Indemnified Person may rely on this clause 15.8 subject to clause 1.4 (Third party rights) and the provisions of the Third Parties Act.
15.9
Sanctions

(a)
Each Obligor shall, within five Business Days of demand by a Finance Party, indemnify such Finance Party against any cost, loss or liability incurred by it as a result of any civil penalty or fine against, and all costs and expenses (including counsel fees and disbursements) incurred in connection with the defence thereof by, the Agent or the relevant Finance Party as a result of conduct of any Obligor or any of its partners, directors, officers, employees, agents or advisors, that violates any applicable Sanctions.

(b)
The indemnity in clause 15.9(a) shall cover any Losses incurred by each Finance Party in any jurisdiction arising or asserted under or in connection with any law relating to any applicable Sanctions.
15.10
Mandatory Cost
The Borrower shall, within five Business Days of demand by the Agent, pay to the Agent for the account of the relevant Lender, such amount which such Lender certifies in a notice to the Agent to be its good faith determination of the amount necessary to compensate it for complying with:

(a)
in the case of a Lender lending from a Facility Office in a Participating Member State, the minimum reserve requirements (or other requirements having the same or similar purpose) of the European Central Bank or any other authority or agency which replaces all or any of its functions) in respect of loans made from that Facility Office; and
46




(b)
in the case of any Lender lending from a Facility Office in the United Kingdom, any reserve asset, special deposit or liquidity requirements (or other requirements having the same or similar purpose) of the Bank of England (or any other governmental authority or agency) and/or paying any fees to the Financial Conduct Authority and/or the Prudential Regulation Authority (or any other governmental authority or agency which replaces all or any of their functions),
which, in each case, is referable to that Lender’s participation in the Loan.
16.
Mitigation by the Lenders
16.1
Mitigation

(a)
Each Finance Party shall, in consultation with the Borrower, take all reasonable steps to mitigate any circumstances which arise and which would result in the Facility ceasing to be available or any amount becoming payable under or pursuant to, or cancelled pursuant to, any of clause 7.1 (Illegality), clause 13 (Tax gross-up and indemnities), clause 14 (Increased costs) or clause 15.10 (Mandatory Cost) including (but not limited to) assigning its rights under the Finance Documents to another Affiliate or Facility Office.

(b)
Paragraph (a) above does not in any way limit the obligations of any Obligor under the Finance Documents.
16.2
Limitation of liability

(a)
The Borrower shall promptly indemnify each Finance Party for all costs and expenses incurred by that Finance Party as a result of steps taken by it under clause 16.1 (Mitigation).

(b)
A Finance Party is not obliged to take any steps under clause 16.1 (Mitigation) if, in the opinion of that Finance Party (acting reasonably), to do so might be prejudicial to it.
17.
Costs and expenses
17.1
Transaction expenses
The Borrower shall, promptly on demand, pay the Agent, the Security Agent and the Arranger the amount of all reasonable and documented costs and expenses (including fees, costs and expenses of lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, insurance consultants, ship managers, valuers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts) (together with any applicable VAT) reasonably incurred by any of them (and, in the case of the Security Agent, by any Receiver or Delegate) in connection with the negotiation, preparation, printing, execution, registration and perfection and any release, discharge or reassignment of:

(a)
this Agreement and any other documents referred to in this Agreement and the Security Documents;

(b)
any other Finance Documents executed or proposed to be executed after the date of this Agreement including any executed to provide additional security under clause 27 (Minimum security value); or

(c)
any Security Interest expressed or intended to be granted by a Finance Document.
17.2
Amendment costs
If:

(a)
an Obligor requests an amendment, waiver or consent; or
47




(b)
an amendment is required pursuant to clause 40.10 (Change of currency),
the Borrower shall, within five days of demand, reimburse each of the Agent and the Security Agent for the amount of all reasonable and documented costs and expenses (including all reasonable and documented fees, costs and expenses of lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, insurance consultants, ship managers, valuers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts) (together with any applicable VAT) reasonably incurred by the Agent and the Security Agent (and in the case of the Security Agent by any Receiver or Delegate) in responding to, evaluating, negotiating or complying with that requestor requirement.
17.3
Enforcement, preservation and other costs
The Borrower shall, on demand by a Finance Party, pay to each Finance Party the amount of all documented costs and expenses (including fees, costs and expenses of lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, insurance consultants, ship managers, valuers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts) (together with any applicable VAT) incurred by that Finance Party in connection with:

(a)
the enforcement of, or the preservation of any rights under, any Finance Document and the Transaction Security and any proceedings instituted by or against any Indemnified Person as a consequence of taking or holding the Security Documents or enforcing those rights;

(b)
any valuation carried out under clause 27 (Minimum security value); or

(c)
any inspection carried out under clause 25.9 (Inspection and notice of dry-docking) or any survey carried out under clause 25.17 ( Survey report) at the times provided under that clause that the relevant costs must be borne by the Borrower.
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Section 7 - Guarantee
18.
Guarantee and indemnity
18.1
Guarantee and indemnity
The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally:

(a)
guarantees to the Security Agent (as trustee for the Finance Parties) and the other Finance Parties punctual performance by each other Obligor of all such Obligor’s obligations under the Finance Documents;

(b)
undertakes with the Security Agent (as trustee for the Finance Parties) and the other Finance Parties that whenever another Obligor (other than the Charterer or CSM) does not pay any amount when due under or in connection with any Finance Document, it shall immediately on demand pay that amount as if it was the principal obligor; and

(c)
agrees with the Security Agent (as trustee for the Finance Parties) and the other Finance Parties that if any obligation guaranteed by it is or becomes unenforceable, invalid or illegal, it will, as an independent and primary obligation indemnify that Finance Party immediately on demand against any cost, loss or liability it incurs as a result of another Obligor (other than the Charterer or CSM) not paying any amount which would, but for such unenforceability, invalidity or illegality, have been payable by such Obligor under any Finance Document on the date when it would have been due. The amount payable by the Guarantor under this indemnity will not exceed the amount the Guarantor would have had to pay under this clause 18.1 if the amount claimed had been recoverable on the basis of a guarantee.
18.2
Continuing guarantee
This guarantee is a continuing guarantee and will extend to the ultimate balance of sums payable by any Obligor (other than the Charterer or CSM) under the Finance Documents, regardless of any intermediate payment or discharge in whole or in part.
18.3
Reinstatement
If any discharge, release or arrangement (whether in respect of the obligations of any Obligor or any security for those obligations or otherwise) is made by a Finance Party in whole or in part on the basis of any payment, security or other disposition which is avoided or must be restored in insolvency, liquidation, administration or otherwise, without limitation, then the liability of the Guarantor under this clause 18 will continue or be reinstated as if the discharge, release or arrangement had not occurred.
18.4
Waiver of defences
The obligations of the Guarantor under this clause 18 will not be affected by an act, omission, matter or thing (whether or not known to it or any Finance Party) which, but for this clause 18, would reduce, release or prejudice any of its obligations under this clause 18 including (without limitation):

(a)
any time, waiver or consent granted to, or composition with, any Obligor or other person;

(b)
the release of any other Obligor or any other person under the terms of any composition or arrangement with any creditor of any other Obligor;

(c)
the taking, variation, compromise, exchange, renewal or release of, or refusal or neglect to perfect, take up or enforce, any rights against, or security over assets of, any Obligor or other person or any non-presentation or non-observance of any formality or other
49


requirement in respect of any instrument or any failure to realise the full value of any security;

(d)
any incapacity or lack of power, authority or legal personality of or dissolution or change in the members or status of an Obligor or any other person;

(e)
any amendment, novation, supplement, extension, restatement (however fundamental and whether or not more onerous) or replacement of any Finance Document or any other document or security including without limitation any change in the purpose of, any extension of or any increase in any facility or the addition of any new facility under any Finance Document or other document or security;

(f)
any unenforceability, illegality or invalidity of any obligation of any person under any Finance Document or any other document or security; or

(g)
any insolvency or similar proceedings.
18.5
Guarantor intent
Without prejudice to the generality of clause 18.4 (Waiver of defences), the Guarantor expressly confirms that it intends that this guarantee shall extend from time to time to any (however fundamental) variation, increase, extension or addition of or to any of the Finance Documents and/or any facility or amount made available under any of the Finance Documents.
18.6
Immediate recourse
The Guarantor waives any right it may have of first requiring any Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) to proceed against or enforce any other rights or security or claim payment from any person before claiming from the Guarantor under this clause 18. This waiver applies irrespective of any law or any provision of a Finance Document to the contrary.
18.7
Appropriations
Until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Obligors (other than the Charterer or CSM) under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full, each Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) may:

(a)
refrain from applying or enforcing any other moneys, security or rights held or received by that Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) in respect of those amounts, or apply and enforce the same in such manner and order as it sees fit (whether against those amounts or otherwise) and the Guarantor shall not be entitled to the benefit of the same; and

(b)
hold in an interest-bearing suspense account any moneys received from the Guarantor or on account of the Guarantor’s liability under this clause 18.
18.8
Deferral of Guarantor’s rights

(a)
Until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Obligors (other than the Charterer or CSM) under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full and unless the Agent otherwise directs, the Guarantor will not exercise any rights which it may have by reason of performance by it of its obligations under the Finance Documents or by reason of any amount being payable, or liability arising, under this clause 18:

(i)
to be indemnified by another Obligor;

(ii)
to claim any contribution from any other guarantor of any Obligor’s obligations under the Finance Documents;
50




(iii)
to take the benefit (in whole or in part and whether by way of subrogation or otherwise) of any rights of the Finance Parties under the Finance Documents or of any other guarantee or security taken pursuant to, or in connection with, the Finance Documents by any Finance Party;

(iv)
to bring legal or other proceedings for an order requiring any Obligor to make any payment, or perform any obligation, in respect of which the Guarantor has given a guarantee, undertaking or indemnity under this clause 18;

(v)
to exercise any right of set-off against any other Obligor; and/or

(vi)
to claim or prove as a creditor of any other Obliger in competition with any Finance Party.

(b)
If the Guarantor receives any benefit, payment or distribution in relation to such rights it will promptly pay an equal amount to the Agent for application in accordance with clause 40 (Payment mechanics). This only applies until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full.
18.9
Additional security
This guarantee is in addition to and is not in any way prejudiced by any other guarantee or security now or subsequently held by any Finance Party.
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Section 8 - Representations, Undertakings and Events of Default
19.
Representations
Each Obligor who is a Party makes and repeats the representations and warranties set out in this clause 19 to each Finance Party at the times specified in clause 19.38 (Times when representations are made).
19.1
Status

(a)
Each Obligor is a corporation, duly incorporated and validly existing under the law of its Original Jurisdiction.

(b)
Each Obligor has power and authority to own its assets and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted within the scope of its purpose.

(c)
More specifically, CSM has remained at all times in compliance with the terms of the Monaco Law No. 767 of July 8, 1964 concerning the cancellation of authorisations to incorporate limited liability companies, which entails it has not:

(i)
without legitimate cause, remained with no true activity, in conformity with its “statuts” for more than two years;

(ii)
remained without due installation and personnel enabling the normal conduct of its business as authorised by the government of the Principality of Monaco;

(iii)
conducted an activity not in conformity with its “statuts”; or

(iv)
in any manner or for any reason, allowed non declared or non authorised activities to be undertaken or domiciled in its premises knowingly tolerated such,
and has received no notice, whether formal or informal, of possible steps towards such cancellation.
19.2
Binding obligations
Subject to the Legal Reservations:

(a)
the obligations expressed to be assumed by each Obligor in each Transaction Document to which it is, or is to be, a party are or, when entered into by it, will be legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations; and

(b)
(without limiting the generality of paragraph (a) above) each Security Document to which an Obligor is, or will be, a party, creates or will create the Security Interests which that Security Document purports to create and those Security Interests are or will be valid and effective.
19.3
Non-conflict
The entry into and performance by each Obligor of, and the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and the granting of the Transaction Security do not and will not conflict with:

(a)
any law or regulation applicable to any Obligor;

(b)
the Constitutional Documents of any Obligor; or

(c)
any agreement or other instrument binding upon any Obligor or its assets,
52



or constitute a default or termination event (however described) under any such agreement or instrument or result in the creation of any Security Interest (save for a Permitted Security Interest or under a Security Document) on any Obligor’s assets, rights or revenues.
19.4
Power and authority

(a)
Each Obligor has the power to enter into, perform and deliver and comply with its obligations under, and has taken all necessary actions to authorise its entry into, performance and delivery of, and compliance with, each Transaction Document to which it is, or is to be, a party and each of the transactions contemplated by those documents.

(b)
No limitation on any Obligor’s powers to borrow, create security or give guarantees will be exceeded as a result of any transaction under, or the entry into of, any Transaction Document to which such Obligor is, or is to be, a party.
19.5
Validity and admissibility in evidence

(a)
All Authorisations required:

(i)
to enable each Obligor lawfully to enter into, exercise its rights and comply with its obligations under each Transaction Document to which it is a party;

(ii)
to make each Transaction Document to which it is a party admissible in evidence in its Relevant Jurisdictions; and

(iii)
to ensure that the Transaction Security has the priority and ranking contemplated in the Security Documents,
have been obtained or effected or (as the case may be) will be obtained or effected when required and are or (as the case may be) will be when required in full force and effect except any Authorisation or filing referred to in clause 19.13 (No filing or stamp taxes). which Authorisation or filing will be promptly obtained or effected within any applicable period.

(b)
All Authorisations necessary for the conduct of the business, trade and ordinary activities of each Obligor have been obtained or effected and are in full force and effect if failure to obtain or effect those Authorisations is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.
19.6
Governing law and enforcement

(a)
The choice of governing law of any Transaction Document will be recognised and enforced in each Obligor’s Relevant Jurisdictions.

(b)
Any judgment obtained in relation to any Transaction Document in the jurisdiction of the governing law of that Transaction Document will be recognised and enforced in the relevant Obligor’s Relevant Jurisdictions.
19.7
No misleading information

(a)
Any factual information contained in the Information Package is true and accurate in all material respects as at the date of the relevant report or document containing the information or (as the case may be) as at the date the information is expressed to be given.

(b)
Any financial projection or forecast contained in the Information Package has been prepared on the basis of recent historical information and on the basis of reasonable assumptions and was fair (as at the date of the relevant report or document containing the projection or forecast) and arrived at after careful consideration.
53




(c)
The expressions of opinion or intention provided by or on behalf of an Obligor for the purposes of the Information Package were made after careful consideration and (as at the date of the relevant report or document containing the expression of opinion or intention) were fair and based on reasonable grounds.

(d)
No event or circumstance has occurred or arisen and no information has been omitted from the Information Package and no information has been given or withheld that results in the information, opinions, intentions, forecasts or projections contained in the Information Package being untrue or misleading in any material respect.

(e)
For the purposes of this clause 19.7, Information Package means any information provided by any Obligor to any of the Finance Parties in connection with the Transaction Documents or the transactions referred to in them.
19.8
Pari passu ranking
Each Obligor’s payment obligations under the Finance Documents to which it is, or is to be, a party rank at least pari passu with all its other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated payment obligations, except for obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally.
19.9
Ranking and effectiveness of security
Subject to the Legal Reservations and any filing, registration or notice requirements which is referred to in any legal opinion delivered to the Agent under clause 4.1 (Initial conditions precedent):

(a)
the Transaction Security has (or will have when the relevant Security Documents have been executed) the priority which it is expressed to have in the Security Documents;

(b)
the Charged Property is not subject to any Security Interest other than Permitted Security Interests; and

(c)
the Transaction Security will constitute perfected security on the assets described in the Security Documents.
19.10
Centre of main interests and establishments
For the purposes of The Council of the European Union Regulation No. 1346/2000 on Insolvency Proceedings (the Regulation ,) its centre of main interest (as that term is used in Article 3(1) of the Regulation) is situated in Greece or (in the case of CSM only) Monaco and it has no “establishment” (as that term is used in Article 2(h) of the Regulation) in any other jurisdiction.
19.11
Ownership of Charged Property
Each Obligor is the sole legal and beneficial owner of the Charged Property over which it purports to grant a Security Interest under the Security Documents.
19.12
No insolvency
No   corporate action, legal proceeding or other procedure or step described in clause 31.10 (Insolvency proceedings) or creditors’ process described in clause 31.11 (Creditors’ process) has been taken or, to the knowledge of any Obligor, threatened in relation to a Group Member and none of the circumstances described in clause 31.9 (Insolvency) applies to any Obligor.
19.13
No filing or stamp taxes
Under the laws of each Obliger’s Relevant Jurisdictions it is not necessary that any Finance Document to which it is, or is to be, party be filed, recorded or enrolled with any court or other
54


authority in that jurisdiction or that any stamp, registration, notarial or similar Taxes or fees be paid on or in relation to any such Finance Document or the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents except registration of the Mortgage with the relevant Registry and any filing, recording or enrolling or any tax or fee payable in relation to any Finance Document which is referred to in any Legal Opinion and which will be made or paid promptly after the date of the relevant Finance Document.
19.14
Deduction of Tax
No Obliger (other than the Charterer and CSM) is required to make any Tax Deduction (as defined in clause 13.1 (Definitions)) from any payment it may make under any Finance Document to which it is, or is to be, a party and no other party is required to make any such deduction from any payment it may make under any other Transaction Document.
19.15
Tax compliance

(a)
No Obligor (other than the Charterer and CSM) is materially overdue in the filing of any Tax returns or overdue in the payment of any amount in respect of Tax exceeding $500,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency).

(b)
No claims or investigations are being, or are reasonably likely to be, made or conducted against any Obliger (other than the Charterer or CSM) with respect to Taxes such that a liability of, or claim against, any Obliger (other than the Charterer or CSM) is reasonably likely to arise for an amount for which adequate reserves have not been provided and which are reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(c)
Each Obliger is resident for Tax purposes only in its Original Jurisdiction.
19.16
Other Tax matters
The execution or delivery or performance by any Party of the Finance Documents will not result in any Finance Party having or being deemed to have a place of business in any Relevant Jurisdiction of any Obliger.
19.17
Pension exposure
No Obligor (other than CSM) is, or may be, liable to contribute funds to any form of pension scheme or similar arrangement except as required under applicable law or regulation (other than a scheme or arrangement where the benefits conferred by it on its members are calculated solely by reference to a payment or payments made by the relevant member or by any other person in respect of that member).
19.18
No Default

(a)
No Default is continuing or is reasonably expected to result from the making of any Utilisation or the entry into, the performance of, or any transaction contemplated by, any Transaction Document.

(b)
No other event or circumstance is outstanding which constitutes (or, with the expiry of a grace period, the giving of notice, the making of any determination or any combination of any of the foregoing, would constitute) a default or termination event (however described) under any other agreement or instrument which is binding on any Obliger or to which any Obliger’s assets are subject which is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.
19.19
No proceedings

(a)
No litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings or investigations of, or before, any court, arbitral body or agency which, if adversely determined, might reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect has or have (to the best of any Obligor’s
55



knowledge and belief (having made due and careful enquiry)) been started or threatened against any Obligor.

(b)
No judgment or order of a court, arbitral tribunal or other tribunal or any order or sanction of any governmental or other regulatory body which is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect has (to the best of any Obligor’s
knowledge and belief (having made due and careful enquiry)) been made against any Obligor or any other Group Member.
19.20
No breach of laws

(a)
No Obligor or other Group Member has breached any law or regulation.

(b)
No labour dispute is current or, to the best of any Obligor’s knowledge and belief (having made due and careful enquiry), threatened against any Obligor or other Group Member which is reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
19.21
Environmental matters

(a)
No Environmental Law applicable to any Fleet Vessel and/or any Obligor or other Group Member has been violated.

(b)
All consents, licences and approvals required under such Environmental Laws have been obtained and are currently in force.

(c)
No Environmental Claim has been made or, to the best of any Obligor’s knowledge and belief (having made due and careful enquiry), is threatened or pending against any Obligor or other Group Member or any Fleet Vessel where that claim might have a Material Adverse Effect and there has been no Environmental Incident which has given, or is reasonably expected to give, rise to such a claim.
19.22
Anti-corruption law
Each Obligor has conducted its businesses in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws and has instituted and maintained policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.
19.23
Security and Financial Indebtedness

(a)
No Security Interest exists over all or any of the present or future assets of any Obligor in breach of this Agreement.

(b)
No Obligor has any Financial Indebtedness outstanding in breach of this Agreement.
19.24
Shares

(a)
The shares of the Borrower are fully paid and not subject to any option to purchase or similar rights.

(b)
The Constitutional Documents of the Borrower do not and could not restrict or inhibit any transfer of those shares on creation or enforcement of the Security Documents.

(c)
There are no agreements in force which provide for the issue or allotment of, or grant any person the right to call for the issue or allotment of, any share or loan capital of the Borrower (including any option or right of pre-emption or conversion).
19.25
Ownership of the Borrower
The Borrower is a wholly owned direct Subsidiary of the Guarantor.
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19.26
Listing
The shares of the Guarantor are listed and trading on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange.
19.27
Accounting Reference Date
The Financial Year-end of each Obligor (other than the Charterer and CSM) is the Accounting Reference Date.
19.28
No adverse consequences

(a)
It is not necessary under the laws of the Relevant Jurisdictions of any Obligor:

(i)
in order to enable any Finance Party to enforce its rights under any Finance Document to which it is, or is to be, a party; or

(ii)
by reason of the execution of any Finance Document or the performance by any Obligor of its obligations under any Finance Document,
that any Finance Party should be licensed, qualified or otherwise entitled to carry on business in any of such Relevant Jurisdictions.

(b)
No Finance Party is or will be deemed to be resident, domiciled or carrying on business in any Relevant Jurisdiction of any Obliger by reason only of the execution, performance and/or enforcement of any Finance Document.
19.29
Copies of documents
The copies of the Constitutional Documents of the Obligors (other than the Charterer) delivered to the Agent under clause 4 (Conditions of Utilisation) will be true, complete and accurate copies of such documents and include all amendments and supplements to them as at the time of such delivery and no other agreements or arrangements exist between any of the parties to those Transaction Documents which would materially affect the transactions or arrangements contemplated by them or modify or release the obligations of any party under them.
19.30
No breach, etc of any Building Contract Document
No Obligor nor (so far as the Obligors are aware) any other person is in breach of any Building Contract Document to which it is a party nor has anything occurred which entitles or may entitle any party to rescind or terminate it or decline to perform their obligations under it or which would render it illegal, invalid or unenforceable.
19.31
No breach of any Charter Document
No Obligor nor (so far as the Obligors are aware) any other person is in breach of any Charter Document to which it is a party nor has anything occurred which entitles or may entitle any party to rescind or terminate it or decline to perform their obligations under it.
19.32
No Immunity
No Obliger or any of its assets is immune to any legal action or proceeding.
19.33
Ship status
The Ship will on the first day of the Mortgage Period be:

(a)
registered in the name of the Borrower through the relevant Registry as a ship under the laws and flag of the relevant Flag State;
57




(b)
operationally seaworthy and in every way fit for service;

(c)
classed with the relevant Classification free of all requirements and recommendations of the relevant Classification Society; and

(d)
insured in the manner required by the Finance Documents.
19.34
Ship’s employment
The Ship shall within five days of the Mortgage Period:

(a)
have been delivered, and accepted for service, under the Charter; and

(b)
save for the Charter, be free of any other charter commitment which, if entered into after that date, would require approval under the Finance Documents.
19.35
Address commission
There are no rebates, commissions or other payments in connection with the Building Contract or the Charter other than those referred to in it.
19.36
Sanctions and Additional Unacceptable Countries

(a)
No Obligor, nor any of their respective Affiliates nor any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives:

(i)
has breached any Sanctions;

(ii)
is a Restricted Person; or

(iii)
has received notice of or is aware of any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation against it with respect to Sanctions.

(b)
No proceeds of the Loan:

(i)
shall be made available, directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of a Restricted Person nor shall they be otherwise directly or indirectly, applied in a manner or for a purpose prohibited by applicable Sanctions; or

(ii)
will be used by any Obliger:

(A)
to finance equipment or sectors under embargo decisions of the United Nations or the World Bank; or

(B)
in breach of the provisions of any Sanctions.

(c)
It is has not been intended that the Ship will enter or trade to any Additional Unacceptable Country.
19.37
No Money Laundering
In relation to the borrowing by the Borrower of the Loan or any part of it, the performance and discharge of the Obligors’ obligations and liabilities under the Finance Documents, and the transactions and other arrangements effected or contemplated by this Agreement and the other Finance Documents, the Obligors are acting for their own account and the foregoing will not involve or lead to a contravention of any law, official requirement or other regulatory measure or procedure which has been implemented by   any relevant regulatory authority or otherwise to combat Money Laundering (as defined in clause 22.6 (Bribery and corruption) ).
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19.38
Times when representations are made

(a)
All of the representations and warranties set out in this clause 19 are deemed to be made on the dates of:

(i)
this Agreement;

(ii)
the Utilisation Request; and

(iii)
the Utilisation.

(b)
The Repeating Representations are deemed to be made on the first day of each Interest Period.

(c)
Each representation or warranty deemed to be made after the date of this Agreement shall be deemed to be made by reference to the facts and circumstances existing at the date the representation or warranty is deemed to be made.
20.
Information undertakings
20.1
Undertaking to comply
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this clause 20 will be complied with throughout the Facility Period except as approved by the Majority Lenders (or, where specified, all the Lenders).
20.2
Definitions
In this clause 20:
Annual Financial Statements means the financial statements for a Financial Year of the Guarantor delivered pursuant to paragraph (a) of clause 20.3 (Financial statements).
Semi-annual Financial Statements means the financial statements for the first financial half- year of each Financial Year of the Borrower or, as the case may be, the Guarantor delivered pursuant to paragraph (b) of clause 20.3 (Financial statements).
20.3
Financial statements

(a)
The Borrower shall supply to the Agent (in sufficient copies for all the lenders, if the Agent so requests) as soon as the same become available, but in any event within 120 days after the end of each Financial Year (but commencing with the Financial Year ending 31 December 2018):

(i)
the unaudited (or audited if available) financial statements of the Borrower for that Financial Year; and

(ii)
the audited consolidated financial statements of the Guarantor for that Financial Year.

(b)
The Borrower shall supply to the Agent as soon as the same become available, but in any event within 90 days after the end of the first financial half-year of each of its or, as the case may be, the Guarantor’s Financial Years (but commencing with the financial half-year ending 31 December 2018):

(i)
the unaudited (or audited if available) financial statements of the Borrower for that financial half-year; and
59




(ii)
the unaudited (or audited if available) consolidated financial statements of the Guarantor for that financial half-year.
20.4
Provision and contents of Compliance Certificate

(a)
The Borrower shall supply (i) a Compliance Certificate for the Borrower and the Guarantor and (ii) a performance report relating to the Ship (in the form set out in Schedule 6 (Form of Semi-annual Vessel Performance Report)) to the Agent, in each case with each set of Annual Financial Statements and each set of Semi-Annual Financial Statements delivered pursuant to clause 20.3 (Financial statements).

(b)
Each Compliance Certificate in respect of the Borrower and the Guarantor shall set out (in reasonable detail) computations as to compliance with clause 21 (Financial covenants) relevant to each of them and calculations of the Security Value in accordance with clause 27 (Minimum security value).

(c)
Each Compliance Certificate shall be signed by a duly authorised signatory of the Guarantor.
20.5
Requirements as to financial statements

(a)
The Borrower shall procure that each set of Annual Financial Statements and Semi-Annual Financial Statements includes a profit and loss account, a balance sheet and a cashflow statement and that, in addition, each set of Annual Financial Statements of the Borrower shall be audited by the Auditors.

(b)
Each set of financial statements delivered pursuant to clause 20.3 (Financial statements) shall:

(i)
be prepared in accordance with GAAP; and

(ii)
fairly present, and be certified by a director of the relevant company as fairly presenting, its financial condition and operations as at the date as at which those financial statements were drawn up and, in the case of the Annual Financial Statements (or as the case may be) Semi-Annual Financial Statements if they are audited, shall be accompanied by any letter addressed to the management of the relevant company by the Auditors and accompanying those Annual Financial Statements or (as the case may be) Semi-Annual Financial Statements; and

(iii)
in the case of Annual Financial Statements or (as the case may be) Semi-Annual Financial Statements which are audited, not be the subject of any qualification in the Auditors’ opinion.
20.6
Year-end
The Borrower shall procure that each Financial Year-end of each Obligor (other than CSM or the Charterer) and each Group Member falls on the Accounting Reference Date.
20.7
Information: miscellaneous
The Borrower shall supply to the Agent (in sufficient copies for all the Lenders, if the Agent so requests):

(a)
whilst an Event of Default is continuing and as soon as practicable after the time when they are dispatched, copies of all documents dispatched by any Obligor to its creditors generally (or any class of them);

(b)
promptly upon becoming aware of them, the details of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings which are current, threatened or pending against any Obligor
60


or other Group Member, and which, if adversely determined, might have a Material Adverse Effect;

(c)
promptly upon becoming aware of them, the details of any judgment or order of a court, arbitral tribunal or other tribunal or any order or sanction of any governmental or other regulatory body which is made against any Obliger or other Group Member and which is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(d)
promptly upon becoming aware of them, the details of any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation with respect to Sanctions against any Obliger or any of its Affiliates or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives;

(e)
promptly, such information as the Agent or the Security Agent may reasonably require about the Charged Property and compliance of the Obligors with the terms of any Security Documents; and

(f)
promptly on request, such further information regarding the financial condition, assets and operations of any Obliger as any Finance Party through the Agent may reasonably request,
Provided always that the supply of such information would not result in a breach of any confidentiality undertaking of an Obligor.
20.8
Notification of Default

(a)
The Borrower shall notify the Agent of any Default (and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it) promptly upon any Obligor becoming aware of its occurrence (unless that Obligor is aware that a notification has already been provided by another Obligor).

(b)
Promptly upon a request by the Agent, the Borrower shall supply to the Agent a certificate signed by two of its directors certifying that no Default is continuing (or if a Default is continuing, specifying the Default and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it).
20.9
Sufficient copies
The Borrower, if so requested by the Agent, shall deliver sufficient copies of each document to be supplied under the Finance Documents to the Agent to distribute to each of the Lenders.
20.10
“Know your customer” checks

(a)
If:

(i)
the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any law or regulation made after the date of this Agreement;

(ii)
any change in the status of an Obligor or the composition of the shareholders of an Obligor after the date of this Agreement; or

(iii)
a proposed assignment by a Lender of any of its rights under this Agreement to a party that is not already a Lender prior to such assignment,
obliges the Agent or any Lender (or, in the case of paragraph (iii) above, any prospective new Lender) to comply with “know your customer” or similar identification procedures in circumstances where the necessary information is not already available to it, each Obligor shall within 7 Business Days after the request of the Agent or any Lender supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent (for itself or on behalf of any Lender) or any Lender (for itself or, in the case of the event described in paragraph (iii) above, on behalf of any prospective new Lender) in order for the Agent, such Lender or, in the case of the event described in paragraph (iii) above, any prospective new Lender to carry out and be satisfied it has
61



complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents.

(b)
Each Finance Party shall, promptly upon the request of the Agent or the Security Agent, supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent or the Security Agent (for itself) in order for it to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know you r customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents.
21.
Financial covenants
21.1
Undertaking to comply
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this clause 21 will be complied with throughout the Facility Period.
21.2
Financial definitions
In clauses 21.3 (Financial condition) and 21.4 (Financial testing):
Cash and Cash Equivalents means, at any relevant time, the aggregate of:

(a)
cash in hand or on deposit with any bank; and

(b)
any other instrument, security or investment approved by the Majority Lenders,
which are free from any Security Interest and/or restrictions (other than any restriction arising exclusively from any covenant to maintain a minimum level of free liquidity and/or for the purposes of any debt service reserve account) and to which any Group Member is beneficially entitled at that time and which are readily available to Group Members and capable of being applied against Financial Indebtedness, as demonstrated by the then most recent Financial Statements.
Chartered Vessel means, at any relevant time , any vessel chartered in (the “charter-in commitment” )   by a Group Member for a period of six months or longer and which vessel at that time has not been chartered out by such Group Member to a third party on terms at least equal to the terms of the charter-in commitment for such vessel.
Financial Statements means any of the Annual Financial Statements or the Semi-annual Financial Statements of the Guarantor referred to and defined as such in clause 20.2 (Definitions).
Fleet Market Value means, as of the date of calculation, the aggregate market value of all Fleet Vessels, as most recently determined pursuant to valuations of such vessels provided to the Agent and made in accordance with the provisions of clause 27 (Minimum security value) which shall apply for the purposes of this definition mutatis mutandis to each Fleet Vessel as if each such vessel were the Ship.
Fleet Vessels means each vessel owned or   leased under a capital lease by a Group Member from time to time.
Measurement Period means each financial year of the Guarantor and each financial half-year of the Guarantor for which Financial Statements are to be delivered to the Agent under clause 20.3 (Financial statements).
Total Debt means, at any time, the sum (without duplication) of the Group’s liabilities in respect of principal under any
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Financial Indebtedness (provided however that any principal under any Financial Indebtedness incurred only by the Guarantor which is not secured by security provided over an asset of the Group, shall not be taken into account).
Total Net Debt means, at any time and in relation to any Measurement Period, Total Debt in relation to that Measurement Period minus Cash and Cash Equivalents, each as demonstrated by the then most recent Financial Statements.
21.3
Financial condition
Each Obligor who is a Party shall ensure that:

(a)
Leverage ratio: the ratio of Total Net Debt to Fleet Market Value shall , at all times during and in respect of each Measurement Period, be not higher than 0.75:1.00.

(b)
Minimum liquidity: at all times the Cash and Cash Equivalents shall not be less than the aggregate of:

(i)
$750,000 multiplied by the number of the Fleet Vessels; and

(ii)
$500,000 multiplied by the number of the Chartered Vessels.
21.4
Financial testing
The financial covenants set out in clause 21.3 (Financial condition) shall be calculated in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis and tested by reference to each of the Financial Statements delivered pursuant to clause 20.3 (Financial statements).
21.5
Minimum Liquidity
The Borrower shall ensure that it will maintain in its Operating Account at all times after the Utilisation Date cash balances free from any Security Interest in an amount not less than:

(a)
subject to paragraph (b) below, $650,000; or

(b)
$300,000 for as long as the Ship is subject to a Charter or a Subsequent Charter,
which for the avoidance of doubt, shall be included in the calculations of the Guarantor’s minimum liquidity required to be maintained pursuant to clause 21.3(b).
22.
General undertakings
22.1
Undertaking to comply
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this clause 22 will be complied with by and in respect of each Obligor throughout the Facility Period except as approved by the Majority Lenders (or, where specified, all the Lenders).
22.2
Use of proceeds
The proceeds of Utilisations shall be used exclusively for the purposes specified in clause 3 (Purpose).
22.3
Authorisations
Each Obligor shall promptly:

(a)
obtain, comply with and do all that is necessary to maintain in full force and effect; and

(b)
supply certified copies to the Agent of,
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any Authorisation required under any law or regulation of a Relevant Jurisdiction to:

(i)
enable it to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents;

(ii)
ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of any Transaction Document; and

(iii)
carry on its business where failure to do so has, or is reason ably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect.
22.4
Compliance with laws
Each Obligor shall (and each Obligor shall ensure that each other Group Member will), comply in all respects with all laws and regulations (including Environmental Laws) to which it may be subject. Each Obligor shall (and each Obligor shall ensure that each other Group Member will), comply in all respects with all Sanctions to the extent applicable to them.
22.5
Anti-corruption law

(a)
No Obligor shall (and each Obligor shall ensure that no other Group Member will) directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the Facility for any purpose which would breach the Bribery Act 2010, the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the Monaco Law no.1.362 of August 3 rd , 2009 as amended and supplemented or other similar legislation in other jurisdictions.

(b)
Each Obligor shall:

(i)
conduct its businesses in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws; and

(ii)
maintain policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.
22.6
Bribery and corruption

(a)
No Obligor nor any of its agents, employees, directors or officers has engaged or shall engage (and shall ensure that none of its Affiliates nor any of its agents, employees, directors or officers has engaged or will engage) in any Relevant Jurisdiction in:

(i)
Corrupt Practices, Fraudulent Practices, Collusive Practices or Coercive Practices, including the procurement or the execution of any contract for goods or works relating to its functions;

(ii)
Money Laundering or acted in breach of any applicable law relating to Money Laundering; or

(iii)
the Financing of Terrorism.

(b)
Without prejudice to the generality of clause 22.6(a):

(i)
No Obligor nor any of its agents, employees, directors or officers will (and shall ensure that none of its Affiliates nor any of its agents, employees, directors or officers will) directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the Facility for any purpose which would breach the Bribery Act 2010 or the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the Monaco Law no.1.362 of August 3 rd , 2009 as amended and supplemented;
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(ii)
each Obligor shall (and each Obligor shall ensure that each of its Affiliates) and any of their agents, employees, directors or officers:

(A)
conducts its businesses in compliance with the Bribery Act 2010 or the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 19 7 7 , the Monaco Law no.1.362 of August 3ro, 2009 as amended and supplemented; and

(B)
maintains policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.

(c)
For the purposes of this clause 22.6 and clause 19.37 (No Money Laundering), the following definitions shall apply:
Collusive Practice means an arrangement between two or more parties without the knowledge, but designed to improperly influence the actions, of another party.
Corrupt Practice means the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting, directly or indirectly, anything of value to improperly influence the actions of another party.
Coercive Practice means impairing or harming or threatening to impair or harm, directly or indirectly, any party or its property or to improperly influence the actions of that party.
Financing of Terrorism means the act of providing or collecting funds with the intention that they be used, or in the knowledge that they are to be used, in order to carry out terrorist acts.
Fraudulent Practice means any action, including misrepresentation, to obtain a financial or other benefit or avoid an obligation, by deception.
Money Laundering means:

(i)
the conversion or transfer of property, knowing it is derived from a criminal offence, for the purpose of concealing or disguising its illegal origin or of assisting any person who is involved in the commission of the crime to evade the legal consequences of its actions;

(ii)
the concealment or disguise of the true nature, source, location, disposition, movement, rights with respect to, or ownership of, property knowing that it is derived from a criminal offence; or

(iii)
the acquisition, possession or use of property knowing at the time of its receipt that it is derived from a criminal offence.
22.7
Tax compliance

(a)
Each Obligor (other than the Charterer and CSM) shall (and shall ensure that each other Group Member will) pay and discharge all Taxes imposed upon it or its assets within the time period allowed without incurring penalties in excess of $500,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) in aggregate, unless and only to the extent that:

(i)
such payment is being contested in good faith;

(ii)
adequate reserves are being maintained for those Taxes and the costs required to contest them which have been disclosed in its latest financial statements delivered to the Agent under clause 20.3 (Financial statements );   and

(iii)
such payment can be lawfully withheld.
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(b)
Except as approved by the Majority Lenders, each Obliger (other than CSM and the Charterer) shall maintain its residence for Tax purposes in its Original Jurisdiction and ensure that it is not resident for Tax purposes in any other jurisdiction.
22.8
Change of business
Except as approved by the Majority Lenders, no substantial change will be made to the general nature of the business of any Obligor from that carried on at the date of this Agreement.
22.9
Merger
Except as approved by the Majority Lenders, no Obliger shall enter into any amalgamation, demerger, merger, consolidation, redomiciliation, legal migration or corporate reconstruction.
22.10
Pension exposure
No Obliger (other than CSM) is liable to contribute funds to any form of pension scheme or similar arrangement except as required by applicable law (other than a scheme or arrangement where the benefits conferred by it on its members are calculated solely by reference to a payment or payments made by the relevant member or by any other person in respect of that member).
22.11
Further assurance

(a)
Each Obliger shall promptly do all such acts or execute all such documents (including assignments. transfers. mortgages. charges, notices and instructions) as the Agent may reasonably specify (and in such form as the Agent or the Security Agent may reasonably require in favour of the Security Agent or its nominee(s)):

(i)
to perfect the Security Interests created or intended to be created by that Obligor under, or evidenced by, the Security Documents (which may include the execution of a mortgage, charge, assignment or other security over all or any of the assets which are, or are intended to be, the subject of the Security Documents) or for the exercise of any rights. powers and remedies of the Security Agent and/or any other Finance Parties provided by or pursuant to the Finance Documents or by law;

(ii)
to confer on the Security Agent and/or any other Finance Parties Security Interests over any property and assets of that Obliger located in any jurisdiction equivalent or similar to the Security Interest intended to be conferred by or pursuant to the Security Documents;

(iii)
to facilitate the realisation of the assets which are, or are intended to be, the subject of the Security Documents; and/or

(iv)
to facilitate the accession by a New Lender to any Security Document following an assignment in accordance with clause 32.1 (Assignments by the Lenders).

(b)
Each Obliger shall take all such action as is available to it (including making all filings and registrations) as may be necessary for the purpose of the creation, perfection, protection or maintenance of any Security Interest conferred or intended to be conferred on the Security Agent and/or any other Finance Parties by or pursuant to the Finance Documents.
22.12
Negative pledge in respect of Charged Property and Obligor shares
Except as approved by the Majority Lenders and except for Permitted Security Interests, no Obliger will grant or allow to exist any Security Interest over any Charged Property or (except for the Transaction Security) the shares in any of the Obligors (other than the Charterer or CSM) or any rights deriving from, or related to, such shares.
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22.13
Environmental matters

(a)
The Agent will be notified as soon as reasonably practicable of any Environmental Claim being made against any Obligor or other Group Member or any Fleet Vessel which, if successful to any extent, is reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and of any Environmental Incident which may give rise to such a claim and will be kept regularly and promptly informed in reasonable detail of the nature of, and response to, any such Environmental Incident and the defence to any such claim.

(b)
Environmental Laws (and any consents, licences or approvals obtained under them) applicable to Fleet Vessels will not be violated.
22.14
Sanctions and Additional Unacceptable Countries

(a)
Each Obligor shall, and each Obligor shall procure that any Affiliate of each Obligor shall, ensure that none of their respective directors, officers, agents, employees or persons acting on behalf of the foregoing, is a Restricted Person or acts directly or indirectly on behalf of a Restricted Person.

(b)
No Obligor shall, and each Obliger shall procure that none of its Affiliates shall, use any revenue or benefit derived from any activity or dealing with a Restricted Person in discharging any obligation due or owing to the Finance Parties.

(c)
Each Obliger shall not, and each Obliger shall procure that each of its Affiliates will not, credit proceeds from any activity or dealing with a Restricted Person to any bank account held with any Finance Party in its name or in the name of any other person.

(d)
Each Obligor shall, and each Obliger shall ensure that each of its Affiliates take measures to ensure compliance with Sanctions.

(e)
Each Obligor shall, and each Obligor shall procure that each of its Affiliates shall, to the extent permitted by law, promptly upon becoming aware of them, supply to the Agent details of any claim, action, suit, proceedings or investigation against it with respect to Sanctions by any Sanctions Authority.

(f)
The Borrower shall, if it is intended that the Ship will enter or trade to any Additional Unacceptable Country:

(i)
promptly, and in any event before the Ship enters into or starts trading with, an Additional Unacceptable Country, notify the Agent in writing; and

(ii)
on demand provide the Agent with any information (in a form acceptable to the Agent in its absolute discretion) the Agent requires in relation to the Ship and its employment including, without limitation, information regarding the counterparties and the type of business to which such voyage relates.
23.
Construction period
23.1
Undertaking to comply
The Borrower undertakes that this clause 23 will be complied with throughout the period from the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Delivery of the Ship and the end of the Facility Period.
23.2
Performance of Building Contract
The Borrower shall duly and punctually observe and perform all the conditions and obligations imposed on it by the Building Contract.
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23.3
Progress and information
Upon the Agent’s request, the Borrower shall advise the Agent of the progress of construction of the Ship and supply the Agent with such other information as the Agent may require about the construction of the Ship or the Building Contract.
23.4
Arbitration under Building Contract
The Borrower shall promptly notify the Agent:

(a)
if either party to the Building Contract begins an arbitration under the Building Contract;

(b)
of the identity of the arbitrators; and

(c)
of the conclusion of the arbitration and the terms of any arbitration award.
23.5
Notification of certain events
The Borrower shall notify the Agent immediately if either party to the Building Contract cancels, rescinds, repudiates or otherwise terminates the Building Contract (or purports to do so) or rejects the Ship (or purports to do so) or if the Ship becomes a Total Loss or partial loss or is materially damaged or if a dispute arises under the Building Contract.
24.
Dealings with Ship
24.1
Undertaking to comply
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this clause 24 will be complied with in relation to the Ship throughout the Mortgage Period except as otherwise approved by the Majority Lenders (or, where specified, all the Lenders).
24.2
Ship’s name and registration

(a)
The Ship’s name shall only be changed with the prior written consent of the Agent.

(b)
The Ship shall be registered with the relevant Registry under the laws of its Flag State. Except with approval, the Ship shall not be registered under any other flag or at any other port or fly any other flag (other than that of its Flag State). If that registration is for a limited period, it shall be renewed at least 45 days before the date it is due to expire and the Agent shall be notified of that renewal at least 30 days before that date.

(c)
Nothing will be done and no action will be omitted if that might result in such registration being forfeited or imperilled or the Ship being required to be registered under the laws of another state of registry.
24.3
Sale or other disposal of Ship
Except with approval, the Borrower will not sell, or agree to, transfer, abandon or otherwise dispose of the Ship or any share or interest in it Provided however that the Borrower shall be permitted to sell the Ship, or to enter into an agreement for its transfer or sale if the Borrower upon completion of such sale or transfer prepays the Loan in full and pay all other amounts owing and payable under this Agreement and the other Finance Documents at the time of such prepayment (including but not limited to any prepayment fee payable under clause 8.11 (Prepayment fee)).
24.4
Manager
A manager of the Ship shall not be appointed unless that manager and the terms of its appointment are approved (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld) (which approval of
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such manager shall not be required for as long as such manager is CSM) by the Lenders and it has delivered a duly executed Manager’s Undertaking to the Security Agent. There shall be no material change to the terms of appointment to of a manager whose appointment has been approved unless such change is also approved.
24.5
Copy of Mortgage on board
A properly certified copy of the Mortgage shall be kept on board the Ship with its papers and shown to anyone having business with the Ship which might create or imply any commitment or Security Interest over or in respect of the Ship (other than a lien for crew’s wages and salvage) and to any representative of the Agent or the Security Agent.
24.6
Notice of Mortgage
Subject to the terms of the Mortgage, a framed printed notice of the Mortgage shall be prominently displayed in the navigation room and in the Master’s cabin of the Ship. Subject to the terms of the Mortgage, the notice must be in plain type and read as follows:
“NOTICE OF MORTGAGE
This Ship is subject to a first mortgage in favour of [here insert name of mortgagee] of [here insert address of mortgagee] .   Under the said mortgage and related documents , neither the Owner nor any charterer nor the Master of this Ship has any right, power or authority to create, incur or permit to be imposed upon this Ship any commitments or encumbrances whatsoever other than for crew’s wages and salvage”.
No-one will have any right, power or authority to create, incur or permit to be imposed upon the Ship any lien whatsoever other than for crew’s wages and salvage.
24.7
Conveyance on default
Where the Ship is (or is to be) sold in exercise of any power conferred by the Security Documents, the Borrower shall, upon the Agent’s request, immediately execute such form of transfer of title to the Ship as the Agent may require.
24.8
Chartering

(a)
Except with approval, the Borrower shall not enter into any charter commitment for the Ship (except for the Charter), which is:

(i)
a bareboat or demise charter or passes possession and operational control of the Ship to another person;

(ii)
of a fixed duration exceeding 13 calendar months;

(iii)
on terms as to payment or amount of hire which are materially less beneficial to it than the terms which at that time could reasonably be expected to be obtained on the open market for vessels of the same age and type as the Ship under charter commitments of a similar type and period; or

(iv)
to another Obligor or other Group Member.

(b)
Further, without prejudice to the rights of the Finance Parties under the provisions of clause 24.8(a) and any other provisions of the Finance Documents, advise the Agent promptly of any proposed charter commitment in respect of the Ship of a fixed duration exceeding 13 calendar months, and:

(i)
deliver a copy of each such charter commitment to the Agent forthwith after it has been entered into;
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(ii)
forthwith following a demand made by the Agent (acting on the instruct ions of the Majority Lenders):

(A)
execute a charter assignment in the form similar to the Charter Assignment of any such charter commitment in favour of the Security Agent and any notice of assignment required in connection therewith; and

(B)
procure the service of any such notice of assignment on the relevant charterer and, unless expressly freely assignable, the acknowledgement of such notice by the relevant charterer;

(iii)
deliver to the Agent such documents and evidence of the type referred to in Schedule 3 (Conditions precedent), in relation to any such charter assignment or any other related matter referred to in this clause 24.8(b), as the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders in their sole discretion) shall require; and

(iv)
pay on the Agent’s demand all documented legal costs and other costs incurred by the Agent and/or any other Finance Party in connection with or in relation to any such charter assignment or any other related matter referred to in this clause 24.8(b).
24.9
Lay up
Except with approval, the Ship shall not be laid up or deactivated.
24.10
Sharing of Earnings
Except with approval, the Borrower shall not enter into any arrangement under which its Earnings from the Ship may be shared with anyone else.
24.11
Payment of Earnings

(a)
The Borrower’s Earnings from the Ship shall be paid in the way required by the General Assignment.

(b)
If any Earnings are held by brokers or other agents, they shall be paid to the Security Agent, if it requires this after the Earnings have become payable to it under the General Assignment.
25.
Condition and operation of Ship
25.1
Undertaking to comply
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this clause 25 will be complied with in relation to the Ship throughout the Mortgage Period except as approved by the Majority Lenders (or, where specified, all the Lenders).
25.2
Defined terms
In this clause 25 and in Schedule 3 (Conditions precedent):
applicable code means any code or prescribed procedures required to be observed by the Ship or the persons responsible for its operation under any applicable law (including but not limited to those currently known as the ISM Code and the ISPS Code).
applicable law means all laws and regulations applicable to vessels registered in the Ship’s Flag State or which for any other reason apply to the Ship or to its condition or operation at any relevant time.
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applicable operating certificate means any certificates, vessel response plans, or other document relating to the Ship or its condition or operation required to be in force under any applicable law or any applicable code.
25.3
Repair
The Ship shall be kept in a good, safe and efficient state of repair. The quality of workmanship and materials used to repair the Ship or replace any damaged, worn or lost parts or equipment shall be sufficient to ensure that the Ship’s value is not reduced.
25.4
Modification
Except with approval, the structure, type or performance characteristics of the Ship shall not be modified in a way which materially alters the Ship or materially reduces its value.
25.5
Removal of parts
Except with approval, no material part of the Ship or any equipment shall be removed from the Ship if to do so would materially reduce its value (unless at the same time it is replaced with equivalent parts or equipment owned by the Borrower free of any Security Interests except under the Security Documents).
25.6
Third party owned equipment
Except with approval, equipment owned by a third party shall not be installed on the Ship if it cannot be removed without risk of causing damage to the structure or fabric of the Ship or incurring significant expense.
25.7
Maintenance of class; compliance with laws and codes
The Ship’s class shall be the Classification. The Ship and every person who owns, operates or manages the Ship shall comply with all applicable laws and the requirements of all applicable codes. There shall be kept in force and on board the Ship or in such person’s custody any applicable operating certificates which are required by applicable laws or applicable codes to be carried on board the Ship or to be in such person’s custody.
25.8
Surveys
The Ship shall be submitted to any surveys which are required for it to maintain the Classification as its class. Copies of reports of those surveys shall be provided promptly to the Agent if it so requests.
25.9
Inspection and notice of dry-docking
The Agent and/or surveyors or other persons appointed by it for such purpose shall be allowed to board the Ship at all reasonable times to inspect it without interfering with the Ship’s operation or trading and after giving reasonable advance notice to the Borrower in writing and given all proper facilities needed for that purpose. The Agent shall be given reasonable advance notice of any intended dry-docking of the Ship (whatever the purpose of that dry-docking). The Borrower shall bear the cost of only one such inspection per calendar year so long as there is no Event of Default which is continuing in which case, the cost of all such inspections shall be borne by the Borrower.
25.10
Prevention of arrest
All debts, damages, liabilities and outgoings (due and payable and not contested by the Borrower in good faith) which have given, or are reasonably expected to give, rise to maritime, statutory or possessory liens on, or claims enforceable against, the Ship, its Earnings or Insurances shall be paid as soon as reasonably practicable and, in any event, discharged by their respective due dates.
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25.11
Release from arrest
The Ship, its Earnings and Insurances shalt be released from any arrest, detention, attachment or levy, and any legal process against the Ship shall be discharged, by whatever action is required to achieve that release or discharge in each case within 5 Business Days of the occurrence of any such event.
25.12
Information about Ship
The Agent shall promptly be given any information which it may reasonably require about the Ship or its employment, position, use or operation, including details of towages and salvages, and copies of all its charter commitments entered into by or on behalf of any Obligor whose duration exceeds 3 months and copies of any applicable operating certificates.
25.13
Notification of certain events
The Agent shall promptly be notified of:

(a)
any damage to the Ship where the cost of the resulting repairs is reasonably likely to exceed the Major Casualty Amount;

(b)
any occurrence which is reasonably likely to result in the Ship becoming a Total Loss;

(c)
any requisition of the Ship for hire;

(d)
any Environmental Incident involving the Ship and Environmental Claim being made in relation to such an incident;

(e)
any withdrawal of any applicable operating certificate;

(f)
the receipt of notification that any application for such a certificate has been refused;

(g)
any requirement or recommendation made in relation to the Ship by any insurer or the Classification Society or by any competent authority which is not, or cannot be, complied with in the manner or time required or recommended; and

(h)
any arrest or detention of the Ship or any exercise or purported exercise of a lien or other claim on the Ship or its Earnings or Insurances.
25.14
Payment of outgoings
All tolls, dues and other outgoings whatsoever in respect of the Ship and its Earnings and Insurances shall be paid promptly. Proper accounting records shall be kept of the Ship and its Earnings.
25.15
Evidence of payments
The Agent shall be allowed proper and reasonable access to those accounting records when it reasonably requests it and, when it reasonably requires it, shall be given satisfactory evidence that:

(a)
the wages and allotments and the insurance and pension contributions of the Ship’s crew are being timely and regularly paid;

(b)
alt deductions from its crew’s wages in respect of any applicable Tax liability are being properly accounted for; and

(c)
the Ship’s master has no claim for disbursements other than those incurred by him in the ordinary course of trading on the voyage then in progress.
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25.16
Repairers’ liens
The Ship shall not be put into any other person’s possession for work to be done on the Ship if the cost of that work will exceed or is likely to exceed the Major Casualty Amount unless the Borrower has established to the reasonable satisfaction of the Agent that it has sufficient reserves with the Account Bank to pay for such works or that person gives the Security Agent a written undertaking in approved terms not to exercise any lien on the Ship or its Earnings for any of the cost of such work.
25.17
Survey report
As soon as reasonably practicable after the Agent requests it, the Agent shall be given a report on the seaworthiness condition and/or safe operation of the Ship, from approved surveyors or inspectors appointed by the Agent. If any recommendations are made in such a report they shall be complied with in the way and by the time recommended in the report if failure to do so could result in breach of any Finance Document. The Borrower shall bear the costs of only one such report of the Ship per calendar year unless there is an Event of Default.
25.18
Lawful use
The Ship shall not be employed:

(a)
in any way or in any activity which is unlawful under international law or the domestic laws of any relevant country;

(b)
in carrying illicit or prohibited goods;

(c)
in a way which may make it liable to be condemned by a prize court or destroyed, seized or confiscated; or

(d)
if there are hostilities in any part of the world (whether war has been declared or not), in carrying contraband goods,
and the persons responsible for the operation of the Ship shall take all necessary and proper precautions to ensure that this does not happen, including participation in industry or other voluntary schemes available to the Ship and in which leading operators of ships operating under the same flag or engaged in similar trades generally participate at the relevant time.
25.19
War zones
The Ship shall not enter or remain in any zone which has been declared a war zone by any government entity or the Ship’s war risk insurers unless the Borrower has satisfied any requirements of the Ship’s insurers necessary to ensure that the Ship remains properly insured in accordance with the Finance Documents (including any requirement for the payment of extra insurance premiums) and has provided to the Agent in advance a report prepared by BankServe Insurance Services Ltd. confirming that the Ship is properly insured as set out in this clause 25.19. The cost of such report shall be borne by the Borrower.
26.
Insurance
26.1
Undertaking to comply
Each Obliger who is a Party undertakes that this clause 26 shall be complied with in relation to the Ship and its Insurances throughout the Mortgage Period except as approved by the Majority Lenders (or, where specified, all the Lenders).
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26.2
Insurance terms
In this clause 26:
excess risks means the proportion (if any) of claims for general average, salvage and salvage charges not recoverable under the hull and machinery insurances of the Ship in consequence of the value at which the Ship is assessed for the purpose of such claims exceeding its insured value.
excess war risk P&I cover means cover for claims only in excess of amounts recoverable under the usual war risk cover including (but not limited to) hull and machinery, crew and protection and indemnity risks.
hull cover means insurance cover against the risks identified in paragraph (a) of clause 26.3 (Coverage required).
minimum hull cover means an amount equal at the relevant time to 120 per cent of the Loan at the relevant time.
P&I risks means the usual risks (including liability for oil pollution, excess war risk P&I cover) covered by a protection and indemnity association which is a member of the International Group of protection and indemnity associations (or, if the International Group ceases to exist, any other leading protection and indemnity association or other leading provider of protection and indemnity insurance) (including, without limitation, the proportion (if any) of any collision liability not covered under the terms of the hull cover).
26.3
Coverage required
The Ship shall at all times be insured:

(a)
against fire and usual marine risks (including excess risks) and war risks (including war protection and indemnity risks and terrorism risks) on an agreed value basis, for at least its minimum hull cover and no less than its market value;

(b)
against P&I risks for the highest amount then available in the insurance market for vessels of similar age, size and type as the Ship (but, in relation to liability for oil pollution, for an amount of not less than $1,000,000,000);

(c)
against such other risks (excluding loss of hire) and matters which the Agent notifies it that it considers reasonable for a prudent shipowner or operator to insure against at the time of that notice (having regard to general insurance market practice and law at the time but always excluding any loss of earnings cover); and

(d)
on terms which comply with the other provisions of this clause 26.
26.4
Placing of cover
The insurance coverage required by clause 26.3 (Coverage required) shall be:

(a)
in the name of the Borrower and (in the case of the Ship’s hull cover) no other person (other than the Security Agent (and any other Finance Party required by the Agent) if required by the Agent) (unless such other person is approved and, if so required by the Agent, has duly executed and delivered a first priority assignment of its interest in the Ship’s Insurances to the Security Agent (and any other Finance Party required by the Agent) in an approved form and provided such supporting documents and opinions in relation to that assignment as the Agent requires;

(b)
if the Agent so requests, in the joint names of the Borrower and the Security Agent (and any other Finance Party required by the Agent) (and, to the extent reasonably practicable
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in the insurance market, without liability on the part of the Security Agent or such Finance Party for premiums or calls);

(c)
in dollars or another approved currency;

(d)
arranged through approved brokers or direct with approved insurers or protection and indemnity or war risks associations;

(e)
in full force and effect; and

(f)
on approved terms and with approved insurers or associations.
26.5
Deductibles
The aggregate amount of any excess or deductible under the Ship’s hull cover shall not exceed an approved amount.
26.6
Mortgagee’s insurance
The Borrower shall within 5 Business Days reimburse to the Agent the cost (as conclusively certified by the Agent) of taking out and keeping in force in respect of the Ship on approved terms, or in considering or making claims under:

(a)
a mortgagee’s interest insurance and a mortgagee’s additional perils (all P&I risks) cover for the benefit of the Finance Parties for an amount up to 120 per cent of the Loan; and

(b)
any other insurance cover which the Agent reasonably requires (having regard to general insurance market practice and law at the time) in respect of any Finance Party’s interests and potential liabilities (whether as mortgagee of the Ship or beneficiary of the Security Documents).
26.7
Fleet liens, set off and cancellations
If the Ship’s hull cover also insures other vessels, the Security Agent shall either be given an undertaking in approved terms by the brokers or (if such cover is not placed through brokers or the brokers do not, under any applicable laws or insurance terms, have such rights of set off and cancellation) the relevant insurers that the brokers or (if relevant)the insurers will not:

(a)
set off against any claims in respect of the Ship any premiums due in respect of any of such other vessels insured; or

(b)
cancel that cover because of non-payment of premiums in respect of such other vessels,
or the Borrower shall ensure that hull cover for the Ship is provided under a separate policy from any other vessels.
26.8
Payment of premiums
All premiums, calls, contributions or other sums payable in respect of the Insurances shall be paid punctually and the Agent shall be provided with all relevant receipts or other evidence of payment upon request.
26.9
Details of proposed renewal of Insurances
At least 14 days (or such shorter period acceptable to the Agent) before any of the Insurances are due to expire, the Agent shall be notified of the names of the brokers, insurers and associations proposed to be used for the renewal of such Insurances and the amounts, risks and terms in, against and on which the Insurances are proposed to be renewed.
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26.10
Instructions for renewal
At least seven days (or such shorter period acceptable to the Agent) before any of the Insurances are due to expire, instructions shall be given to brokers, insurers and associations for them to be renewed or replaced on or before their expiry.
26.11
Confirmation of renewal
The Insurances shall be renewed upon their expiry in a manner and on terms which comply with this clause 26 and confirmation of such renewal given by approved brokers or insurers to the Agent at least five days (or such shorter period as may be approved) before such expiry.
26.12
P&I guarantees
Any guarantee or undertaking required by any protection and indemnity or war risks association in relation to the Ship shall be provided when required by the association.
26.13
Insurance documents
The Agent shall be provided with pro forma copies of all insurance policies and other documentation issued by brokers, insurers and associations in connection with the Insurances as soon as they are available after they have been placed or renewed and all insurance policies and other documents relating to the Insurances shall be deposited with any approved brokers or (if not deposited with approved brokers) the Agent or some other approved person.
26.14
Letters of undertaking
Unless otherwise approved where the Agent is satisfied that equivalent protection is afforded by the terms of the relevant Insurances and/or any applicable law and/or a letter of undertaking provided by another person, on each placing or renewal of the Insurances, the Agent shall be provided promptly with letters of undertaking in an approved form (having regard to general insurance market practice and law at the time of issue of such letter of undertaking)from the relevant brokers, insurers and associations.
26.15
Insurance Notices and Loss Payable Clauses
The interest of the Security Agent as assignee of the Insurances shall be endorsed on all insurance policies and other documents by the incorporation of a Loss Payable Clause and an Insurance Notice in respect of the Ship and its Insurances signed by the Borrower and, unless otherwise approved, each other person assured under the relevant cover (other than the Security Agent if it is itself an assured).
26.16
Insurance correspondence
If so required by the Agent, the Agent shall promptly be provided with copies of all written communications between the assureds and brokers, insurers and associations relating to any of the Insurances as soon as they are available.
26.17
Qualifications and exclusions
All requirements applicable to the Insurances shall be complied with and the Insurances shall only be subject to approved exclusions or qualifications.
26.18
Independent report
If the Agent asks the Borrower for a detailed report from an approved independent firm of marine insurance brokers giving their opinion on the adequacy of the Insurances then the Agent shall be provided promptly with such a report at no cost to the Agent or (if the Agent obtains such a report itself) the Borrower shall reimburse the Agent for the cost of obtaining that report.
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The Borrower shall not bear the cost of more than one such report per calendar year, unless there is an Event of Default.
26.19
Collection of claims
All documents and other information and all assistance required by the Agent to assist it and/or the Security Agent in trying to collect or recover any claims under the Insurances shall be provided promptly (having regard to general market practice and law at the time).
26.20
Employment of Ship
The Ship shall only be employed or operated in conformity with the terms of the Insurances (including any express or implied warranties) and not in any other way (unless the insurers have consented and any additional requirements of the insurers have been satisfied).
26.21
Declarations and returns
If any of the Insurances are on terms that require a declaration, certificate or other document to be made or filed before the Ship sails to, or operates within, an area, those terms shall be complied with within the time and in the manner required by those Insurances.
26.22
Application of recoveries
All sums paid under the Insurances to anyone other than the Security Agent shall be applied in repairing the damage and/or in discharging the liability in respect of which they have been paid except to the extent that the repairs have already been paid for and/or the liability already discharged.
26.23
Settlement of claims
Any claim under the Insurances for a Total Loss or Major Casualty shall only be settled, compromised or abandoned with prior approval.
26.24
Change in insurance requirements
If the Agent gives notice to the Borrower to change the terms and requirements of this clause 26 (which the Agent may only do, in such manner as it reasonably considers appropriate, as a result of changes of circumstances or practice after the date of this Agreement), this clause 26 shall be modified in the manner so notified by the Agent on the date 14 days after such notice from the Agent is received.
27.
Minimum security value
27.1
Undertaking to comply
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this clause 27 will be complied with throughout the Mortgage Period except as approved by the Majority Lenders (or, where specified, all the Lenders).
27.2
Valuation of assets
For the purpose of the Finance Documents, the value at any time of the Ship or any other asset over which additional security is provided under this clause 27 will be its value as most recently determined in accordance with this clause 27.
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27.3
Valuation frequency
Valuation of the Ship and each such other asset in accordance with this clause 27 may be required by the Agent at any time and in any event on 31 December and 30 June of each calendar year.
27.4
Expenses of valuation
The Borrower shall bear, and reimburse to the Agent where incurred by the Agent, all costs and expenses of providing such a valuation provided that, in the absence of an Event of Default which is continuing the Borrower shall bear the cost of the valuations of the Ship under this clause 27 only twice per calendar year, namely on 31 December and 30 June of each calendar year.
27.5
Valuations procedure
The value of the Ship and any other vessel accepted as additional security under this Agreement shall be determined in accordance with, and by the Approved Valuers appointed in accordance with, this clause 27. Additional security provided under this clause 27 shall be valued in such a way, on such a basis and by such persons (including the Agent itself) as may be approved by the Majority Lenders or as may be agreed in writing by the Borrower and the Agent (on the instructions of the Majority Lenders). Provided however that if additional security is provided in the form of a cash deposit in dollars in an Account over which a first priority Account Security exists without any other circumstance effecting that Account, full credit shall be given for the amount so deposited for that purpose on a “dollar for dollar” basis.
27.6
Currency of valuation
Valuations shall be provided by Approved Valuers in dollars. If a valuation has to be provided in another currency, for the purposes of this Agreement it shall be converted into dollars at the Agent’s spot rate of exchange for the purchase of dollars with that other currency as at the date to which the valuation relates.
27.7
Basis of valuation
Each valuation will be addressed to the Agent in its capacity as such and made:

(a)
without physical inspection;

(b)
on the basis of a sale for prompt delivery for a price payable in full in cash on delivery at arm’s length on normal commercial terms between a willing buyer and a willing seller; and

(c)
without taking into account the benefit of any charter commitment.
27.8
Information required for valuation
The Borrower shall promptly provide to the Agent and any such Approved Valuer any information which they reasonably require for the purposes of providing such a valuation.
27.9
Approval of valuers
All valuers must be Approved Valuers. The Agent may at any time by notice to the Borrower, withdraw an Approved Valuer for the purposes of future valuations, in which case such Approved Valuer shall not be appointed for the purposes of this clause 27. The Agent may at any time by notice to the Borrower reinstate an Approved Valuer which has been previously withdrawn by the Agent under this clause 27.9.
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27.10
Appointment of Approved Valuers
When a valuation is required for the purposes of this clause 27, the Agent or, if so approved at that time, the Borrower shall promptly appoint the relevant Approved Valuers to provide such a valuation. If the Borrower is approved to appoint the relevant Approved Valuers but fails to do so promptly, the Agent may appoint the relevant Approved Valuers to provide that valuation.
27.11
Number of valuers

(a)
Each valuation must be carried out by two (2) Approved Valuers one of whom shall be nominated by the Borrower. If the Borrower fails to promptly nominate an Approved Valuer within fifteen (15) Business Days of the Agent’s request, then the Agent may nominate that Approved Valuer.

(b)
If the two (2) Approved Valuers provide valuations and the higher of the two valuations of the Ship exceeds the other one by more than twenty per cent, then the value of the Ship shall be determined by reference to those two valuations and a third valuation provided by a third Approved Valuer nominated by the Agent.
27.12
Differences in valuations

(a)
Subject to clause 27.11 (Number of valuers), if valuations of the Ship provided by each Approved Valuer differ, the value of the Ship for the purposes of the Finance Documents will be the mean average of those valuations.

(b)
If a single Approved Valuer provides a range of values for the Ship, its value, for the purposes of the Finance Documents, will be the mean average of the values comprising such range.
27.13
Security shortfall

(a)
If at any time, the Security Value is less than the Minimum Value, the Agent may, and shall, if so directed by the Majority Lenders, by notice to the Borrower require that such deficiency be remedied. The Borrower shall then within 14 Business Days of receipt of such notice ensure that the Security Value equals or exceeds the Minimum Value either by:

(i)
providing additional security over other assets approved by the Majority Lenders in accordance with this clause 27; or

(ii)
prepaying under clause 7.4 (Voluntary prepayment) (but on five Business Days’ notice instead of the period required by such clause) a corresponding amount of the Loan.
27.14
Creation of additional security
The value of any additional security which the Borrower offers to provide to remedy all or part of a shortfall in the amount of the Security Value will only be taken into account for the purposes of determining the Security Value if and when:

(a)
that additional security, its value and the method of its valuation have been approved by the Majority Lenders to the extent that the method of its valuation has not already been approved pursuant to clause 27.5 ( Valuations procedure );

(b)
a Security Interest over that security has been constituted in favour of the Security Agent or (if appropriate) the Finance Parties in an approved form and manner;

(c)
this Agreement has been unconditionally amended in such manner as the Agent reasonably requires in consequence of that additional security being provided; and
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(d)
the Agent, or its duly authorised representative, has received such documents and evidence it may require in relation to that amendment and additional security including documents and evidence of the type referred to in Schedule 3 (Conditions precedent) in relation to that amendment and additional security and its execution and (if applicable) registration.
28.
Chartering undertakings
28.1
Undertaking to comply
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this clause 28 will be complied with in relation to the Ship and its Charter Documents throughout the Mortgage Period except as approved by the Majority Lenders (or, where specified, all the Lenders).
28.2
Variations
Except with approval, the Charter Documents shall not be materially varied.
28.3
Releases and waivers
Except with approval, there shall be no release by the Borrower of any obligation of any other person under the Charter Documents (including by way of novation or assignment), no waiver of any breach of any such obligation and no consent to anything which would otherwise be such a breach.
28.4
Termination by the Borrower
Except with approval, the Borrower shall not terminate or rescind the any Charter Document or withdraw the Ship from service under the Charter or take any similar action.
28.5
Charter performance
The Borrower shall perform its obligations under the Charter Documents and use its best endeavours to ensure that each other party to them performs their obligations under the Charter Documents.
28.6
Notice of assignment
The Borrower shall give notice of assignment of the Charter Documents to the other parties to them in the form specified by the Charter Assignment and:

(a)
subject to paragraph (b) below, shall ensure that the Agent receives a copy of that notice acknowledged by each addressee; or

(b)
if such Charter Documents are freely assignable, the Borrower shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the Agent receives a copy of that notice acknowledged by each addressee,
in each case, in the form specified therein as soon as practically possible after the Charter Assignment has been executed.
28.7
Payment of Charter Earnings
All Earnings which the Borrower is entitled to receive under the Charter Documents shall be paid in the manner required by the Security Documents.
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29.
Bank accounts
29.1
Undertaking to comply
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this clause 29 will be complied with throughout the Facility Period except as approved by the Majority Lenders (or, where specified, all the Lenders).
29.2
Operating Account

(a)
The Borrower shall be the holder of one Account with an Account Bank which is designated as the “Operating Account” for the purposes of the Finance Documents.

(b)
The Earnings and all moneys payable to the Borrower under the Insurances shall be paid by the persons from whom they are due to the Operating Account unless required to be paid to the Security Agent under the Finance Documents.

(c)
The Borrower shall not withdraw amounts standing to the credit of an Operating Account except as permitted by paragraph (d) below.

(d)
If there is no continuing Event of Default and subject always to clause 21.5 (Minimum Liquidity), the Borrower may withdraw the following amounts from an Operating Account for:

(i)
payments of the reasonably incurred and documented costs and expenses of insuring, repairing, operating, trading and maintaining the Ship;

(ii)
payments then due to Finance Parties under the Finance Documents (other than payments due in respect of a prepayment);

(iii)
without prejudice to paragraph (i) above, payments then due in respect of the price of goods or services purchased by the Borrower for the purpose of operating the Ship (including ship management services);

(iv)
payments to purchase other currencies in amounts and at times required to make payments referred to above in the currency in which they are due;

(v)
prepayments to be made pursuant to clause 7.2 (Additional Minimum Value prepayment); and

(vi)
payments of dividends to the extent permitted by clause 30.13 (Distributions and other payments).
29.3
Other provisions

(a)
An Account may only be designated for the purposes described in this clause 29 if:

(i)
such designation is made in writing by the Agent and acknowledged by the Borrower and specifies the name and address of the Account Bank and the number and any designation or other reference attributed to the Account;

(ii)
an Account Security has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower in favour of the Security Agent (and any other Finance Party required by the Agent);

(iii)
any notice required by the Account Security to be given to an Account Bank has been given to, and acknowledged by, the Account Bank in the form required by the relevant Account Security; and
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(iv)
the Agent, or its duly authorised representative, has received such documents and evidence it may require in relation to the Account and the Account Security including documents and evidence of the type referred to in Schedule 3 (Conditions precedent) in relation to the Account and the relevant Account Security.

(b)
The rates of payment of interest and other terms regulating any Account will be a matter of separate agreement between the Borrower and an Account Bank.

(c)
If an Account is a fixed term deposit account, the Borrower may select the terms of deposits until the relevant Account Security has become enforceable and the Security Agent directs otherwise.

(d)
The Borrower shall not close any Account or alter the terms of any Account from those in force at the time it is designated for the purposes of this clause 29 or waive any of its rights in relation to an Account except with approval.

(e)
The Borrower shall deposit with the Security Agent all certificates of deposit, receipts or other instruments or securities relating to any Account, notify the Security Agent of any claim or notice relating to an Account from any other party and provide the Agent with any other information it may reasonably request concerning any Account.

(f)
Each of the Agent and the Security Agent agrees that if it is an Account Bank in respect of an Account then there will be no restrictions on creating a Security Interest over that Account as contemplated by this Agreement and it shall not (except with the approval of the Majority Lenders) exercise any right of combination, consolidation or set-off which it may have in respect of that Account in a manner adverse to the rights of the other Finance Parties.
30.
Business restrictions
30.1
Undertaking to comply
Except as otherwise approved by the Majority Lenders each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this clause 30 will be complied with by and in respect of each person to which each relevant provision of this clause is expressed to apply throughout the Facility Period.
30.2
General negative pledge

(a)
In this clause 30.2, Quasi-Security means an arrangement or transaction described in paragraph (c) below.

(b)
The Borrower shall not create or permit to subsist any Security Interest over any of its assets except for Permitted Security Interests.

(c)
(Without prejudice to clauses 30.3 (Financial Indebtedness) and 30.7 (Disposals)), the Borrower shall not:

(i)
sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of Its assets on terms whereby they are or may be leased to, or re-acquired by, an Obligor or any other Group Member;

(ii)
sell, transfer, factor or otherwise dispose of any of its receivables on recourse terms;

(iii)
enter into any arrangement under which money or the benefit of a bank or other account may be applied, set-off or made subject to a combination of accounts; or

(iv)
enter into any other preferential arrangement having a similar effect,
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in circumstances where the arrangement or transaction is enter e d into primarily as a method of raising Financial Indebtedness or of financing the acquisition of an asset.

(d)
Paragraphs (b) and (c) above do not apply to any Security Interest or (as the case may be) Quasi-Security listed below:

(i)
those granted or expressed to be granted by any of the Security Documents; and

(ii)
in relation to the Ship, Permitted Maritime Liens.
30.3
Financial Indebtedness
The Borrower shall not incur or permit to exist, any Financial Indebtedness owed by it to anyone else except:

(a)
Financial Indebtedness incurred under the Finance Documents;

(b)
Financial Indebtedness permitted under clause 30.4 (Guarantees); and

(c)
Financial Indebtedness permitted under clause 30.5 (Loans and credit).
30.4
Guarantees
The Borrower shall not give or permit to exist, any guarantee by it in respect of indebtedness of any person or allow any of its indebtedness to be guaranteed by anyone other than in the normal course of operating, trading and chartering the Ship.
30.5
Loans and credit
The Borrower shall not be a creditor in respect of Financial Indebtedness other than in respect of trade credit on normal commercial terms in the ordinary course of its trading activities.
30.6
Bank accounts, operating leases and other financial transactions
The Borrower shall not:

(a)
maintain any current or deposit account with a bank or financial institution except for the Operating Account and the deposit of money, operation of current accounts and the conduct of electronic banking operations through the Operating Account;

(b)
hold cash in any account (other than the Operating Account) over or in respect of which any set-off, combination of accounts, netting or Security Interest exists;

(c)
enter into any obligations under operating leases relating to assets; or

(d)
be party to any transaction, whether on or off balance sheet, that is not expressly permitted under this Agreement.
30.7
Disposals
The Borrower shall not enter into a single transaction or a series of transactions, whether related or not and whether voluntarily or involuntarily, to sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any asset.
30.8
Contracts and arrangements with Affiliates
The Borrower shall not be party to any arrangement or contract with any of its Affiliates unless such arrangement or contract is on an arm’s length basis.
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30.9
Subsidiaries
The Borrower shall not establish or acquire a company or other entity.
30.10
Acquisitions and investments
The Borrower shall not acquire any person, business, assets or liabilities in excess of $1,000,000 or make any investment in any person or business or undertaking or enter into any joint-venture arrangement except:

(a)
acquisitions of assets in the ordinary course of business (not being new businesses or vessels);

(b)
capital expenditures or investments related to the maintenance of the Ship in the ordinary course of its business;

(c)
the incurrence of liabilities in the ordinary course of its business;

(d)
pursuant to any Finance Document or the Charter Documents or the Building Contract Documents to which it is party.
30.11
Reduction of capital
The Borrower shall not redeem or purchase or otherwise reduce any of its equity or any other share capital or any warrants or any uncalled or unpaid liability in respect of any of them or reduce the amount (if any) for the time being standing to the credit of its share premium account or capital redemption or other undistributable reserve in any manner.
30.12
Increase in capital
The Borrower shall not issue shares or other equity interests to anyone who is not the Guarantor.
30.13
Distributions and other payments
The Borrower shall not:

(a)
declare or pay (including by way of set-off, combination of accounts or otherwise) any dividend, charge, fee or other distribution (or interest on any unpaid dividend, charge, fee or other distribution) (whether in cash or in kind) on or in respect of its share capital (or any class of its share capital) or any warrants for the time being in issue;

(b)
repay or distribute any dividend or share premium reserve;

(c)
pay any management, advisory or other fee to or to the order of any of the shareholders of the Guarantor;

(d)
redeem, repurchase, defease, retire or repay any of its share capital or resolve to do so; or

(e)
make any payment (including by way of set-off, combination of accounts or otherwise) by way of interest, or repayment, redemption, purchase or other payment, in respect of any shareholder loan, loan stock or similar instrument,
to any other person, except if:

(i)
no repayment of the Loan is required under clause 7.2(a)(i) (Additional Minimum Value prepayment), no Default is continuing at that time, no Default would result from the declaration or payment of the same and the Lenders’ prior written approval has been obtained; or
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(ii)
a prepayment of the Loan is made in accordance with clause 7.2(a)(ii) (Additional Minimum Value Prepayment), no Default is continuing at that time and no Default would result from the declaration or payment of the same.
31.
Events of Default
31.1
Each of the events or circumstances set out in  this clause 31 (except clause 31.25 (Acceleration)) is an Event of Default.
31.2
Non-payment
An Obligor does not pay on the due date any amount payable pursuant to a Finance Document at the place at and in the currency in which it is expressed to be payable unless:

(a)
its failure to pay is caused by administrative or technical error or by a Disruption Event; and

(b)
payment is made within three (3) Business Days of its due date.
31.3
Financial covenants
The Borrower does not comply with clause 21 (Financial covenants).
31.4
Value of security
The Borrower does not comply with clause 27 (Minimum security value).
31.5
Insurance

(a)
The Insurances of the Ship are not placed and kept in force in the manner required by clause 26 (Insurance).

(b)
Any insurer either:

(i)
cancels any such Insurances; or

(ii)
disclaims liability under them or asserts that its liability under them is or should be reduced by reason of any mis-statement or failure or default by any person.
31.6
Other obligations

(a)
An Obligor does not comply with any provision of the Finance Documents (other than those referred to in clause 31.2 (Non-payment), clause 31.3 (Financial covenants), clause 31.4 (Value of security), clause 31.5 (Insurance) or in any of the other sub-clauses of this clause 31).

(b)
No Event of Default under paragraph (a) above will occur if the Agent considers that the failure to comply is capable of remedy and the failure is remedied within five Business Days of the earlier of (A) the Agent giving notice to the Borrower and (B) the Borrower or any other Obligor becoming aware of the failure to comply.
31.7
Misrepresentation
Any representation or statement made or deemed to be made by an Obligor in the Finance Documents or any other document delivered by or on behalf of any Obligor under or in connection with any Finance Document is or proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed to be made.
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31.8
Cross default

(a)
Any Financial Indebtedness of any Obligor (other than the Charterer or CSM) is not paid when due nor within any originally applicable grace period.

(b)
Any Financial Indebtedness of any Obligor (other than the Charterer or CSM) is declared to be or otherwise becomes due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (however described).

(c)
Any commitment for any Financial Indebtedness of any Obligor (other than the Charterer or CSM) is cancelled or suspended by a creditor of that Obligor as a result of an event of default (however described).

(d)
The counterparty to a Treasury Transaction entered into by the Guarantor becomes entitled to terminate that Treasury Transaction early by reason of an event of default (however described).

(e)
An Event of Default will only occur under this clause 31.8 if the aggregate amount of Financial Indebtedness or commitment for Financial Indebtedness falling within this clause 31.8 is more than $500,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) in the case of the Borrower and $5,000,000 in the case of the Guarantor (or its equivalent in any other currency).

(f)
Any creditor of any Obligor (other than the Charterer or CSM) becomes entitled to declare any Financial Indebtedness of that Obligor due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (however described).
31.9
Insolvency

(a)
An Obligor (other than CSM):

(i)
is unable or admits inability to pay its debts as they fall due;

(ii)
is deemed to, or is declared to, be unable to pay its debts under applicable law;

(iii)
suspends without the consent of the affected creditor(s) or threatens to suspend making payments on any of its debts; or

(iv)
by reason of actual or anticipated financial difficulties, commences negotiations with one or more of its creditors (excluding any Finance Party in its capacity as such) with a view to rescheduling all or substantially all of its Financial Indebtedness.

(b)
The value of the assets of any Obligor (other than the Charterer or CSM) is less than its Total Debt.

(c)
A moratorium is declared in respect of any indebtedness of any Obligor exceeding in the case of the Guarantor $1,500,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) in aggregate.
31.10
Insolvency proceedings

(a)
Any corporate action, legal proceedings or other procedure or step is taken in relation to:

(i)
the suspension of payments, a moratorium of any indebtedness, winding-up, dissolution, administration or reorganisation (by way of voluntary arrangement, scheme of arrangement or otherwise) of any Obligor (other than CSM);

(ii)
a composition, compromise, assignment or arrangement with any creditor of any Obligor (other than CSM);
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(iii)
the appointment of a liquidator, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator, compulsory manager or other similar officer in respect of any Obligor (other than CSM) or any of its assets (including the directors of any Obliger (other than CSM) requesting a person to appoint any such officer in relation to it or any of its assets); or

(iv)
enforcement of any Security Interest over any assets of any Obligor (other than the Guarantor and CSM) or over any assets of the Guarantor having a value in excess of $1,500,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) in aggregate,
or any analogous procedure or step is taken in any jurisdiction.

(b)
Paragraph (a) above shall not apply to any winding-up petition (or analogous procedure or step) which is frivolous or vexatious and is discharged, stayed or dismissed within seven days of commencement or, if earlier, the date on which it is advertised.
31.11
Creditors’ process

(a)
Any expropriation, attachment, sequestration, distress, execution or any other analogous process or enforcement action (including enforcement by a landlord) affects any asset or assets of any Obligor (other than CSM) (having in the case of the Guarantor a value in excess of $1,500,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) in aggregate) and is not discharged within seven days.

(b)
Any judgment or order is made against any Obligor (other than CSM) or any other Group Member and is not stayed or complied with within fifteen days.
31.12
Unlawfulness and invalidity

(a)
It is or becomes unlawful for an Obligor to perform any of its obligations under the Finance Documents or any Transaction Security ceases to be effective.

(b)
Any obligation or obligations of any Obligor under any Finance Documents are not (subject to the Legal Reservations) or cease to be legal, valid, binding or enforceable and the cessation individually or cumulatively materially and adversely affects the interests of the Lenders under the Finance Documents.

(c)
Any Finance Document or any Transaction Security ceases to be in full force and effect or ceases to be legal, valid, binding, enforceable or effective or is alleged by a party to it (other than a Finance Party) to be ineffective for any reason.

(d)
Any Security Document does not create legal, valid, binding and enforceable security over the assets charged under that Security Document or the ranking or priority of such security is adversely affected.
31.13
Cessation of business
Any Obligor suspends or ceases to carry on (or threatens to suspend or cease to carry on) all or a material part of its business unless, in the case of CSM, CSM is substituted by another manager approved in accordance with clause 24.4 (Manager).
31.14
Ownership of the Borrower
The Borrower is not or ceases to be a wholly-owned direct Subsidiary of the Guarantor.
31.15
Expropriation
The authority or ability of any Obligor or any other Group Member to conduct its business is limited or wholly or substantially curtailed by any seizure, expropriation, nationalisation, intervention, restriction or other action by or on behalf of any governmental, regulatory or other
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authority or other person in relation to any Obliger or any other Group Member or any assets of any Obliger or any other Group Member unless, in the case of CSM, CSM is substituted by another manager approved in accordance with clause 24.4 (Manager).
31.16
Repudiation and rescission of Finance Documents
An Obliger rescinds or purports to rescind or repudiates or purports to repudiate a Finance Document or any of the Transaction Security or evidences an intention to rescind or repudiate a Finance Document or any Transaction Security.
31.17
Litigation
Either:

(a)
any litigation, alternative dispute resolution, arbitration or administrative, governmental, regulatory or other investigations, proceedings or disputes are commenced or threatened; or

(b)
any judgment or order of a court, arbitral tribunal or other tribunal or any order or sanction of any governmental or other regulatory body is made,
in relation to any Transaction Document or the transactions contemplated in the Transaction Documents or against any Obligor or any of its assets, rights or revenues which has or might have a Material Adverse Effect.
31.18
Material Adverse Effect
Any event or circumstance (including any Environmental Incident or any change of law) occurs which the Majority Lenders reasonably believe has, or is reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect.
31.19
Security enforceable
Any Security Interest (other than a Permitted Maritime Lien) in respect of Charged Property becomes enforceable.
31.20
Arrest of Ship
The Ship is arrested, confiscated, seized, taken in execution, impounded, forfeited, detained in exercise or purported exercise of any possessory lien or other claim and the Borrower fails to procure the release of the Ship within a period of 7 days thereafter (or such longer period as may be approved by the Agent).
31.21
Ship registration
Except with approval, the registration of the Ship under the laws and flag of its Flag State is cancelled or terminated or, where applicable, not renewed or, if the Ship is only provisionally registered on the date of the Mortgage, the Ship is not permanently registered under such laws within 90 days of such date.
31.22
Political risk

(a)
Either (1) the Flag State or any Relevant Jurisdiction of an Obligor becomes involved in hostilities or civil war or (2) there is a seizure of power in the Flag State or any such Relevant Jurisdiction by unconstituitonal means and (in either such case) in the opinion of the Agent such event or circumstance, has or is reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect.
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(b)
No Event of Default under paragraph (a) above will occur if:

(i)
in the opinion of the Agent it is practicable for action to be taken by the Borrower to prevent the relevant event or circumstance having a Material Adverse Effect; and

(ii)
the Borrower takes such action to the Agent’s satisfaction within 14 days of notice from the Agent (specifying the relevant action to be taken) to do so.
31.23
Existing Agreement Events
An Existing Agreement Event occurs.
31.24
Sanctions

(a)
Any of the Obligors or any Affiliate of any of them or any of their respective directors, officers, agents, employees or other persons acting on behalf of the foregoing, becomes a Restricted Person or becomes owned or controlled by, or acts directly or indirectly on behalf of, a Restricted Person or any of such persons becomes the owner or controller of a Prohibited Person; or

(b)
Any proceeds of the Loan are made available, directly or indirectly , to or for the benefit of a Restricted Person or otherwise is, directly or indirectly, applied in a manner or for a purpose prohibited by applicable Sanctions; or

(c)
Any Obligor or any of their respective Affiliates or any of their respective directors, officers, agents, employees or other persons acting on behalf of the foregoing, is not in compliance with all applicable Sanctions.
31.25
De-listing or suspension of trading
The shares of the Guarantor are de-listed from, or suspended from trading (whether permanently or temporarily for a period of at least five (5) consecutive days) on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange.
31.26
Acceleration
On and at any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing the Agent may, and shall if so directed by the Majority Lenders:

(a)
by notice to the Borrower:

(i)
declare that no withdrawals be made from any Account;

(ii)
cancel the Total Commitments at which time they shall immediately be cancelled;

(iii)
declare that all or part of the Loan, together with accrued interest, and all other amounts accrued or outstanding under the Finance Documents be immediately due and payable, at which time they shall become immediately due and payable; and/or

(iv)
declare that all or part of the Loan be payable on demand, at which time it shall immediately become payable on demand by the Agent on the instructions of the Majority Lenders; and/or

(b)
exercise or direct the Security Agent and/or any other beneficiary of the Security Documents to exercise any or all of its rights, remedies, powers or discretions under the Finance Documents.
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Section 9 - Changes to Parties
32.
Changes to the Lenders
32.1
Assignments by the Lenders
Subject to this clause 32, a Lender (the Existing Lender )   may assign any of its rights under any Finance Document to another bank or financial institution or to a trust, fund or other entity which is regularly engaged in or established for the purpose of making, purchasing or investing in loans, securities or other financial assets (the New Lender )   always at the cost of the Existing Lender (including any assignment taking place in the context of any syndication).
32.2
Other conditions of assignment

(a)
An assignment will only be effective:

(i)
on receipt by the Agent of written confirmation from the New Lender (in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent) that the New Lender will assume the same obligations to the Borrower and the other Finance Parties as it would have been under if it was an Original Lender;

(ii)
on the New Lender entering into any documentation required for it to accede as a party to any Security Document to which the Existing Lender is a party in its capacity as a Lender and, in relation to such Security Documents, completing any filing, registration or notice requirements;

(iii)
on the performance by the Agent of all necessary “know your customer” or similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations relating to any person that it is required to carry out in relation to such assignment to a New Lender, the completion of which the Agent shall promptly notify to the Existing Lender and the New Lender; and

(iv)
if that Existing Lender assigns equal fractions of its Commitment and participation in the Loan and each Utilisation (if any) under the Facility.

(b)
Each New Lender, by executing the relevant Transfer Certificate, confirms, for the avoidance of doubt, that the Agent has authority to execute on its behalf any amendment or waiver that has been approved by or on behalf of the requisite Lender or Lenders in accordance with the Finance Documents on or prior to the date on which the assignment becomes effective in accordance with the Finance Documents and that it is bound by that decision to the same extent as the Existing Lender would have been had it remained a Lender.
32.3
Fee and expenses
The New Lender shall, on the date upon which an assignment takes effect, promptly on demand, pay the Agent and the Security Agent the amount of:

(a)
all costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by the Agent or the Security Agent in connection with any such assignment; and

(b)
any cost, loss or liability the Agent or the Security Agent incurs in relation to all stamp duty, registration and other similar Taxes payable in respect of any such assignment.
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32.4
Transfer costs and expenses relating to security
The New Lender shall, promptly on demand, pay the Agent and the Security Agent the amount of:

(a)
all costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by the Agent or the Security Agent to facilitate the accession by the New Lender to, or assignment or transfer to the New Lender of, any Security Document and/or the benefit of any Security Document and any appropriate registration of any such accession or assignment or transfer; and

(b)
any cost, loss or liability the Agent or the Security Agent incurs in relation to all stamp duty, registration and other similar Taxes payable in respect of any such accession, assignment or transfer.
32.5
Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders

(a)
Unless expressly agreed to the contrary, an Existing Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibliity to a New Lender for:

(i)
the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of the Finance Documents, the Transaction Security or any other documents;

(ii)
the financial condition of any Obligor;

(iii)
the performance and observance by any Obligor or any other person of its obligations under the Finance Documents or any other documents;

(iv)
the application of any Basel II Regulation or Basel III Regulation to the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents; or

(v)
the accuracy of any statements (whether written or oral) made in or in connection with any Finance Document or any other document,
and any representations or warranties implied by law are excluded.

(b)
Each New Lender confirms to the Existing Lender and the other Finance Parties that it:

(i)
has made (and shall continue to make) its own independent investigation and assessment of:

(A)
the financial condition and affairs of the Obligors and their related entities in connection with its participation in this Agreement; and

(B)
the application of any Basel II Regulation or Basel III Regulation to the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents,
and has not relied exclusively on any information provided to it by the Existing Lender or any other Finance Party in connection with any Transaction Document or the Transaction Security;

(ii)
will continue to make its own independent appraisal of the application of any Basel II Regulation or Basel III Regulation to the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents; and

(iii)
will continue to make its own independent appraisal of the creditworthiness of each Obligor and its related entities whilst any amount is or may be outstanding under the Finance Documents or any Commitment is in force.
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(c)
Nothing in any Finance Document obliges an Existing Lender to:

(i)
accept a re-assignment from a New Lender of any of the rights assigned under this clause 32; or

(ii)
support any losses directly or indirectly incurred by the New Lender by reason of the non-performance by any Obliger of its obligations under any Transaction Document or by reason of the application of any Basel II Regulation to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents or otherwise.
32.6
Procedure available for assignment

(a)
Subject to the conditions set out in clause 32.2 (Other conditions of assignment) an assignment may be effected in accordance with paragraph (d) below when (a) the Agent executes an otherwise duly completed Transfer Certificate and (b) the Agent executes any document required under paragraph (a) of clause 32.2 (Other conditions of assignment) which it may be necessary for it to execute in each case delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender duly executed by them an d, in the case of any such other document, any other relevant person. The Agent shall, subject to paragraph (b) below, as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt by it of a Transfer Certificate and any such other document each duly completed, appearing on its face to comply with the terms of this Agreement and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, execute that Transfer Certificate and such other document.

(b)
The Agent shall only be obliged to execute a Transfer Certificate delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender once it is satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to the assignment to such New Lender.

(c)
The Obligors who are Parties and the other Finance Parties irrevocably authorise the Agent to execute any Transfer Certificate on their behalf without any consultation with them.

(d)
On the Transfer Date:

(i)
the Existing Lender will assign absolutely to the New Lender the rights under the Finance Documents expressed to be the subject of the assignment in the Transfer Certificate;

(ii)
the Existing Lender will be released by each Obligor and the other Finance Parties from the obligations owed by it (the Relevant Obligations )   and expressed to be the subject of the release in the Transfer Certificate (but the obligations owed by the Obligors under the Finance Documents shall not be released); and

(iii)
the New Lender shall become a Party as a “Lender” and will be bound by obligations equivalent to the Relevant Obligations.

(e)
Lenders may utilise procedures other than those set out in this clause 32.6 to assign their rights under the Finance Documents (but not, without the consent of the relevant Obligor or unless in accordance with this clause 32.6 to obtain a release by that Obliger from the obligations owed to that Obligor by the Lenders nor the assumption of equivalent obligations by a New Lender) provided that they comply with the conditions set out in clause 32.2 (Other conditions of assignment).
32.7
Copy of Transfer Certificate to Borrower
The Agent shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after it has executed a Transfer Certificate and any other document required under paragraph (a) of clause 32.2 (Other conditions of
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 assignment), send a copy of that Transfer Certificate and such other documents to the Borrower.
32.8
Security over Lenders’ rights
In addition to the other rights provided to Lenders under this clause 32, each Lender may without consulting with or obtaining consent from any Obligor, at any time charge, assign or otherwise create a Security Interest in or over (whether by way of collateral or otherwise) all or any of its rights under any Finance Document to secure obligations of that Lender including, without limitation:

(a)
any charge, assignment or other Security Interest to secure obligations to a federal reserve or central bank; and

(b)
any charge, assignment or other Security Interest granted to any holders (or trustee or representatives of holders) of obligations owed, or securities issued, by that Lender as security for those obligations or securities,
except that no such charge, assignment or other Security Interest shall:

(i)
release a Lender from any of its obligations under the Finance Documents or substitute the beneficiary of the relevant charge, assignment or other Security Interest for the Lender as a party to any of the Finance Documents; or

(ii)
require any payments to be made by an Obliger other than or in excess of, or grant to any person any more extensive rights than, those required to be made or granted to the relevant Lender under the Finance Documents.
33.
Changes to the Obligors
No Obligor may assign any of its rights or transfer any of its rights or obligations under the Finance Documents.
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Section 10 - - The Finance Parties
34.
Roles of Agent, Security Agent and Arranger
34.1
Appointment of the Agent and Security Agent
Each other Finance Party (other than the Security Agent) appoints:

(a)
the Agent to act as its agent under and in connection with the Finance Documents; and

(b)
the Security Agent to act as its agent and as trustee under the Security Documents.
34.2
Security Agent as trustee
The Security Agent declares that it holds the Security Property on trust for itself and the other Finance Parties on the terms contained in this Agreement.
34.3
Authorisation of Agent and Security Agent
Each of the Finance Parties authorises the Agent and the Security Agent:

(a)
to perform the duties, obligations and responsibilities and to exercise the rights, powers, authorities and discretions specifically given to the Agent or (as the case may be) the Security Agent under or in connection with the Finance Documents together with any other incidental rights, powers, authorities and discretions; and

(b)
to execute each of the Security Documents and all other documents that may be approved by the Majority Lenders for execution by it.
34.4
Instructions to Agent and the Security Agent

(a)
The Agent and the Security Agent shall:

(i)
subject to paragraphs (d) and (e) below, exercise or refrain from exercising any right, power, authority or discretion vested in it as Agent or (as the case may be) the Security Agent in accordance with any instructions given to it by:

(A)
all Lenders if the relevant Finance Document stipulates the matter is an all Lender decision; and

(B)
in all other cases, the Majority Lenders; and

(ii)
not be liable for any act (or omission) if it acts (or refrains from acting) in accordance with paragraph (i) above (or, if the relevant Finance Document stipulates the matter is a decision for any other Finance Party or group of Finance Parties, in accordance with instructions given to it by that Finance Party or group of Finance Parties).

(b)
The Agent and the Security Agent shall be entitled to request instructions, or clarification of any instruction, from the Majority Lenders (or, if the relevant Finance Document stipulates the matter is a decision for any other Finance Party or group of Finance Parties, from that Finance Party or group of Finance Parties) as to whether and in what manner, it should exercise or refrain from exercising any right, power, authority or discretion and the Agent or (as the case may be) the Security Agent may refrain from acting unless and until it receives those Instructions or that clarification.
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(c)
Save in the case of decisions stipulated to be a matter for any other Finance Party or group of Finance Parties under the relevant Finance Document and, unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document, any instructions given to the Agent or (as the case may be) the Security Agent by the Majority Lenders shall override any conflicting instructions given by any other Parties and will be binding on all Finance Parties.

(d)
Paragraph (a) above shall not apply:

(i)
where a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document;

(ii)
where a Finance Document requires the Agent or the Security Agent to act in a specified manner or to take a specified action;

(iii)
in respect of any provision which protects the Agent’s or the Security Agent’s own position in its personal capacity as opposed to its role of the Agent or the Security Agent for the Finance Parties including, without limitation, clause 34.9 (No duty to account) to clause 34.14 (Exclusion of liability), clause 34.19 (Confidentiality) to clause 35.6 (Custodians and nominees) and clauses 35.9 (Acceptance of title) to 35 .12 (Disapplication of Trustee Acts).

(e)
If giving effect to instructions given by any other Finance Party or group of Finance Parties would (in the Agent’s or (as the case may be) the Security Agent’s opinion) have an effect equivalent to an amendment or waiver which is subject to clause 46 (Amendments and waivers), the Agent or (as the case may be) the Security Agent shall not act in accordance with those instructions unless consent to it so acting is obtained from each Party (other than itself) whose consent would have been required in respect of that amendment or waiver.

(f)
The Agent or the Security Agent may refrain from acting in accordance with any instructions of any other Finance Party or group of Finance Parties until it has received any indemnification and/or security that it may in its discretion require (which may be greater in extent than that contained in the Finance Documents and which may include payment in advance) for any cost, loss or liability (together with any applicable VAT) which it may incur in complying with those instructions.

(g)
Without prejudice to the provisions of clause 36 (Enforcement of Transaction Security) and the remainder of this clause 34, in the absence of instructions, the Agent and the Security Agent may act (or refrain from acting) as it considers to be in the best interest of the Lenders.
34.5
Legal or arbitration proceedings
Neither the Agent nor the Security Agent is authorised to act on behalf of another Finance Party (without first obtaining that Finance Party’s consent) in any legal or arbitration proceedings relating to any Finance Document. This clause 34.5 shall not apply to any legal or arbitration proceeding relating to the perfection, preservation or protection of rights under the Security Documents or enforcement of the Transaction Security.
34.6
Duties of the Agent and the Security Agent

(a)
The Agent’s and the Security Agent’s duties under the Finance Documents are solely mechanical and administrative in nature.

(b)
Subject to paragraph (c) below, the Agent or (as the case may be) the Security Agent shall promptly:

(i)
(in the case of the Security Agent) forward to the Agent a copy of any document received by the Security Agent from any Obligor under any Finance Document; and
95




(ii)
forward to a Party the original or a copy of any document which is delivered to the Agent or (as the case may be) the Security Agent for that Party by any other Party.

(c)
Without prejudice to clause 32.7 (Copy of Transfer Certificate to Borrower), paragraph (b) above shall not apply to any Transfer Certificate.

(d)
Except where a Finance Document specifically provides otherwise, neither the Agent nor the Security Agent is obliged to review or check the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any document it forwards to another Party.

(e)
Without prejudice to clause 37.10 (Notification of prescribed events), if the Agent or the Security Agent receives notice from a Party referring to this Agreement, describing a Default and stating that the circumstance described is a Default, it shall promptly notify the other Finance Parties.

(f)
If the Agent is aware of the non-payment of any principal, interest, commitment fee or other fee payable to a Finance Party (other than the Agent or the Arranger or the Security Agent for their own account) under this Agreement, it shall promptly notify the other Finance Parties.

(g)
The Agent shall provide to the Borrower within five Business Days of a request by the Borrower (but no more frequently than once per calendar month), a list (which may be in electronic form) setting out the names of the Lenders as at the date of that request, their respective Commitments and the address (and the department or officer, if any, for whose attention any communication is to be made) of each Lender for any communication to be made or document to be delivered under or in connection with the Finance Documents, the electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the sending and receipt of information by electronic mail or other electronic means to and by each Lender to whom any communication under or in connection with the Finance Documents may be made by that means and the account details of each Lender for any payment to be distributed by the Agent to that Lender under the Finance Documents.

(h)
The Agent and the Security Agent shall have only those duties, obligations and responsibilities expressly specified in the Finance Documents to which it is expressed to be a party (and no others shall be implied).
34.7
Rote of the Arranger
Except as specifically provided in the Finance Documents, the Arranger has no obligations of any kind to any other Party under or in connection with any Finance Document or the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents.
34.8
No fiduciary duties
Nothing in any Finance Document constitutes the Agent, the Security Agent or the Arranger as a trustee or fiduciary of any other person except to the extent that the Security Agent acts as trustee for the other Finance Parties pursuant to clause 34.2 (Security Agent as trustee).
34.9
No duty to account
None of the Agent, the Security Agent or the Arranger shall be bound to account to any other Finance Party for any sum or the profit element of any sum received by it for its own account.
34.10
Business with the Group
The Agent, the Security Agent and the Arranger may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of banking or other business with any Obligor or other Group Member or their Affiliates.
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34.11
Rights and discretions of the Agent and the Security Agent

(a)
The Agent and the Security Agent may:

(i)
rely on any representation, communication, notice or document believed by it to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised;

(ii)
assume that:

(A)
any instructions received by it from the Majority Lenders, any Lenders or other Finance Parties or any group of Lenders or other Finance Parties are duly given in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents;

(B)
unless it has received notice of revocation, that those instructions have not been revoked; and

(C)
in the case of the Security Agent, if it receives any instructions to act in relation to the Transaction Security, that all applicable conditions under the Finance Documents for so acting have been satisfied; and

(iii)
rely on a certificate from any person:

(A)
as to any matter of fact or circumstance which might reasonably be expected to be within the knowledge of that person; or

(B)
to the effect that such person approves of any particular dealing, transaction, step, action or thing,
as sufficient evidence that that is the case and, in the case of paragraph (A) above, may assume the truth and accuracy of that certificate.

(b)
The Agent and the Security Agent may assume (unless it has received notice to the contrary in its capacity as agent or (as the case may be) security trustee for the other Finance Parties) that:

(i)
no Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction:

(A)
has been entered into;

(B)
has been terminated; or

(C)
has ceased to be with a Borrower Affiliate;

(ii)
no Default has occurred (unless (in the case of the Agent) it has actual knowledge of a Default arising under clause 31.2 (Non-payment));

(iii)
any right, power, authority or discretion vested in any Party or any group of Finance Parties has not been exercised; and

(iv)
any notice or request made by the Borrower (other than (in the case of the Agent) the Utilisation Request) is made on behalf of and with the consent and knowledge of all the Obligors.

(c)
Each of the Agent and the Security Agent may engage and pay for the advice or services of any lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, insurance consultants, ship managers, valuers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts.
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(d)
Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (c) above or paragraph (e) below, each of the Agent and the Security Agent may at any time engage and pay for the services of any lawyers to act as independent counsel to it (and so separate from any lawyers instructed by the Lenders or any other Finance Party) if it, in its reasonable opinion, deems this to be necessary.

(e)
Each of the Agent and the Security Agent may rely on the advice or services of any lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, insurance consultants, ship managers, valuers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts (whether obtained by it or by any other Party) and shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of its so relying.

(f)
The Agent, the Security Agent, any Receiver and any Delegate may act in relation to the Finance Documents, the Transaction Security and the Security Property through its officers, employees and agents and shall not:

(i)
be liable for any error of judgment made by any such person; or

(ii)
be bound to supervise, or be in any way responsible for any loss incurred by reason of misconduct, omission or default on the part, of any such person,
unless such error or such loss was directly caused by the Agent’s, the Security Agent’s, Receiver’s or Delegate’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

(g)
Unless any Finance Document expressly specifies otherwise, the Agent or the Security Agent may disclose to any other Party any information it reasonably believes it has received as agent or security trustee under this Agreement.

(h)
Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (g) above, the Agent:

(i)
may disclose; and

(ii)
on the written request of the Borrower or the Majority Lenders shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, disclose
the identity of a Defaulting Lender to the other Finance Parties and the Borrower.

(i)
Notwithstanding any other provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, none of the Agent, the Security Agent nor the Arranger is obliged to do or omit to do anything if it would or might in its reasonable opinion constitute a breach of any law or regulation or a breach of a fiduciary duty or duty of confidentiality.

(j)
Notwithstanding any provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, neither the Agent nor the Security Agent is obliged to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of its duties, obligations or responsibilities or the exercise of any right, power, authority or discretion if it has grounds for believing the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against, or security for, such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

(k)
Neither the Agent nor the Arranger shall be obliged to request any certificate, opinion or other information under clause 20 (Information undertakings) unless so required in writing by a Lender, in which case the Agent shall promptly make the appropriate request of the Borrower if such request would be in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
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34.12
Responsibility for documentation and other matters
None of the Agent, the Security Agent, the Arranger, any Receiver or any Delegate is responsible or liable for:

(a)
the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any information (whether oral or written) supplied by the Agent, the Security Agent, the Arranger, an Obligor or any other person in or in connection with any Finance Document or the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents or any other agreement , arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document;

(b)
the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any Transaction Document, the Transaction Security or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Transaction Document, the Transaction Security or the Security Property;

(c)
the application of any Basel II Regulation or Basel III Regulation to the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents;

(d)
(in the case of the Security Agent) any loss to the Security Property arising in consequence of the failure, depreciation or loss of any Charged Property or any investments made or retained in good faith or by reason of any other matter or thing;

(e)
the failure of any Obligor or any other party to perform its obligations under any Transaction Document or the financial condition of any such person;

(f)
(save as otherwise provided in this clause 34) taking or omitting to take any other action under or in relation to the Security Documents;

(g)
any other beneficiary of a Security Document failing to perform or discharge any of its duties or obligations under any Finance Document; or

(h)
any determination as to whether any information provided or to be provided to any Finance Party is non-public information the use of which may be regulated or prohibited by any applicable law or regulation relating to insider dealing or otherwise.
34.13
No duty to monitor
Neither the Agent nor the Security Agent shall be bound to enquire:

(a)
whether or not any Default has occurred;

(b)
as to the performance, default or any breach by any Party or any Obligor of its obligations under any Finance Document; or

(c)
whether any other event specified in any Finance Document has occurred.
34.14
Exclusion of liability

(a)
Without limiting paragraph (b) below (and without prejudice to any other provision of any Finance Document excluding or limiting the liability of the Agent, the Security Agent, any Receiver or Delegate), none of the Agent, the Security Agent, any Receiver nor any Delegate will be liable (including, without limitation, for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever) for:

(i)
any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value, or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of taking or not taking any action under or in
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connection with any Finance Document or the Security Property, unless directly caused by its gross negligence or wilful misconduct;

(ii)
exercising, or not exercising, any right, power, authority or discretion given to it by, or in connection with, any Finance Document, the Security Property or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with, any Finance Document or the Security Property;

(iii)
any shortfall which arises on the enforcement or realisation of the Security Property; or

(iv)
without prejudice to the generality of paragraphs (i) to (iii) above, any damages, costs, losses, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of:

(A)
any act, event or circumstance not reasonably within its control; or

(B)
the general risks of investment in, or the holding of assets in, any jurisdiction,
including (in each case and without limitation) such dam ages, costs, losses, diminution in value or liability arising as a result of: nationalisation, expropriation or other governmental actions; any regulation, currency restriction, devaluation or fluctuation; market conditions affecting the execution or settlement of transactions or the value of assets (including any Disruption Event), breakdown, failure or malfunction of any third party transport, telecommunications, computer services or systems; natural disasters or acts of God; war, terrorism, insurrection or revolution; or strikes or industrial action.

(b)
No Party (other than the Agent, the Security Agent, that Receiver or that Delegate (as applicable)) may take any proceedings against any officer, employee or agent of the Agent, the Security Agent, a Receiver or a Delegate in respect of any claim it might have against the Agent, the Security Agent, a Receiver or a Delegate or in respect of any act or omission of any kind by that officer, employee or agent in relation to any Transaction Document or any Security Property and any officer, employee or agent of the Agent, the Security Agent, a Receiver or a Delegate may rely on this clause subject to clause 1.4 (Third party rights) and the provisions of the Third Parties Act.

(c)
Neither of the Agent or the Security Agent will be liable for any delay (or any related consequences) in crediting an account with an amount required under the Finance Documents to be paid by it if it has taken all necessary steps as soon as reasonably practicable to comply with the regulations or operating procedures of any recognised clearing or settlement system used by it for that purpose.

(d)
Nothing in any Finance Document shall oblige the Agent, the Security Agent or the Arranger to carry out

(i)
any “know your customer” or other checks in relation to any person; or

(ii)
any check on the extent to which any transaction contemplated by any of the Finance Documents might be unlawful for any Finance Party or for any Affiliate of any Finance Party,
on behalf of any other Finance Party and each other Finance Party confirms to the Agent, the Security Agent and the Arranger that it is solely responsible for any such checks it is required to carry out and that it may not rely on any statement in relation to such checks made by the Agent, the Security Agent or the Arranger.
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(e)
Without prejudice to any provision of any Finance Document excluding or limiting the liability of the Agent, the Security Agent, any Receiver or any Delegate, any liability of the Agent, the Security Agent, any Receiver or any Delegate arising under or in connection with any Finance Document or the Security Property shall be limited to the amount of actual loss which has been finally judicially determined to have been suffered (as determined by reference to the date of default of the Agent, the Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate (as the case may be) or, if later, the date on which the loss arises as a result of such default) but without reference to any special conditions or circumstances known to the Agent, the Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate (as the case may be) at any time which increase the amount of that loss. In no event shall the Agent, the Security Agent, any Receiver or any Delegate be liable for any loss of profits, goodwill, reputation, business opportunity or anticipated saving, or for special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages, whether or not the Agent, the Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate (as the case may be) has been advised of the possibility of such loss or damages.
34.15
Lenders’ indemnity to the Agent and others

(a)
Each Lender shall (in proportion to its share of the Total Commitments or, if the Total Commitments are then zero, to its share of the Total Commitments immediately prior to their being reduced to zero) indemnify the Agent, the Security Agent, every Receiver and every Delegate, within three Business Days of demand, against any Losses (including, without limitation, for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever) incurred by any of them (otherwise than by reason of the relevant Agent’s, Security Agent’s, Receiver’s or Delegate’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct) (or, in the circumstances contemplated pursuant to clause 40.11 (Disruption to payment systems etc, notwithstanding the Agent’s negligence, gross negligence, or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Agent) in acting as Agent, Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate under, or exercising any authority conferred under, the Finance Documents (unless the relevant Agent, Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate has been reimbursed by an Obliger pursuant to a Finance Document).

(b)
Subject to paragraph (c) below, the Borrower shall immediately on demand reimburse any Lender for any payment that Lender makes to the Agent or the Security Agent or any Receiver or Delegate pursuant to paragraph (a) above.

(c)
Paragraph (b) above shall not apply to the extent that the indemnity payment in respect of which the Lender claims reimbursement relates to a liability of the Agent or the Security Agent to an Obligor.
34.16
Resignation of the Agent or the Security Agent

(a)
The Agent or the Security Agent may resign and appoint one of its Affiliates as successor by giving notice to the other Finance Parties and the Borrower.

(b)
Alternatively the Agent or the Security Agent may resign by giving 30 days’ notice to the other Finance Parties and the Borrower, in which case the Majority Lenders may appoint a successor Agent or Security Agent.

(c)
If the Majority Lenders have not appointed a successor Agent or Security Agent in accordance with paragraph (b) above within 20 days after notice of resignation was given, the retiring Agent or Security Agent (after consultation with (in the case of the Agent) the Borrower or (in the case of the Security Agent) the Agent) may appoint a successor Agent or Security Agent.

(d)
If the Agent or Security Agent wishes to resign because (acting reasonably) it has concluded that it is no longer appropriate for it to remain as agent or trustee and the
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Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent is entitled to appoint a successor Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent under paragraph (c) above, the Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent may (if it concludes (acting reasonably) that it is necessary to do so in order to persuade the proposed successor Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent to become a party to this Agreement as Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent) agree with the proposed successor Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent amendments to this clause 34 and any other term of this Agreement dealing with the rights or obligations of the Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent consistent with then current market practice for the appointment and protection of corporate trustees together with any reasonable amendments to the fee payable to it in its capacity as Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent under this Agreement which are consistent with the successor Agent’s or (as the case may be) Security Agent’s normal fee ra1es and those amendments will bind the Parties.

(e)
The retiring Agent or Security Agent shall make available to the successor Agent or Security Agent such documents and records and provide such assistance as the successor Agent or Security Agent may reasonably request for the purposes of performing its functions as Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent under the Finance Documents. The Borrower shall, within three Business Days of demand, reimburse the retiring Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent for the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) (together with any applicable VAT) properly incurred by it in making available such documents and records and providing such assistance.

(f)
The Agent’s or Security Agent’s resignation notice shall only take effect upon:

(i)
the appointment of a successor; and

(ii)
(in the case of the Security Agent) the transfer or assignment of all the Transaction Security and the other Security Property to that successor and any appropriate filings or registrations, any notices of transfer or assignment and the payment of any fees or duties related to such transfer or assignment which the Security Agent considers necessary or advisable have been duly completed.

(g)
Upon the appointment of a successor, the retiring Agent or Security Agent shall be discharged from any further obligation in respect of the Finance Documents (other than its obligations under paragraph (b) of clause 35.10 (Winding up of trust) and paragraph (e) above) but shall remain entitled to the benefit of clauses 15.3 ((Indemnity to the Agent and the Security Agent) and 15.4 (Indemnity concerning security) and this clause 34 (and any agency or other fees for the account of the retiring Agent or Security Agent in its capacity as such shall cease to accrue from (and shall be payable on) that date). Any successor and each of the other Parties shall have the same rights and obligations amongst themselves as they would have had if that successor had been an original Party.

(h)
The Agent shall resign in accordance with paragraph (b) above (and, to the extent applicable, shall use reasonable endeavours to appoint a successor Agent pursuant to paragraph (c) above) if on or after the date which is three months before the earliest FATCA Application Date relating to any payment to the Agent under the Finance Documents, either:

(i)
the Agent fails to respond to a request under clause 13.7 (FATCA Information) and the Borrower or a Lender reasonably believes that the Agent will not be (or will have ceased to be) a FATCA Exempt Party on or after that FATCA Application Date;
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(ii)
the information supplied by the Agent pursuant to clause13. 7 (FATCA Information) indicates that the Agent will not be (or will have ceased to be) a FATCA Exempt Party on or after that FATCA Application Date; or

(iii)
the Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the Agent will not be (or will have ceased to be) a FATCA Exempt Party on or after that FATCA Application Date,
and (in each case) the Borrower or a Lender reasonably believes that a Party will be required to make a FATCA Deduction that would not be required if the Agent were a FATCA Exempt Party, and the Borrower or that Lender, by notice to the Agent, requires it to resign.
34.17
Replacement of the Agent

(a)
After consultation with the Borrower, the Majority Lenders may, by giving 30 days’ notice to the Agent (or, at any time the Agent is an Impaired Agent, by giving any shorter notice determined by the Majority Lenders) replace the Agent by appointing a successor Agent.

(b)
The retiring Agent shall (at its own cost if it is an Impaired Agent and otherwise at the expense of the Lenders) make available to the successor Agent such documents and records and provide such assistance as the successor Agent may reasonably request for the purposes of performing its functions as Agent under the Finance Documents.

(c)
The appointment of the successor Agent shall take effect on the date specified in the notice from the Majority Lenders to the retiring Agent. As from this date, the retiring Agent shall be discharged from any further obligation in respect of the Finance Documents (other than its obligations under paragraph (b) above) but shall remain entitled to the benefit of clauses 15.3 ((Indemnity to the Agent and the Security Agent) and 15.4 (Indemnity concerning security) and this clause 34 (and any agency fees for the account of the retiring Agent shall cease to accrue from (and shall be payable on) that date).

(d)
Any successor Agent and each of the other Parties shall have the same rights and obligations amongst themselves as they would have had if such successor had been an original Party.
34.18
Replacement of the Security Agent
The Majority Lenders may, by notice to the Security Agent, require it to resign in accordance with paragraph (b) of clause 34.16 (Resignation of the Agent or the Security Agent). In this event, the Security Agent shall resign in accordance with that paragraph.
34.19
Confidentiality

(a)
In acting as agent or trustee for the Finance Parties, the Agent or (as the case may be) the Security Agent shall be regarded as acting through its agency, trustee or other division or department directly responsible for the management of the Finance Documents which shall be treated as a separate entity from any other of its divisions or departments.

(b)
If information is received by another division or department of the Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent, it may be treated as confidential to that division or department and the Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent shall not be deemed to have notice of it.

(c)
Notwithstanding any other provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, none of the Agent, the Security Agent nor the Arranger is obliged to disclose to any other person
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(i) any confidential information or (ii) any other information if the disclosure would, or might in its reasonable opinion, constitute a breach of any law or regulation or a breach of a fiduciary duty.
34.20
Agent’s relationship with the Lenders

(a)
The Agent may treat the person shown in its records as Lender at the opening of business (in the place of the Agent’s principal office as notified to the Finance Parties from time to time) as the Lender acting through its Facility Office:

(i)
entitled to or liable for any payment due under any Finance Document on that day; and

(ii)
entitled to receive and act upon any notice, request, document or communication or make any decision or determination under any Finance Document made or delivered on that day,
unless it has received not less than five Business Days prior notice from that Lender to the contrary in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(b)
Any Lender may by notice to the Agent appoint a person to receive on its behalf all notices, communications, information and documents to be made or despatched to that Lender under the Finance Documents. Such notice shall contain the address and (where communication by electronic mail or other electronic means is permitted under clause 42.6 (Electronic communication)) electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the sending and receipt of information by that means (and, in each case, the department or officer, if any, for whose attention communication is to be made) and be treated as a notification of a substitute address, electronic mail address, department and officer (or such other information) by that Lender for the purposes of clause 42.2 (Addresses) and clause 42.6 (Electronic communication) and the Agent shall be entitled to treat such person as the person entitled to receive all such notices, communications, information and documents as though that person were that Lender or (as the case may be).
34.21
Information from the Finance Parties
Each Finance Party shall supply the Agent or the Security Agent with any information that the Agent or (as the case may be) the Security Agent may reasonably specify as being necessary or desirable to enable the Agent or (as the case may be) the Security Agent to perform its functions as Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent.
34.22
Credit appraisal by the Finance Parties
Without affecting the responsibility of any Obligor for information supplied by it or on its behalf in connection with any Finance Document, each other Finance Party confirms to the Agent, the Security Agent and the Arranger that it has been, and will continue to be, solely responsible for making its own independent appraisal and investigation of all risks arising under or in connection with any Finance Document including but not limited to:

(a)
the financial condition, status and nature of each Obligor and other Group Member;

(b)
the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any Transaction Document, the Transaction Security, the Security Property and any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Transaction Document, the Transaction Security or the Security Property;
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(c)
the application of any Basel II Regulation or Basel III Regulation to the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents;

(d)
whether that Finance Party has recourse, and the nature and extent of that recourse, against any Party or any of its respective assets under or in connection with any Finance Document, the Transaction Security, the Security Property, the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document, the Transaction Security or the Security Property;

(e)
the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any information provided by the Agent, the Security Agent, the Arranger or any other Party or by any other person under or in connection with any Transaction Document, the transactions contemplated by any Transaction Document or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Transaction Document; and

(f)
the right or title of any person in or to, or the value or sufficiency of, any part of the Charged Property, the priority of any of the Transaction Security or the existence of any Security Interest affecting the Charged Property.
34.23
Deduction from amounts payable by the Agent
If any Party owes an amount to the Agent under the Finance Documents the Agent may, after giving notice to that Party, deduct an amount not exceeding that amount from any payment to that Party which the Agent would otherwise be obliged to make under the Finance Documents and apply the amount deducted in or towards satisfaction of the amount owed. For the purposes of the Finance Documents that Party shall be regarded as having received any amount so deducted.
34.24
Reliance and engagement letters
Each of the Agent, the Security Agent and the Arranger may enter into any reliance letter or engagement letter relating to any valuations, reports, opinions or letters or advice or assistance provided by lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, insurance consultants, ship managers, valuers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts in connection with the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents on such terms as it may consider appropriate (including, without limitation, restrictions on the lawyer’s, accountant’s, tax adviser’s, insurance consultant’s, ship manager’s, valuer’s, surveyor’s or other professional adviser’s or expert’s liability and the extent to which their valuations, reports, opinions or letters may be relied on or disclosed).
35.
Trust and security matters
35.1
Undertaking to pay

(a)
Each Obliger who is a Party undertakes with the Security Agent as trustee for the Finance Parties that it will, on demand by the Security Agent, pay to the Security Agent as trustee for the Finance Parties all money from time to time owing to the other Finance Parties (in addition to paying any money owing under the Finance Documents to the Security Agent for its own account), and discharge all other obligations from time to time incurred, by it under or in connection with the Finance Documents.

(b)
Each payment which such an Obliger makes to another Finance Party in accordance with any Finance Document shall, to the extent of the amount of that payment, satisfy that Obligor’s corresponding obligation under paragraph (a) above to make that payment to the Security Agent.
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35.2
Parallel debt

(a)
Additional definitions In this clause 35.2:
Corresponding Debt means any amount, other than any Parallel Debt, which an Obligor owes to a Finance Party under or in connection with the Finance Documents.
Parallel Debt means any amount which an Obligor owes to the Security Agent under clause 35.2(b) or under that clause as incorporated by reference or in full in any other Finance Document.

(b)
Each Obligor irrevocably and unconditionally undertakes to pay to the Security Agent its Parallel Debt which shall be amounts equal to, and in the currency or currencies of, its Corresponding Debt.

(c)
The Parallel Debt of an Obligor:

(i)
shall become due and payable at the same time as its Corresponding Debt; and

(ii)
is independent and separate from, and without prejudice to, its Corresponding Debt.

(d)
For purposes of this clause 35.2, the Security Agent:

(i)
is the independent and separate creditor of each Parallel Debt;

(ii)
acts in its own name and not as agent, representative or trustee of the Finance Parties and its claims in respect of each Parallel Debt shall not be held on trust; and

(iii)
shall have the independent and separate right to demand payment of each Parallel Debt in its own name (including, without limitation, through any suit, execution, enforcement of security, recovery of guarantees and applications for and voting in any kind of insolvency proceeding).

(e)
The Parallel Debt of an Obligor shall be:

(i)
decreased to the extent that its Corresponding Debt has been irrevocably and unconditionally paid or discharged; and

(ii)
increased to the extent that its Corresponding Debt has increased, and the Corresponding Debt of an Obligor shall be:

(A)
decreased to the extent that its Parallel Debt has been irrevocably and unconditoinally paid or discharged; and

(B)
increased to the extent that its Parallel Debt has increased,
in each case provided that the Parallel Debt of an Obligor shall never exceed its Corresponding Debt.

(f)
All amounts received or recovered by the Security Agent in connection with this clause 35.2   to the extent permitted by applicable law, shall be applied in accordance with clause 37.1 (Order of application).
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(g)
This clause 35.2 shall apply, with any necessary modification s, to each Finance Document.
35.3
No responsibility to perfect Transaction Security
The Security Agent shall not be liable for any failure to:

(a)
ascertain whether all deeds and documents which should have been deposited with it under or pursuant to any of the Security Documents have been so deposited;

(b)
require the deposit with it of any deed or document certifying, representing or constituting the title of any Obligor to any of the Charged Property;

(c)
obtain any licence, consent or other authority for the execution, delivery, legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of any Finance Document or the Transaction Security;

(d)
register, file or record or otherwise protect any of the Transaction Security (or the priority of any of the Transaction Security) under any law or regulation or to give notice to any person of the execution of any Finance Document or of the Transaction Security;

(e)
take, or to require any Obligor to take, any step to perfect its title to any of the Charged Property or to render the Transaction Security effective or to secure the creation of any ancillary Security Interest under any law or regulation; or

(f)
require any further assurance in relation to any Security Document.
35.4
Insurance by Security Agent

(a)
The Security Agent shall not be obliged:

(i)
to insure any of the Charged Property;

(ii)
to require any other person to maintain any insurance; or

(iii)
to verify any obligation to arrange or maintain insurance contained in any Finance Document,
and the Security Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses to any person as a result of the lack of, or inadequacy of, any such insurance.

(b)
Where the Security Agent is named on any insurance policy as an insured party, it shall not be liable for any damages. costs or losses to any person as a result of its failure to notify the insurers of any material fact relating to the risk assumed by such insurers or any other information of any kind. unless the Agent requests it to do so in writing and the Security Agent fails to do so within fourteen days after receipt of that request.
35.5
Common parties
Although the Agent and the Security Agent may from time to time be the same entity, that entity will have entered into the Finance Documents (to which it is party) in its separate capacities as agent for the other Finance Parties and (as appropriate) security agent and trustee for all of the other Finance Parties. Where any Finance Document provides for an Agent or Security Agent to communicate with or provide instructions to the other, while they are the same entity, such communication or instructions will not be necessary.
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35.6
Custodians and nominees
The Security Agent may appoint and pay any person to act as a custodian or nominee on any terms in relation to any asset of the trust as the Security Agent may determine, including for the purpose of depositing with a custodian this Agreement or any document relating to the trust created under this Agreement and the Security Agent shall not be responsible for any loss, liability, expense, demand, cost, claim or proceedings incurred by reason of the misconduct, omission or default on the part of any person appointed by it under this Agreement or be bound to supervise the proceedings or acts of any person.
35.7
Delegation by the Security Agent

(a)
Each of the Security Agent, any Receiver and any Delegate may, at any time, delegate by power of attorney or otherwise to any person for any period, all or any right, power, authority or discretion vested in it in its capacity as such.

(b)
That delegation may be made upon any terms and conditions (including the power to sub-delegate) and subject to any restrictions that the Security Agent, that Receiver or that Delegate (as the case may be) may, in its discretion, think fit in the interests of the Finance Parties.

(c)
No Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate shall be bound to supervise, or be in any way responsible for any damages, costs or losses incurred by reason of any misconduct, omission or default on the part of, any such delegate or sub-delegate.
35.8
Additional trustees

(a)
The Security Agent may at any time appoint (and subsequently remove) any person to act as a separate trustee or as a co-trustee jointly with it:

(i)
if it considers that appointment to be in the interests of the Finance Parties;

(ii)
for the purposes of conforming to any legal requirement, restriction or condition which the Security Agent deems to be relevant; or

(iii)
for obtaining or enforcing any judgment in any jurisdiction,
and the Security Agent shall give prior notice to the Borrower and the Finance Parties of that appointment.

(b)
Any person so appointed shall have the rights, powers, authorities and discretions (not exceeding those given to the Security Agent under or in connection with the Finance Documents) and the duties, obligations and responsibilities that are given or imposed by the instrument of appointment.

(c)
The remuneration that the Security Agent may pay to that person, and any costs and expenses (together with any applicable VAT) incurred by that person in performing its functions pursuant to that appointment shall, for the purposes of this Agreement, be treated as costs and expenses incurred by the Security Agent.

(d)
At the request of the Security Agent., the other Parties shall forthwith execute all such documents and do all such things as may be required to perfect such appointment or removal and each such Party irrevocably authorises the Security Agent in its name and on its behalf to do the same.

(e)
Such a person shall accede to this Agreement as a Security Agent to the extent necessary to carry out their role on terms satisfactory to the Security Agent.
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(f)
The Security Agent shall not be bound to supervise, or be responsible for any loss incurred by reason of any act or omission of, any such person if the Security Agent shall have exercised reasonable care in the selection of such person.
35.9
Acceptance of title
The Security Agent shall be entitled to accept without enquiry, and shall not be obliged to investigate, any right and title that any Obliger may have to any of the Charged Property and shall not be liable for, or bound to require any Obligor to remedy, any defect in its right or title.
35.10
Winding up of trust
If the Security Agent, with the approval of the Agent, determines that:

(a)
all of the Secured Obligations and all other obligations secured by the Security Documents have been fully and finally discharged; and

(b)
no Finance Party is under any commitment, obligation or liability (actual or contingent) to make advances or provide other financial accommodation to any Obligor pursuant to the Finance Documents,
then:

(i)
the trusts set out in this Agreement shall be wound up and the Security Agent shall release, without recourse or warranty, all of the Transaction Security and the rights of the Security Agent under each of the Security Documents; and

(ii)
any Security Agent which has resigned pursuant to clause 34.16 (Resignation of the Agent or the Security Agent) shall release, without recourse or warranty, all of its rights under each Security Document.
35.11
Powers supplemental to Trustee Acts
The rights, powers, authorities and discretions given to the Security Agent under or in connection with the Finance Documents shall be supplemental to the Trustee Act 1925 and the Trustee Act 2000 and in addition to any which may be vested in the Security Agent by law or regulation or otherwise.
35.12
Disapplication of Trustee Acts
Section 1 of the Trustee Act 2000 shall not apply to the duties of the Security Agent in relation to the trusts constituted by this Agreement. Where there are any inconsistencies between the Trustee Act 1925 or the Trustee Act 2000 and the provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall, to the extent permitted by law and regulation, prevail and, in the case of any inconsistency with the Trustee Act 2000, the provisions of this Agreement shall constitute a restriction or exclusion for the purposes of that Act.
36.
Enforcement of Transaction Security
36.1
Enforcement Instructions

(a)
The Security Agent may refrain from enforcing the Transaction Security unless instructed otherwise by Majority Lenders.

(b)
Subject to the Transaction Security having become enforceable in accordance with its terms, the Majority Lenders may give or refrain from giving instructions to the Security Agent to enforce or refrain from enforcing the Transaction Security as they see fit.
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(c)
The Security Agent is entitled to rely on and comply with instructions given in accordance with this clause 36.1.
36.2
Manner of enforcement
If the Transaction Security is being enforced pursuant to clause 36.1 (Enforcement Instructions), the Security Agent shall enforce the Transaction Security in such manner as the Majority Lenders shall instructor, in the absence of any such instructions, as the Security Agent considers in its discretion to be appropriate.
36.3
Waiver of rights
To the extent permitted under applicable law and subject to clause 36.1 (Enforcement Instructions), clause 36.2 (Manner of enforcement) and clause 37 (Application of Proceeds), each of the Finance Parties and the Obligors waives all rights it may otherwise have to require that the Transaction Security be enforced in any particular order or manner or at any particular time or that any amount received or recovered from any person, or by virtue of the enforcement of any of the Transaction Security or of any other security interest, which is capable of being applied in or towards discharge of any of the Secured Obligations is so applied.
36.4
Enforcement through Security Agent only

(a)
The other Finance Parties shall not !have any independent power to enforce, or have recourse to, any of the Transaction Security or to exercise any right, power, authority or discretion arising or to grant any consents or releases under the Security Documents except through the Security Agent.

(b)
Each Finance Party (other than the Security Agent) shall, promptly upon being requested by the Agent to do so, grant a power of attorney or other sufficient authority to the Security Agent to enable the Security Agent to enforce or have recourse to the relevant Transaction Security or to exercise any such right, power, authority or discretion or to grant any such consent or release.
37.
Application of proceeds
37.1
Order of application
All amounts from time to time received or recovered by the Security Agent pursuant to the terms of any Finance Document or in connection with the realisation or enforcement of all or any part of the Transaction Security (for the purposes of this clause 37, the Recoveries )   shall be held by the Security Agent on trust to apply them at any time as the Security Agent (in its discretion) sees fit, to the extent permitted by applicable law (and subject to the provisions of this clause 37), in the following order of priority:

(a)
in discharging any sums owing to the Security Agent (other than pursuant to clause 35.1 (Undertaking to pay) or 35.2 (Parallel debt) ),   any Receiver or any Delegate;

(b)
in discharging all costs and expenses incurred by any Finance Party in connection with any realisation or enforcement of the Transaction Security taken in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

(c)
in payment or distribution to the Agent on its own behalf and on behalf of the other Finance Parties for application in accordance with clause 40.6 (Partial payments);

(d)
if none of the Obligors is under any further actual or contingent liability under any Finance Document, in payment or distribution to any person to whom the Security Agent is obliged to pay or distribute in priority to any Obligor; and
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(e)
the balance, if any, in payment or distribution to the relevant Obligor.
37.2
Investment of cash proceeds
Prior to the application of any Recoveries in accordance with clause 37.1 (Order of Application) the Security Agent may, in its discretion, hold:

(a)
all or part of any Recoveries which are in the form of cash; and

(b)
any cash which is generated by holding, managing, exploiting, collecting, realising or disposing of any proceeds of the Security Property which are not in the form of cash
in one or more interest bearing suspense or impersonal accounts in the name of the Security Agent with such financial institution (including itself) and for so long as the Security Agent shall think fit (the interest being credited to the relevant account) pending the application from time to time of those moneys in the Security Agent’s discretion in accordance with the provisions of this clause 37.
37.3
Currency conversion

(a)
For the purpose of, or pending the discharge of, any of the Secured Obligations the Security Agent may:

(i)
convert any moneys received or recovered by the Security Agent from one currency to another; and

(ii)
notionally convert the valuation provided in any opinion or  valuation from one currency to another,
in each case at the Security Agent’s spot rate of exchange for the purchase of that other currency with the currency in which the relevant moneys are received or recovered or the valuation is provided in the London foreign exchange market at or about 11:00 am (London time) on a particular day.

(b)
The obligations of any Obligor to pay in the due currency shall only be satisfied:

(i)
in the case of paragraph (a)(i) above, to the extent of the amount of the due currency purchased after deducting the costs of conversion; and

(ii)
in the case of paragraph (a)(ii) above, to the extent of the amount of the due currency which results from the notional conversion referred to in that paragraph.
37.4
Permitted Deductions
The Security Agent shall be entitled, in its discretion, (a) to set aside by way of reserve amounts required to meet and (b) to make and pay, any deductions and withholdings (on account of Taxes or otherwise) which it is or may be required (pursuant to advice received by its advisers (if any appointed at the time)) by any law or regulation to make from any distribution or payment made by it under this Agreement, and to, pay all Taxes which may be assessed against it in respect of any of the Charged Property, or as a consequence of performing its duties or exercising its rights, powers, authorities and discretions, or by virtue of its capacity as Security Agent under any of the Finance Documents or otherwise (other than in connection with its remuneration for performing its duties under this Agreement).
37.5
Good discharge

(a)
Any distribution or payment to be made in respect of the Secured Obligations by the Security Agent may be made to the Agent on behalf of the Finance Parties.
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(b)
Any distribution or   payment made as described in paragraph (a) above shall be a good discharge, to the extent of that payment or distribution, by the Security Agent to the extent of that payment.

(c)
The Security Agent is under no obligation to make the payments to the Agent under paragraph (a) above in the same currency as that in which the Secured Liabilities owing to the relevant Finance Party are denominated pursuant to the relevant Finance Document.
37.6
Calculation of amounts
For the purpose of calculating any person’s share of any amount payable to or by it, the Security Agent shall be entitled to:

(a)
notionally convert the Secured Liabilities owed to any person into a common base currency (decided in its discretion by the Security Agent), that notional conversion to be made at the spot rate at which the Security Agent is able to purchase the notional base currency with the actual currency of the Secured liabilities owed to that person at the time at which that calculation is to be made; and

(b)
assume that all amounts received or recovered as a result of the enforcement or realisation of the Security Property are applied in discharge of the Secured Liabilities in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents under which those Secured Liabilities have arisen.
37.7
Release to facilitate enforcement and realisation

(a)
Each Finance Party acknowledges that, for the purpose of any enforcement action by the Security Agent or a Receiver and/or maximising or facilitating the realisation of the Charged Property, it may be desirable that certain rights or claims against an Obligor and/or under certain of the Transaction Security, be released.

(b)
Each other Finance Party hereby irrevocably authorises the Security Agent (acting on the instructions of the Agent) to grant any such releases to the extent necessary to effect such enforcement action and/or realisation including, to the extent necessary for such purpose, to execute release documents in the name of and on behalf of the other Finance Parties.

(c)
Where the relevant enforcement is by way of disposal of shares in the Borrower, the requisite release may include releases of all claims (including under guarantees) of the Finance Parties and/or the Security Agent against the Borrower and of all Security Interests over the assets of the Borrower.
37.8
Dealings with Security Agent
Subject to clause 42.5 (Communication when Agent is Impaired Agent), each Finance Party shall deal with the Security Agent exclusively through the Agent.
37.9
Disclosure between Finance Parties and Security Agent
Notwithstanding any agreement to the contrary, each of the Obligors consents, until the end of the Facility Period, to the disclosure by any Finance Party to each other (whether or not through the Agent or the Security Agent) of such information concerning the Obligors as any Finance Party shall see fit.
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37.10
Notification of prescribed events

(a)
If an Event of Default or Default either occurs or ceases to be continuing, the Agent shall, upon becoming aware of that occurrence or cessation, notify the Security Agent.

(b)
If the Security Agent enforces, or takes formal steps to enforce, any of the Transaction Security it shall notify each other Finance Party of that action.

(c)
If any Finance Party exercises any right it may have to enforce, or to take formal steps to enforce, any of the Transaction Security it shall notify the Security Agent and the Security Agent shall, upon receiving that notification, notify each other Finance Party of that action.
38.
Conduct of business by the Finance Parties
38.1
Finance Parties tax affairs
No provision of this Agreement will:

(a)
interfere with the right of any Finance Party to arrange its affairs (tax or otherwise) in whatever manner it thinks fit;

(b)
oblige any Finance Party to investigate or claim any credit, relief, re mission or repayment available to it or the extent, order and manner of any claim; or

(c)
oblige any Finance Party to disclose any information relating to its affairs (tax or otherwise) or any computations in respect of Tax.
39.
Sharing among the Finance Parties
39.1
Payments to Finance Parties
If a Finance Party (a Recovering Finance Party )   receives or recovers any amount from an Obliger other than in accordance with clause 40 (Payment mechanics) (a Recovered Amount )   and applies that amount to a payment due under the Finance Documents then:

(a)
the Recovering Finance Party shall, within three Business Days, notify details of the receipt or recovery, to the Agent;

(b)
the Agent shall determine whether the receipt or recovery is in excess of the amount the Recovering Finance Party would have been paid had the receipt or recovery been received or made by the Agent and distributed in accordance with clause 40 (Payment mechanics), without taking account of any Tax which would be imposed on the Agent in relation to the receipt, recovery or distribution; and

(c)
the Recovering Finance Party shall, within three Business Days of demand by the Agent, pay to the Agent an amount (the Sharing Payment )   equal to such receipt or recovery less any amount which the Agent determines may be retained by the Recovering Finance Party as its share of any payment to be made, in accordance with clause 40.6 (Partial payments).
39.2
Redistribution of payments
The Agent shall treat the Sharing Payment as if it had been paid by the relevant Obliger and distribute it between the Finance Parties (other than the Recovering Finance Party) (the Sharing Finance Parties )   in accordance with clause 40.6 (Partial payments) towards the obligations of that Obligor to the Sharing Finance Parties.
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39.3
Recovering Finance Party’s rights
On a distribution by the Agent under clause 39.2 (Redistribution of payments) of a payment received by a Recovering Finance Party from an Obligor, as between the relevant Obligor and the Recovering Finance Party, an amount of the Recovered Amount equal to the Sharing Payment will be treated as not having been paid by that Obligor.
39.4
Reversal of redistribution
If any part of the Sharing Payment received or recovered by a Recovering Finance Party becomes repayable and is repaid by that Recovering Finance Party, then:

(a)
each Sharing Finance Party shall, upon request of the Agent, pay to the Agent for the account of that Recovering Finance Party an amount equal to the appropriate part of its share of the Sharing Payment (together with an amount as is necessary to reimburse that Recovering Finance Party for its proportion of any interest on the Sharing Payment which that Recovering Finance Party is required to pay) (the Redistributed Amount );   and

(b)
as between the relevant Obliger and each relevant Sharing Finance Party, an amount equal to the relevant Redistributed Amount will be treated as not having been paid by that Obliger.
39.5
Exceptions

(a)
This clause 39 shall not apply to the extent that the Recovering Finance Party would not, after making any payment pursuant to this clause, have a valid and enforceable claim against the relevant Obligor.

(b)
A Recovering Finance Party is not obliged to share with any other Finance Party any amount which the Recovering Finance Party has received or recovered as a result of taking legal or arbitration proceedings, if:

(i)
it notified that other Finance Party of the legal or arbitration proceedings;

(ii)
the taking legal or arbitration proceedings was in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; and

(iii)
that other Finance Party had an opportunity to participate in those legal or arbitration proceedings but did not do so as soon as reasonably practicable having received notice and did not take separate legal or arbitration proceedings.
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Section 11 - Administration
40.
Payment mechanics
40.1
Payments to the Agent

(a)
On each date on which an Obligor or a Lender is required to make a payment under a Finance Document, that Obligor or Lender shall make the same available to the Agent (unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document) for value on the due date at the time and in such funds specified by the Agent as being customary at the time for settlement of transactions in the relevant currency in the place of payment.

(b)
Payment shall be made to such account in the principal financial centre of the country of that currency (or, in relation to euro, in a principal financial centre in such Participating Member State or London, as specified by the Agent) and with such bank as the Agent, in each case, specifies.
40.2
Distributions by the Agent
Each payment received by the Agent under the Finance Documents for another Party shall, subject to clause 40.3 (Distributions to an Obligor) and clause 40.4 (Clawback and pre-funding) be made available by the Agent as soon as practicable after receipt to the Party entitled to receive payment in accordance with this Agreement (in the case of a Lender, for the account of its Facility Office), to such account as that Party may notify to the Agent by not less than five Business Days’ notice with a bank specified by that Party in the principal financial centre of the country of that currency (or, in relation to euro, in the principal financial centre of a Participating Member State or London, as specified by that Party).
40.3
Distributions to an Obligor
The Agent may (with the consent of the Obligor or in accordance with clause 41 (Set-off)) apply any amount received by it for that Obligor in or towards payment (on the date and in the currency and funds of receipt) of any amount due from that Obligor under the Finance Documents or in or towards purchase of any amount of any currency to be so applied.
40.4
Clawback and pre-funding

(a)
Where a sum is to be paid to the Agent under the Finance Documents for another Party, the Agent is not obliged to pay that sum to that other Party (or to enter into or perform any related exchange contract) until it has been able to establish to its satisfaction that it has actually received that sum.

(b)
Unless paragraph (c) below applies, if the Agent pays an amount to another Party and it proves to be the case that the Agent had not actually received that amount, then the Party to whom that amount (or the proceeds of any related exchange contract) was paid by the Agent shall on demand refund the same to the Agent together with interest on that amount from the date of payment to the date of receipt by the Agent, calculated by the Agent to reflect its cost of funds.

(c)
If the Agent has notified the Lenders that it is willing to make available amounts for the account of the Borrower before receiving funds from the Lenders then if and to the extent that the Agent does so but it proves to be the case that it does not then receive funds from a Lender in respect of a sum which it paid to a Borrower:

(i)
the Agent shall notify the Borrower of that Lender’s identity and the Borrower shall on demand refund it to the Agent; and
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(ii)
the Lender by whom those funds should have been made available or, if that Lender fails to do so, the Borrower, shall on demand pay to the Agent the amount (as certified by the Agent) which will indemnify the Agent against any funding cost incurred by it as a result of paying out that sum before receiving those funds from that Lender.
40.5
Impaired Agent

(a)
If, at any time, the Agent becomes an Impaired Agent, the Borrower or a Lender which is required to make a payment under the Finance Documents to the Agent in accordance with clause 40.1 (Payments to the Agent) may instead either:

(i)
pay that amount direct to the required recipient(s); or

(ii)
if in its absolute discretion it considers that it is not reasonably practicable to pay that amount direct to the required recipient(s),pay that amount or the relevant part of that amount to an interest-bearing account held with an Acceptable Bank within the meaning of paragraph (a) of the definition of “Acceptable Bank” and in relation to which no Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing, in the name of the Borrower or the Lender making the payment (the Paying Party )   and designated as a trust account for the benefit of the Party or Parties beneficially entitled to that payment under the Finance Documents (the Recipient Party or Recipient Parties ).
In each case such payments must be made on the due date for payment under the Finance Documents.

(b)
All interest accrued on the amount standing to the credit of the trust account shall be for the benefit of the Recipient Party or the Recipient Parties pro rata to their respective entitlements.

(c)
A Party which has made a payment in accordance with this clause 40.5 shall be discharged of the relevant payment obligation under the Finance Documents and shall not take any credit risk with respect to the amounts standing to the credit of the trust account.

(d)
Promptly upon the appointment of a successor Agent in accordance with this Agreement, each Paying Party shall (other than to the extent that that Party has given an instruction pursuant to paragraph (e) below) give all requisite instructions to the bank with whom the trust account is held to transfer the amount (together with any accrued interest) to the successor Agent for distribution to the relevant Recipient Party or Recipient Parties in accordance with clause 40.2 (Distributions by the Agent).

(e)
A Paying Party shall, promptly upon request by a Recipient Party and to the extent:

(i)
that it has not given an instruction pursuant to paragraph (d) above; and

(ii)
that it has been provided with the necessary information by that Recipient Party,
give all requisite instructions to the bank with whom the trust account is held to transfer the relevant amount (together with any accrued interest) to that Recipient Party.
40.6
Partial payments

(a)
If the Agent receives a payment for application against amounts due in respect of any Finance Documents that is insufficient to discharge all the amounts then due and payable by an Obligor under those Finance Documents, the Agent shall apply that payment
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towards the obligations of that Obligor under the Finance Documents in the following order:

(i)
first ,   in or towards payment pro rata of any unpaid amount owing to the Agent, the Security Agent or the Arranger for their own account under those Finance Documents;

(ii)
secondly ,   in or towards payment to the Lenders pro rata of any amount owing to the Lenders under clause 34.15 (Lenders’ indemnity to the Agent and others);

(iii)
thirdly ,   in or towards payment to the Lenders pro rata of all other amounts due to them but unpaid under the Finance Documents; and

(iv)
fourthly ,   in or towards payment pro rata of any other sum due but unpaid under the Finance Documents.

(b)
The Agent shall, if so directed by all the Lenders and with prior written notice to the Obligors, vary the order set out in paragraphs (ii) to (iv) of paragraph (a) above.

(c)
Paragraphs (a) and (b) above will override any appropriation made by an Obligor.
40.7
No set-off by Obligors
All payments to be made by an Obligor under the Finance Documents shall be calculated and be made without (and free and clear of any deduction for) set-off or counterclaim.
40.8
Business Days

(a)
Any payment under the Finance Documents which is due to be made on a day that is not a Business Day shall be made on the next Business Day in the same calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not).

(b)
During any extension of the due date for payment of any principal or Unpaid Sum under this Agreement interest is payable on the principal or Unpaid Sum at the rate payable on the original due date.
40.9
Currency of account

(a)
Subject to paragraphs (b) and (c) below, dollars is the currency of account and payment for any sum due from an Obligor under any Finance Document.

(b)
A repayment of all or part of the Loan or an Unpaid Sum and each payment of interest shall be made in dollars on its due date.

(c)
Each payment in respect of the amount of any costs, expenses or Taxes or other losses shall be made in dollars and, if they were incurred in a currency other than dollars, the amount payable under the Finance Documents shall be the equivalent in dollars of the relevant amount in such other currency on the date on which it was incurred.

(d)
All moneys received or held by the Security Agent or by a Receiver under a Security Document in a currency other than dollars may be sold for dollars and the Obligor which executed that Security Document shall indemnify the Security Agent against the full cost in relation to the sale. Neither the Security Agent nor such Receiver will have any liability to that Obligor in respect of any loss resulting from any fluctuation in exchange rates after the sale.
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40.10
Change of currency

(a)
Unless otherwise prohibited by law, if more than one currency or currency unit are at the same time recognised by the central bank of any country as the lawful currency of that country, then:

(i)
any reference in the Finance Documents to, and any obligations arising under the Finance Documents in, the currency of that country shall be translated into, or paid in, the currency or currency unit of that country designated by the Agent (after consultation with the Borrower); and

(ii)
any translation from one currency or currency unit to another shall be at the official rate of exchange recognised by the central bank for the conversion of that currency or currency unit into the other, rounded up or down by the Agent (acting reasonably).

(b)
If a change in any currency of a country occurs, this Agreement will, to the extent the Agent (acting reasonably and after consultation with the Borrower ) specifies to be necessary, be amended to comply with any generally accepted conventions and market practice in the Interbank Market and otherwise to reflect the change in currency.
40.11
Disruption to payment systems etc.
If either the Agent determines (acting reasonably) that a Disruption Event has occurred or the Agent is notified by the Borrower that a Disruption Event has occurred:

(a)
the Agent may, and shall if requested to do so by the Borrower, consult with the Borrower with a view to agreeing with the Borrower such changes to the operation or administration of the Facility as the Agent may deem necessary in the circumstances;

(b)
the Agent shall not be obliged to consult with the Borrower in relation to any changes mentioned in paragraph (a) above if, in its reasonable opinion, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances and, in any event, shall have no obligation to agree to such changes;

(c)
the Agent may consult with the Finance Parties in relation to any changes mentioned in paragraph (a) above but shall not be obliged to do so if, in its opinion, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances;

(d)
any such changes agreed upon by the Agent and the Borrower shall (whether or not it is finally determined that a Disruption Event has occurred) be binding upon the Parties as an amendment to (or, as the case may be, waiver of) the terms of the Finance Documents notwithstanding the provisions of clause 46 (Amendments and waivers);

(e)
the Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever (including, without limitation for negligence, gross negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Agent) arising as a result of its taking, or failing to take, any actions pursuant to or in connection with this clause 40.11; and

(f)
the Agent shall notify the Finance Parties of all changes agreed pursuant to paragraph (d) above.
41.
Set-off
A Finance Party may whilst an Event of Default is continuing set off any matured obligation due from an Obliger under the Finance Documents (to the extent beneficially owned by that Finance Party) against any matured obligation owed by that Finance Party to that Obliger, regardless of
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the place of payment, booking branch or currency of either obligation. If the obligations are in different currencies, the Finance Party may convert either obligation at a market rate of exchange in its usual course of business for the purpose of the set-off.
42.
Notices
42.1
Communications in writing
Any communication to be made under or in connection with the Finance Documents shall be made in writing and, unless otherwise stated, may be made by letter.
42.2
Addresses
The address (and the department or officer, if any, for whose attention the communication is to be made) of each Obligor or Finance Party for any communication or document to be made or delivered under or in connection with the Finance Documents is:

(a)
in the case of any Obligor who is a Party, that identified with its name in Schedule 1 (The original parties);

(b)
in the case of any Obligor which is not a Party, that identified in any Finance Document to which it is a party;

(c)
in the case of the Security Agent, the Agent and any other original Finance Party, that identified with its name in Schedule 1 (The original parties); and

(d)
in the case of each Lender or other Finance Party, that notified in writing to the Agent on or prior to the date on which it becomes a Party in the relevant capacity ,
or, in each case, any substitute address or department or officer as an Obligor or Finance Party may notify to the Agent (or the Agent may notify to the other Finance Parties and the Obligors who are Parties, if a change is made by the Agent) by not less than five Business Days’ notice.
42.3
Delivery

(a)
Any communication or document made or delivered by one person to another under or in connection with the Finance Documents will only be effective when it has been left at the relevant address or five Business Days after being deposited in the post postage prepaid in an envelope addressed to it at that address and, if a particular department or officer is specified as part of its address details provided under clause 42.2 (Addresses), if addressed to that department or officer.

(b)
Any communication or document to be made or delivered to the Agent or the Security Agent will be effective only when actually received by the Agent or the Security Agent and then only if it is expressly marked for the attention of the department or officer identified in Schedule 1 (The original parties) (or any substitute department or officer as the Agent or the Security Agent shall specify for this purpose).

(c)
All notices from or to an Obligor shall be sent through the Agent.

(d)
Any communication or document made or delivered to the Borrower in accordance with this clause 42.3 will be deemed to have been made or delivered to each of the Obligors.

(e)
Any communication or document which becomes effective, in accordance with paragraphs (a) to (d) above, after 5:00 p.m. in the place of receipt shall be deemed only to become effective on the following day.
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42.4
Notification of address
Promptly upon changing its’ address, the Agent shall notify the other Parties.
42.5
Communication when Agent is Impaired Agent
If the Agent is an Impaired Agent the Parties may, instead of communicating with each other through the Agent, communicate with each other directly and (while the Agent is an Impaired Agent) all the provisions of the Finance Documents which require communications to be made or notices to be given to or by the Agent shall be varied so that communications may be made and notices given to or by the relevant Parties directly. This provision shall not operate after a replacement Agent has been appointed.
42.6
Electronic communication

(a)
Any communication to be made between any two Parties under or in connection with the Finance Documents may be made by -electronic mail or other electronic means (including, without limitation, by way of posting to a secure website) if those two Parties:

(i)
notify each other in writing of their electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the transmission of information by that means; and

(ii)
notify each other of any change to their address or any other such information supplied by them by not less than five Business Days’ notice.

(b)
Any such electronic communication as specified in paragraph (a) above to be made between an Obligor and a Finance Party may only be made in that way to the extent that those two Parties agree that, unless and until notified to the contrary, this is to be an accepted form of communication.

(c)
Any such electronic communication as specified in paragraph (a) above made between any two Parties will be effective only when actually received (or made available) in readable form and, in the case of any electronic communication made by a Party to the Agent or the Security Agent, only if it is addressed in such a manner as the Agent or the Security Agent shall specify for this purpose.

(d)
Any electronic communication which becomes effective, in accordance with paragraph (c) above, after 5:00 p.m. in the place in which the Party to whom the relevant communication is sent or made available has its address for the purpose of this Agreement or any other Finance Document shall be deemed only to become effective on the following day.

(e)
Any reference in a Finance Document to a communication being sent or received shall be construed to include that communication being made available in accordance with this clause 42.6.
42.7
English language

(a)
Any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document must be in English.

(b)
All other documents provided under or in connection with any Finance Document must be:

(i)
in English; or

(ii)
if not in English, and if so required by the Agent, accompanied by a certified English translation and, in this case, the English translation will prevail unless the document is a constitutional, statutory or other official document.
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43.
Calculations and certificates
43.1
Accounts
In any litigation or arbitration proceedings arising out of or in connection with a Finance Document, the entries made in the accounts maintained by a Finance Party are prima facie evidence of the matters to which they relate.
43.2
Certificates and determinations
Any certification or determination by a Finance Party of a rate or amount under any Finance Document is, in the absence of manifest error, conclusive evidence of the matters to which it relates.
43.3
Day count convention
Any interest, commission or fee accruing under a Finance Document will accrue from day to day and is calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and a year of 360 days or, in any case where the practice in the Interbank Market differs, in accordance with that market practice.
44.
Partial invalidity
If, at any time, any provision of a Finance Document is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect under any law of any jurisdiction, neither the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions nor the legality, validity or enforceability of such provision under the law of any other jurisdiction will in any way be affected or impaired.
45.
Remedies and waivers
No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of any Finance Party, any right or remedy under a Finance Document shall operate as a waiver of any such right or remedy or constitute an election to affirm any Finance Document. No election to affirm any Finance Document on the part of any Finance Party shall be effective unless it is in writing. No single or partial exercise of any right or remedy shall prevent any further or other exercise or the exercise of any other right or remedy. The rights and remedies provided in each Finance Document are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
46.
Amendments and waivers
46.1
Required consents

(a)
Subject to clause 46.2 (All Lender matters) and clause 46.3 (Other exceptions), any term of the Finance Documents may be amended or waived only with the consent of the Majority Lenders and the Borrower and any such amendment or waiver will be binding on all the Finance Parties and other Obligors.

(b)
The Agent may (or, in the case of the Security Documents, instruct the Security Agent to) effect, on behalf of any Finance Party, any amendment or waiver permitted by this clause 46.

(c)
Without prejudice to the generality of paragraphs (c), (d) and (e) of clause 34.11 (Rights and discretions of the Agent), the Agent may engage, pay for and rely on the services of lawyers in determining the consent level required for and effecting any amendment, waiver or consent under this Agreement.
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(d)
Each Obligor agrees to any such amendment or waiver permitted by this clause 46 which is agreed to by the Borrower. This includes any amendment or waiver which would, but for this paragraph (d), require the consent of the Guarantor.
46.2
All Lender matters
An amendment, waiver or discharge or release or a consent of, or in relation to, any term of any Finance Document that has the effect of changing or which relates to:

(a)
the definition of “Majority Lenders” in clause 1.1 (Definitions);

(b)
the definition of “Last Availability Date” in clause 1.1 (Definitions);

(c)
an extension to the date of payment of any amount under the Finance Documents;

(d)
a reduction in the Margin or a reduction in the amount of any payment of principal, interest, fees or commission payable or the rate at which they are calculated;

(e)
an increase in, or an extension of, any Commitment or any requirement that a cancellation of Commitments reduces the Commitments of the Lenders rateably under the Facility;

(f)
a change to the Borrower or any other Obligor;

(g)
any provision which expressly requires the consent or approval of all the Lenders;

(h)
clause 39 (Sharing among the Finance Parties);

(i)
clause 2.2 (Finance Parties’ rights and obligations), clause 7.1 (Illegality), clause 32 (Changes to the Lenders), clause 8.9 (Application of prepayments), this clause 46, clause 51 (Governing Jaw) or clause 52.1 (Jurisdiction of English courts);

(j)
the order of distribution under clause 37.1 (Order of application);

(k)
the order of distribution under clause 40.6 (Partial payments);

(l)
the currency in which any amount is payable under any Finance Document;

(m)
an increase in any Commitment or the Total Commitments, an extension of any period within which the Facility is available for Utilisation or   any requirement that a cancellation of Commitments reduces the Commitments rateably;

(n)
(other than as expressly permitted by the provisions of any Finance Document) the nature or scope of:

(i)
any guarantee and indemnity granted under any Finance Document (including under clause 18 (Guarantee and indemnity));

(ii)
the Charged Property; or

(iii)
the manner in which the proceeds of enforcement of the Transaction Security are distributed;

(o)
the circumstances in which any of the Transaction Security is permitted or required to be released under any of the Finance Documents,
shall not be made, or given, without the prior consent of all the Lenders.
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46.3
Other exceptions

(a)
An amendment or waiver which relates to the rights or obligations of the Agent, the Security Agent or the Arranger in their respective capacities as such (and not just as a Lender) may not be effected without the consent of the Agent, the Security Agent or the Arranger (as the case may be).

(b)
Notwithstanding clauses 46.1 and 46.2 and paragraph (a) above, the Agent may make technical amendments to the Finance Documents arising out of manifest errors on the face of the Finance Documents, where such amendments would not prejudice or otherwise be adverse to the interests of any Finance Party without any reference or consent of the Finance Parties.
46.4
Replacement of Screen Rate
Subject to clause 46.3 (Other exceptions), if the Screen Rate is not available, any amendment or waiver which relates to providing for another benchmark rate to apply in place of that Screen Rate (or which relates to aligning any provision of a Finance Document to the use of that other benchmark rate) may be made with the consent of the Majority Lenders and the Borrower.
46.5
Releases
Except with the approval of the Lenders or for a release which is expressly permitted or required by the Finance Documents, the Agent shall not have authority to authorise the Security Agent to release:

(a)
any Charged Property from the Transaction Security; or

(b)
any Obligor from any of its guarantee or other obligations under any Finance Document.
46.6
Disenfranchisement of Defaulting Lenders

(a)
For so long as a Defaulting Lender has any Available Commitment, in ascertaining:

(i)
the Majority Lenders; or

(ii)
whether:

(A)
any given percentage (including, for the avoidance of doubt, unanimity) of the Total Commitments under the Facility; or

(B)
the agreement of any specified group of Lenders,
has been obtained to approve any request for a consent, waiver, amendment or other vote of Lenders under the Finance Documents,
that Defaulting Lender’s Commitment will be reduced by the amount of its Available Commitment and, to the extent that such reduction results in that Defaulting Lender’s Commitment being zero, that Defaulting Lender shall be deemed not to be a Lender for the purposes of paragraphs (i) and (ii) above.

(b)
For the purposes of this clause 46.6, the Agent may assume that the following Lenders are Defaulting Lenders:

(i)
any Lender which has notified the Agent that it has become a Defaulting Lender; and
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(ii)
any Lender in relation to which it is aware that any of the events or circumstances referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) of the definition of “Defaulting Lender” has occurred,
unless it has received notice to the contrary from the Lender concerned (together with any supporting evidence reasonably requested by the Agent) or the Agent is otherwise aware that the Lender has ceased to be a Defaulting Lender.
46.7
Excluded Commitments
If:

(a)
any Defaulting Lender fails to respond to a request for a consent, waiver, amendment of or in relation to any term of any Finance Document or any other vote of Lenders under the terms of this Agreement within 10 Business Days of that request being made; or

(b)
any Lender which is not a Defaulting Lender fails to respond to such a request (other than an amendment, waiver or consent referred to in paragraphs (b), (c), (d) and(m)of clause 46.2 (All Lender matters)) or such a vote within 10 Business Days of that request being made,
(unless (in either such case) the Borrower and the Agent agree to a longer time period in relation to any request):

(i)
its Commitment or its participation in the Loan shall not be included for the purpose of calculating the Total Commitments or the amount of the Loan when ascertaining whether any relevant percentage (including, for the avoidance of doubt, unanimity) of Total Commitments or the amount of the Loan has been obtained to approve that request; and

(ii)
its status as a Lender shall be disregarded for the purpose of ascertaining whether the agreement of any specified group of Lenders has been obtained to approve that request.
46.8
Replacement of a Defaulting Lender

(a)
The Borrower may, at any time a Lender has become and continues to be a Defaulting Lender, by giving 10 Business Days’ prior notice to the Agent and such Lender replace such Lender by requiring such Lender to (and to the extent permitted by law such Lender shall) assign pursuant to clause 32 (Changes to the Lenders) all (and not part only) of its
rights under this Agreement (and any Security Document to which that Lender is a party in its capacity as a Lender) to an Eligible Institution (a Replacement Lender )   which confirms its willingness to undertake and does undertake all the obligations or all the relevant obligations of the assigning Lender in accordance with clause 32 (Changes to   the Lenders) for a purchase price in cash payable at the time of transfer which is either:

(i)
in an amount equal to:

(A)
the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s participation in the Loan;

(B)
all accrued interest owing to such Lender;

(C)
the Break Costs which would have been payable to such Lender pursuant to clause 11.5 (Break Costs) had the Borrower prepaid in full that Lender’s participation in the Loan on the date of the assignment; and

(D)
all other amounts payable to that Lender under the Finance Documents on the date of the assignment or
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(ii)
in an amount agreed between that Defaulting Lender, the Replacement Lender and the Borrower and which does not exceed the amount described in paragraph (i) above.

(b)
Any assignment by a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause 46.8 shall be subject to the following conditions:

(i)
the Borrower shall have no right to replace the Agent or the Security Agent;

(ii)
neither the Agent nor the Defaulting Lender shall have any obligation to the Borrower to find a Replacement Lender;

(iii)
the assignment must take place no later than five Business Days after the notice referred to in paragraph (a) above;

(iv)
in no event shall the Defaulting Lender be required to pay or surrender to the Replacement Lender any of the fees received by the Defaulting Lender pursuant to the Finance Documents; and

(v)
the Defaulting Lender shall only be obliged to assign its rights pursuant to paragraph (a) above once it is satisfied that it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to that assignment to the Replacement Lender.

(c)
The Defaulting Lender shall perform the checks described in paragraph (b) (v) above as soon as reasonably practicable following delivery of a notice referred to in paragraph (a) above and shall notify the Agent and the Borrower when it is satisfied that it has complied with those checks.
46.9
Disenfranchisement of Borrower Affiliates

(a)
For so long as a Borrower Affiliate:

(i)
beneficially owns a Commitment; or

(ii)
has entered into a sub-participation agreement relating to a Commitment or other agreement or arrangement having a substantially similar economic effect and such agreement or arrangement has not been terminated
in ascertaining:

(A)
the Majority Lenders; or

(B)
whether:

(1)
any given percentage (including, for the avoidance of doubt, unanimity) of the Total Commitments; or

(2)
the agreement of any specified group of Lenders,
has been obtained to approve any request for a consent, waiver, amendment or other vote under the Finance Documents
such Commitment shall be deemed to be zero and such Borrower Affiliate or the person with whom it has entered into such sub-participation, other agreement or arrangement shall be deemed not to be a Lender for the purposes of paragraphs (A) and (B) above (unless in the case of a person not being a Borrower Affiliate it is a Lender by virtue otherwise than by beneficially owning the relevant Commitment).
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(b)
Each Lender shall, unless such Debt Purchase Transaction is an assignment or transfer, promptly notify the Agent in writing if it knowingly enters into a Debt Purchase Transaction with a Borrower Affiliate (a Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction), such notification to be substantially in the form set out in Part I of Schedule 7 (Forms of Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction Notice).

(c)
A Lender shall promptly notify the Agent if a Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction to which it is a party:

(i)
is terminated; or

(ii)
ceases to be with a Borrower Affiliate,
such notification to be substantially in the form set out in Part II of Schedule 7 (Forms of Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction Notice).

(d)
Each Borrower Affiliate that is a Lender agrees that:

(i)
in relation to any meeting or conference call to which all the Lenders are invited to attend or participate, it shall not attend or participate in the same if so requested by the Agent or, unless the Agent otherwise agrees, be entitled to receive the agenda or any minutes of the same; and

(ii)
in its capacity as Lender, unless the Agent otherwise agrees, it shall not be entitled to receive any report or other document prepared at the behest of, or on the instructions of, the Agent or one or more of the Lenders.
47.
Confidential Information
47.1
Confidential Information
Each Finance Party agrees to keep all Confidential Information confidential and not to disclose it to anyone, save to the extent permitted by clause 47.2 (Disclosure of Confidential Information), or as required by SEC or NASDAQ regulations, and to ensure that all Confidential Information is protected with security measures and a degree of care that would apply to its own confidential information.
47.2
Disclosure of Confidential Information
Any Finance Party may disclose:

(a)
to any of its Affiliates and Related Funds and any of its or their officers, directors, employees, professional advisers, auditors, partners and Representatives such Confidential Information as that Finance Party shall consider appropriate if any person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given pursuant to this paragraph (a) is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no such requirement to so inform if the recipient is subject to professional obligations to maintain the confidentiality of the information or is otherwise bound by requirements of confidentiality in relation to the Confidential Information;

(b)
to any person:

(i)
to (or through) whom it assigns (or may potentially assign) all or any of its rights and/or obligations under one or more Finance Documents or which succeeds (or which may potentially succeed) it as Agent or Security Agent and, in each case, to any of that person’s Affiliates, Related Funds, Representatives, professional advisers and partners;
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(ii)
with (or through) whom it enters into (or may potentially enter into), whether directly or indirectly, any sub-participation in relation to, or any other transaction under which payments are to be made or may be made by reference to, one or more Finance Documents and/or one or more Obligors and to any of that person’s Affiliates, Related Funds, Representatives, professional advisers and partners;

(iii)
appointed by any Finance Party or by a person to whom paragraphs (b)(i) or (b)(ii) above applies to receive communications, notices, information or documents delivered pursuant to the Finance Documents on its behalf (including, without limitation, any person appointed under paragraph (b) of clause 34.20 (Relationship with the Lenders));

(iv)
who invests in or otherwise finances (or may potentially invest in or otherwise finance), directly or indirectly, any transaction referred to in paragraphs (b)(i) or (b)(ii) above;

(v)
to whom information is required or requested to be disclosed by any court of competent jurisdiction or any governmental, banking, taxation or other regulatory authority or similar body, the rules of any relevant stock exchange or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation;

(vi)
to whom information is required to be disclosed in connection with, and for the purposes of, any litigation, arbitration, administrative or other investigations, proceedings or disputes;

(vii)
to whom or for whose benefit that Finance Party charges, assigns or otherwise creates Security (or may do so) pursuant to clause 32.8 (Security over Lenders’ rights);

(viii)
who is a Party; or

(ix)
with the consent of the Borrower;
in each case, such Confidential Information as that Finance Party shall consider appropriate;

(c)
to any person appointed by that Finance Party or by a person to whom paragraphs (b)(i) or (b)(ii) above applies to provide administration or settlement services in respect of one or more of the Finance Documents including without limitation, in relation to the trading of participations in respect of the Finance Documents, such Confidential Information as may be required to be disclosed to enable such service provider to provide any of the services referred to in this paragraph (c) if the service provider to whom the Confidential Information is to be given has entered into a confidentiality agreement substantially in the form of the LMA Master Confidentiality Undertaking for Use With Administration/Settlement Service Providers or such other form of confidentiality undertaking agreed between the Borrower and the relevant Finance Party; and

(d)
to any rating agency (including its professional advisers) such Confidential Information as may be required to be disclosed to enable such rating agency to carry out its normal rating activities in relation to the Finance Documents and/or the Obligors.
47.3
Entire agreement
This clause 47 constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties in relation to the obligations of the Finance Parties under the Finance Documents regarding Confidential Information and supersedes any previous agreement, whether express or   implied, regarding Confidential Information.
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47.4
Inside information
Each of the Finance Parties acknowledges that some or all of the Confidential Information is or may be price-sensitive information and that the use of such information may be regulated or prohibited by applicable legislation including securities law relating to insider dealing and market abuse and each of the Finance Parties undertakes not to use any Confidential Information for any unlawful purpose.
47.5
Notification of disclosure
Each of the Finance Parties agrees (to the extent permitted by law and regulation) to inform the Borrower:

(a)
of the circumstances of any disclosure of Confidential Information made to any person to whom information is required or requested to be disclosed by any court of competent jurisdiction or any governmental, banking, taxation or other regulatory authority or similar body or the rules of any relevant stock exchange or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation pursuant to clause 47.2 (Disclosure of Confidential Information) except where such disclosure is made to any such person during the ordinary course of its supervisory or regulatory function; and

(b)
upon becoming aware that Confidential Information has been disclosed in breach of this clause 47.
47.6
Continuing obligations
The obligations in this clause 47 are continuing and, in particular, shall survive and remain binding on each Finance Party for a period of twenty four months from the earlier of:

(a)
the date on which all amounts payable by the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been paid in full and all Commitments have been cancelled or otherwise cease to be available; and

(b)
the date on which such Finance Party otherwise ceases to be a Finance Party.
48.
Confidentiality of Funding Rates
48.1
Confidentiality and disclosure

(a)
The Agent and each Obligor who is a Party agree to keep each Funding Rate confidential and not to disclose it to anyone, save to the extent permitted by paragraphs (b) and (c) below.

(b)
The Agent may disclose:

(i)
any Funding Rate to the Borrower pursuant to clause 9.4 (Notification of rates of interest); and

(ii)
any Funding Rate to any person appointed by it to provide administration services in respect of one or more of the Finance Documents to the extent necessary to enable such service provider to provide those services if the service provider to whom that information is to be given has entered into a confidentiality agreement substantially in the form of the LMA Master Confidentiality Undertaking for Use With Administration/Settlement Service Providers or such other form of confidentiality undertaking agreed between the Agent and the relevant Lender.
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(c)
The Agent may disclose any Funding Rate to:

(i)
any of its Affiliates and any of its or their officers, directors, employees, professional advisers, auditors, partners and Representatives if any person to whom that Funding Rate is to be given pursuant to this paragraph (i) is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that it may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no such requirement to so inform if the recipient is subject to professional obligations to maintain the confidentiality of that Funding Rate or is otherwise bound by requirements of confidentiality in relation to it;

(ii)
any person to whom information is required or requested to be disclosed by any court of competent jurisdiction or any governmental, banking, taxation or other regulatory authority or similar body, the rules of any relevant stock exchange or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation if the person to   whom that Funding Rate is to be given is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that it may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no requirement to so inform if, in the opinion of the Agent or the relevant Obliger, as the case may be, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances;

(iii)
any person to whom information is required to be disclosed in connection with, and for the purposes of, any litigation, arbitration, administrative or other investigations, proceedings or disputes if the person to whom that Funding Rate is to be given is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that it may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no requirement to so inform if, in the opinion of the Agent or the relevant Obligor, as the case may be, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances; and

(iv)
any person with the consent of the relevant Lender.
48.2
Related obligations

(a)
The Agent and each Obligor acknowledge that each Funding Rate is or may be price- sensitive information and that its use may be regulated or prohibited by applicable legislation including securities law relating to insider dealing and market abuse and the Agent and each Obligor undertake not to use any Funding Rate for any unlawful purpose.

(b)
The Agent and each Obligor agree (to the extent permitted by law and regulation) to inform the relevant Lender:

(i)
of the circumstances of any disclosure made pursuant to clause 48.1(c)(ii) (Confidentiality and disclosure) except where such disclosure is made to any of the persons referred to in that paragraph during the ordinary course of its supervisory or regulatory function; and

(ii)
upon becoming aware that any information has been disclosed in breach of this clause 48.
48.3
No Event of Default
No Event of Default will occur under clause 31.3 (Other obligations) by reason only of an Obliger’s failure to comply with this clause 48.
49.
Counterparts
Each Finance Document may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of the Finance Document.
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50.
Contractual recognition of bail-in
Notwithstanding any other term of any Finance Document or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding between the Parties, each Party and each Obliger acknowledges and accepts that any liability of any Party to any other Party under or in connection with the Finance Documents may be subject to Bail-In Action by the relevant Resolution Authority and acknowledges and accepts to be bound by the effect of:

(a)
any Bail-In Action in relation to any such liability, including (without limitation):

(i)
a reduction, in full or in part, in the principal amount, or outstanding amount due (including any accrued but unpaid interest) in respect of any such liability;

(ii)
a conversion of all, or part of, any such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership that may be issued to, or conferred on, it; and

(iii)
a cancellation of any such liability; and

(b)
a variation of any term of any Finance Document to the extent necessary to give effect to any Bail-In Action in relation to any such liability.
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Section 12 - Governing Law and Enforcement
51.
Governing law
This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations connected with it are governed by English law.
52.
Enforcement
52.1
Jurisdiction of English courts

(a)
The courts of England have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any non-contractual obligations connected with it (including a dispute regarding the existence, validity or termination of this Agreement) (a Dispute ).

(b)
The Parties agree that the courts of England are the most appropriate and convenient courts to settle Disputes and accordingly no Party will argue to the contrary.

(c)
Notwithstanding paragraph (a) above, no Finance Party shall be prevented from taking proceedings relating to a Dispute in any other courts with jurisdiction. To the extent allowed by law, the Finance Parties may take concurrent proceedings in any number of jurisdictions.
52.2
Service of process
Without prejudice to any other mode of service allowed under any relevant law, any Obligor who is a Party:

(a)
irrevocably appoints the person named in Schedule 1 (The original parties) as that Obligor’s English process agent as its agent for service of process in relation to any proceedings before the English courts in connection with any Finance Document;

(b)
agrees that failure by an agent for service of process to notify the relevant Obligor of the process will not invalidate the proceedings concerned; and

(c)
if any person appointed as process agent for an Obligor is unable for any reason to act as agent for service of process, that Obligor must immediately (and in any event within ten days of such event taking place) appoint another agent on terms acceptable to the Agent. Failing this, the Agent may appoint another agent for this purpose.
This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.
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Schedule 1
The original parties
Borrower
Name:
Astarte International Inc.
Original Jurisdiction
The Republic of the Marshall Islands
Registration number (or equivalent , if any )
89977
Registered office
Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960
Address for service of notices
c/o Central Mare Inc., 1 Vas. Sofias Street & Meg. Alexandrou,
151 24 Maroussi, Greece. Attn: Andreas Louka.
Email: legal@centralmare.com. Tel.: +30 210 812 8320
English process agent (if not incorporated in England )
Top Properties (London) Limited, 247 Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1X 8QZ, United Kingdom

Guarantor
Name:
Top Ships Inc.
Original Jurisdiction
The Republic of the Marshall Islands
Registration number (or equivalent , if any )
3571
Registered office
Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960
Address for service of notices
c/o Central Mare Inc., 1 Vas . Sofias Street & Meg. Alexandrou,
151 24 Maroussi, Greece . Attn: Andreas Louka.
Email: legal@ centralmare.com. Tel.: +30 210 812 8320
English process agent (if not incorporated in England )
Top Properties (London) Limited, 247 Gray’s Inn Road , London WC1X 8QZ, United Kingdom

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The Original Lenders
Name
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V.
Commitment $
23,500,000
TOTAL $
23,500,000
Total Commitments $
23,500,000
TOTAL $
23,500,000

The Agent
Name
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V.
Facility Office , address and attention details for notices
Herengracht 469
Amsterdam, 1017 BS
The Netherlands

Attn:   Iraklis Tsirigotis / Vassilis Kolovos
Email:   i.tsirigotis@atbank.nl / v.kolovos@atbank.nl

The Security Agent
Name
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V.
Facility Office , address and attention details for notices
Herengracht 469
Amsterdam, 1017 BS
The Netherlands

Attn:   Iraklis Tsirigotis / Vassilis Kolovos
Email:   i.tsirigotis@atbank.nl / v.kolovos@atbank.nl

The Account Bank
Name
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V.
Facility Office , address and attention details for notices
Herengracht 469
Amsterdam, 1017 BS
The Netherlands

Attn:   Iraklis Tsirigotis / Vassilis Kolovos
Email:   i.tsirigotis@atbank.nl / v.kolovos@atbank.nl


133


Schedule 2 Ship information



Builder:
Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co., Ltd.
Builder’s registered office:
100 Bangeojinsunhwan-Doro, Dung-Gu, Ulsan 44113, Korea
Hull Number:
2648
Scheduled Delivery Date:
31 July 2018
Date and description of Building Contract:
shipbuilding contract dated 20 April 2017 as amended and supplemented by an Amendment No. 1 thereto dated 18 July 2017
Contract Price:
$31,900,000
Flag State:
The Republic of the Marshall Islands
Port of Registry:
Majuro
Charter description:
time charter dated 1 September 2017
Charterer:
Central Ship Chartering Inc.
Classification:
+100A1, Double Hull Oil and Chemical Tanker, Ship Type 2 and Ship Type 3, ESP, CSR, +LMC, UMS, ·1ws, LI, SRM4, ECO(IHM, P), NAV1, IGS, ShipRight (CM, ACS(B)) with descriptive notes COW(LR), ETA, ShipRight (BWMP(S)), SERS, SCM, VECS)
   
Classification Society:
Lloyds Register of Shipping
Major Casualty Amount:
$500,000

134



Schedule 3
Conditions precedent
Part 1
Conditions precedent to any Utilisation
1.
Original Obligors’ corporate documents

(a)
A copy of the Constitutional Documents of each Original Ob liger (other than the Charterer) and minutes of any extraordinary shareholders’ meeting(s) amending the Constitutional Documents of CSM.

(b)
A copy of a resolution of the board of directors of each Original Obligor (other than the Charterer) (or, if applicable, any committee of such board empowered to approve and authorise the following matters):

(i)
approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Transaction Documents to which it is a party (its Relevant Documents )   and resolving that it execute, deliver and perform the Relevant Documents to which it is a party;

(ii)
authorising a specified person or persons to execute its Relevant Documents on its behalf; and

(iii)
authorising a specified person or persons, on its behalf, to sign and/or despatch all documents and notices (including, if relevant, any Utilisation Request) to be signed and/or despatched by it under or in connection with its Relevant Documents.

(c)
If applicable, a copy of a resolution of the board of directors of the relevant company, establishing any committee referred to in paragraph (b) above and conferring authority on that committee.

(d)
(d) A specimen of the signature of each person authorised by the resolution referred to in paragraph (b) above in relation to its Relevant Documents and related documents.

(e)
A copy of a resolution signed by all the holders of the issued shares in each Original Obligor (other than the Charterer), approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, its Relevant Documents.

(f)
A copy of a resolution of the board of directors of each corporate shareholder of each Original Obliger (other than the Charterer) approving the terms of the resolution referred to in paragraph (e) above and in relation to CSM, a copy of a resolution of the shareholders’ meeting of CSM:

(i)
ratifying the terms and conditions of the Finance Documents;

(ii)
ratifying the authorisation given to a specified person or persons to execute the Finance Documents; and

(iii)
authorizing the directors pursuant to article 23 of the Sovereign Ordinance of March 5th, 1895.

(g)
A certificate of the Guarantor (signed by a director) confirming that borrowing or guaranteeing or securing, as appropriate, the Total Commitments would not cause any borrowing, guarantee, security or similar limit binding on any Original Obligor (other than the Charterer) to be exceeded.

(h)
A copy of any power of attorney under which any person is appointed by any Original Obligor (other than the Charterer) to execute any of its Relevant Documents on its behalf.
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(i)
A certificate of an authorised signatory of each relevant Original Obliger (other than the Charterer) certifying that each copy document relating to it specified in this Part of this Schedule is correct, complete and in full force and effect and has not been amended or superseded as at a date no earlier than the date of this Agreement and that any such resolutions or power of attorney have not been revoked.

(i)
A goodstanding certificate from the Marshall Islands competent authority in respect of the Borrower and the Guarantor (not more than 14 days before the proposed Utilisation Date).
2.
legal opinions
The following legal opinion, each addressed to the Agent, the Security A gent and the Original Lenders and capable of being relied upon by any persons who become Lenders pursuant to the primary syndication of the Facility:

(a)
A legal opinion of Norton Rose Fulbright Greece addressed to the Arranger, the Security Agent and the Agent on matters of English law, substantially in the form approved by the Agent prior to signing this Agreement.

(b)
A legal opinion of the legal advisers to, the Arranger, the Security Agent and the Agent in England and also each jurisdiction in which an Obliger is incorporated, or in which an Account opened at the relevant time is established substantially in the form approved by the Agent prior to signing this Agreement.
3.
Other documents and evidence

(a)
Evidence that any process agent referred to in clause 52.2 (Service of process) or any equivalent provision of any other Finance Document entered into on or before the Utilisation Date, if not an Original Obligor, has accepted its appointment.

(b)
A copy of any other Authorisation or other document, opinion or assurance which the Agent considers to be necessary (if it has notified the Borrower accordingly) in connection with the entry into and performance of the transactions contemplated by any Finance Document or for the validity and enforceability of any Finance Document.

(c)
The Fee Letter duly executed and evidence that the fees, commissions, costs and expenses then due from the Borrower pursuant to clause 12 (Fees) and clause 17 (Costs and expenses) have been paid or will be paid by the Utilisation Date.
4.
Bank Account
Evidence that any Account required to be established under clause 29 (Bank accounts) has been opened and established, that any Account Security in respect of each such Account has been executed and delivered by the Borrower and that any notice required to be given to an Account Bank under that Account Security has been given to it and acknowledged by it in the manner required by that Account Security and that an amount has been credited to it.
5.
Charter

(a)
The Charter, duly executed, on such terms (including as to the identity of the Charterer, the charter rates and their tenors) and otherwise approved by the Majority Lenders.

(b)
Such evidence as the Agent may require as to the due incorporation of the Charterer and any other party to the Charter Documents (other than an Obliger), their power and authority to enter into and perform those documents and the authorisation of their entry into them.
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6.
“Know your customer” information
Such documentation and information as any Finance Party may reasonably request through the Agent to comply with “know your customer” (including anti-money laundering requirements) or similar identification procedures under all laws and regulations applicable to that Finance Party.
7.
Disclosed Persons
Evidence in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) of who are the persons controlling the Guarantor as at the date of this Agreement, including written evidence of their identity .
8.
Charter hire
Notwithstanding paragraph 5(a) of this Part 1, evidence in all respects satisfactory to the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) that the Charter has a firm tenor of at least 3 calendar years and that the average net daily hire is not less than $14,000.
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Part 2
Conditions precedent on Delivery
1.
Corporate documents

(a)
A   certificate of an authorised signatory of the Borrower certifying that each copy document relating to it specified in Part 1 of this Schedule remains correct, complete and in full force and effect as at a date no earlier than a date approved for this purpose and that any resolutions or power of attorney referred to in Part 1 of this Schedule in relation to it have not been revoked or amended.

(b)
A certificate of an authorised signatory of each other Obligor which is party to any of the Original Security Documents required to be executed at or before Delivery of the Ship certifying that each copy document relating to it specified in Part 1 of this Schedule remains correct, complete and in full force and effect as at a date no earlier than a date approved for this purpose and that any resolutions or power of attorney referred to in Part 1 of this Schedule in relation to it have not been revoked or amended.
2.
Security

(a)
The Mortgage, the General Assignment and the Charter Assignment duly executed by the Borrower.

(b)
Any Manager’s Undertaking required at Delivery pursuant to the Finance Documents duly executed by the relevant manager.

(c)
Duly executed notices of assignment and acknowledgements of those notices as required by any of the above Security Documents.
3.
Delivery and registration of Ship
Evidence that the Ship:

(a)
is legally and beneficially owned by the Borrower and registered in the name of the Borrower through the relevant Registry as a ship under the laws and flag of the relevant Flag State;

(b)
is classed with the relevant Classification free of all overdue requirements and recommendations of the relevant Classification Society;

(c)
is insured in the manner required by the Finance Documents; and

(d)
has been delivered, and accepted for service, under the Charter.
4.
Mortgage registration
Evidence that the Mortgage has been registered against the Ship through the relevant Registry under the laws and flag of the relevant Flag State.
5.
Legal opinions
The following further legal opinions, each addressed to the Agent, the Security Agent and the Original Lenders and capable of being relied upon by any persons who become Lenders pursuant to the primary syndication of the Facility:
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(a)
A legal opinion of Norton Rose Fulbright Greece addressed to the Security Agent and the Agent on matters of English law, substantially in the form approved by the Agent prior to signing this Agreement in relation to Security Documents.

(b)
A legal opinion of the legal advisers to the Security Agent and the Agent in each jurisdiction in which an Obligor is incorporated and/or which is or is to be the Flag State of the Ship, or in which the Operating Account opened at the relevant time is established substantially in the form approved by the Agent prior to signing this Agreement.
6.
Insurance
In relation to the Ship’s Insurances:

(a)
an opinion from BankServe Insurance Services Ltd. appointed by the Agent on such Insurances;

(b)
evidence that such Insurances have been placed in accordance with clause 26 (Insurance); and

(c)
evidence that approved brokers, insurers and/or associations have issued or will issue letters of undertaking in favour of the Security Agent in an approved form in relation to the Insurances.
7.
ISM and ISPS Code
Copies of:

(a)
the document of compliance issued in accordance with the ISM Code to the person who is the operator of the Ship for the purposes of that code;

(b)
the safety management certificate in respect of the Ship issued in accordance with the ISM Code (or evidence that such certificate is to be issued shortly after Delivery);

(c)
the international ship security certificate in respect of the Ship issued under the ISPS Code (or evidence that such certificate is to be issued shortly after Delivery); and

(d)
if so requested by the Agent, any other certificates issued under any applicable code required to be observed by the Ship or in relation to its operation under any applicable law.
8.
Value of security
Valuations of the Ship obtained (not more than 21 days before the Utilisation Date) in accordance with clause 27 (Minimum security value) evidencing the market value of the Ship for the purposes of the Utilisation.
9.
Construction matters

(a)
Evidence that any Authorisations required from any government entity for the export of the Ship by the Builder have been obtained or that no such Authorisations are required.

(b)
Evidence that the full contract price of the Ship (as adjusted in accordance with its Building Contract) will have been paid upon the Utilisation being made and that the Builder and the Shipyard will not have any lien or other right to detain the ship on its Delivery.

(c)
The original or a copy, certified by a legal advisor of the Borrower to be a true and complete copy, of the builder’s certificate, the bill of sale conveying title to the Ship to the
139



Borrower, the protocol of delivery and acceptance, the commercial invoice and any other delivery documentation to be delivered under the Building Contract as may be requested by the Agent.
10.
Fees and expenses
Evidence that the fees, commissions, costs and expenses then due from the Borrower pursuant to clause 12 (Fees) and clause 17 (Costs and expenses) or any Fee Letter have been paid or will be paid by the Utilisation Date.
11.
Management Agreement
Where a manager of the Ship has been approved in accordance with clause 24.4 (Manager), a copy, certified by an approved person to be a true and complete cop y, of the agreement between the Borrower and the manager relating to the appointment of the manager.
12.
Process Agent
Evidence that any process agent of any Obliger referred to in any provision of any Finance Document to be entered into under this Part 2, if not an Obliger, has accepted its appointment.
13.
Refinancing
Evidence that the Existing Indebtedness has been repaid in full or will be repaid in full forthwith upon Utilisation with the proceeds of the Utilisation and that all Security Interests granted as security thereof have been duly released and/or reassigned to the relevant parties.
14.
Share Security
The Share Security duly executed by the Guarantor together with all letters, transfers, certificates and other documents required to be delivered under the Share Security.
140


Schedule 4
Utilisation Request
From:
Astarte International Inc.
   
To:
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V.
   
Dated:
[•]

Dear Sirs
$23,500,000
Facility Agreement dated[•] (the Facility Agreement)
1.
We refer to the Facility Agreement. This is a Utilisation Request. Terms defined in the Facility Agreement have the same meaning in this Utilisation Request unless given a different meaning in this Utilisation Request.
2.
We wish to borrow the Loan on the following terms:
 
Proposed Utilisation Date:
[•] (or, if that is not a Business Day, the next Business Day)
     
 
Amount:
$ [•]

3.
We confirm that each condition specified In clause 4.4 (Further conditions precedent) is satisfied on the date of this Utilisation Request.
4.
The purpose of the Loan is [ specify purpose complying with clause (a) of the Facility Agreement ]   and its proceeds should be credited to[•] [ specify account ]].
5.
This Utilisation Request is irrevocable.
Yours faithfully


______________________
authorised signatory for
ASTARTE INTERNATIONAL INC.
141


Schedule 5
Form of Transfer Certificate
To:
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V. as Agent
   
From:
[ The Existing Lender ]   (the Existing Lender )   and [ The New Lender ]   (the New Lender )
   
Dated:
 

$23,500,000 Facility Agreement dated [•] (the Facility Agreement)
1.
We refer to the Facility Agreement. This agreement (the Agreement )   shall take effect as a Transfer Certificate for the purposes of the Facility Agreement. Terms defined in the Facility Agreement have the same meaning in this Agreement unless given a different meaning in this Agreement.
2.
We refer to clause 32.6 (Procedure for assignment) of the Facility Agreement:

(a)
The Existing Lender assigns absolutely to the New Lender all the rights of the Existing Lender under the Facility Agreement and the other Finance Documents which correspond to that portion of the Existing Lender’s Commitment and participation in the Loan under the Facility Agreement as specified in the Schedule.

(b)
The Existing Lender is released from the obligations owed by it which correspond to that portion of the Existing Lender’s Commitment and participation in the Loan under the Facility Agreement specified in the Schedule (but the obligations owed by the Obligors under the Finance Documents shall not be released).

(c)
On the Transfer Date the New Lender becomes a Party as a Lender and is bound by obligations equivalent to those from which the Existing Lender is released under paragraph (b) above.

(d)
The proposed Transfer Date is [•].

(e)
The Facility Office and address and attention details for notices of the New Lender for the purposes of clause 42.2 (Addresses) of the Facility Agreement are set out in the Schedule.
3.
The New Lender expressly acknowledges the limitations on the Existing Lender’s obligations set out in clause 32.5 (Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders) of the Facility Agreement.
4.
The New Lender confirms that it [is]/ [is not] a Borrower Affiliate.
5.
This Agreement acts as notice to the Agent (on behalf of each Finance Party) and, upon delivery in accordance with clause 32.7 (Copy of Transfer Certificate to Borrower), to the Borrower (on behalf of each Obliger) of the assignment referred to in this Agreement.
6.
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Agreement.
7.
This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations connected with it are governed by English law.
8.
This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.
Note: The execution of this Transfer Certificate may not assign a proportionate share of the Existing Lender’s interest in the Security Documents in all jurisdictions. It is the responsibility
142


of the New Lender to ascertain whether any other documents or other formalities are required to perfect an assignment of such a share in the Security Documents in any jurisdiction and, if so, to arrange for execution of those documents and completion of those formalities.
143



The Schedule
Rights to be assigned and obligations to be released and undertaken


[insert relevant details]
(Facility Office address and attention details for notices and account details for payments.]
(Existing Lender) (New Lender]
By:
By:
This Agreement is accepted by the Agent as a Transfer Certificate for the purposes of the Facility Agreement and the Transfer Date is confirmed as(•].
Signature of this Agreement by the Agent constitutes confirmation by the Agent of receipt of notice of the assignment referred to herein, which notice the Agent receives on behalf of each Finance Party.
[Agent ]
By:
144


Schedule 6
Form of Compliance Certificate
Part A - Borrower
To:
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V. as Agent
   
From:
Astarte International Inc. as Borrower
   
Dated:
[•]

Dear Sirs
$23,500,000
Facility Agreement dated[•] (the Facility Agreement)
1.
I/We refer to the Facility Agreement. This is a Compliance Certificate in respect of the Borrower. Terms defined in the Facility Agreement have the same meaning when used in this Compliance Certificate unless given a different meaning in this Compliance Certificate.
2.
I/We confirm that:

(a)
Minimum liquidity: the cash balance in the Operating Account was [not] less than the minimum required amount of $[650,000] [300,000] at all times during the [six] [twelve] month period ended on [•], as shown in Appendix A [ attach relevant evidence ];   and

(b)
Security Value: the Security Value was [equal to] [less than] [more than) the Minimum Value calculated as shown in Appendix B [attach relevant evidence ].
3.
[I/We confirm that no Default is continuing.] [If this statement cannot be made, the certificate should identify any Default that is continuing and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it.]
Signed by:



________________________________
TOP SHIPS INC.
on behalf of
ASTARTE INTERNATIONAL INC.

________________________________
[Auditors of ASTARTE INTERNATIONAL INC. ]


[N.B.:   Required only in respect of the audited annual financial statements of Astarte International Inc.
145



Part B - Guarantor
To:
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V. as Agent
   
From:
Top Ships Inc. as Guarantor
   
Dated:
[•]

Dear Sirs
$23,500,000
Facility Agreement dated [•]  (the Facility Agreement)
1.
I/We refer to the Facility Agreement. This is a Compliance Certificate in respect of the Guarantor. Terms defined in the Facility Agreement have the same meaning when used in this Compliance Certificate unless given a different meaning in this Compliance Certificate.
2.
I/We confirm that:

(a)
Leverage: the ratio of Total Net Debt to Fleet Market Value in respect of the Group was [•]:1.00, calculated as shown in [Appendix A] versus a maximum required ratio of 0.75:1.00 [attach relevant evidence ]:   and

(b)
Minimum liquidity: the Group’s Cash and Cash Equivalents were [•] calculated as shown in [Appendix B] versus a minimum required aggregate amount of (i) $750,000 per Fleet Vessel and (ii) $500,000 per Chartered Vessel [ attach relevant evidence ].
3.
I/We confirm that no Default is continuing.] [If this statement cannot be made, the certificate should identify any Default that is continuing and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it.]
Signed by:


___________________________
TOP SHIPS INC.


___________________________
[Auditors of TOP SHIPS INC. ]


[N.B.: Required only in respect of the audited annual financial statements of Top Ships Inc.]

146


Schedule 7
Forms of Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction Notice
Form of Notice on Entering into Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction
To:
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V. as Agent
   
From:
[The Lender]
   
Dated:
 

$23,500,000
Facility Agreement dated[•] (the Facility Agreement)
1.
We refer to clause 46.9 (Disenfranchisement of Borrower Affiliates) of the Facility Agreement. Terms defined in the Facility Agreement have the same meaning in this notice unless given a different meaning in this notice.
2.
We have entered into a Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction.
3.
The Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction referred to in paragraph 2 above relates to the amount of our Commitment as set out below.
Amount of our Commitment to (insert amount (of that Commitment) to which the which Notifiable Debt Purchase relevant Debt Purchase Transaction applies) Transaction relates:
[ Lender ]

By:
147



Form of Notice on Termination of Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction/Notifiable Debt
Purchase Transaction ceasing to be with Borrower Affiliate
To:
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V. as Agent
   
From:
[The Lender]
   
Dated:
 
$23,500,000


Facility Agreement dated [•] (the Facility Agreement)
1.
We refer to clause 46.9 (Disenfranchisement of Borrower Affiliates) of the Facility Agreement. Terms defined in the Facility Agreement have the same meaning in this notice unless given a different meaning in this notice.
2.
A Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction which we entered into and which we notified you of in a notice dated [•]  has [terminated]/ [ceased to be with a Borrower Affiliate].*
3.
The Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction referred to in paragraph 2 above relates to the amount of our Commitment as set out below.
Amount of our Commitment to [insert amount (of that Commitment) to which the which Notifiable Debt Purchase relevant Debt Purchase Transaction applies) Transaction relates:
[Lender]


By:






____________
*     Delete as applicable


148


Schedule 8
Semi-Annual Vessel Performance Report
From:
Astarte International Inc.
   
To:
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V.
   
For the attention of: Mr. Iraklis Tsirigotis (i.tsirigotis@atbank.nl)
   
 
[Day, Month , Year]


Semi-Annual Vessel Performance Report


Vessel Name, IMO Number]


From [            ] to [                    ] [&.Month Period Covered]

Item
Unit
Actual
Comment
1) Average daily gross TCE hire earned
USO
   
2) Total brokerage commission charged
USO
   
3) Average daily net TCE hire earned
USO
   
4) Total on-hire days
No .
   
5) Total off-hire days
No.
   
6) Average daily operating expenses
USO
   
7) Average daily management fee
USO
   
8) Average daily SG&A expenses
USO
   
9) Total maintenance expenses*
USO
   
10) Other expenses
USO
   

*Maintenance expenses should include any expenditures incurred by the Borrower during the period (annual and semi·annual) for non-routine maintenance and repairs that are not reported under operating expenses or other profit & loss account, rather are eligible for capitalization in accordance with G AAP, including, but not limited to, fixed assets, major improvements and upgrades and shall also include, without limitation, any and all survey and dry-docking expenditures normally capitalized under GAAP .


________________________
For and on behalf of
ASTARTE INTERNATIONAL INC.

149


SIGNATURES
 
   
THE BORROWER
 
   
   
ASTARTE INTERNATIONAL INC.
 
   
By: /s/ Nikolas Papastratis
 
Nikolas Papastratis
 
   
THE GUARANTOR
 
   
TOP SHIPS INC.
 
   
By: /s/ Nikolas Papastratis
 
Nikolas Papastratis
 
   
THE AGENT
 
   
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V.
 
   
By: /s/ Christos Maglaras
 
Christos Maglaras
 
   
   
THE SECURITY AGENT
 
   
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V.
 
   
By: /s/ Christos Maglaras
 
Christos Maglaras
 
   
   
THE LENDERS
 
   
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V.
 
   
By: /s/ Christos Maglaras
 
Christos Maglaras
 

150
Exhibit 4.94


Private & Confidential


Dated 1 June 2018





SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT
relating to a
loan of US$23,500,000


to
ASTARTE INTERNATIONAL INC.


provided by
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V.









Contents

Clause
Page
1
Definitions and Interpretation
1
2
Agreement of the Finance Parties
2
3
Amendments
2
4
Representations and warranties
7
5
Conditions
8
6
Relevant Parties’ confirmation
9
7
Expenses
9
8
Miscellaneous and notices
10
9
Governing law
10
Schedule 1 The Lenders
12
Schedule 2 Documents and evidence required as conditions precedent
13



THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT is dated 1 June 2018 and made BETWEEN :
(1)
ASTARTE INTERNATIONAL INC., a corporation incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands with its registered office at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro MH96960, Republic of the Marshall Islands (the Borrower );
(2)
TOP SHIPS INC., a corporation incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands with its registered office at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island , Majuro MH96960, Republic of the Marshall Islands (the Guarantor );
(3)
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V., a company incorporated in The Netherlands with its registered office at World Trade Center, Tower I, Level 6, Strawinskylaan 1939 1077 XX Amsterdam, The Netherlands as mandated lead arranger (the Arranger );
(4)
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V., a company incorporated in The Netherlands with its registered office at World Trade Center, Tower I, Level 6, Strawinskylaan 1939 1077 XX Amsterdam , The Netherlands as agent of the other Finance Parties (the Agent );
(5)
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V., a company incorporated in The Netherlands with its registered office at World Trade Center, Tower I, Level 6, Strawinskylaan 1939 1077 XX Amsterdam , The Netherlands as security agent of the other Finance Parties (the Security Agent );   and
(6)
THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS listed in Part 1 of Schedule 1 (The Lenders) as lenders (the Lenders ).
WHEREAS:
(A)
this Agreement is supplemental to a loan agreement dated 5 September 2017 made between the Borrower, the Guarantor, the Arranger, the Agent, the Security Agent and the Lenders (the Principal Agreement ),   relating to a loan of up to $23,500,000;
(B)
the Borrower has requested certain amendments to the Principal Agreement contained in clause 3 (Amendments); and
(C)
this Agreement sets out the terms and conditions upon which the Finance Parties agree to the amendments and changes referred to in Recital (B) above.
NOW IT IS HEREBY AGREED as follows:
1
Definitions and Interpretation
1.1
Definitions
Terms defined in the Principal Agreement have, unless differently defined in this Agreement, the same meaning when used in this Agreement. In addition, in this Agreement:
Effective Date means the date, no later than 4 June 2018 or, such later date as the Agent may designate in writing, on which the Agent has received or waived (with or without condition) the documents and evidence specified in clause 5 (Conditions) and Schedule 2 (Documents and evidence required as conditions precedent) in a form and substance satisfactory to it.
New Loan Agreement means the loan agreement dated on or about the date of this Agreement between (among others) PCH77 Shipping Company Limited as borrower, the Borrower as guarantor, the financial institutions listed therein as lenders and Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V. as agent and security agent in respect of a loan of up to $10,140,000.
Relevant Documents means this Agreement and any other document created and delivered by any Relevant Party to the Agent in relation to this Agreement.
1



Relevant Parties means, together, the Borrower and the Guarantor and Relevant Party means each one of them.
1.2
Interpretation
1.2.1
References in the Principal Agreement to “this Agreement”, shall, with effect from the Effective Date and unless the context otherwise requires, be references to the Principal Agreement as amended and supplemented by this Agreement and words such as “herein”, “hereof’, “hereunder”, “hereafter”, “hereby” and “hereto”, where they appear in the Principal Agreement shall be construed accordingly.
1.2.2
Clauses 1.2 (Construction), 1.4 (Third patty rights) and 1.5 (Finance Documents) of the Principal Agreement and any other provision of the Principal Agreement which, by its terms, purports to apply to all of the Finance Documents and/or any Obligor shall apply to this Agreement as if set out in it but with all necessary changes and as if references in the provision to Finance Documents referred to this Agreement.
2
Agreement of the Finance Parties
The Finance Parties, relying upon the representations and warranties on the part of the Relevant Parties contained in 4 (Representations and warranties) and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, fulfilment on or before 4 June 2018 or, such later date as the Agent may designate in writing, of the conditions contained in clause 5 (Conditions) and Schedule 2 (Documents and evidence required as conditions precedent), agree to the amendment of the Principal Agreement in accordance with the terms set out in clause 3.1 (Amendments to the Principal Agreement).
3
Amendments
3.1
Amendments to the Principal Agreement
The Principal Agreement shall, with effect on and from the Effective Date, be deemed (and it is hereby deemed) to have been amended in accordance with the following provisions and the Principal Agreement (as so amended) will continue to be binding upon each of the parties thereto upon such terms as so amended:
3.1.1
by deleting in its entirety the definition of  Additional Unacceptable Country in clause 1.1 (Definitions) of the Principal Agreement;
3.1.2
by inserting in the correct alphabetical order in clause 1.1 (Definitions) of the Principal Agreement the following new definitions of Effective Date, Joint Venture and Sub-charterer:
“Effective Date shall have the meaning given to it in the supplemental agreement dated 1 June 2018 made between the Borrower, the Guarantor and the Finance Parties supplemental to this Agreement.
Joint Venture means any joint venture entity, whether a company, unincorporated firm, undertaking, association, joint venture or partnership or any other entity.
Sub-charterer means the entity details of which are provided in Schedule 2 (Ship information).”;
3.1.3
by replacing the definitions of Charter Assignment and Charter Documents in clause 1.1 (Definitions) of the Principal Agreement with the following new definitions of Charter Assignment and Charter Documents:
“Charter Assignment means, in relation to any Charter Documents, each of the following one:
2



 (a)
a first priority assignment by the Borrower or its interest in such Charter Documents in favour of the Security Agent in the agreed form; and

(b)
a first priority assignment by the Charterer or its interest in such Charter Documents in favour of the Security Agent in the agreed form.”;
Charter Documents means the Charter, any documents supplementing it and any guarantee or security given by any person to the Borrower or (as the case may be) the Charterer for the Charterer’s or (as the case may be) the Sub-charterer’s obligations under it.”;
3.1.4
by deleting paragraph (d) in the definition of Original Security Documents in clause 1.1 of the Principal Agreement with the following new paragraph (d):
“(d) each Charter Assignment;”;
3.1.5
by adding the words “and the Sub-charterer” after the word “Charterer” throughout the Principal Agreement (other than in the definition of Charterer in clause 1.1 (Definitions) of the Principal Agreement and clause 7.9 (Mandatory cancellation) of the Principal Agreement);
3.1.6
by replacing sub-paragraphs (i), (ii) and (v) in clause 7.9 (Mandatory cancellation) of the Principal Agreement with the following new sub-paragraphs (i), (ii) and (v):

“(i)
the Charter is novated or assigned by the Borrower or the Charterer or;”;


“(i) Charter is for any reason and by any method cancelled, terminated or rescinded or is not, or ceases to be, legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Charterer or the Borrower or the Sub-charterer or it is or it becomes unlawful for any of the Charterer or the Borrower or the Sub-charterer to perform its respective obligations under it; or”; and

“(v)
the Charterer or the Sub-charterer becomes subject to any of the events or circumstances described in clause 31.9 (Insolvency) or clause 31.10 (Insolvency proceedings),” ;
3.1.7
by deleting clause 12.1 ( Commitment commission) of the Principal Agreement in its entirety and by replacing it with the following new clause 12.1 (Commitment Commission):
“12.1 Commitment commission

(a)
The Borrower shall pay to the Agent (for the account of each Lender) a fee in dollars computed at the rate of (i) for the period commencing on the date of this Agreement (the start date) and ending on 5 March 2018, 2 per cent per annum and (ii) for the period commencing on 6 March 2018 and at ending on the Last Availability Date, 1.30 per cent per annum, in each case on that Lender’s Available Commitment calculated from the start date.

(b)
The Borrower shall pay the accrued commitment commission on the last day of the period of three Months commencing on the start date, on the last day of each successive period of three Months, on the Last Availability Date and, if cancelled in full, on the cancelled amount of the relevant Lender’s Available Commitment at the time the cancellation is effective.

(c)
No commitment fee is payable to the Agent (for the account of a Lender) on any Available Commitment of that Lender for any day on which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender.”;
3.1.8
by deleting in their entirety the words “and Additional Unacceptable Countries” from the heading of clause 19.36 ( Sanctions and Additional Unacceptable Countries) and by also deleting in its entirety paragraph (c) of the said clause;
3


3.1.9
by deleting in their entirety the definitions of Fleet Market Value and Total Debt in clause 21.1 (Financial definitions) of the Principal Agreement and by replacing them with the following new definitions of Fleet Market Value and Total Debt:
“Fleet Market Value means, as at the date of calculation:

(a)
from the date of this Agreement until one day prior to the Effective Date, the aggregate market value of all Fleet Vessels, as most recently determined pursuant to valuations of such vessels provided to the Agent and made in accordance with the provisions of clause 27 (Minimum security value) which shall apply for the purposes of this definition mutatis mutandis to each Fleet Vessel as if each such vessel were the Ship; and

(b)
from the Effective Date and at all times thereafter, the aggregate market value of all:

(i)
Fleet Vessels; and

(ii)
JV Vessels, as adjusted to reflect the relevant ownership percentage in such JV Vessels of the relevant Group Member,
in each case as most recently determined pursuant to valuations of such vessels provided to the Agent and made in accordance with the provisions of clause 27 (Minimum security value) which shall apply for the purposes of this definition mutatis mutandis to each Fleet Vessel and JV Vessel as if each such vessel were the Ship.
Total Debt means, at any time, the sum (without duplication) of:

(a)
from the date of this Agreement until one day prior to the Effective Date, the Group’s liabilities in respect of principal under any Financial Indebtedness (provided however that any principal under any Financial Indebtedness incurred only by the Guarantor which is not secured by security provided over an asset of the Group, shall not be taken into account); and

(b)
from the Effective Date and at all times thereafter:

(i)
the Group’s liabilities in respect of principal under any Financial Indebtedness (provided however that any principal under any Financial Indebtedness incurred only by the Top Ships Guarantor which is not secured by security provided over an asset of the Group, shall not be taken into account); and

(ii)
all liabilities of all Joint Ventures in respect of principal under any Financial Indebtedness secured by security provided over a JV Vessel, each such liability adjusted to reflect the relevant Group Member’s ownership percentage in such JV Vessel.”;
3.1.10
by inserting in the correct alphabetical order in clause 21.1 (Financial definitions) of the Principal Agreement the following new definition of JV Vessels:
“JV Vessel means each vessel owned by a Joint Venture into which a Group Member participates from time to time and JV Vessels means all or any of them.”;
3.1.11
by deleting in their entirety the words “and Additional Unacceptable Countries” from the heading of clause 22.14 ( Sanctions and Additional Unacceptable Countries ) and by also deleting in its entirety paragraph (f) of the said clause;
3.1.12
by adding the word “relevant” before the words “Charter Assignment” in paragraph {b)(ii)(A) in clause 24.8 (Chartering) of the Principal Agreement;
4


3.1.13
by deleting clauses  28.3 ( Releases and waivers ) to 28.7 (Payment  of Charter Earnings ) (inclusive) of the Principal Agreement and replacing them with the following new clauses 28.3 ( Releases and waivers ) to 28.7 (Payment of Charter Earnings ) (inclusive):
“28.3 Releases and waivers
Except with approval, there shall be no release by the Borrower (and the Borrower shall procure that there shall be no release by the Charterer) of any obligation of any other person under the Charter Documents (including by way of novation or assignment), no waiver of any breach of any such obligation and no consent to anything which would otherwise be such a breach.
28.4 Termination by the Borrower
Except with approval, the Borrower shall not (and it shall procure that the Charterer will not) terminate or rescind any Charter Document or withdraw the Ship from service under the Charter or take any similar action.
28.5 Charter performance
The Borrower shall (and it shall procure that the Charterer will) perform its obligations under the Charter Documents and it shall (and it shall procure that the Charterer will) use its best endeavours to ensure that each other party to the Charter Documents performs its obligations under such documents.
28.6 Notice of assignment
The Borrower shall (and it shall procure that the Charterer will) give notice of assignment of the Charter Documents to the other parties to them in the form specified by the relevant Charter Assignment and:

(a)
subject to paragraph (b) below, shall ensure that the Agent receives a copy of that notice acknowledged by each addressee; or

(b)
if such Charter Documents are freely assignable, the Borrower shall (and it shall procure that the Charterer will) use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the Agent receives a copy of that notice acknowledged by each addressee,
in each case, in the form specified therein as soon as practically possible after the relevant Charter Assignment has been executed.
28.7 Payment of Charter Earnings
All Earnings which the Borrower or (as the case may be) the Charterer is entitled to receive under the Charter Documents shall be paid in the manner required by the Security Documents.”;
3.1.14
by replacing the email address reading  “legal@centralmare.com” in the first and second tables  in Schedule 1 (The original parties) of the Principal Agreement with the email address reading  “louka@loukapartners.com”;
3.1.15
by deleting in their entirety the fourth, fifth and sixth tables in Schedule 1 (The original parties) of the Principal Agreement and by replacing them with the following ones:
5


The Agent
Name
   
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V.
Facility Office, address and attention details for notices
   
Non-administrative matters:
World Trade Center
Tower I, Level 6 Strawinskylaan 1939
1077 XX Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Attn:  Iraklis Tsirigotis / Vassilis Kolovos
Email: i.tsirigotis@atbank.nl / v.kolovos@atbank.nl
Cc: shipping.finance@atbank.nl
Telephone No.: +31 (0) 205 209 404 /
                          +31 (0) 205 209 204
 
Administrative matters:
World Trade Center
Tower I, Level 6
Strawinskylaan 1939
1077 XX Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Attn: Ruben Paniry
Email: shipping.finance@atbank.nl
Cc: i.tsirigotis@atbank.nl / v.kolovos@atbank.nl
Telephone No.: +31 (0) 205 209 247 /
                          +31 (0) 205 209 404 /
                          +31 (0)   205 209 204


The Security Agent
Name
   
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V.
Facility Office, address and attention details for notices
   
Non-administrative matters:
World Trade Center Tower I, Level 6 Strawinskylaan 1939
1077 XX Amsterdam The Netherlands
Attn:  Iraklis Tsirigotis / Vassilis Kolovos
Email: i.tsirigotis@atbank.nl / v.kolovos@atbank.nl
Cc: shipping.finance@atbank.nl
Telephone No.: +31 (0) 205 209 404 /
                          +31 (0) 205 209 204
 
Administrative matters:
World Trade Center
Tower I, Level 6
Strawinskylaan 1939
1077 XX Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Attn: Ruben Paniry
Email: shipping.finance@atbank.nl
Cc: i.tsirigotis@atbank.nl / v.kolovos@atbank.nl
Telephone No.: +31 (0) 205 209 247 /
                          +31 (0) 205 209 404 /
                          +31 (0)   205 209 204



6




The Account Bank
Name
   
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V.
Address and attention detail for notices
   
World Trade Center
Tower I, Level 6 Strawinskylaan 1939
1077 XX Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Attn:  Iraklis Tsirigotis / Vassilis Kolovos
Email: i.tsirigotis@atbank.nl / v.kolovos@atbank.nl
 

3.1.16
by deleting in its entirety the fourth row in Schedule 2 ( Ship information) of the Principal Agreement and replacing it with the following one:
Scheduled Delivery Date:
   
30 September 2018
       

3.1.17
by deleting in their entirety the ninth and tenth rows in Schedule 2 ( Ship information) of the Principal Agreement and replacing them with the following ones:
Charter description:
   
together (a) the time charter dated 20 September 2017 between the Borrower as owner and the Charterer as time charterer and (b) the time charter dated 28   September 2017 between the Charterer as disponent owner and the Sub-charterer as time charterer
 
Charterer:
   
Central Tankers Chartering Inc.
 
Sub-charterer:
   
Shell Tankers Singapore Private Limited


3.2
Continued force and effect
Save as amended and/or supplemented by this Agreement, the provisions of each of the Principal Agreement and the other Finance Documents shall continue in full force and the Principal Agreement and this Agreement, shall be read and construed as one instrument.
4
Representations and warranties
4.1
Primary representations and warranties
Each Relevant Party represents and warrants to the Finance Parties that:
4.1.1
Existing representations and warranties
the representations and warranties set out in clause 19 (Representations) of the Principal Agreement were true and correct on the date of the Principal Agreement and are true and correct, including to the extent that they may have been or shall be amended by this Agreement , as if made at the date of this Agreement with reference to the facts and circumstances existing at such date;
4.1.2
Corporate power
each of the Relevant Parties has power to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Relevant Documents which it is a party to; all necessary corporate, shareholder and other action has been taken by each of the Relevant Parties to authorise the execution, delivery and performance of the Relevant Documents which it is a party to;
7


4.1.3
Binding obligations
each Relevant Document constitutes valid and legally binding obligations of the Relevant Parties being a party thereto enforceable in accordance with its terms;
4.1.4
No conflict with other obligations
the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by each of the Relevant Parties will not (i) contravene any existing law, statute, rule or regulation or any judgment, decree or permit to which any of the Relevant Parties is subject, (ii) conflict with, or result in any breach of any of the terms of, or constitute a default under, any agreement or other instrument to which any of the Relevant Parties is, or will become, a party or is subject or by which any of the Relevant Parties or any of its property is bound or (iii) contravene or conflict with any provision of the constitutional documents of any of the Relevant Parties or (iv) result in the creation or imposition of or oblige any of the Relevant Parties to create any Security Interest on any of its undertakings, assets, rights or revenues;
4.1.5
No filings required
it is not necessary to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of any Relevant Document that it or any other instrument be notarised, filed, recorded, registered or enrolled in any court, public office or elsewhere in any Relevant Jurisdiction or that any stamp, registration or similar tax or charge be paid in any Relevant Jurisdiction on or in relation to any Relevant Document and is in proper form for its enforcement in the courts of the Relevant Jurisdiction;
4.1.6
Choice of law
the choice of English law to govern the Relevant Documents and the submissions by the Relevant Parties to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts are valid and binding; and
4.1.7
Consents obtained
every consent, authorisation, licence or approval of, or registration or declaration to, governmental or public bodies or authorities or courts required by any of the Relevant Parties in connection with the execution, delivery, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of the Relevant Documents or the performance by each Relevant Party of its obligations thereunder has been obtained or made and is in full force and effect and there has been no default in the observance of any conditions or restrictions (if any) imposed in, or in connection with, any of the same.
4.2
Repetition of representations and warranties
Each of the representations and warranties contained in clause 4.1 (Primary representations and warranties) and clause 19 (Representations) of the Principal Agreement (as amended by this Agreement) shall be deemed to be repeated by the Relevant Parties on the Effective Date as if made with reference to the facts and circumstances existing on such day.
5
Conditions
5.1
Documents and evidence
The agreement of the Finance Parties referred to in clause 2 (Agreement of the Finance Parties) shall be subject to the receipt by the Agent of the documents and evidence specified in Schedule 2 (Documents and evidence required as conditions precedent) in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.
8


5.2
General conditions precedent
The agreement of the Finance Parties referred to in clause 2 (Agreement of the Finance Parties) shall be further subject to:
5.2.1
the representations and warranties in clause 4 (Representations and warranties) being true and correct on the Effective Date as if each was made with respect to the facts and circumstances existing at such time; and
5.2.2
no Default having occurred and continuing at the time of the Effective Date .
5.3
Waiver of conditions precedent
The conditions specified in this clause 5 are inserted solely for the benefit of the Finance Parties and may be waived by the Agent on their behalf in whole or in part with or without conditions.
6
Relevant Parties’ confirmation
Each of the Relevant Parties acknowledges and agrees, for the avoidance of doubt, that:
6.1
each of the Finance Documents to which it is a party, and its obligations thereunder, shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the amendments made to the Principal Agreement by this Agreement; and
6.2
with effect from the Effective Date, references to “the Agreement” or “the Loan Agreement” or “the Facility Agreement” in any of the other Finance Documents to which it is a party shall henceforth be references to the Principal Agreement as amended and/or supplemented by this Agreement and as from time to time hereafter further amended, supplemented and/or restated and shall also be deemed to include the obligations of each Relevant Party hereunder.
7
Expenses
7.1
Expenses
The Borrower agrees to pay to the Finance Parties on a full indemnity basis on demand all expenses (including legal and out-of-pocket expenses) incurred by any of them:
7.1.1
in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and, where relevant, registration of this Agreement or the other Relevant Documents and of any amendment or extension of, or the granting of any waiver or consent under, any Relevant Document; and
7.1.2
in contemplation of, or otherwise in connection with, the enforcement of, or preservation of any rights under any Relevant Document or otherwise in respect of the monies owing and obligations incurred under any Relevant Document,
together with interest at the rate referred to in clause 9.3 (Default interest) of the Principal Agreement from the date on which such expenses were incurred to the date of payment (as well after as before judgement).
7.2
Value Added Tax
All expenses payable pursuant to this clause 7 shall be paid together with value added tax or any similar tax (if any) properly chargeable thereon.
7.3
Stamp and other duties
The Borrower agrees to pay each Finance Party on demand all stamp, documentary, registration or other like duties or taxes (including any duties or taxes payable by such Finance Party) imposed on or in connection with any Relevant Document and shall indemnify each of
9


them against any liability arising by reason of any delay or omission by the Borrower to pay such duties or taxes.
8
Miscellaneous and notices
8.1
Notices
The provisions of clause 42 (Notices) of the Principal Agreement shall extend and apply to the giving or making of notices or demands hereunder as if the same were expressly stated herein.
8.2
Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different parties on separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original but all counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
8.3
Relevant Parties’ obligations
Each of the Relevant Parties agrees and consents to be bound by this Agreement notwithstanding that the other Relevant Parties which were intended to sign or be bound may not do so or be effectually bound and notwithstanding that this Agreement may be invalid or unenforceable against the other Relevant Parties whether or not the deficiency is known to the Finance Parties or any of them. The Finance Parties shall be at liberty to release any of the Relevant Parties from this Agreement and to compound with or otherwise vary the liability or to grant time and indulgence to make other arrangements with any of the Relevant Parties without prejudicing or affecting the rights and remedies of the Finance Parties against any other Relevant Parties.
9
Governing law
9.1
Law
This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations connected with it are governed by English law.
9.2
Jurisdiction of English courts
9.2.1
The courts of England have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any non-contractual obligations connected with it (including a dispute regarding the existence, validity or termination of this Agreement) (a Dispute ).
9.2.2
The parties hereto agree that the courts of England are the most appropriate and convenient courts to settle Disputes and accordingly no Relevant Party will argue to the contrary.
9.2.3
Notwithstanding clause 9.2.1, no Finance Party shall be prevented from taking proceedings relating to a Dispute in any other courts with jurisdiction. To the extent allowed by law, the Finance Parties may take concurrent proceedings in any number of jurisdictions.
9.3
Service of process
9.3.1
Without prejudice to any other mode of service allowed under any relevant law, each Relevant Party:

(a)
irrevocably appoints Top Properties (London) Limited, 247 Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1X 8QZ, England as that Relevant Party’s agent for service of process in relation to any proceedings before the English courts in connection with this Agreement and/or any non-contractual obligations connected with it;

(b)
agrees that failure by a process agent to notify the relevant Relevant Party of the process will not invalidate the proceedings concerned; and
10



(c)
agrees that if any person appointed as process agent for a Relevant Party is unable for any reason to act as agent for service of process, that Relevant Party must immediately (and in any event within ten days of such event taking place) appoint another agent on terms acceptable to the Agent. Failing this, the Agent may appoint another agent for this purpose.
9.4
Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999
No term of this Agreement is enforceable under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 by a person who is not a party to this Agreement.
IN WITNESS whereof the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as a deed on the date first above written.
11


Schedule 1 The Lenders
Name
   
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V.
Facility Office, address and attention details for notices
   
Non-administrative matters:
World Trade Center
Tower I, Level 6 Strawinskylaan 1939
1077 XX Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Attn:  Iraklis Tsirigotis / Vassilis Kolovos
Email: i.tsirigotis@atbank.nl / v.kolovos@atbank.nl
Cc: shipping.finance@atbank.nl
Telephone No.: +31 (0) 205 209 404 /
                          +31 (0) 205 209 204
 
Administrative matters:
World Trade Center
Tower I, Level 6
Strawinskylaan 1939
1077 XX Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Attn: Ruben Paniry
Email: shipping.finance@atbank.nl
Cc: i.tsirigotis@atbank.nl / v.kolovos@atbank.nl
Telephone No.: +31 (0) 205 209 247 /
                          +31 (0) 205 209 404 /
                         +31 (0)   205 209 204
 




12


Schedule 2
Documents and evidence required as conditions precedent
(referred to in clause 5.1)
1
Corporate authorisations
In relation to each of the Relevant Parties:

(a)
Constitutional documents
copies certified by an officer of each of the Relevant Parties, as a true, complete and up to date copies, of all documents which contain or establish or relate to the constitution of that party or, a secretary’s certificate confirming that there have been no changes or amendments to the constitutional documents certified copies of which were previously delivered to the Agent pursuant to the Principal Agreement;

(b)
Resolutions
copies of resolutions of the directors and if required, shareholders of each of the Relevant Parties approving this Agreement and authorising the signature, delivery and performance of each such party’s obligations thereunder, certified (in a certificate dated no earlier than five Business Days prior to the date of this Agreement) by an officer of such Relevant Party as:

(i)
being true and correct;

(ii)
being duly passed at meetings of the directors of such Relevant Party and, as the case may be, of the shareholders of such Relevant Party each duly convened and held;

(iii)
not having been amended, modified or revoked; and

(iv)
being in full force and effect,
together with originals or certified copies of any powers of attorney issued by any party pursuant to such resolutions; and

(c)
Certificate of incumbency
a list of directors and officers of each Relevant Party specifying the names and positions of such persons, certified (in a certificate dated no earlier than five Business Days prior to the date of this Agreement) by an officer of such Relevant Party to be true, complete and up to date.
2
Consents
A certificate (dated no earlier than five Business Days prior to the date of this Agreement) from an officer of each of the Relevant Parties stating that no consents, authorisations, licences or approvals are necessary for such Relevant Party to authorise, or are required by each of the Relevant Parties or any other party (other than the Finance Parties) in connection with, the execution, delivery, and performance of any Relevant Document to which such Relevant Party is a party.
3
Legal opinions
Such favourable legal opinion in relation to the Republic of the Marshall Islands and any other legal opinions as the Agent shall in its absolute discretion require.
13


4
Process agent
An original or certified true copy of a letter from each Relevant Party’s agent for receipt of service of proceedings accepting its appointment under each of the Relevant Documents in which it is or is to be appointed as such Relevant Party’s agent.
5
Expenses
Evidence that the expenses that are due from the Borrower pursuant to clause 7 (Expenses)
have been paid or will be paid by the Effective Date.
6
New Loan Agreement
Evidence that the New Loan Agreement has been duly executed by the parties thereto.
14


EXECUTED as a DEED
)
   
by Alexandros Tsirikos
)
/s/ Alexandros Tsirikos
 
for and on behalf of
)
Attorney-in-fact
 
ASTARTE INTERNATIONAL INC.
)
   
in the presence of:
)
   
       
/s/ Angeliki Skindilia
     
Witness
     
Name: Angeliki Skindilia
     
Address: Norton Rose Fulbright Greece
     
Occupation: Associate
     
       
       

EXECUTED as a DEED
)
   
by Alexandros Tsirikos
)
/s/ Alexandros Tsirikos
 
for and on behalf of
)
Attorney-in-fact
 
TOP SHIPS INC.
)
   
in the presence of:
)
   
       
/s/ Angeliki Skindilia
     
Witness
     
Name: Angeliki Skindilia
     
Address: Norton Rose Fulbright Greece
     
Occupation: Associate
     
       
       


THE ARRANGER

AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V.

By:
/s/ Angeliki Skindilia
 
 
Angeliki Skindilia
 
 
Attorney-in-fact
 


THE SECURITY AGENT

AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V.

By:
/s/ Angeliki Skindilia
 
 
Angeliki Skindilia
 
 
Attorney-in-fact
 



15



THE LENDERS

AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V.

By:
/s/ Angeliki Skindilia
 
 
Angeliki Skindilia
 
 
Attorney-in-fact
 









16

Exhibit 4.96




1. Shipbroker
N/A
 
BIMCO STANDARD BAREBOAT CHARTER
CODE NAME: "BARECON 2001"
BIMCO
 
 
PART I
2. Place and date
 
21 December 2018
3. Owners/Place of business ( Cl. 1 )
Xiang T89 HK International Ship Lease Co., Limited
1/F., Far East Consortium Building
121 Des Voeux Road Central
Hong Kong
 
 
4. Bareboat Charterer/Place of Business ( Cl. 1 )
Monte Carlo LAX Shipping Company Limited
Trust Company Complex
Ajeltake Road, Majuro
Marshall Islands MH96960
5. Vessel’s name, call sign and flag ( Cl. 1 and 3 )
Name: Nord Valiant
Call Sign: D5HN8
Flag: The Republic of Liberia
6. Type of Vessel
Oil and Chemical Tanker
7. GT/NT
Gross Tonnage: 29,429
Net Tonnage: 13,742
8. When/Where built
2016
Hyundai-Vinashin Shipping Company Limited
9. Total DWT (abt.) in metric tons on summer freeboard
49,760MT
10. Classification Society ( Cl. 3 )
American Bureau of Shipping
11. Date of last special survey by the Vessel’s classification society
N/A
12. Further particulars of Vessel (also indicate minimum number of months’ validity of class certificates agreed acc. to Cl. 3 )
N/A
13. Port or Place of delivery ( Cl. 3 )
See Additional Clause 35 (Delivery of the Vessel)
14. Time for delivery ( Cl. 4 )
See Additional Clause 35
(Delivery of the Vessel)
15. Cancelling date ( Cl. 5 )
28 February 2019
16. Port or Place of redelivery ( Cl. 15 )
See Additional Clause 51 (Redelivery)
17. No. of months’ validity of trading and class certificates upon   redelivery ( Cl. 15 )
Six (6) months
18. Running days’ notice if other than stated in Cl. 4
N/A
19. Frequency of dry-docking ( Cl. 10(g) )
In accordance with Classificaiton Society or flag state requirements
20. Trading Limits ( Cl. 6 )
Trading worldwide, always safe / afloat, always within Institute Navigating Limit (INL) and subject to the exclusions and conditions set out in the Insurance of the Vessel (as may be revised from time to time).
 
Always in compliance with the Vessel’s Classification Society’s requirement  and the Vessels specifications
21. Charter period ( Cl. 2 )
Charter Period (as defined in Additional  Clause 32 (Definitions))
22. Charter hire ( Cl. 11 )
See Additional Clause 41 (Charterhire)
23. New class and other safety requirements (state percentage of Vessel’s insurance value acc. to Box 29 )( Cl. 10(a)(ii) )
N/A
24. Rate of interest payable acc. to Cl. 11(f) and, if applicable, acc. to PART IV
Seven per cent (7%) per annum
25. Currency and method of payment ( Cl. 11 )
United States Dollars (US$)

This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.

“BARECON 2001” STANDARD BAREBOAT CHARTER
PART I
26. Place of payment; also state beneficiary and bank account (Cl. 11)
See Additional Clause 42.1 (Payments)
27. Bank Corporate guarantee/bond (sum and place)( Cl. 24 )(optional)
See Clause 24 (Corporate guarantee)
28. Mortgage(s), if any (state whether 12(a) or (b) applies; if 12(b) applies state date of Financial Instrument and name of Mortgagee(s)/Place of business)( Cl. 12 )
Clause 12(b) applies; form fo Financial Instrument and name of mortgagee to be determined
29. Insurance (hull and machinery and war risks)(state value acc. to Cl. 13(f) or, if applicable, acc. to Cl. 14(k) )(also state if Cl. 14 applies)
See Additional Clause 48 (Insurances, Total Loss)
 
30. Additional insurance cover, if any, for Owners’ account limited to ( Cl. 13(b) or, if applicable, Cl. 14(g) )
See Additional Clause 48 (Insurances, Total Loss)
31. Additional insurance cover, if any, for Charterers’ account limited to ( Cl. 13(b) or, if applicable, Cl. 14(g) )
See Additional Clause 48 (Insurances, Total Loss)
 
32. Latent defects (only to be filled in if period other than stated in Cl. 3 )
See Additional Clause 36 (Exclusion of Warranties)
33. Brokerage commission and to whom payable ( Cl. 27 )
N/A
34. Grace period (state number of clear banking dates)( Cl. 28 )
N/A
35. Dispute Resolution (state 30(a) , 30(b) or 30(c) ; if 30(c) agreed Place of Arbitration must be stated ( Cl. 30 )
(a) English law, London arbitration
36. War cancellation (indicate countries agreed)( Cl. 26(f) )
N/A
37. Newbuilding Vessel (indicate with ”yes” or “no” whether PART III applies)(optional)
No; Part III does not apply
38. Name and place of Builders (only to be filled in if PART III applies)
N/A
39. Vessel’s Yard Building No. (only to be filled in if PART III applies)
N/A
40. Date of Building Contract (only to be filled in if PART III applies)
N/A
41. Liquidated damages and costs shall accrue to (state party acc. to Cl. 1 )
a) N/A
b) N/A
c) N/A
42. Hire/Purchase agreement (indicate with “yes” or “no” whether PART IV applies)(optional)
No; Part IV does not apply
43. Bareboat Charter Registry (indicate “yes” or “no” whether PART V applies)(optional)
No; Part V does not apply
44. Flag and Country of the Bareboat Charter Registry (only to be filled in if PART V applies)
N/A
45. Country of the Underlying Registry (only to be filled in if PART V applies)
N/A
46. Number of additional clauses covering special provisions, if agreed
Clause 32 (Definitions) to Clause 54 (Miscellaneous) and Scheduels I – VII thereto  form an integral part of this Charter. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the terms of Part I and Part II of this Charter with the terms of the Additional Clauses, the terms of the Additional Clauses shall prevail.
 
PREAMBLE - It is mutually agreed that this Contract shall be performed subject to the conditions contained in this Charter which shall Include PART I and PART II . In the event of a conflict of conditions, the provisions of PART I shall prevail over those of PART II to the extent of such conflict but no further. It Is further mutually agreed that PART III and/or PART IV and/or PART V shall only apply and only form part of this Charter If expressly agreed and stated in Boxes 37 , 42 and 43 . If PART III and/or PART IV and/or PART V apply, it Is further agreed that In the event of a conflict of conditions, the provisions of PART l and PART II shall prevail over those of PART III and/or PART IV and/or PART V to the extent of such conflict but no further.
 
Signature (Owners)
For and on behalf of
Xiang T89 HK International Ship Lease Co., Limited
/s/ Lu Zhendong
Name: Lu Zhendong
Title: Director
Signature (Charterers)
For and on behalf of
Monte Carlo Lax Shipping Company Limited
/s/ Audreas Louka
Name: Audreas Louka
Title: Attorney-in-fact

This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


PART II
“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
1.
Definitions
In this Charter, the following terms shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them:
The Owners " shall mean the party identified in Box 3 ;
The Charterers " shall mean the party identified in Box 4 ;
The Vessel ” shall mean the vessel named in Box 5 and with particulars as stated in Boxes 6 to 12 .
Financial Instrument ” means the Finance Documents (as defined in Additional Clause 32 (Definitions)) mortgage, deed covenant or other such financial security instrument as annexed to this Charter and stated in Box 28 .
2.
Charter Period
In consideration of the hire detailed in Box 22 , the Owners have agreed to let and the Charterers have agreed to hire the Vessel for the period stated in Box 21   (“The Charter Period”) .
3.
Delivery (See Additional Clause 35 (Delivery of the Vessel)
(not applicable when Part III applies, as indicated in Box 37 )
(a)     The Owners shall before and at the time of delivery exercise due diligence to make the Vessel seaworthy
And in every respect ready-in-hull, machinery and equipment for service under this Charter.
The vessel shall be delivered by the Owners and taken over by the Charterers at the port or place indicated in Box 13   in such ready safe berth as the Charterers may direct.
(b)     The Vessel shall be properly documented on delivery in accordance with the laws of the flag State indicated in Box 5 and the requirements of the classification society stated in Box 10.  The Vessel upon delivery shall have her survey cycles up to date and trading and class certificates valid for at least the number of months agreed in Box 12 .
(c)     The delivery of the Vessel by the Owners and the taking over of the Vessel by the Charterers shall constitute a full performance by the Owners of all the Owners’ obligations under this Clause 3 , and thereafter the Charterers shall not be entitled to make or assert any claim against the Owners on account of any conditions, representations or warranties expressed or implied with respect to the Vessel but the Owners shall be liable for the cost of but not the time for repairs or renewals occasioned by the latent defects in the Vessel, her machinery or appurtenances, existing at the time of delivery under this Charter, provided such defects have manifested themselves within twelve (12) months after delivery unless otherwise provided in Box 32 .
4.
Time for Delivery (See Additional Clause 35 (Delivery of the Vessel)
(not applicable when Part III applies, as indicated in Box 37 )
The Vessel shall not be delivered before the date indicated in Box 14 without the Charterers’ consent and the Owners shall exercise due diligence to deliver the Vessel not later than the date indicated in Box 15 .  Unless otherwise agreed in Box 18 , the Owners shall give the Charterers not less than thirty (30) running days’ preliminary and not less than fourteen (14) running days’ definite notice of the date on which the Vessel is expected to be ready for delivery.
The Owners shall keep the Charterers closely advised of possible changes in the Vessel’s position.
5.
Cancelling (See Additional Clause 33 Effectiveness of this Charter)
(not applicable when Part III applies, as indicated in Box 37 )
(a)     Should the Vessel not be delivered latest by the cancelling date indicated in Box 15, the Charterers shall have the option of cancelling this Charter by giving the Owners notice of cancellation within thirty-six (36) running hours after the cancelling date stated in Box 15, failing which this Charter shall remain in full force and effect.
(b)     If it appears that the Vessel will be delayed beyond the cancelling date, the Owners may, as soon as they are in a position to state with reasonably certainty the day on which the Vessel should be ready, give notice thereof to the Charterers asking whether they will exercise their option of cancelling, and the option must then be declared within one hundred and sixty-eight(168) running hours of the receipt by the Charterers of such notice or within thirty-six (36) running hours after the cancelling date, whichever is the earlier.  If the Charterers do not then exercise their option of cancelling, the seventh day after the readiness date stated in the Owners’ notice shall be substituted for the cancelling date indicated in Box 15 for the purpose of this Clause 5 .
(c)     Cancellation under this Clause 5 shall be without prejudice to any claim the Charterers may otherwise have on the Owners under this Charter.
6.
Trading Restrictions
The Vessel shall be employed in lawful trades for the carriage of suitable lawful merchandise within the trading limits indicated in Box 20 .
The Charterers undertake not to employ the Vessel or suffer the Vessel to be employed otherwise than in conformity with the terms of the contracts of insurance   Insurances (as defined in Additional Clause 32 (Definitions)) (including any warranties expressed or implied therein) without first obtaining the consent of the insurers to such employment and complying with such requirements as the extra premium or otherwise as the insurers may prescribe.
The Charterers also undertake not to employ the Vessel or suffer her employment in any trade or business which is forbidden by the law of any country to which the Vessel may sail or is otherwise illicit or in carrying illicit or prohibited goods or in any manner whatsoever which may render her liable to condemnation, destruction, seizure or confiscation.
Notwithstanding any other provisions contained in this Charter it is agreed that nuclear fuels or radioactive products or waste are specifically excluded from the cargo permitted to be loaded or carried under this Charter.  This exclusion does not apply to radio-isotopes used or intended to be used for any industrial, commercial, agricultural, medical or scientific purposes provided the Owners' prior approval has been obtained to loading thereof.
7.
Surveys on Delivery and Redelivery
(not applicable when Part III applies, as indicated in Box 37 )
The Owners and Charterers shall each appoint surveyors for the purpose of determining and agreeing in writing the condition of the Vessel at the time of delivery and redelivery hereunder.  The Owners shall bear all expenses of the On-hire Survey including loss of time, if any, and of the Off-hire Survey including loss of time, if any, at the daily equivalent to the rate of hire or pro rate thereof.
8.
Inspection
The Owners shall have the right at any time after giving reasonable notice to the Charterers to inspect or survey the Vessel or instruct a duly authorised surveyor to carry out such survey on their behalf:-
(a)      to ascertain the condition of the Vessel and satisfy themselves that the Vessel is being properly repaired and maintained.  The costs and fees for one such inspection or survey shall in the absence of a Termination Event be paid by the Owners Charterers per calendar year provided upon the occurrence of a Termination Event, the costs and fees for all such inspection or survey shall be paid by the Charterers unless the Vessel

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PART II
“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
is found to require repairs or maintenance in order to achieve the condition so provided;
(b)      in dry-dock if the Charterers have not dry-docked Her in accordance with Clause 10(g) .  The costs and fees for such inpsection or survey shall be paid by the Charterers; and
(c)     for any other commercial reason they consider necessary (provided it does not unduly interfere with the commercial operatioin of the Vessel). The costs and fees for such inspection and survey shall be paid by the Owners Charterers.
All time used in respect of inspection, survey or repairs shall be for the Charterers account and form part of the Charter Period.
The Charterers shall also permit the Owners to inspect the Vessel’s log books whenever requested and shall whenever required by the Owners furnish them with full information regarding any casualties or other accident or damage to the Vessel.
9.
Inventories, Oil and Stores
A complete inventory of the Vessel’s entire equipment, outfit including spare parts, appliances and of all consumables stores on board the Vessel shall be made by the Charterers in conjunction with the Owners on delivery and again on redelivery of the Vessel. Without limiting the foregoing,   Tt he Charterers and the Owners, respectively, shall at the also provide the Owners with a complete inventory of time of delivery and redelivery take over and pay for all bunkers, lubricating oil, unbreached provisions, paints, ropes and other consumable stores (excluding spare parts) in the said Vessel at the then current market prices at the ports of delivery and redelivery, respectively.  The Charterers shall ensure that all spare part listed in the inventory and used during the Charter Period are replaced at their expense prior to on redelivery of the Vessel.  (See also Additional Clause 51 (Redelivery))
10.
Maintenance and Operation
(a)(i) Maintenance and Repairs - During the Charter Period the Vessel shall be in the full possession and at the absolute disposal for all purposes of the Charterers and under their complete control in every respect.  The Charterers shall maintain the Vessel, her machinery, boilers, appurtenances and spare parts in a good state of repair, in efficient operating condition and in accordance with good commercial maintenance practice and, except as provided for in Clause 14(l) , if applicable, at their own expense they shall at all times keep the Vessel’s Class fully up to date with the Classification Society indicated in Box 10 and maintain all other necessary certificates in force at all times.

(ii)
New Class and Other Safety Requirements - In the event of any improvement, structural changes or new equipment becoming necessary for the continued operation of the Vessel by reason of new class requirements or by compulsory legislation costing (excluding the Charterers’ loss of time) more than the percentage stated in Box 23 , or if Box 23 is left blank, 5 percent of the Vessel’s insurance value as stated in Box 29 , then the extent, if any, to which the rate of hire shall be varied and the ratio in which the cost of compliance and the time used in relation thereto shall be shared between the parties concerned in order to achieve a reasonable distribution thereof as between the Owners and for the Charterers’ account . having regard, inter alia, to the length of the period remaining under this Charter shall, in the absence of agreement, be referred to the dispute resolution method agreed in Clause 30 .

(iii)
Financial Security - The Charterers shall maintain financial security or responsibility in respect of third party liabilities as required by any government, including federal, state or municipal or other division or authority thereof, to enable the Vessel, without penalty or charge, lawfully to enter, remain at, or leave any port, place, territorial or contiguous waters of any country, state or municipality in performance of this Charter without any delay.  This obligation shall apply whether or not such requirements have been lawfully imposed by such government or division or authority thereof.
The Charterers shall make and maintain all arrangements by bond or otherwise as may be necessary to satisfy such requirements at the Charterers’ sole expense and the Charterers shall indemnify the Owners against all consequences whatsoever (including loss of time) for any failure or inability to do so.
(b)      Operation of the Vessel - The Charterers shall at their own expense and by their own procurement man, victual, navigate, operate, supply, fuel and, whenever required, repair the Vessel during the Charter Period and they shall pay all charges and expenses of every kind and nature whatsoever incidental to their use and operation of the vessel under this Charter, including annual F f lag State fees and any foreign general municipality and/or state taxes.  The Master, officers and his crew of the Vessel shall be the servants of the Charterers for all purposes whatsoever, even if for any reason appointed by the Owners.
Charterers shall comply with the regulations regarding officers and crew in force in the country of the Vessel’s flag or any other applicable law.
(c)      The Charterers shall keep the Owners and the mortgagee(s) advised of the intended employment, planned dry docking and major repairs of the Vessel, as reasonably required.
(d)      Flag and Name of Vessel - During the Charter Period, the Charterers shall have the liberty to paint the Vessel in their own colours, install and display their funnel insignia and fly their own house flag.  The Charterers shall also have the liberty not , with out the Owners’ prior written consent , which shall not be unreasonably withheld, to change the flag and/or the name of the Vessel during the Charter Period.  Painting and re-painting, instalment and re-instalment, registration   and re-registration, if required by the Owners, shall be at the Charterers’ expense and time.
(e)      Changes to the Vessel - Subject to Clause 10(a)(ii) , the Charterers shall make no structural changes in the Vessel or changes in the machinery, boilers, appurtenances or spare parts thereof without in each instance first securing the Owners’ approval thereof.  If the Owners so agree, the Charterers shall, if the Owners so require, restore the Vessel to its former condition before the termination of this Charter.
(f)      Use of the Vessel’s Outfit, Equipment and Appliances – The Charterers shall have the use of all outfit, equipment, and appliances on board the Vessel at the time of delivery, provided the same or their substantial equivalent shall be returned to the Owners on redelivery in the same good order and condition as when received, ordinary wear and tear expected.  The Charterers shall from time to time during the Charter Period replace such items of equipment as shall be so damaged or worn as to be unfit for use.  The Charterers are to procure that all repairs to or replacement of any damaged, worn or lost parts or equipment be effected in such manner (both as regards workmanship and quality of materials) as not to diminish the value of the Vessel.  The Charterers have the right to fit additional

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equipment at their expense and risk but title to such additional equipment shall be deemed to have passed to the Owners immediately upon such fitting, and the Charterers shall remove such equipment at the end of the period if requested by the Owners.  Any equipment including radio equipment on hire on the Vessel at time of delivery shall be kept and maintained by the Charters and the Charterers shall assume the obligations and liabilities of the Owners under any lease contracts in connection therewith and shall reimburse the Owners for all expenses incurred in connection therewith, also for any new equipment required in order to comply with radio regulations.
(g)      Periodical Dry-Docking – The Charters shall dry-dock the Vessel and clean and paint her underwater parts whenever the same may be necessary, but not less than once during the period stated in Box 19 or, if Box 19 has been left blank, every sixty (60) calendar months after delivery or such other period as may be required by the Classification Society or Flag State.
11.
Hire (See Additional Clause 41 (Charterhire))
(a)     The Charterers shall pay hire due to the Owners punctually in accordance with the terms of this Charter in respect of which time shall be of the essence.
(b)     The Charterers shall pay to the Owners for the hire of the Vessel a lump sum in the amount indicated in Box 22 which shall be payable no later than every thirty (30) running days in advance, the first lump sum being payable on the date and hour of the Vessel’s delivery to the Charterers.  Hire shall be paid continuously throughout the Charter Period.
( c)     Payments of hire shall be made in cash without discount in the currency and in the manner indicated in Box 25 and at the place mentioned in Box 26 .
(d)     Final payment of hire, if for a period less than thirty (30) running days, shall be calculated proportionally according to the number of days and hours remaining before redelivery and advance payment to be affected accordingly.
(e)     Should the Vessel be lost or missing, hire shall cease from the date and time when she was lost or last heard of.  The date upon which the Vessel is to be treated as lost or missing shall be ten (10) days after the Vessel was last reported or when the Vessel is posted as missing by Lloyd’s, whichever occurs first.  Any hire paid in advance to be adjusted accordingly.
(f)     Any delay in payment of hirer shall entitle the Owners to interest at the rate per annum as agreed in Box 24 If Box 24 has not been filled in, the three months Interbank offered rate in London (LIBOR or is successor) for the currency stated in Box 25 , as quoted by the British Bankers’ Association (BBA) on the date when the hire fell due, increased by 2 per cent, shall apply.
(g)     Payments of interest due under subclause 11(f) shall be made within seven (7) running days of the date of the Owners invoice specifying the amount payable or, in the absence of an invoice, at the time of the next hire payment date.
12.
Mortgage (See also Additional Clause 44 (Owners’ Right to Mortgage))
(only to apply if Box 28 has been appropriately filled in)
*)
(a)     The Owners warrant that they have not effected any mortgage(s) of the Vessel and that they shall not effect any mortgage(s) without the prior consent of the Charterers, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
*)
(b)     The Vessel chartered under this Charter is may be financed by a mortgage according to the Financial Instrument.  The Charterers undertake to comply, and provide such information and documents to enable the Owners to comply, with all such instructions or directions in regard to the employment, insurances, operation, repairs and maintenance of the Vessel as laid down in the Financial Instrument or as may be directed from time to time during the currency of the Charter by the mortgagee(s) in conformity with the Financial Instrument.  The Charterers confirm that, for this purpose, they will have acquainted themselves with all relevant terms, conditions and provisions of the Financial Instrument and agree to acknowledge this in writing in any form that may be required by the mortgagee(s).  The Owners warrant that they have not effected any mortgage(s) other than stated in Box 28 and that they shall not agree to any amendment of the mortgage(s) referred to in Box 28 or effect any other mortgage(s) without the prior consent of the Charterers, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
*)
(Optional, Clauses 12(a) and 12(b) are alternatives; indicate alternative agreed in Box 28 )
13.
Insurance and Repairs (See also Additional Clause 48 (Insurances, Total Loss))
(a)     During the Charter Period the Vessel shall be kept insured by the Charterers at their expense against hull and machinery, war and Protection and Indemnity risks (and any risks against which it is compulsory to insure for the operation of the Vessel, including maintaining financial security in accordance with sub clause 10(a)(iii)) in such form as the Owners shall in writing approve, which approval shall not be un-reasonably withheld.  Such insurances shall be arranged by the Charterers to protect the interests of both the Owners and the Charterers and the mortgagee(s), (if any), and The Charterers shall be at liberty to protect under such insurances the interests of any managers they may appoint.  Insurance policies shall cover the Owners, and the Charterers according to their respective interests.  Subject to the provisions of the Financial Instrument, if any , and the approval of the Owners and the insurers, the Charterers shall effect all insured repairs and shall undertake settlement and reimbursement from the insurers of all costs in connection with such repairs as well as insured charges, expenses and liabilities to the extent of coverage under the insurances herein provided for.
The Charterers also to remain responsible for and to effect repairs and settlement of costs and expenses incurred thereby in respect of all other repairs not covered by the insurances and/or not exceeding any possible franchise(s) or deductibles provided for in the insurance.
All time used for repairs under the provisions of sub- clause 13(a) and for repairs of latent defects according to Clause 3(c) above, including any deviation, shall be the Charterers’ account.
(b)     If the conditions of the above insurances permit additional insurance to be placed by the parties, such cover shall be limited to the amount for each party set out in Box 30 and Box 31 , respectively.  The Owners or the Charterers as the case may be shall immediately furnish the other party with particulars of any additional insurance effected, including copies of any cover notes or policies and the written consent of the insurers of any such required insurance in any case where the consent of such insurers are necessary.
(c)     The Charterers shall upon the request of the Owners, provide information and promptly execute such documents as may be reasonably required to enable the Owners to comply with the insurance provisions of the Financial Instrument.
(d)     Subject to the provisions of the Financial Instruments, if any, should the Vessel become an actual, constructive, compromised or agreed total loss under the insurances required under sub-clause 13(a) , all insurance payments for such loss shall be paid to the Owners who shall distribute the moneys between the in accordance with Additional Clause 48.3 (Total Loss)   Owners and the Charterers according to their respective interests. The Charterers undertake to notify the Owners and the mortgagee(s), if any, of any occurrences in consequence of which the Vessel is likely to become a


This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.

PART II
“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
total loss as defined in this Clause.
(e)     The Owners shall upon the request of the Charterers, promptly execute such documents as may be required to enable the Charterers to abandon the Vessel to insurers and claim a constructive total loss.
(f)     For the purpose of insurance coverage against hull and machinery and war risks under the provisions of sub-clause 13(a) , the value of the Vessel is the sum indicated in Box 29 .
14.
Insurance, Repairs and Classification
(Optional, only to apply if expressly agreed and stated in Box 29 , in which event Clause 13 shall be considered deleted).
(a)     During the Charter Period the Vessel shall be kept insured by the Owners at their expense against hull and machinery and war risks under the form of policy or policies attached hereto.  The Owners and/or insurers shall not have any right of recovery or subrogation against the Charterers on account of loss of or any damage to the Vessel or her machinery or appurtenances covered by such insurance, or on account of payments made to discharge claims against or liabilities of the Vessel or the Owners covered by such insurance. Insurance policies shall cover the Owners and the Charterers according to their respective interests.
(b)      During the Charter Period the Vessel shall be kept insured by the Charterers at their expense against Protection and Indemnity risks (and any risks against which it is compulsory to insure for the operation of the Vessel, including maintaining financial security in accordance with sub-clause 10(a)(iii) ) in such form as the Owners shall in writing approve which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(c)    In the event that any act or negligence of the Charterers shall vitiate any of the insurance herein provided, the Charterers shall pay to the Owners all losses and indemnify the Owners against all claims and demands which would otherwise have been covered by such insurance.
(d)      The Charterers shall, subject to the approval of the Owners or Owners' Underwriters, effect all insured repairs, and the Charterers shall undertake settlement of all miscellaneous expenses in connection with such repairs as well as all insured charges, expenses and liabilities to the extent of coverage under the insurances provided for under the provisions of sub-clause 14(a) .  The Charterers to be secured reimbursement through the Owners' Underwriters for such expenditures upon presentation of accounts.
(e)      The Charterers to remain responsible for and to effect repairs and settlement of costs and expenses incurred thereby in respect of all other repairs not covered by the insurances and/or not exceeding any possible franchise(s) or deductibles provided for in the insurances.
(f)      All time used for repairs under the provisions of sub-clauses 14(d) and 14(e) and for repairs of latent defects according to Clause 3 above, including any deviation, shall be for the Charterers' account and shall form part of the Charter Period.
The Owners shall not be responsible for any expenses  as are incident to the use and operation of the Vessel for such time as may be required to make such repairs.
(g)    If the conditions of the above insurances permit additional insurance to be placed by the parties such cover shall be limited to the amount for each party set out in Box 30 and Box 31 , respectively.  The Owners or the Charterers as the case may be shall immediately furnish the other party with particulars of any additional insurance effected, including copies of any cover notes or policies and the written consent of the insurers of any such required insurance in any case where the consent of such insurers is necessary.
(h)      Should the Vessel become an actual, constructive, compromised or agreed total loss under the insurances required under sub-clause 14(a), all insurance payments for such loss shall be paid to the Owners, who shall distribute the moneys between themselves and the Charterers according to their respective interests.
(i)      If the Vessel becomes an actual, constructive,  compromised or agreed total loss under the insurances arranged by the Owners in accordance with sub-clause 14(a), this Charter shall terminate as of the date of such loss.
(j)      The Charterers shall upon the request of the Owners, promptly execute such documents as may be required to enable the Owners to abandon the Vessel to the insurers and claim a constructive total loss.
(k)      For the purpose of insurance coverage against hull and machinery and war risks under the provisions of sub-clause 14(a) , the value of the Vessel is the sum indicated in Box 29 .
(I)      Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-clause 10(a), it is agreed that under the provisions of Clause 14, if applicable, the Owners shall keep the Vessel's Class fully up to date with the Classification Society indicated in Box 10 and maintain all other necessary certificates in force at all times.
15.
Redelivery (See also Additional Clause 51 (Redelivery))
At the expiration of the Charter Period the Vessel shall be redelivered by the Charterers to the Owners at a safe and ice-free port or place as indicated in Box 16 , in such ready safe berth as the Owners may direct.  The Charterers shall give the Owners not less than thirty (30) running days' preliminary notice of expected date, range of ports of redelivery or port or place of redelivery and not less than fourteen (14) running days' definite notice of expected date and port or place of redelivery.  Any changes thereafter in the Vessel's position shall be notified immediately to the Owners.
The Charterers warrant that they will not permit the Vessel to commence a voyage (including any preceding ballast voyage) which cannot reasonably be expected to be completed in time to allow redelivery of the Vessel within the Charter Period.  Notwithstanding the above, should the Charterers fail to redeliver the Vessel within   the Charter Period, the Charterers shall pay the daily equivalent to the rate of hire stated in Box 22 plus 10 per cent. or to the market rate, whichever is the higher, for the number of days by which the Charter Period is exceeded.  All other terms, conditions and provisions of this Charter shall continue to apply.
Subject to the provisions of Clause 10 , the Vessel shall be redelivered to the Owners in the same or as good structure, state, condition and class as that in which she was delivered, fair wear and tear not affecting class excepted.
The Vessel upon redelivery shall have her survey cycles up to date and trading and class certificates valid for at least the number of months agreed in Box 17 .
16.
Non-Lien
The Charterers will not suffer, nor permit to be continued, any lien or encumbrance incurred by them or their agents, which might have priority over the title and interest of the Owners in the Vessel.  The Charterers further agree to fasten to the Vessel in a conspicuous place and to keep so fastened during the Charter Period a notice reading as follows:
“This Vessel is the property of (name of Owners).  It is under charter to (name of Charterers) and by the terms of the Charter Party neither the Charterers nor the Master have any right, power or authority to create, incur or permit to be imposed on the Vessel any lien whatsoever.”
17.
Indemnity  (See also Clause 43 (Indemnity)


 

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PART II
“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
 (a)      The Charterers shall indemnify the Owners against any loss, damage or expense incurred by the Owners arising out of or in relation to a breach of this Charter and/or the operation of the Vessel by the Charterers, and against any lien of whatsoever nature arising out of an event occurring during the Charter Period Security Period .  If the Vessel be arrested or otherwise detained by reason of claims or liens arising out of her operation hereunder by the Charterers, the Charterers shall at their own expense take all reasonable steps to secure that within a reasonable time the Vessel is released, including the provision of bail.
Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Charterers agree to indemnify the Owners against all consequences or liabilities arising from the Master, officers or agents signing Bills of Lading or other documents.
(b)      If the Vessel be arrested or otherwise detained by reason of a claim or claims against the Owners, the Owners shall at their own expense take all reasonable steps to secure that within a reasonable time the Vessel is released, including the provision of bail.  In such circumstances the Owners shall indemnify the Charterers against any loss, damage or expense incurred by the Charterers (including hire paid under this Charter) as a direct consequence of such arrest or detention.
18.
Lien
The Owners to have a lien upon all cargoes, sub-hires   and sub-freights belonging or due to the Charterers or   any sub-charterers and any Bill of Lading freight for all   claims under this Charter , and the Charterers to have a lien on the Vessel for all moneys paid in advance and   not earned . The Charterers are not entitled to have any lien on the Vessel of whatsoever nature.
19.
Salvage
All salvage and towage performed by the Vessel shall be for the Charterers' benefit and the cost of repairing damage occasioned thereby shall be borne by the Charterers.
20.
Wreck Removal
In the event of the Vessel becoming a wreck or obstruction to navigation the Charterers shall indemnify the Owners against any sums whatsoever which the Owners shall become liable to pay and shall pay in consequence of the Vessel becoming a wreck or obstruction to navigation.
21.
General Average
The Owners shall not contribute to General Average.
22.
Assignment, Sub-Charter and Sale (See Additional Cluase 53 (Assignment and set-off)
( a)     The Charterers shall not assign this Charter nor sub-charter the Vessel on a bareboat basis except with the prior consent in writing of the Owners, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, and subject to such terms and conditions as the Owners shall approve.
(b)      The Owners shall not sell the Vessel during the currency of this Charter . except with the prior written consent of the Charterers, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, and subject to the buyer accepting an assignment of this Charter.
23.
Contracts of Carriage
*)
(a)     The Charterers are to procure that all documents issued during the Charter Period evidencing the terms and conditions agreed in respect of carriage of goods shall contain a paramount clause incorporating any legislation relating to carrier's liability for cargo compulsorily applicable in the trade; if no such legislation exists, the documents shall incorporate the Hague-Visby Rules.  The documents shall also contain the New Jason Clause and the Both-to-Blame Collision Clause.
*)
(b)      The Charterers are to procure that all passenger tickets issued during the Charter Period for the carriage of passengers and their luggage under this Charter shall contain a paramount clause incorporating any legislation relating to carrier's liability for passengers and their luggage compulsorily applicable in the trade; if no such legislation exists, the passenger tickets shall incorporate the Athens Convention Relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 1974, and any protocol thereto.
*)
Delete as applicable.
24.
Bank Corporate Guarantees
(Optional, only to apply if Box 27 filled in)
The Charterers undertake to furnish, before delivery of the Vessel, a first class bank corporate guarantee or bond in the   from each of (i) Top Ships Inc. and (ii) Central Shipping Monaco S.A.M.   sum and at the place as indicated in Box 27 as guarantee, for full performance of their obligations under this Charter.
25.
Requisition/Acquisition
(a)    In the event of the Requisition for Hire of the Vessel by any governmental or other competent authority (hereinafter referred to as "Requisition for Hire") irrespective of the date during the Charter Period   Security Period when "Requisition for Hire" may occur and irrespective of the length thereof and whether or not it be for an indefinite or a limited period of time, and irrespective of whether it   may or will remain in force for the remainder of the Charter Period   Security Period , this Charter shall not be deemed thereby or thereupon to be frustrated or otherwise terminated and the Charterers shall continue to pay the stipulated hire in the manner provided by this Charter until the time when the Charter would have terminated pursuant to any provisions hereof. always proivded however that in the event of “Requisiton for Hire” any Requisition for Hire or compensation recevied or receivable by the Owners shall be payable to the Charterers during the remainder of the Charter Period or the period of the remainder of the Charter Period or the period of the “Requisition for Hire” whichever be the shorter .
(b) In the event of the Owners being deprived of their ownership in the Vessel by any Compulsory Acquisition of the Vessel or requisition for title by any governmental or other competent authority (hereinafter referred to as "Compulsory Acquisition"), then, irrespective of the date during the Charter Period when "Compulsory Acquisition" may occur, this Charter shall be deemed terminated as of the date of such "Compulsory Acquisition".  In such event Charter Hire to be considered as earned and to be paid up to the date and time of such "Compulsory Acquisition".
26.
War
(a)     For the purpose of this Clause, the words "War Risks" shall include any war (whether actual or threatened), act of war, civil war, hostilities, revolution, rebellion, civil commotion, warlike operations, the laying of mines (whether actual or reported), acts of piracy, acts of terrorists, acts of hostility or malicious damage, blockades (whether imposed against all vessels or imposed selectively against vessels of certain flags or ownership, or against certain cargoes or crews or otherwise howsoever), by any person, body, terrorist or political group, or the Government of any state whatsoever, which may be dangerous or are likely to be or to become dangerous to the Vessel, her cargo, crew or other persons on board the Vessel.
(b)     The  Vessel unless adequate insurace cover and the written consent of the Owners be first obtained, shall not continue to or go through any port, place or area or zone (whether by land or sea), or any waterway or canal, where it reasonably

This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


PART II
“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
appears that the Vessel, her cargo, crew or other persons on board the Vessel, in the reasonable judgement of the Owners, may be, or are likely to be, exposed to War Risks.  Should the Vessel be within any such place as aforesaid, without adequate insurance cover or without the written consent of the Owners, which only becomes dangerous, or is likely to be or to become dangerous, after her entry into it, the Owners shall have the right to require the Vessel to leave such area.
(c)      The Vessel shall not load contraband cargo, or to pass through any blockade, whether such blockade be imposed on all vessels, or is imposed selectively in any way whatsoever against vessels of certain flags or ownership, or against certain cargoes or crews or otherwise howsoever, or to proceed to an area where she shall be subject, or is likely to be subject to a belligerent's right of search and/or confiscation.
(d)      If the insurers of the war risks insurance, when Clause 14 is applicable, s hould require payment of premiums and/or calls because, pursuant to the Charterers' orders, the Vessel is within, or is due to enter and remain within, any area or areas which are specified by such insurers as being subject to additional premiums because of War Risks, then such premiums and/or calls shall be reimbursed by the Charterers to the Owners at the same time as the next payment of hire is due.
(e)       The Charterers shall have the liberty:

(i)
to comply with all orders, directions, recommendations or advice as to departure, arrival, routes, sailing in convoy, ports of call, stoppages, destinations, discharge of cargo, delivery, or in any other way whatsoever, which are given by the Government of the Nation under whose flag the Vessel sails, or any other Government, body or group whatsoever acting with the power to compel compliance with their orders or directions;

(ii)
to comply with the orders, directions or recommendations of any war risks underwriters who have the authority to give the same under the terms of the war risks insurance;

(iii)
to comply with the terms of any resolution of the Security Council of the United Nations, any directives of the European Community, the effective orders of any other Supranational body which has the right to issue and give the same, and with national laws aimed at enforcing the same to which the Owners are subject, and to obey the orders and directions of those who are charged with their enforcement.
(f)       In the event of outbreak of war (whether there be a declaration of war or not) (i) between any two or more of the following countries: the United States of America; Russia; the United Kingdom; France; and the People's Republic of China, (ii) between any two or more of the countries stated in Box 36 , both the Owners and the Charterers shall have the right to cancel this Charter, whereupon the Charterers shall redeliver the Vessel to the Owners in accordance with Clause 15 , if the Vessel has cargo on board after discharge thereof at destination, or if debarred under this Clause from reaching or entering it at a near, open and safe port as directed by the Owners, or if the Vessel has no cargo on board, at the port at which the Vessel then is or if at sea at a near, open and safe port as directed by the O wners.  In all cases hire shall continue to be paid in accordance with   Clause 11 and except as aforesaid all other provisions of this Charter shall apply until redelivery.
27.
Commission
The Owners to pay a commission at the rate indicated in Box 33 to the Brokers named in Box 33 on any hire paid under the Charter.  If no rate is indicated in Box 33 , the commission to be paid by the Owners shall cover the actual expenses of the Brokers and a reasonable fee for their work.
If the full hire is not paid owing to breach of the Charter by either of the parties the party liable therefor shall indemnify the Brokers against their loss of commission.  Should the parties agree to cancel the Charter, the Owners shall indemnify the Brokers against any loss of commission but in such case the commission shall not exceed the brokerage on one year's hire.
28.
Termination (See Additional Clauses 49 (Termination Events) and 50 Owners’ rights on termination))
(a)       Charterers' Default
The Owners shall be entitled to withdraw the Vessel from the service of the Charterers and terminate the Charter with immediate effect by written notice to the Charterers if:

(i)
the Charterers fail to pay hire in accordance with   Clause 11 .  However, where there is a failure to make punctual payment of hire due to oversight, negligence, errors or omissions on the part of the Charterers or their bankers, the Owners shall give   the Charterers written notice of the number of clear banking days stated in Box 34 (as recognised at the agreed place of payment) in which to rectify the failure, and when so rectified within such number of days following the Owners' notice, the payment shall stand as regular and punctual.  Failure by the Charterers to pay hire within the number of days stated in Box 34 of their receiving the Owners' notice as provided herein, shall entitle the Owners to withdraw the Vessel from the service of the Charterers and terminate the Charter without further notice;

(ii)
the Charterers fail to comply with the requirements of:
(1)   Clause 6 (Trading Restrictions)
(2)   Clause 13(a) (Insurance and Repairs) provided that the Owners shall have the option, by written notice to the Charterers, to give the Charterers a specified number of days grace within which to rectify the failure without prejudice to the Owners' right to withdraw and terminate under this Clause if the Charterers fail to comply with such notice;

(iii)
the Charterers fail to rectify any failure to comply with the requirements of sub-clause 10(a)(i) (Maintenance and Repairs) as soon as practically

This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


PART II
“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
possible after the Owners have requested them in writing so to do and in any event so that the Vessel's insurance cover is not prejudiced.
(b)      Owners' Default
If the Owners shall by any act or omission be in breach of their obligations under this Charter to the extent that the Charterers are deprived of the use of the Vessel and such breach continues for a period of fourteen (14) running days after written notice thereof has been given by the Charterers to the Owners, the Charterers shall be entitled to terminate this Charter with immediate effect by written notice to the Owners.
(c)      Loss of Vessel
This Charter shall be deemed to be terminated if the Vessel becomes a total loss or is declared as a constructive or compromised or arranged total loss.  For the purpose of this sub-clause, the Vessel shall not be deemed to be lost unless she has either become an actual total loss or agreement has been reached with her underwriters in respect of her constructive, compromised or arranged total loss or if such agreement with her underwriters is not reached it is adjudged by a competent tribunal that a constructive loss of the Vessel has occurred.
(d)      Either party shall be entitled to terminate this Charter with immediate effect by written notice to the other party in the event of an order being made or resolution passed for the winding up, dissolution, liquidation or bankruptcy of the other party (otherwise than for the purpose of reconstruction or amalgamation) or if a receiver is appointed, or if it suspends payment, ceases to carry on business or makes any special arrangement or composition with its creditors.
(e)      The termination of this Charter shall be without prejudice to all rights accrued due between the parties prior to the date of termination and to any claim that either party might have.
29.
Repossession
In the event of the termination of this Charter in accordance with the applicable provisions of Clause 28 this Charter , the Owners shall have the right to repossess the Vessel from the Charterers at her current or next port of call, or at a port or place convenient to them without hindrance or interference by the Charterers, courts or local authorities.  Pending physical repossession of the Vessel in accordance with this Clauses 29 , the Charterers shall hold the Vessel as gratuitous bailee only to the Owners and the Charterers shall procure that the master and the crew follow the orders and directions of the Owners .
The Owners shall arrange for an authorised representative to board the Vessel as soon as reasonably practicable following the termination of the Charter.  The Vessel shall be deemed to be repossessed by the Owners from the Charterers upon the boarding of the Vessel by the Owners' representative.  All arrangements and expenses relating to the settling of wages, disembarkation and repatriation of the Charterers' Master, officers and crew shall be the sole responsibility of the Charterers.
30.
Dispute Resolution
*)
(a)      This Contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Contract shall be referred to arbitration in London in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996 or any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof save to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Clause.
The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) Terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
The reference shall be to three arbitrators.  A party wishing to refer a dispute to arbitration shall appoint its arbitrator and send notice of such appointment in writing to the other party requiring the other party to appoint its own arbitrator within 14 calendar days of that notice and stating that it will appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator unless the other party appoints its own arbitrator and gives notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified.  If the other party does not appoint its own arbitrator and give notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified, the party referring a dispute to arbitration may, without the requirement of any further prior notice to the other party, appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator and shall advise the other party accordingly.  The award of a sole arbitrator shall be binding on both parties as if he had been appointed by agreement.
Nothing herein shall prevent the parties agreeing in writing to vary these provisions to provide for the appointment of a sole arbitrator.
In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of US$50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the LMAA Small Claims Procedure current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
*)
(b)      This Contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Title 9 of the United States Code and the Maritime Law of the United States and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Contract shall be referred to three persons at New York, one to be appointed by each of the parties hereto, and the third by the two so chosen; their decision or that of any two of them shall be final, and for the purposes of enforcing any award, judgement may be entered on an award by any court of competent jurisdiction.  The proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc.
In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of US550,000 (or such other sum as   the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the Shortened Arbitration Procedure of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc. current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
*)
(c)      This Contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the place mutually agreed by the parties and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Contract shall be referred to arbitration at a mutually agreed place, subject to the procedures applicable there.
(d)      Notwithstanding (a), (b) or (c) above, the parties may agree at any time to refer to mediation any difference and/or dispute arising out of or in connection with this Contract.
In the case of a dispute in respect of which arbitration has been commenced under (a), (b) or (c) above, the following shall apply:-

(i)
Either party may at any time and from time to time elect to refer the dispute or part of the dispute to mediation by service on the other party of a written notice (the "Mediation Notice') calling on the other party to agree to mediation.

(ii)
The other party shall thereupon within 14 calendar days of receipt of the Mediation Notice confirm that they agree to mediation, in which case the parties shall thereafter agree a mediator within a further 14 calendar days, failing which on the application of either party a mediator will be appointed promptly by the Arbitration Tribunal ("the Tribunal") or such person as the Tribunal may designate for that purpose.  The mediation shall be conducted in such place and in accordance with such procedure and

This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.

PART II
“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
on such terms as the parties may agree or, in the event of disagreement, as may be set by the mediator.

(iii)
If the other party does not agree to mediate, that fact may be brought to the attention of the Tribunal and may be taken into account by the Tribunal when allocating the costs of the arbitration as between the parties.

(iv)
The mediation shall not affect the right of either party to seek such relief or take such steps as it considers necessary to protect its interest.

(v)
Either party may advise the Tribunal that they have agreed to mediation.  The arbitration procedure shall continue during the conduct of the mediation but the Tribunal may take the mediation timetable into account when setting the timetable for steps in the arbitration.

(vi)
Unless otherwise agreed or specified in the mediation terms, each party shall bear its own costs incurred in the mediation and the parties shall share equally the mediator's costs and expenses.

(vii)
The mediation process shall be without prejudice and confidential and no information or documents disclosed during it shall be revealed to the Tribunal except to the extent that they are disclosable under the law and procedure governing the arbitration.
(Note: The parties should be aware that the mediation process may not necessarily interrupt time limits.)
(e)    If Box 35 in Part I is not appropriately filled in, sub-clause 30(a) of this Clause shall apply.  Sub-clause 30(d) shall apply in all cases.
*)     Sub-clauses 30(a) , 30(b) and 30(c) are alternatives;
indicate alternative agreed in Box 35 .
31.
Notices (See Additional Clause 52 (Communications))
(a)      Any notice to be given by either party to the other party shall be in writing and may be sent by fax, telex, registered or recorded mail or by personal service.
(b)      The address of the Parties for service of such communication shall be as stated in Boxes 3 and 4 respectively.















This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
   
OPTIONAL
PART
PART III
PROVISIONS TO APPLY FOR NEWBUILDING VESSELS ONLY
(Optional, only to apply if expressly agreed and stated in Box 37)
1.
Specifications and Building Contract
(a)      The Vessel shall be constructed in accordance with the Building Contract (hereafter called the Building Contract") as annexed to this Charter, made between the Builders and the Owners and in accordance with the specifications and plans annexed thereto, such Building Contract, specifications and plans having been counter- signed as approved by the Charterers.
(b)      No change shall be made in the Building Contract or in the specifications or plans of the Vessel as approved by the Charterers as aforesaid, without the Charterers' consent.
(c)      The Charterers shall have the right to send their representative to the Builders' Yard to inspect the Vessel during the course of her construction to satisfy themselves that construction is in accordance with such approved specifications and plans as referred to under sub-clause (a) of this Clause.
(d)      The Vessel shall be built in accordance with the Building Contract and shall be of the description set out therein.  Subject to the provisions of sub-clause 2(c)(ii) hereunder, the Charterers shall be bound to accept the Vessel from the Owners, completed and constructed in accordance with the Building Contract, on the date of delivery by the Builders.  The Charterers undertake that having accepted the Vessel they will not thereafter raise any claims against the Owners in respect of the Vessel's performance or specification or defects, if any.  Nevertheless, in respect of any repairs, replacements or defects which appear within the first 12 months from delivery by the Builders, the Owners shall endeavour to compel the Builders to repair, replace or remedy any defects or to recover from the Builders any expenditure incurred in carrying out such repairs, replacements or remedies.  However, the Owners' liability to the Charterers shall be limited to the extent the Owners have a valid claim against the Builders under the guarantee clause of the Building Contract (a copy whereof has been supplied to the Charterers).  The Charterers shall be bound to accept such sums as the Owners are reasonably able to recover under this Clause and shall make no further claim on the Owners for the difference between the amount(s) so recovered and the actual expenditure on repairs, replacement or remedying defects or for any loss of time incurred.  Any liquidated damages for physical defects or deficiencies shall accrue to the account of the party stated in Box 41(a) or if not filled in shall be shared equally between the parties.  The costs of pursuing a claim or claims against the Builders under this Clause (including any liability to the Builders) shall be borne by the party stated in Box 41(b) or if not filled in shall be shared equally between the parties.
2.
Time and Place of Delivery
(a)      Subject to the Vessel having completed her acceptance trials including trials of cargo equipment in accordance with the Building Contract and specifications to the satisfaction of the Charterers, the Owners shall give and the Charterers shall take delivery of the Vessel afloat when ready for delivery and properly documented at the Builders' Yard or some other safe and readily accessible dock, wharf or place as may be agreed between the parties hereto and the Builders.  Under the Building Contract the Builders have estimated that the Vessel will be ready for delivery to the Owners as therein provided but the delivery date for the purpose of this Charter shall be the date when the Vessel is in fact ready for delivery by the Builders after completion of trials whether that be before or after as indicated in the Building Contract.  The Charterers shall not be entitled to refuse acceptance of delivery of the Vessel and upon and after such acceptance, subject to Clause 1(d), the Charterers shall not be entitled to make any claim against the Owners in respect of any conditions, representations or warranties, whether express or implied, as to the seaworthiness of the Vessel or in respect of delay in delivery.
(b)      If for any reason other than a default by the Owners under the Building Contract, the Builders become entitled under that Contract not to deliver the Vessel to the Owners, the Owners shall upon giving to the Charterers written notice of Builders becoming so entitled, be excused from giving delivery of the Vessel to the Charterers and upon receipt of such notice by the Charterers this Charter shall cease to have effect.
(c)     If for any reason the Owners become entitled under the Building Contract to reject the Vessel the Owners shall, before exercising such right of rejection, consult the Charterers and thereupon
(i) if the Charterers do not wish to take delivery of the Vessel they shall inform the Owners within seven (7) running days by notice in writing and upon receipt by the Owners of such notice this Charter shall cease to have effect; or
(ii) if the Charterers wish to take delivery of the Vessel
they may by notice in writing within seven (7) running days require the Owners to negotiate with the Builders as to the terms on which delivery should be taken and/or refrain from exercising their right to rejection and upon receipt of such notice the Owners shall commence such negotiations and/ or take delivery of the Vessel from the Builders and deliver her to the Charterers;
(iii) in no circumstances shall the Charterers be entitled to reject the Vessel unless the Owners are able to reject the Vessel from the Builders;
(iv) if this Charter terminates under sub-clause (b) or (c) of this Clause, the Owners shall thereafter not be liable to the Charterers for any claim under or arising out of this Charter or its termination.
(d)     Any liquidated damages for delay in delivery under the Building Contract and any costs incurred in pursuing a claim therefor shall accrue to the account of the party stated in Box 41(c) or if not filled in shall be shared equally between the parties.
3.
Guarantee Works
If not otherwise agreed, the Owners authorise the Charterers to arrange for the guarantee works to be performed in accordance with the building contract terms, and hire to continue during the period of guarantee works.  The Charterers have to advise the Owners about the performance to the extent the Owners may request.
4.
Name of Vessel
The name of the Vessel shall be mutually agreed between the Owners and the Charterers and the Vessel shall be painted in the colours, display the funnel insignia and fly the house flag as required by the Charterers.
5.
Survey on Redelivery
The Owners and the Charterers shall appoint surveyors  for the purpose of determining and agreeing in writing the condition of the Vessel at the time of re-delivery Without prejudice to Clause 15 (Part II), the Charterers shall bear all survey expenses and all other costs, if any, including the cost of docking and undocking, if required, as well as all repair costs incurred.  The Charterers shall also bear all loss of time spent in connection with any docking and undocking as well as repairs, which shall be paid at the rate of hire per day or pro rata.

This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.

“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
   
OPTIONAL
PART
PART IV
HIRE/PURCHASE AGREEMENT
(Optional, only to apply if expressly agreed and stated in Box 42)
On expiration of this Charter and provided the Charterers   have fulfilled their obligations according to Part I and II as well as Part III, if applicable, it is agreed, that on payment of the final payment of hire as per Clause 11 the Charterers have purchased the Vessel with everything belonging to her and the Vessel is fully paid for.

In the following paragraphs the Owners are referred to as the Sellers and the Charterers as the Buyers.

The Vessel shall be delivered by the Sellers and taken over by the Buyers on expiration of the Charter.

The Sellers guarantee that the Vessel, at the time of delivery, is tree from all encumbrances and maritime liens or any debts whatsoever other than those arising from anything done or not done by the Buyers or any existing mortgage agreed not to be paid off by the time of delivery.  Should any claims, which have been incurred prior to the time of delivery be made against the Vessel, the Sellers hereby undertake to indemnify the Buyers against all consequences of such claims to the extent it can be proved that the Sellers are responsible for such claims.  Any taxes, notarial, consular and other charges and expenses connected with the purchase and registration under Buyers' flag, shall be for Buyers' account.  Any taxes, consular and other charges and expenses connected with closing of the Sellers' register, shall be for Sellers' account.

In exchange for payment of the last month's hire instalment the Sellers shall furnish the Buyers with a Bill of Sale duly attested and legalized, together with a certificate setting out the registered encumbrances, if any.  On delivery of the Vessel the Sellers shall provide for deletion of the Vessel from the Ship's Register and deliver a certificate of deletion to the Buyers.  The Sellers shall, at the time of delivery, hand to the Buyers all classification certificates (for hull, engines, anchors, chains, etc.), as well as all plans which may be in Sellers' possession.

The Wireless Installation and Nautical Instruments, unless on hire, shall be included in the sale without any extra payment.

The Vessel with everything belonging to her shall be at Sellers' risk and expense until she is delivered to the Buyers, subject to the conditions of this Contract and the Vessel with everything belonging to her shall be delivered and taken over as she is at the time of delivery, after which the Sellers shall have no responsibility for possible faults or deficiencies of any description.

The Buyers undertake to pay for the repatriation of the Master, officers and other personnel if appointed by the Sellers to the port where the Vessel entered the Bareboat Charter as per Clause 3 (Part II) or to pay the equivalent cost for their journey to any other place.

This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
   
OPTIONAL
PART
PART V
PROVISIONS TO APPLY FOR VESSELS REGISTERED IN BAREBOAT CHARTER REGISTRY
(Optional, only to apply if expressly agreed and stated in Box 43)

1.
Definitions
For the purpose of this PART V, the following terms shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them: " The Bareboat Charter Registry " shall mean the registry of the State whose flag the Vessel will fly and in which the Charterers are registered as the bareboat charterers during t he period of the Bareboat Charter.
The Underlying Registry " shall mean the registry of the State in which the Owners of the Vessel are registered as Owners and to which jurisdiction and control of the Vessel will revert upon termination of the Bareboat Charter Registration.
2.
Mortgage
The Vessel chartered under this Charter is financed by a mortgage and the provisions of Clause 12(b) (Part II) shall apply.
3.
Termination of Charter by Default
If the Vessel chartered under this Charter is registered in a Bareboat Charter Registry as stated in Box 44 , and if the Owners shall default in the payment of any amounts due under the mortgage(s) specified in Box 28 . the Charterers shall, if so required by the mortgagee, direct the Owners to re-register the Vessel in the Underlying Registry as shown in Box 45 .
In the event of the Vessel being deleted from the Bareboat Charter Registry as stated in Box 44 , due to a default by the Owners in the payment of any amounts due under the mortgage(s), the Charterers shall have the right to terminate this Charter forthwith and without prejudice to any other claim they may have against the Owners under this Charter.

This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.
Exhibit 4.97
Nord Valiant
BBC Additional Clauses
ADDITIONAL CLAUSES
to the Bareboat Charter dated this         21st         day of   December 2018
(“this Charter”)
between
XIANG T89 HK INTERNATIONAL SHIP LEASE CO., LIMITED
(as Owners)
and
MONTE CARLO LAX SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED
(as Charterers)
in respect of
An Oil and Chemical Tanker named “Nord Valiant” with IMO No.9697909
(“Vessel”)







1


CONTENTS
CLAUSE
PAGE

32.
DEFINITIONS
3
     
33.
EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS CHARTER
18
     
34.
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
19
     
35.
DELIVERY OF THE VESSEL
20
     
36.
EXCLUSION OF WARRANTIES
21
     
37.
FLAG AND CLASS
23
     
38.
MANAGEMENT
23
     
39.
CHARTER PERIOD AND PURCHASE OPTION
24
     
40.
CHARTER ARRANGEMENT FEE
25
     
41.
CHARTERHIRE
26
     
42.
PAYMENTS
27
     
43.
INDEMNITY
28
     
44.
OWNERS’ RIGHT TO MORTGAGE
30
     
45.
OWNERS’ RIGHT TO SALE
30
     
46.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
31
     
47.
UNDERTAKINGS
33
     
48.
INSURANCES, TOTAL LOSS
41
     
49.
TERMINATION EVENTS
47
     
50.
OWNERS’ RIGHTS ON TERMINATION
50
     
51.
REDELIVERY
51
     
52.
COMMUNICATIONS
52
     
53.
ASSIGNMENT AND SET-OFF
54
     
54.
MISCELLANEOUS
54

SCHEDULE I Repurchase Price Schedule
57
   
SCHEDULE II Conditions Precedent
58
   
SCHEDULE III Loss Payable Clauses
60
   
SCHEDULE IV Form of Protocol of Delivery and Acceptance Certificate
61
   
SCHEDULE V Owners’ Costs Schedule
62
   
SCHEDULE VI Adjustment Schedule
64
   
SCHEDULE VII Early Termination Amount Schedule
66
2


Nord Valiant
BBC Additional Clauses
32.
DEFINITIONS
32.1
In this Charter, unless the context otherwise requires, the following expressions shall have the following meanings:
“Acceptance Certificate” means a protocol of delivery and acceptance certificate substantially in the form of Schedule IV ( Form of Protocol of Delivery and Acceptance Certificate ).
“Advance Hire” has the meaning given to the term in Clause 40.2 ( Advance Hire ).
“Approved Brokers” means Simpson Spence Young, Clarksons Platou, Maersk Broker, Arrow Shipbrokers, Howe Robinson, Braemar ACM, Barry Rogliano Salles or any other reputable shipbroker nominated by the Charterers and approved by the Owners from time to time.
“Approved Insurers” means the insurance broker(s) from time to time approved by the Owners for the purpose of this Charter.
“Approved Manager” means the manager or sub-manager of the Vessel, being:

(a)
in respect of technical management of the Vessel, CENTRAL MARE INC. of Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960; and

(b)
in respect of commercial management of the Vessel, CENTRAL SHIPPING INC. of Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960.
Affiliate ” means, in relation to any person, a Subsidiary of that person or a Holding Company of that person or any other Subsidiary of that Holding Company.
Anniversary ” means each anniversary of the Delivery Date. “Banking Day” means:

(a)
in relation to a day on which a payment is to be made or calculated in Dollars, a day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) on which banks are open for business in Amsterdam, Athens, New York, Beijing and Hong Kong; and

(b)
in relation to any other day, a day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) on which banks are open for business in Amsterdam, Athens, Beijing and Hong Kong.
“Breakage Costs” means all costs or any expense, premium or penalty which the Owners sustain including, without limitation, such costs incurred in unwinding any associated interest rate or currency swaps or currency futures and/or incurred as a consequence of:

(a)
Delivery not occurring after the delivery under the MOA takes place; and/or

(b)
this Charter is terminated or cancelled prior to the expiry of the Charter Period for whatsoever reason; and/or
3


Nord Valiant
BBC Additional Clauses

(c)
the lease of the Vessel under this Charter being prevented or early terminated due to the occurrence of a Termination Event.
“Business Ethics Laws” means any laws, regulations and/or other legally binding requirements or determinations in relation to bribery, corruption, fraud, money-laundering, terrorism, sanctions, collusion bid-rigging or anti-trust, human rights violations (including forced labour and human trafficking) which are applicable to either party or to any jurisdiction where activities are performed and which shall include: (i) the United Kingdom Bribery Act 2010, (ii) the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act 1977 and (iii) any United States, United Nations or European Union sanctions.
“Change of Control” means, in relation to a Security Party, any circumstances in which Control of that Security Party passes from the person or persons (whether acting individually or in concert) who are in Control that Security Party to a person or persons who is not or are not in Control of that Security Party as at the date of this Charter.
“Charter Period” has the meaning given to the term in Clause 39.1.
“Charter Period Expiry Date” means the date which falls on the last day of a sixty (60) Month period after the Delivery Date.
“Charterer” or “Charterers” means MONTE CARLO LAX SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED , a company incorporated and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, having its registered office at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960.
“Charterer Account” means the account opened or to be opened in the name of the Charterers with the Charterer Account Bank which includes any sub-accounts or replacement or time deposit thereof and subject to the Owners’ approval, any other account designated in writing by the Owners and the Charterers to be a Charterer Account for the purposes of this Charter.
“Charterer Account Bank” means ABN AMRO in the Netherlands or any other bank or financial institution as may be designated in writing by the Owners and the Charterers to be the Charterer Account Bank for the purpose of this Charter.
“Charterer Account Security Deed” means the account security deed executed or to be executed by and between the Owners and the Charterers in respect of the Charterer Account in form and substance acceptable to the Owners.
“Charter Arrangement Fee” has the meaning given to the term in Clause 40.1 ( Charter Arrangement Fee ).
“Charter-hire” means, in respect of each Payment Date, the amount calculated by multiplying the Daily Charter Rate by the number of days in the relevant Hire Calculation Period and payable on such Payment Date in accordance with Clause 41 ( Charterhire ) of this Charter.
4


Nord Valiant
BBC Additional Clauses
“Classification Society” means the classification society as named in Box 10 of Part I of this Charter, or such other classification society as shall be acceptable to the Owners and any Mortgagee.
“Collateral Charter” means the bareboat charterparty dated on or about the date of this Charter with respect to the bareboat chartering of the Collateral Vessel (together with all amendments, modifications, supplements and addenda thereto from time to time) made between Xiang T88 HK International Ship Lease Co., Limited as owners and PCH77 Shipping Company Limited as charterers.
“Collateral Charter Termination Event” means any termination event or event of default, default and/or breach of the Collateral Charter (however described).
“Collateral Vessel” means the class product/chemical tanker currently bearing builder’s hull number 8218 (tbn “ Eco California” ).
“Control” means, in respect of a Security Party, the power of a person to secure that the affairs of such Security Party are conducted in accordance with the wishes of that person:

(a)
by means of the holding of shares, or the possession of voting powers in or in relation to such Security Party; or

(b)
as a result of any powers conferred by the articles of association or any other document regulating such Security Party.
“Daily Charter Rate” means in respect of the Charter Period and subject to Clause 47.3, a rate in the sum of US$5,875 (Dollars Five Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy Five) per day net of any commission.
“Delivery” means the delivery of the Vessel from the Owners to the Charterers according to this Charter.
“Delivery Costs” means the aggregate amount of all charges, fees, costs (including legal fees) and expenses whatsoever incurred and/or arising out of and/or in relation to (i) the delivery of the Vessel under the MOA (excluding the Purchase Price) and/or (ii) the delivery of the Vessel by the Owners to the Charterers under this Charter and/or (iii) the registration of the title of the Vessel in the name of the Owners.
“Delivery Date” means the date of Delivery.
“Dollars” and “US$” means the lawful currency for the time being of the United States of America.
“Early Termination Date” means, in respect of the Vessel, from and including the Delivery Date until the date immediately preceding the 3 rd Anniversary, the Delivery Date, each Payment Date and each Anniversary, as more particularly set out under the column headed “Early Termination Date” under:

(a)
in the event that no prepayment is made in accordance with Clause 47.3, Schedule I ( Repurchase Price Schedule ); or

(b)
in the event that a prepayment is made in accordance with Clause 47.3,
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Schedule VI (Post-prepayment adjustment schedule).
“Early Termination Amount” means, in respect of each Early Termination Date, the amount shown in the column “Early Termination Amount” in:

(a)
in the event that no prepayment is made in accordance with Clause 47.3, Schedule VII ( Early Termination Amount Schedule ); or

(b)
in the event that a prepayment is made in accordance with Clause 47.3, Schedule VI ( Post-prepayment adjustment schedule ),
each against the relevant Early Termination Date.
“Earnings” means, in relation to the Vessel, all moneys whatsoever from time to time due or payable to the Charterers during the Security Period arising out of the use or operation of the Vessel including (but without limiting the generality of the foregoing) all freight, hire and passage moneys, income arising under pooling arrangements, compensation payable to the Charterers in the event of requisition of the Vessel for hire, remuneration for salvage and towage services, demurrage and detention moneys, and damages for breach (or payments for variation or termination) of any charter party or other contract for the employment of the Vessel.
“Encumbrance” means any mortgage, charge (whether fixed or floating), pledge, lien, hypothecation, assignment, trust arrangement, security interest or other encumbrance of any kind in each case, securing or conferring any priority of payment in respect of any obligation of any person and includes any right granted by a transaction which, in legal terms, is not the granting of security but which has an economic or financial effect similar to the granting of security in each case under any applicable law.
“Environmental Affiliate” means any agent or employee of the Charterers or the Operator or any person having a contractual relationship with the Charterers or the Operator in connection with the Vessel or its operation or the carriage of cargo thereon and/or the provision of goods and/or services on or from the Vessel.
“Environmental Approvals” means all authorisations, consents, licences, permits, exemptions or other approvals whatsoever required by the Charterers or the Operator under applicable Environmental Laws.
“Environmental Claim” means in relation to the Vessel:

(a)
any claim by, or directive from, any applicable governmental, judicial or other regulatory authority alleging breach of, or non-compliance with, any Environmental Laws or Environmental Approvals or otherwise howsoever relating to or arising out of an Environmental Incident; or

(b)
any claim by any other third party howsoever relating to or arising out of Environmental Incident (and, in each such case, “ claim ” shall means a claim for damages, clean-up costs, compliance, remedial action or otherwise); or

(c)
any Proceedings arising from any of the foregoing.
Environmental Incident ” means:
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(a)
any release of Environmentally Sensitive Material from the Vessel; or

(b)
any incident in which Environmentally Sensitive Material is released from a vessel other than the Vessel and where the Vessel is actually or potentially liable to be arrested as a result and/or the Charterers or the Manager or any manager of the Vessel are actually or allegedly at fault or otherwise liable.
“Environmental Laws” means all laws, regulations, proclamations, orders, conventions and agreements whatsoever relating to pollution or protection of the environment (including, without limitation International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, the United States Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (as same may be amended and/or re-enacted from time to time, the “ Oil Pollution Act ”), United States Comprehensive Environmental Responses, Compensation and Liability Act and any comparable United States federal laws or laws of the individual States of the United States of America) all as amended or supplemented from time to time.
“Environmentally Sensitive Material” means oil, oil products, any other substance which is polluting, toxic or hazardous or any substance the release of which into the environment is regulated, prohibited or penalised by or pursuant to any Environmental Laws.
“Excess Amount” has the meaning given to the term under Clause 47.6.
“Facility Agreement” shall mean any facility agreement entered into or to be entered into by the Owners and the Lenders before or after the date of this Charter for financing or as the case may be re-financing part of the acquisition costs of the Vessel.
“Finance Documents” means the Facility Agreement, any swap agreement, and any other finance or security documents referred to in or designated as such, or in connection with, the Facility Agreement.
Financial Indebtedness ” means:

(a)
moneys borrowed;

(b)
any amount raised by acceptance under any acceptance credit facility or dematerialised equivalent;

(c)
any amount raised pursuant to any note purchase facility or the issue of bonds, notes, debentures, loan stock or any similar instrument;

(d)
the amount of any liability in respect of any lease or hire purchase contract which would, in accordance with GAAP, be treated as a balance sheet liability;

(e)
receivables sold or discounted (other than any receivables to the extent they are sold on a non-recourse basis);

(f)
any amount raised under any other transaction (including any forward sale or hire purchase agreement) of a type not referred to in any other paragraph of this definition having the commercial effect of a borrowing;

(g)
any derivative transaction entered into in connection with protection against or benefit from fluctuation in any rate or price (and, when calculating the
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value of any derivative transaction, only the marked to market value (or, if any actual amount is due as a result of the termination or close-out of that derivative transaction, that amount) shall be taken into account);

(h)
any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a guarantee, indemnity, bond, standby or documentary letter of credit or any other instrument issued by a bank or financial institution; and

(i)
the amount of any liability in respect of any guarantee or indemnity for any of the items referred to in paragraphs (a) to (h) above.
“Fixed Hire” means the non-variable element forming part of Hire, as more particularly set out under the column headed “Fixed Hire” in:

(a)
in the event that no prepayment is made in accordance with Clause 47.3, Schedule V ( Owners’ Costs Schedule ); or

(b)
in the event that a prepayment is made in accordance with Clause 47.3, Schedule VI ( Post-prepayment adjustment schedule ).
“Flag State” means the Republic of Liberia or such other flag state of the Vessel as changed according to Clause 37 ( Flag and Class ).
“GAAP” means general accepted accounting principles as effective from time to time in the United States of America.
“General Assignment” means, in relation to the Vessel, a first priority assignment of the Earnings, Insurances, Requisition compensation and Sub-Charter of the Vessel to be executed by the Charterers in favour of the Owners in the form and substance acceptable to the Owners.
“Guarantees” means, collectively:

(a)
a guarantee to be executed by Guarantor A in favour of the Owners in respect of, inter alia , the obligations of the Charterers under this Charter in the form acceptable to the Owners; and

(b)
a guarantee to be executed by Guarantor B in favour of the Owners in respect of, inter alia , the obligations of the Charterers under this Charter in the form acceptable to the Owners.
“Guarantor A” means TOP SHIPS INC. , a company established and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, having its registered office at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960.
“Guarantor B” means CENTRAL SHIPPING MONACO S.A.M. , a company established and existing under the laws of Monaco, having its registered office at 16 rue R.P Louis Frolla, Les Orchidees – 2eme Etage, 98000 Monaco.
“Guarantors” means, collectively, Guarantor A and Guarantor B.
“Hire Calculation Period” means, during the Charter Period,

(a)
with respect to the first Hire Calculation Period:
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(i)
in the case of the Delivery Date falls on a day which is before the 15 th day of the relevant month, the period commencing from the Delivery Date and ending on the 15 th day of that month;

(ii)
in the case of the Delivery Date falls on a date which is on or after the 15 th day of the relevant month, the period commencing from the Delivery Date and ending on the 15 th day of the succeeding month after the Delivery Date; and

(b)
with respect to each subsequent Hire Calculation Period, each successive period commencing on the first day after the expiry of the immediate preceding Hire Calculation Period and ending on the 15 th day of the next succeeding calendar month, except that if a Hire Calculation Period would otherwise extend beyond the Charter Period Expiry Date, then such Hire Calculation Period shall end on the Charter Period Expiry Date.
“Holding Company” shall mean, in relation to a company or corporation, any other company or corporation in respect of which it is a Subsidiary.
“Insurances” means (a) any and all contracts and/or policies of insurance required to be in place, taken out, effected and maintained according to any provisions of this Charter, by or for the benefit of the Owners and/or the Mortgagee and/or the Charterers (whether in the sole name of either of the Owners or the Charterers or the , or in the joint names of the Owners and/or the Mortgagee and/or the Charterers and/or the manager or otherwise) in respect of the Vessel, her earnings or otherwise howsoever in connection therein; and (b) all rights, benefits and other assets relating to, or deriving from, any of the foregoing, including claims of whatsoever nature and return of premium.
“ISM Code” means the International Safety Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention constituted pursuant to Resolution A.741(18) of the International Maritime Organisation and incorporated into the Safety of Life at Sea Convention and includes any amendments or extensions of it and any regulations issued pursuant to it (and the terms “ Safety Management System ”, “ Safety Management Certificate ” and “ Document of Compliance ” have the same meanings as are given to them in the ISM Code).
“ISM SMS” means the safety management system which is required to be developed, implemented and maintained under the ISM Code.
“ISPS Code” means the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code adopted by the International Maritime Organisation incorporated into the Safety of Life at Sea Convention and includes any amendments or extensions of it and any regulations issued pursuant to it.
“ISSC” means a valid and current International Ship Security Certificate issued under the ISPS Code.
“Lenders” shall mean the banks and financial institutions defined as Lenders in the Facility Agreement.
“Loss Payable Clauses” means the provisions regulating the manner of payment of sums receivable under the Insurances which are to be incorporated in the relevant
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insurance documents, such Loss Payable Clauses to be in the forms and substance similar to those set out in Schedule III ( Loss Payable Clauses ) hereto but in any event in accordance with the then prevailing market practice or according to the rules and standard wording of the relevant protection and indemnity association which is a member of the International Group of Protection and Indemnity Association, or in such other form as may from time to time be agreed in writing by the Owners.
“Losses” means all losses, costs, charges, expenses, fees, payments, liabilities, penalties, fines, damages or other sanctions of a monetary nature.
“LTV Breach” has the meaning given to the term in Clause 47.3.
“LTV Ratio” has the meaning given to the term in Clause 47.3.
“Major Casualty” shall mean any casualty to the Vessel or incident (other than a Total Loss) in respect of which the claim or the aggregate of the claims against all insurers, before adjustment for any relevant franchise or deductible, reaches the amount of US$300,000 (Dollars Three Hundred Thousand) or the equivalent in any other currency.
“Manager” means any Approved Manager or, with prior written approval by the Owners, such other first class manager to be appointed by the Charterers as the manager of the Vessel or appointed by the manager as the sub-manager of the Vessel.
“Manager’s Undertakings” means a letter of undertakings to be issued by the Manager being in such form as the Owners and/or the Mortgage may require.
“Market Value” means, subject to Clause 47.1.1(a), the arithmetic mean of the value of the Vessel under two (2) Valuation Reports.
“MARPOL” means the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973 (as modified in 1978 and 1977) and includes any amendments or extensions of it and any regulations issued pursuant to it.
“Material Adverse Effect” means any event, condition or change which materially and adversely affects or could reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect:

(a)
the assets, liabilities, financial results of or operations or financial condition, of any Security Party ;

(b)
the performance of the obligations of any Security Party under this Charter and/or any Transaction Document to which it is a party; or

(c)
the validity, legality or enforceability of any Transaction Document to which it is a party.
“Minimum Balance” means US$500,000 (Dollars Fiver Hundred Thousand).
“MOA” means the memorandum of agreement dated on or about the date of this Charter made by and between (1) the Charterers as sellers and (2) the Owners as buyers, including all appendices, addenda, supplements and modifications thereto, for the sale and purchase of the Vessel.
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“MOA Cancelling Date” means the cancelling date as determined in accordance with Clause 5 of the MOA.
“Month” means a period beginning in one calendar month and ending in the next calendar month on the day numerically corresponding to the day of the calendar month on which it started provided that if there is no such numerically corresponding day, it shall end on the last day in such next calendar month and “months” shall be construed accordingly.
“Mortgage” has the meaning given to it in Clause 44.1.
“Mortgagee” or “Mortgagees” shall mean the person(s) to whom the Vessel is being mortgaged by the Owners;
“Operator” means the Manager and/or any other person who is from time to time during the Security Period concerned in the operation of the Vessel and falls within the definition of “Company” set out in rule 1.1.2 of the ISM Code.
“Owner” or “Owners” means XIANG T89 HK INTERNATIONAL SHIP LEASE CO., LIMITED , a company incorporated and existing under the laws of Hong Kong, having its registered office at 1/F., Far East Consortium Building, 121 Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong.
“Owners’ Account” means the account designated in writing by the Owners from time to time to be an Owners’ Account for the purposes of this Charter.
“Owners’ Costs” means, at any relevant time during the Security Period, an amount equal to the Purchase Price as may be reduced by payment of Fixed Hire and any prepayment made pursuant to Clause 47.3, as more particularly set out under the column headed “Owners’ Costs” in:

(a)
in the event that no prepayment is made in accordance with Clause 47.3, Schedule V ( Owners’ Costs Schedule ); or

(b)
in the event that a prepayment is made in accordance with Clause 47.3, Schedule VI ( Post-prepayment adjustment schedule ).
“Owners’ Costs Schedule” means a schedule of Owners’ Costs, as more particularly set out in Schedule V ( Owners’ Costs Schedule ).
“Payment Date” means the last day of each Hire Calculation Period.
“Prepayment Date” has the meaning given to such term in Clause 47.3.
“Proceedings” means any litigation, arbitration or legal action or judicial, quasi-judicial or administrative proceedings whatsoever arising or instigated by anyone in any court, tribunal or public office wheresoever (including, without limitation, any action for provisional or permanent attachment of anything or for injunctive remedies or interim relief and any action instigated on an ex parte basis).
“Project Documents” means the Management Agreement and the Sub-Charter.
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“Purchase Option Date” means including and after the expiry of the 3rd Anniversary, each Anniversary and/or a Payment Date until and including the Charter Period Expiry Date. The last Purchase Option Date shall be the Charter Period Expiry Date, as more particularly set out under the column headed “Purchase Option Date” under:

(a)
in the event that no prepayment is made in accordance with Clause 47.3, Schedule I ( Repurchase Price Schedule ); or

(b)
in the event that a prepayment is made in accordance with Clause 47.3, Schedule VI ( Post-prepayment adjustment schedule ).
“Purchase Price” means the purchase price of the Vessel under the MOA, being US$30,500,000 (Dollars Thirty Million Five Hundred Thousand only).
“Purchase Option Sum” has the meaning given to the term in Clause 39.2
“Redelivery” shall have the meaning given to it in Clause 51.
“Repurchase Price” means, in respect of each Purchase Option Date, the amount shown in the column “Repurchase Price” in:

(a)
in the event that no prepayment is made in accordance with Clause 47.3, Schedule I ( Repurchase Price Schedule ); or

(b)
in the event that a prepayment is made in accordance with Clause 47.3, Schedule VI ( Post-prepayment adjustment schedule ),
each against the relevant Purchase Option Date.
“Requisition” means any expropriation, confiscation, requisition or acquisition of the Vessel, whether for full consideration, a consideration less than its proper value, a nominal consideration or without any consideration, which is effected by any government or official authority or by any person or persons claiming to be or to represent a government or official authority (excluding a requisition for hire for a fixed period less than 1 year without any right to an extension).
Restricted Party ” means a person or entity that is (i) listed on any Sanctions List; (ii) a national of, located in, incorporated under the laws of, or owned or (directly or indirectly) controlled by, or acting on behalf of, a person located in or organised under the laws of a country or territory that is the target of Sanctions; or (iii) otherwise a target of Sanctions (“target of Sanctions” signifying a person with whom a US person or other national of Sanctions Authority would be prohibited or restricted by law from engaging in trade, business or other activities).
Sanctions ” means the economic sanction laws, regulations, embargoes or restrictive measures administered, enacted or enforced by: (i) the United States; (ii) the United Nations; (iii) the European Union or its Member States, including, without limitation, the United Kingdom; (iv) the People’s Republic of China, or (v) the respective governmental institutions and agencies of any of the foregoing, including, without limitation, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of Treasury (“ OFAC ”), the United States Department of state and Her Majesty’s Treasury (“ HMT ”); (together, the “ Sanctions Authorities ”).
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Sanctions List ” means the “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” list maintained by the OFAC, or any similar list maintained by, or public announcement of Sanctions designation made by, any of the Sanctions Authorities.
“Security Documents” means the following documents:

(a)
the Charterer Account Security Deed;

(b)
the General Assignment;

(c)
the Guarantees;

(d)
the Share Charge;

(e)
the Manager’s Undertaking; and

(f)
any other documents which may be executed by any Security Party in favour of the Owners and designated by the Owners as a “Security Document”,
and “Security Document” means any of them.
“Security Interest” means any mortgage, charge (whether fixed or floating), pledge, lien, hypothecation, assignment, trust arrangement, security interest or other encumbrance of any kind in each case, securing or conferring any priority of payment in respect of any obligation of any person and includes any right granted by a transaction which, in legal terms, is not the granting of security but which has an economic or financial effect similar to the granting of security in each case under any applicable law.
“Secured Obligations” means any and all obligations and liabilities (whether actual or contingent, whether as principal, surety or otherwise, whether now existing or hereafter arising, whether or not for the payment of money, and including, without limitation, any obligation or liability to pay damages) of the Charterers under the Transaction Documents including, without limitation, payment of all moneys which are or may become payable by the Charterers to the Owners under or pursuant to this Charter.
“Security Parties” shall mean, collectively:

(a)
the Charterers;

(b)
the Guarantors; and

(c)
a party (other than the Owners) to any Security Document (for the avoidance of doubt, always excluding the Manager and the Sub-Charterer),
and “Security Party” means any of them.
“Security Period” means the period commencing on the execution date of this Charter and continuing for so long as any or all Secured Obligations remain owing, actually or contingently, to the Owners under this Charter and/or the other Transaction Documents.
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“Share Charge” means a share charge executed or to be executed by the Guarantor A in favour of the Owners whereby the entire shares in the Charterers are charged in favour of the Owners, as security for the performance of all the Secured Obligations.
“Ship Management Agreement” means any agreement made or to be made between the Charterers and the Manager in respect of the technical and/or commercial management of the Vessel.
“Sub-Charter” means, in respect of the Vessel;

(a)
the time charter dated 7 April 2014 and entered into between the Charterers, as owner, and the Sub-Charterer, as time charterer, as the same may be supplemented, amended or extended from time to time; or

(b)
any other sub-charter permitted under this Charter and entered into by the Charterers, as owner, from time to time.
Sub-Charterer ” means:

(a)
DS Norden A/S, a company incorporate under the laws of Denmark and having its registered office at Dampskibsselskabet NORDEN A/S, Strandvejen 52, DK-2900 Hellerrup, Denmark; or

(b)
any other party (that are not the Charterers) to a Sub-Charter.
“Subsidiary” of a person means any company or entity directly or indirectly controlled by such person for which purpose “ control ” means either ownership of more than fifty per cent. (50%) of the voting share capital (or equivalent right of ownership) of such company or entity or power to direct its policies and management whether by contract or otherwise and the term “ Subsidiaries ” shall be interpreted accordingly.
“Swap Gains” means, in relation to any swap agreement, any amount payable to Owner under such swap agreement in relation to an unwinding of the whole or part of any interest rate swap transaction entered into between the Owner and the relevant counterparty under such swap agreement.
“Taxes” has the meaning given to it in Clause 42.2.
“Termination Date” means the date on which the chartering of the Vessel is terminated under this Charter pursuant to the express terms of this Charter.
“Termination Event” has the meaning given to it in Clause 49.1.
“Termination Sum” means the Owners’ losses as a result of the early termination of this Charter prior to the expiry of the Charter Period which amount shall consist of the following:

(a)
all Charter-hire due and payable, but unpaid, under this Charter up to (and including) the Termination Date together with interest accrued thereon pursuant to Clause 42.3 from the due date for payment thereof to the Termination Date;
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(b)
any other sums, other than the Charter-hire, due and payable, but unpaid, under this Charter and the other Transaction Documents together with interest accrued thereon pursuant to Clause 42.3 hereof up to the Termination Date;

(c)
if the Termination Date falls:

(i)
before the 3 rd Anniversary and on an Early Termination Date, an amount equal to the Early Termination Amount applicable to such Early Termination Date; and

(ii)
on or after the 3 rd Anniversary and on a Purchase Option Date, an amount equal to the Repurchase Price applicable to such Purchase Option Date;

(d)
if the Termination Date falls:

(i)
before the 3 rd Anniversary and on a date that is not an Early Termination Date, an amount equal to the aggregate of (A) the Early Termination Amount applicable to the Early Termination Date immediately preceding the Termination Date, and (B) an amount equal to (X-Y)*Z, where X = the Early Termination Amount applicable to the Early Termination Date immediately preceding the Termination Date, Y = the Early Termination Amount applicable to the Early Termination Date immediately succeeding the Termination Date, and Z = the number of days elapsed between the Early Termination Date immediately preceding the Termination Date and the Termination Date; and

(ii)
on or after the 3 rd Anniversary and on a date that is not a Purchase Option Date, an amount equal to the aggregate of (A) the Repurchase Price applicable to the Purchase Option Date immediately preceding the Termination Date, and (B) an amount equal to (X-Y)*Z, where X = the Repurchase Price applicable to the Purchase Option Date immediately preceding the Termination Date, Y = the Repurchase Price applicable to the Purchase Option Date immediately succeeding the Termination Date, and Z = the number of days elapsed between the Purchase Option Date immediately preceding the Termination Date and the Termination Date;

(e)
an amount equal to two point five per cent. (2.50%) of the Early Termination Amount or the Repurchase Price (as the case may be) applicable on such Termination Date;

(f)
all liabilities, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, legal fees) so incurred in relation to locating or recovering possession of, and in repositioning, berthing, insuring and maintaining the Vessel for carrying out any works or modifications required to cause the Vessel to conform with the provisions of Clause 51 (Redelivery) together with interest thereon pursuant to Clause 42.3 from the date on which the relevant Loss was suffered by the Owners;

(g)
any and all Losses incurred or suffered by the Owners as a result of the
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early termination of this Charter, including, without limitation, all Losses incurred or suffered by the Owners in liquidating, employing or prepaying funds acquired or borrowed to purchase or finance or refinance the Vessel (including any costs incurred in unwinding any associated interest rate or currency swaps or currency futures and/or incurred under the Finance Documents less any Swap Gain);

(h)
any and all Breakage Costs; and

(i)
the applicable interest accrued on the sums under the above items calculated pursuant to Clause 42.3 from the due date to the actual date of payment.
Total Loss ” shall mean:

(a)
actual or constructive loss or compromised or arranged total loss of the Vessel, or

(b)
the Requisition of the Vessel, or

(c)
the hijacking, theft, condemnation, capture, seizure, arrest, detention or confiscation of the Vessel (other than Requisition) by any government entity, or by persons allegedly acting or purporting to act on behalf of any government entity, unless the Vessel is released and restored to the Owners within three (3) Months after such an incident.
For the avoidance of doubt, the definition of “ Total Loss ” may be amended from time to time to accommodate the requirements of the Approved Insurers (following consultation and agreement between the Owners, the Charterers and the Approved Insurers).
“Total Loss Date” shall mean the date upon which a Total Loss is deemed to have occurred as follows:

(a)
in the case of an actual total loss of the Vessel, on the actual date and at the time such Vessel was lost or, if such date is not known, on the date on which such Vessel was last reported; or

(b)
in the case of a constructive total loss of the Vessel, upon the date and at the time notice of abandonment of the Vessel is given to the insurers of the Vessel (provided a claim for total loss is admitted by such insurers) or, if such insurers do not forthwith admit such a claim, on the date and at the time at which either a total loss is subsequently admitted by the insurers or a total loss is subsequently adjudged by a competent court of law or arbitration tribunal to have occurred. The Charterers, upon the request of the Owners, shall promptly execute such documents to enable the Owners to abandon the Vessel and claim a constructive Total Loss and shall give all assistances in pursuing the said claim; or

(c)
in the case of a compromised or arranged total loss, on the date upon which a binding agreement as to such compromised or arranged total loss has been entered into by the insurers of the Vessel; or
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(d)
in the case of Requisition, on the date when it is determined by the Approved Insurers or the approved insurers the Owners is irretrievably deprived of the Vessel; or

(e)
in case of hijacking, theft, condemnation, capture, seizure, arrest, detention or confiscation of the Vessel (other than Requisition) by any government entity, or by persons allegedly acting or purporting to act on behalf of any government entity, the date on the expiry of six (6) Months after such an incident or such other shorter period as the Owners may, in their sole discretion, decide or the date when the assured has given notice of abandonment to the insurers.
For the avoidance of doubt, the definition of “ Total Loss Date ” may be amended from time to time upon written notice by the Owners to the Charterers to accommodate the requirements of the Approved Insurers or approved insurers.
“Total Loss Payment Date” has the meaning given to the term under Clause 48.3(b).
“Transaction Documents” means:

(a)
this Charter;

(b)
the MOA;

(c)
the Security Documents;

(d)
all notices, amendments, addenda, acknowledgements, consents, certificates, instruments, deeds, charges and other documents and/or agreements issued or entered into or, as the case may be, to be issued or entered into pursuant to any of the foregoing; and

(e)
any other document designated as such by the Owners and the Charterers.
“US” means the United States of America.
Vessel ” means the oil/ chemical tanker named “ NORD VALIANT ” with IMO number 9697595.
XIRR ” means the internal rate of return generated by Microsoft Excel from a series of supplied cash flows (including, without limitation, an initial investment value and a series of net income values) occurring at a series of supplied dates.
32.2
The headings in this Charter do not affect its interpretation.
32.3
Construction
Unless a contrary indication appears, any reference in this Agreement to:

(i)
the “Owners” , the “Charterers” , any “Guarantor” , any “Security Party” , any “ Sub-Charterer ” any “party” shall be construed as to include its successors in title, permitted assigns and permitted transferees;
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(ii)
“assets” includes present and future properties, revenues and rights of every description;

(iii)
a “Transaction Document” or any other agreement or instrument is a reference to that Transaction Document or other agreement or instrument as amended, novated, supplemented, extended or restated;

(iv)
“indebtedness” includes any obligation (whether incurred as principal or surety) for the payment or repayment of money, whether present or future, actual or contingent, and shall include indebtedness incurred in respect of (i) money borrowed or raised, (ii) any bond, note, loan stock, debenture or similar instrument, (iii) acceptance or documentary credit facilities, (iv) deferred payments for assets or services acquired, (v) rental payments under and any amounts payable on termination of leases (whether in respect of ships, land machinery equipment or otherwise) entered into primarily as a method of raising finance or of financing the acquisition of the asset leased, (vi) guarantees, bonds, stand-by letters of credit or other instruments issued in connection with the performance of contracts and (vii) guarantees or other assurances against financial loss in respect of Indebtedness of any person falling within any of paragraphs (i) to (vi) above;

(v)
a “person” includes any individual, firm, company, government, state or agency of a state or any association, trust, joint venture, consortium or partnership (whether or not having separate legal personality);

(vi)
a “regulation” includes any regulation, rule, official directive, request or guideline (whether or not having the force of law) of any governmental, intergovernmental or supranational body, agency, department or regulatory, self-regulatory or other authority or organisation;

(vii)
a “ Termination Event ” is “continuing” if it has not been waived and/or remedied;

(viii)
a provision of law is a reference to that provision as amended or re-enacted; and

(ix)
a time of day is a reference to Beijing time.
33.
EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS CHARTER
33.1
This Charter shall not become effective until all of the following conditions have been fulfilled:

(a)
the execution of this Charter by both parties hereto; and

(b)
the Owners receiving, contemporaneously with the execution of this Charter, the originals of the following duly executed documents:

(i)
the MOA; and

(ii)
the Security Documents;
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The conditions precedent set out in Clause 33.1(b) are for the sole benefit of the Owners and may be waived by the Owners in whole or in part, with or without conditions, without prejudicing the right of the Owners to require fulfilment of such conditions in whole or in part at any time thereafter.
33.2
Notwithstanding any provision of Clause 33.1, Clause 40.1 ( Charter Arrangement Fee ), Clause 42 ( Payments ) and Clause 43 ( Indemnity ) shall take effect upon the execution of this Charter.
33.3
Unless otherwise agreed by the parties hereto in writing, in the event that:

(a)
the MOA is cancelled, terminated, rescinded or otherwise ceases to remain in full force and effect for any reason prior to the Delivery Date; or

(b)
the Vessel is not delivered to the Owners in accordance with the terms of the MOA on or before the MOA Cancelling Date,
the Owners shall be entitled (but not obliged) to cancel this Charter by written notice to the Charterers.
33.4
With immediate effect upon the Charterers’ receipt of the notice of cancellation from the Owners in accordance with Clause 33.3:

(a)
this Charter shall be deemed to be cancelled forthwith and the Owners’ obligations under this Charter shall immediately be terminated and discharged (with the exception of Clause 17 ( Indemnity ) (Part II) and Clause 43 ( Indemnity )); and

(b)
the Charterers shall forthwith pay to the Owners the aggregate of the following amounts:

(i)
any and all costs and expenses (including, without limitation to, legal fees) incurred by the Owners in connection with the entering into of this Charter, the MOA, the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated therein;

(ii)
any unpaid Charter Arrangement Fee (irrespective of whether such unpaid balance has become due and payable in accordance with Clause 40.1 ( Charter Arrangement Fee )), it being understood that such payment shall not be construed as a penalty but shall represent an agreed estimate of the loss and damage suffered by the Owners in entering into this Charter and shall therefore be paid as compensation to the Owners;

(iii)
any and all Breakage Costs incurred by the Owners as a result of such cancellation; and

(iv)
all other amounts due and payable (other than the Termination Sum) but unpaid by the Charterers under this Charter together with interest accruing thereon pursuant to Clause 42.3.
34.
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
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34.1
The Owners will not be obliged to charter the Vessel to the Charterers in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Charter unless the Owners, on or before the Delivery Date, has received all of the documents and other evidences listed in Schedule II ( Conditions Precedent ) in form and substance satisfactory to the Owners.
34.2
The Owners will only be obliged to charter the Vessel to the Charterers in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Charter if on the Delivery Date:-

(a)
no Termination Event has occurred and is continuing, and no other event has occurred, which with the giving of notice and/or lapse of time would, if not remedied, constitute a Termination Event;

(b)
each of the representations and warranties contained in Clause 46 ( Representations and Warranties ) is true and correct in all material aspects by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing; and

(c)
delivery of the Vessel from the Charterers to the Owners under and subject to the terms of the MOA.
34.3
The conditions precedent set out in Schedule II ( Conditions Precedent ) and this Clause 34 are for the sole benefit of the Owners and may be waived by the Owners in whole or in part, with or without conditions, on or before the Delivery Date without prejudicing the right of the Owners to require fulfilment of such conditions in whole or in part at any time thereafter.
34.4
The Owners may in its discretion deliver the Vessel to the Charterers under this Charter notwithstanding that one or more of the conditions precedent set out in Clause 34.1 or Clause 34.2 have not been satisfied by the Delivery Date, in which event the Charterers shall procure the satisfaction of the relevant conditions precedent within seven (7) days thereafter or such longer period as the Owners in its absolute discretion shall agree in writing.
35.
DELIVERY OF THE VESSEL
35.1
As at the date of this Charter, the Owners have entered into the MOA with the Sellers. The Charterers hereby confirm that they have reviewed, received and agreed to the formof the MOA (or copies thereof).
35.2
The Owners will deliver and the Charterers will take delivery of the Vessel under this Charter immediately, which to the extent possible shall be deemed to take place simultaneously, after the Sellers deliver the Vessel to the Owners under and subject to the terms of the MOA upon the Delivery Date, irrespective of whether or not the Charterers take the possession and/or use of the Vessel, subject to which, the Charterers will accept the Vessel on an “as is where is” basis on delivery under this Charter. The Charterers shall not be entitled for any reason whatsoever to refuse to accept delivery of the Vessel under this Charter.
35.3
The Delivery Date for the purpose of this Charter shall be the date when the Vessel is actually delivered by the Charterers (as sellers) to the Owners (as buyers) pursuant to the MOA. The Owners shall be under no responsibility for any losses or damage as a result of any delay in delivery of the Vessel to the Charterers for whatsoever reason.
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35.4
Without prejudice to the provisions of Clause 35.2, the Owners and the Charterers shall on the Delivery Date sign an Acceptance Certificate evidencing delivery of the Vessel hereunder and delivery of which will constitute:

(a)
irrevocable, final and conclusive acceptance of the Vessel by the Charterers for the purposes of this Charter;

(b)
irrevocable, final and conclusive evidence that, for the purposes of the obligations and liabilities of the Owners hereunder or in connection herewith, the Vessel is at the time of delivery to the Charterers seaworthy, in accordance with the provisions of this Charter, in good working order and repair and without defect or inherent vice whether or not discoverable by the Charterers and free and clear of all Encumbrances and debts of whatsoever nature; and

(c)
irrevocable, final and conclusive evidence that the Vessel is satisfactory in all respects and complies with the requirements of this Charter.
35.5
The Charterers shall pay to the Owners any of the Delivery Costs from time to time within five (5) Banking Days after presentation of evidence.
36.
EXCLUSION OF WARRANTIES
36.1
No responsibility for Vessel
The Charterers expressly acknowledge and agree that:

(a)
the Owners are not the manufacturer or original supplier of the Vessel which has been purchased by the Owners pursuant to the MOA and therefore the Owners make no condition, term, representation or warranty, express or implied (and whether statutory, contractual or otherwise) as to the Owners’ title to the Vessel or as to the seaworthiness, merchantability, classification, condition, design, quality, operation, performance, capacity or fitness for use or as to the eligibility of the Vessel for any particular trade or operation or any other condition, term, representation or warranty whatsoever, express or implied, with respect to the Vessel. Delivery (or, as the case may be, deemed delivery) of the Vessel to the Charterers under this Charter shall be conclusive proof evidencing that, for the purposes of the obligations and liabilities of the Owners hereunder or in connection herewith, the Vessel is at that time seaworthy and in all aspects satisfies any intended use of the Charterers, in accordance with the provisions of this Charter, in good working order and repair and without defect or inherent vice whether or not discoverable by the Charterers and free and clear of all Encumbrances and debts of whatsoever nature, other than the Encumbrances permitted or created by the Owners pursuant to the terms hereof, and the Charterers hereby waive all their rights in respect of any warranty or condition implied (whether statutory or otherwise) on the part of the Owners and all claims against the Owners howsoever the same might arise at any time in respect of the physical condition of the Vessel, or arising out of the construction, operation or performance of the Vessel and the chartering thereof under this Charter (including, without limitation, in respect of the seaworthiness or otherwise of the Vessel);
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(b)
the condition of the Vessel on Delivery to the Charterers under this Charter is the sole responsibility of the Charterers;

(c)
the Vessel is, or will upon Delivery be, satisfactory for the business of the Charterers and any intended use of the Charterers;

(d)
the Owners have purchased the Vessel solely for the purpose of leasing the Vessel to the Charterers under this Charter and the Owners enter into this Charter at the request of, but not on behalf of, the Charterers; and

(e)
the Owners will have no responsibility whatsoever for any loss of profit resulting directly or indirectly from any defect or alleged defect in the Vessel.
To the extent permissible under applicable law, the Charterers also waives any rights which it may have in tort in respect of any of the matters referred to above and irrevocably agrees that the Owners shall have no greater liability in tort in respect of any such matter than it would have in contract after taking account of all the foregoing exclusions. No third party making any representation or warranty relating to the Vessel or any part of the Vessel is the agent or partner of the Owners nor has any such third party authority to bind the Owners thereby.
In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Owners shall be under no liability whatsoever and howsoever arising in respect of the sickness, injury, death, loss, damage or delay of or to or in connection with any vessel (including the Vessel) or any person or property whatsoever, whether on board the Vessel or elsewhere, irrespective of whether such injury, death, loss, damage or delay shall arise from the seaworthiness, merchantability, classification, condition, design, quality, operation, performance, capacity or fitness for use or as to the eligibility of the Vessel, and the Charterers agree to indemnify, defend and hold the Owners harmless from any of above liabilities.
36.2
As Is, Where Is
The Vessel leased under this Charter will be delivered “ as is, where is ”, and subject to each and every disclaimer set forth in this Clause 36.2, the Charterers agrees and acknowledges that the Owners will have no liability in relation to, and has not nor will be deemed to have made or given, any conditions, warranties or representations, express or implied, with respect to the Vessel, including but not limited to the description, merchantability, satisfactory quality, fitness for any use or purpose, value, condition, or design, of the Vessel or any part thereof or any obligation, liability, right, claim or remedy in tort, whether or not arising from the owner’s or any other party’s negligence, actual or imputed, or any obligation, liability, right, claim or remedy for loss of or damage to the Vessel, for any liability of the charterer to any third party, or for any other direct or indirect, incidental or consequential damages. The Charterers hereby waive all its rights in respect of any condition, warranty or representation, express or implied, on the part of the owner, any finance party and each interested party and all claims against the owner, any finance party or any interested party howsoever and whenever arising at any time in respect of or out of, in each case, the condition, operation or performance of the Vessel and the chartering thereof under this Charter (including, without limitation, the seaworthiness or otherwise of the Vessel).
36.3
Charterers’ Acknowledgment
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The Charterers confirm that they are fully aware of the provisions of Clause 36.2(As Is, Where Is) and acknowledge that Charter-hire and other amounts have been calculated notwithstanding these provisions.
36.4
The Charterers hereby waive all of its rights in respect of any condition, term, representation or warranty express or implied (and whether statutory or otherwise) on the part of the Owners and all of its claims against the Owners howsoever and whatsoever that may arise in respect of the Vessel or the Owners’ title thereto, or all of its rights therein or arising out of the operation of the Vessel or the chartering thereof under this Charter (including in respect of the seaworthiness or otherwise of the Vessel).
36.5
The Charterers agree that the Owners shall be under no liability to supply any replacement Vessel or any piece or part thereof during any period when the Vessel is unusable and shall not be liable to the Charterers or any other person as a result of the Vessel being unusable.
37.
FLAG AND CLASS
37.1
The Vessel shall be registered in the ownership of the Owners under the Flag State (with a proper demise charter notation in respect of this Charter) for the duration of the Charter and the Charterers shall provide full cooperation and assistance and bear all the costs and expenses to effect such registration.
The Charterers warrant and represent to the Owners that to the best knowledge of the Charterers, there is nothing under the laws of the Flag State which prevents the Vessel from being registered in the ownership of the Owners upon Delivery. The Charterers hereby further undertake that if such flag state for title or demise charter registration becomes involved in hostilities or civil war or there is a seizure of power by unconstitutional means or there is an adverse change in the legal or tax system in such flag state or such other reason, which in the reasonable opinion of the Owners might be expected to imperil the Vessel or the title or ownership of the Vessel or increase the financial liability of the Owners, the Owners shall, at any time during the Charter Period, be entitled to transfer the flag of the Vessel from the Flag State at the time to such other registry as the Owners may reasonably select following consultation with the Charterers. All costs and expenses including without limitation annual tonnage tax arising in connection with the title registration and/or the demise charter registration and/or change of the Vessel’s flag state shall be borne by the Charterers.
37.2
The Charterers shall ensure that the Vessel shall be entered and maintained in the highest class under the Classification Society indicated in Box 10 of Part I of this Charter (or with such other classification society as shall be acceptable to the Owners and/or the Lenders) throughout the duration of this Charter, free of all overdue recommendations and conditions, and comply with the rules and regulations of the Classification Society.
38.
MANAGEMENT
38.1
The technical and commercial management of the Vessel after Delivery and during the Charter Period shall be with the Manager.
38.2
The Owners’ prior written consent shall be obtained in case of any change of the
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Manager during the Charter Period to any Manager which is not an Approved Manager. If the Owners consent to such change, the Charterers shall further procure that before such appointment commences, the Manager shall first issue and deliver to the Owners (or, as the case maybe, the Mortgagee) a Manager’s Undertaking in such form and substance as the Owners may require.
39.
CHARTER PERIOD AND PURCHASE OPTION
39.1
The period of chartering of the Vessel under this Charter shall commence on the Delivery Date and end on the Charter Period Expiry Date unless otherwise terminated in accordance with the terms hereof (the “ Charter Period ”).
The Charterers shall have no right to terminate this Charter before the Charter Period Expiry Date except as set forth in Clause 39.2 .
39.2
On and after the 3 rd anniversary of the Delivery Date until the Charter Period Expiry Date, the Charterers have the option to purchase the Vessel from the Owners on any Purchase Option Date, provided all the following conditions are satisfied:-

(a)
the Charterers shall serve the Owners at least sixty (60) days’ prior written notice (the “ Purchase Option Notice ”), which shall specify the Purchase Option Date on which the Charterers intend to purchase the Vessel;

(b)
no Termination Event has occurred and is continuing; and

(c)
on or before the scheduled Purchase Option Date (as specified in the Purchase Option Notice), the Charterers shall have paid to the Owners the aggregate amount of the following sums (the “ Purchase Option Sum ”):

(i)
the Repurchase Price applicable to such Purchase Option Date;

(ii)
if the Purchase Option Date does not fall on a Payment Date, an amount equal to the Charter-hire covering the period from the Payment Date immediately preceding such Purchase Option Date until the Purchase Option Date (being the Daily Charter Rate multiplied by the number of days elapsed during such period);

(iii)
all amounts (including, without limitation, Charter-hire and any Breakage Costs) due and payable under this Charter and other Transaction Documents less any Swap Gain; and

(iv)
all liabilities, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, legal fees) in relation to transferring title to the Charterers and/or the closing of registration of the Vessel.
39.3
In the event the Charterers exercise their option to purchase the Vessel pursuant to Clause 39.2 on a Purchase Option Date other than the Charter Period Expiry Date, this Charter shall be early terminated on the date on which the protocol of delivery and acceptance is signed and timed in accordance with Clause 39.4.
39.4
The Owners shall in exchange for payment of the Purchase Option Sum, at the Charterers’ costs and expense, provide the Charterers with:
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(i)
a legal Bill of Sale in respect of the Vessel transferring to the Charterers the title to the Vessel stating that the Vessel is free from all mortgages, encumbrances and maritime liens or any other debts whatsoever duly attested and legalised or apostilled, as required by Charterers’ nominated flag state; and

(ii)
Certificate or Transcript of Registry issued by the competent authorities on the date of delivery evidencing the Owners’ ownership of the Vessel and that the Vessel is free from registered encumbrances and mortgages, to be faxed or e-mailed by such authority to the closing meeting with the original to be sent to the Charterers as soon as possible after delivery of the Vessel.
Upon the Owners’ provision of the documents required under this Clause 39.4, the Owners and the Charterers shall sign a protocol of delivery and acceptance of the Vessel, which shall be conclusive evidence that the Vessel has been delivered by the Owners to the Charterers and the sale of and transfer title in the Vessel by the Owners to the Charterers has completed. Delivery of the Vessel to the Charterers under this Clause 39.4 shall be at such safe and accessible port as specified by the Charterers.
39.5
The Charterers shall, immediately prior to the receipt of the bill of sale, furnish the Owners with a letter of indemnity (in a form satisfactory to the Owners) whereby the Charterers and the Guarantors shall state that, among other things, the Owners have and will have no interest, concern or connection with the Vessel after the date of such letter and that the Charterers and/or the Guarantors shall indemnify the Owners and keep the Owners indemnified forever against any claims made by any person arising in connection with the Vessel.
39.6
The sale of the Vessel in accordance with this Clause 39 ( Charter Period and Purchase Option ) shall be on an “ as is, where is “ basis, with the Mortgage (or Mortgages) on the Vessel created pursuant Clause 44 ( Owners’ Right to Mortgage ) fully discharged, without any warranty or guarantee of condition, fitness for purpose or similar type of condition warranty and without any recourse to, or representation or warranty from, the Owners. The Charterers hereby acknowledge and agree that the Owners make no condition, term, representation or warranty, express or implied (and whether statutory or otherwise) as to the seaworthiness, merchantability, condition, design, operation, performance, capacity or fitness for use or as to the eligibility of the Vessel for any particular trade or operation or any other condition, term, representation or warranty whatsoever, express or implied, with respect to the Vessel.
39.7
All registration, legal or other expenses whatsoever incurred in transferring the title from the Owners to the Charterers (including, without limitation to, any taxes, notarial, consular and other charges and expenses connected with the purchase and registration under Charterers’ flag shall be for Charterers’ account and/or the closing of the Owners’ register and transferring title to the Charterers) shall be borne by the Charterers and paid to the Owners on demand.
40.
CHARTER ARRANGEMENT FEE
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40.1
Charter Arrangement Fee
The Charterers shall, on the earlier of the Delivery Date and the MOA Cancellation Date, pay to the Owners a non-refundable charter arrangement fee in an amount equal to one per cent (1%) of the Purchase Price (the “ Charter Arrangement Fee ”) provided that the obligation of the Charterers to make payment of the Charter Arrangement Fee shall be set-off against the obligation of the Owners to make payment of the Purchase Price under the MOA such that the Sellers’ Portion (as defined in the MOA) payable by the Owners (as buyers) to the Charterers (as sellers) under the MOA shall be set-off against an amount equal to the Charter Arrangement Fee.
40.2
Advance Hire

(a)
The Charterers shall, on the Delivery Date, pay to the Owners by way of an irrevocable payment an amount equal to twenty nine percent (29%) of the Purchase Price (the “ Advance Hire ”) as advance hire under this Charter, provided that the obligation of the Charterers to make payment of the Advance Hire shall be set off against the obligation of the Owners to make payment of the Purchase Price under the MOA such that the Sellers’ Portion (as defined in the MOA) payable by the Owners (as buyers) to the Charterers (as sellers) under the MOA shall be set-off against an amount equal to the Advance Hire.

(b)
All Advance Hire paid pursuant to this Clause 40.2 shall bear no interest and shall be non-refundable.
41.
CHARTERHIRE
41.1
The Charterers shall, on each Payment Date (in respect of which time shall be of the essence) throughout the Charter Period, pay to the Owners as hire for use of the Vessel, the Charter-hire due and payable as of each such Payment Date in accordance with the terms of this Charter.
41.2
The Vessel shall not be deemed off-hire at any time and the Charterers’ obligation to pay all Charter-hire and all other amounts payable under this Charter shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances and shall not be affected by any circumstances of any nature whatsoever and whether or not similar to any of the matters set out in paragraphs (i) to (x) below, including, without limitation:

(i)
any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defence or other right which the Charterers may at any time have against the Owners or any other person for any reason whatsoever;

(ii)
the unavailability of the Vessel for any reason, including (but not limited to) any invalidity or other defect in the title, the seaworthiness, condition, design, operation, performance, capacity, merchantability, security interest, or fitness for use or eligibility of the Vessel for any particular trade or operation or for documentation under the laws of any country or any damage to the Vessel;

(iii)
any change, extension, indulgence or other act or omission in respect of any
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indebtedness or obligation of the Charterers, or any sale, exchange, release or surrender of, or other dealing in, any security for any such indebtedness or obligation;

(iv)
any incapacity, disability, or defect in powers of the Charterers, or any irregular exercise thereof by, or lack of authority of, any person purporting to act on behalf of the Charterers;

(v)
any damage to or loss (including a Total Loss), destruction, capture, seizure, judicial attachment or arrest, forfeiture or marshal’s or other sale of the Vessel;

(vi)
any libel, attachment, levy, detention, sequestration or taking into custody of the Vessel or any restriction, prevention, interference, interruption or cessation in the use or possession thereof by the Charterers for any reason whatsoever, or any inability to engage in any particular trade;

(vii)
any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, readjustment of debt, dissolution, liquidation or similar proceedings by or against the Charterers;

(viii)
any failure or delay on the part of the Owners whether with or without fault on its part, in performing or complying with any of the terms or covenants hereof;

(ix)
any lack of due authorizations or documentation for the Vessel for any particular trade or use, or invalidity, illegality or other defect of this Charter; or

(x)
any circumstances which, but for this provision, might operate to exonerate the Charterers from liability, whether in whole or in part, under this Charter.
42.
PAYMENTS
42.1
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Charter, all payments by the Charterers hereunder (whether by way of hire or otherwise) shall be made as follows:

(a)
in the case of Charter-hire, not later than the relevant Payment Date;

(b)
in Dollars in immediately available funds for same day value to the Owners’ Account; and

(c)
if any day for the making of any payment hereunder shall not be a Banking Day, the due date for payment of the same shall be the immediately preceding Banking Day.
42.2
All payments by the Charterers under this Charter shall be made without any set-off or counterclaim whatsoever and free and clear of and without withholding or deduction for, or on account of, any present or future income, freight, stamp and other taxes, levies, imposts, duties, fees, charges, restrictions or conditions of any nature (collectively “ Taxes ”). If the Charterers are so required to make any withholding or deduction from any such payment, the sum due from the Charterers
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in respect of such payment will be increased to the extent necessary to ensure that, after making such withholding or deduction, the Owners receive a net sum equal to the amount which it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been required to be made. The Charterers shall promptly deliver to the Owners any receipts, certificates or other proof evidencing the amounts, if any, paid to payable in respect of any such withholding or deduction as aforesaid.
42.3
In the event of failure by the Charterers to pay on the due date for payment thereof, or in the case of the sum payable on demand, the date of demand therefor, any hire or other amount payable by them under this Charter, the Charterers shall pay, as liquidated damages and not as penalty, to the Owners on demand default interest on such hire or such other amount from the date of such failure to the date of actual payment (both before and after any relevant judgment or winding up of the Charterers) at the rate of five per cent (5%) per annum. Any interest payable under this Charter shall accrue from day to day and shall be calculated on the actual number of days elapsed and a three hundred and sixty (360) day year and shall be compounded at such intervals as the Owners shall determine and shall be payable on demand.
The aforementioned interest rate has been agreed between the parties to represent a genuine and reasonable pre-estimate of the Owners’ loss in the event of failure by the Charterers to pay on the due date and was negotiated on the basis of the direct and overhead costs (together with a reasonable profit thereon) and the cost of interest on borrowings and other bank charges incurred by the Owners and reasonable costs incurred by the Owners with respect to such Charterers’ delay in payment.The Charterers accept that this sum is neither exorbitant nor unconscionable when regard is had to the Owners’ interest in the performance of this Charter.
42.4
Time of payment of Charter-hire and all other sums payable under this Charter shall be of the essence of this Charter.
43.
INDEMNITY
43.1
To the extent such liability is not caused by a default of the Owners hereunder, the Charterers agree at all times whether before, during or after the Charter Period, to indemnify and keep the Owners indemnified, hold harmless against:

(a)
all reasonable, properly incurred and documented costs and expenses incurred by the Owners as a result of its entering into and/or performance of this Charter and other Transaction Documents, including without limitation the costs, expenses, fees, charges for legal services, evaluation, consultancy, survey, registration of the Vessel, registration of relevant charges, perfection of any securities and others of whatsoever nature arising out of or in connection with this Charter;

(b)
all costs and expenses whatsoever incurred in connection with this Charter and any Transaction Document or the Vessel, and any costs, charges, or expenses which the Charterers have agreed to pay under this Charter and which are claimed or assessed against or paid by the Owners;

(c)
all Losses suffered or incurred by the Owners and arising out of the design, manufacture, delivery, non-delivery, purchase, importation, registration,
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ownership, chartering, sub-chartering, possession, control, use, operation, condition, maintenance, repair, replacement, refurbishment, modification, overhaul, insurance, sale or other disposal, return or storage of or loss of or damage to the Vessel or otherwise in connection with the Vessel (whether or not in the control or possession of the Charterers) including any and all claims in tort or in contract by any sub-charterer of the Vessel from the Charterers or by the holders of any bill of lading issued by the Charterers or the sub-charterer;

(d)
all Losses suffered or incurred by the Owners which result from claims which may at any time be made on the ground that any design, article or material of or in the Vessel or the operation or use thereof constitutes or is alleged to constitute an infringement of patent or copyright or registered design or other intellectual property right or any other right whatsoever;

(e)
all Losses suffered or incurred by the Owners in preventing or attempting to prevent the arrest, confiscation, seizure, taking in execution, impounding, forfeiture or detention of the Vessel, or in securing the release of the Vessel therefrom;

(f)
all Losses suffered or incurred by the Owners with respect to or as a direct result of the presence, escape, seepage, spillage, leaking, discharge or migration from the Ship of oil or any other hazardous substance, including without limitation, any claims asserted or arising under the US Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (as same may be amended and/or re-enacted from time to time hereafter) or similar legislation, regardless of whether or not caused by or within the control of the Charterers;

(g)
following a Termination Event, any Losses incurred or suffered by the Owners in connection with the Finance Documents;

(h)
any Losses suffered or incurred by the Owners which result from any breach of the Manager’s Undertaking by the Charterers or the Manager, or replacing the Manager and obtaining a Manager’s Undertaking from the new manager; and

(i)
any Losses incurred or suffered by the Owners in liquidating, employing or prepaying funds acquired or borrowed to purchase or finance or refinance the Vessel (including any costs incurred in unwinding any associated interest rate or currency swaps or currency futures) following any default in payment hereunder or the occurrence of any Termination Event.
43.2
If, under any applicable law, whether as a result of judgment against the Charterers or the liquidation of the Charterers or for any other reason, any payment to be made by the Charterers under or in connection with this Charter is made or is recovered in a currency other than the currency in which it is payable pursuant to this Charter (the “ currency of obligation ”) then, to the extent that the payment (when converted into the currency of obligation at the rate of exchange on the date for the determination of liabilities permitted by the applicable law) falls short of the amount unpaid under this Charter, the Charterers shall as a separate and independent obligation, fully indemnify the Owners against the amount of the shortfall; and for the purposes of this provision “rate of exchange” means the best
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rate at which the Owners is able on the relevant date to purchase the currency of obligation with the other currency.
43.3
The indemnities contained in this Clause 43, and each other indemnity contained in this Charter, shall survive any termination or other ending of this Charter and any breach by, or repudiation or alleged repudiation by, the Charterers or the Owners of this Charter.
43.4
All moneys payable by the Charterers under this Clause 43 shall be paid on demand of the Owners.
44.
OWNERS’ RIGHT TO MORTGAGE
44.1
The Charterers agree that the Owners shall be entitled at any time after the date of this Charter, to grant any bank or financial institution (the “ Mortgagee ”) a first ranking mortgage on the Vessel, assignment(s) of the Owners’ earnings, the Insurances and requisition compensation thereof, and assignment(s) of any and all its rights, title, interest and benefit in and to this Charter and/or all or any security under the Transaction Documents to the Mortgagee as security for any loan or other facilities arranged by the Owners to finance or re-finance the purchase of the Vessel (collectively, the “ Mortgage ”).
44.2
The Charterers hereby agree and undertake to enter into any such documents as the Mortgagee shall reasonably require in relation to the aforementioned finance or re-finance of the Vessel including without limitation assignment of insurance and requisition compensations by the Charterers, the assignment of this Charter and the other relevant Transaction Documents, and to procure that the Manager to issue the Manager’s Undertakings provided.
44.3
The Charterers agree with the Owners to acknowledge notice of any assignment of this Charter executed in favour of the Mortgagee in the manner as required by the Mortgagee.
44.4
All costs and expenses incurred by the Owners in connection with Mortgage shall be for the account of the Owners.
45.
OWNERS’ RIGHT TO SALE
45.1
During the Charter Period, the Owners shall be entitled to transfer the title in the Vessel to any of its Affiliates; however, any transfer of title in the Vessel to a party other than an Affiliate of the Owners shall, in the absence of a Termination Event, require the Charterers’ prior approval which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
In case of any such change of ownership, unless the parties agree otherwise, this Charter should continue between the subsequent owner and the Charterers on identical terms (save for logical and consequential amendments and the assumption by the subsequent owner of the Owners’ obligations and liabilities thereunder).
The Charterers agree and undertake to enter into any such usual documents as the Owners shall reasonably require to complete or perfect the transfer of the Vessel
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pursuant to this Clause 45.1, any costs or expenses whatsoever arising in relation thereto to be borne by the Owners.
45.2
The Charterers hereby agree and undertake that at any time upon the request of the Owners they will promptly and duly execute, sign, perfect, do and (if required) register, and procure any Security Party and other persons to execute and do, such assurances, acts, deeds and things and (if required) register every such further assurance, document, act or thing as in the sole opinion of the Owners may be necessary for the purpose of more effectually completing or perfecting the transfer of the Vessel (with the benefit and burden of this Charter) pursuant to Clause 45.1. All costs and expenses incurred by the Owners pursuant to this Clause 45.2 shall be for the account of the Owners.
46.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
46.1
The Charterers acknowledge that the Owners have entered into this Charter in full reliance on representations by the Charterers in the following terms, and the Charterers now warrant to the Owners that the following statements are true and accurate at the date hereof, on the Delivery Date and throughout the continuation of this Charter:

(a)
each of the Security Parties is duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of its respective jurisdiction of incorporation;

(b)
each of the Security Parties has the power to conduct its business as it is now carried on, to own or hold under lease its assets, to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is respectively a party, and all necessary corporate, shareholder’s and other actions have been taken to authorise the execution, delivery and performance of such documents;

(c)
each Transaction Document to which any Security Party is a party constitutes such Security Party’s valid and legally binding and enforceable obligations ranking at least pari passu with all other of its unsecured obligations and liabilities (actual or contingent) other than any such obligations and liabilities preferred by law;

(d)
the entry into and performance by each Security Party of the Transaction Document and Project Document to which it is a party does not, and will not during the Security Period, violate in any respect

(i)
any existing law or regulation of any governmental of official authority or body;

(ii)
its constitutional documents; or

(iii)
any agreement, contract or other undertaking to which it is a party or which is binding on it or any of its assets;

(e)
all consents, licences, approvals and authorisations required in connection with the entry into, performance, validity and enforceability of the Transaction Document to which each Security Party is a party have been obtained and are, or will prior to the Delivery Date be, in full force and effect;
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(f)
any information, exhibits and reports furnished by the Charterers to the Owners in connection with the matters contemplated by this Charter or in connection with the negotiation and preparation of the Security Documents are true and accurate in all material respects and not misleading, do not omit material facts and there are no other facts the omission of which would make any fact or statement therein misleading;

(g)
no litigation, arbitration or administrative proceeding is taking place against any Security Party or against any Security Party’s assets which is likely to be adversely determined and, if adversely determined, would have a Material Adverse Effect on its ability to perform its obligations under any Transaction Document to which any Security Party is a party;

(h)
the Charterers have not undertaken any business other than in the ordinary course of its business of owning, operating and chartering the Vessel or as otherwise disclosed to the Owners on or prior to the date of this Charter;

(i)
there will not be any agreement or arrangement whereby the Earnings may be shared howsoever with any other person;

(j)
none of the Earnings, Insurances, compensation for Requisition nor any other properties or rights which are, or are to be, the subject of any of the Security Documents nor any part thereof will be subject to any Encumbrances except under the Security Documents;

(k)
at the time of coming into force of this Charter, the Charterers have in place, or undertakes to put in place soon thereafter, a sanctions compliance programme, adapted to its particular circumstances;

(l)
no Security Party is a Restricted Party nor has any Security Party or any of their respective directors, officers or employees or any person acting on their behalf received notice or are aware of any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation against any of them with respect to Sanctions by a Sanctions Authority;

(m)
the Vessel is not chartered, leased or otherwise provided directly or indirectly to any Restricted Party;

(n)
the performance of the obligations of the Security Parties under the Transaction Documents will not involve any breach by any of them of any law or regulatory measure relating to “money laundering” as defined in Article 1 of the Directive (2005/60/EC) of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Communities;

(o)
the copies of the Project Documents provided by the Charterers to the Owners in accordance with Clause 34 ( Conditions precedent ) are true and accurate copies of the originals and represent the full agreement between the parties to those Project Documents in relation to the subject matter of those Project Documents and there are no commissions, rebates, premiums or other payments due or to become due in connection with the subject matter of those Project Documents other than in the ordinary course of business or as disclosed to, and approved in writing by, the Owners;
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(p)
the Charterers make the representations and warranties set out in this Clause to the Owners on the date of this Charter and except as may have already been disclosed by the Charterers in writing to, and acknowledged by, the Owners:

(i)
the Charterers and the Operator and their respective Environmental Affiliates have each complied with the provisions of all Environmental Laws in relation to the Vessel;

(ii)
the Charterers and the Operator and their respective Environmental Affiliates have each obtained all Environmental Approvals in relation to the Vessel and are in compliance with all such Environmental Approvals;

(iii)
no Environmental Claim has been made or threatened or pending against the Charterers, the Operator or, to the best of their knowledge and belief (having made due enquiry), any of their respective Environmental Affiliates; and

(iv)
there has been no Environmental Incident;

(q)
no Termination Event, and no event which with the giving of notice and/or lapse of time and/or relevant determination would constitute a Termination Event, has occurred and is continuing;

(r)
none of the Security Parties has breached any law or regulation which breach has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(s)
each of the Security Parties is the legal and beneficial owner of all assets and other property which it purports to charge, mortgage, pledge, assign or otherwise secure pursuant to each Security Document and those Security Documents to which it is a party create and give rise to valid and effective security having the ranking expressed in those Security Documents;

(t)
no Security Party is materially overdue in the filing of any Tax returns and no Security Party is overdue in the payment of any amount in respect of Tax, save in the case of Taxes which are being contested on bona fide grounds;

(u)
no claims or investigations are being made or conducted against any Security Party with respect to Taxes is reasonably likely to arise; and

(v)
they and their Affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, consultants, agents and/or intermediaries have complied with, and shall comply with, all applicable Business Ethics Laws in connection with this Charter and the other Transaction Documents.
46.2
The representations and warranties contained in Clause 46.1 hereof shall be deemed to be repeated by the Charterers on each day from the date of this Charter as if made with reference to the facts and circumstances existing on such date, and the rights of the Owners in respect thereof shall survive the delivery or re-delivery of the Vessel hereunder.
47.
UNDERTAKINGS
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47.1
The Charterers undertake and agree that throughout the continuation of this Charter, the Charterers shall:
47.1.1
provide to the Owners:

(a)
in respect of the Vessel, two valuation reports, one to be provided by an Approved Broker appointed by the Owners and the other to be provided by an Approved Broker appointed by the Charterers, each at the Charterers’ cost:

(i)
once per calendar year in the absence of a Termination Event, provided that in the event that the discrepancy of the market value of the Vessel between such valuation reports exceeds twenty per cent (20%), the Charterers shall, at the Charterers’ costs, provide one further valuation report prepared by an Approved Broker appointed by the Owners, and the Market Value of the Vessel shall be the arithmetic mean of the values of the Vessel under all three (3) Valuation Reports obtained pursuant to this Clause 47.1.1(a)(i); and

(ii)
at any time upon the occurrence of a Termination Event;

(b)
promptly upon becoming aware of them, relevant details of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings which are current or, to its knowledge, threatened or pending against any Security Party , which are likely, in the reasonable opinion of the Owners, to have a Material Adverse Effect on the ability of any Security Party in performing its obligations under the Transaction Documents;

(c)
the unaudited semi-annual financial statements of the Charterers and the Guarantors (each prepared in accordance with GAAP and, in the case of Guarantor A, on a consolidated basis) as soon as available and in no event later than ninety (90) days after each such financial half-year;

(d)
the annual financial statement of the Charterers (as referred to in Guarantor A’s audited consolidated annual financial statements) and the audited annual financial statements of the Guarantors (each prepared in accordance with GAAP and, in the case of Guarantor A, on a consolidated basis) as soon as available and in no event later than one hundred and twenty (120) days after the end of its financial year;

(e)
promptly upon request by the Owners, copies of all class records, class certificates and survey reports and copies of all management reports;

(f)
promptly upon request by the Owners, all such information as it may from time to time request regarding the Vessel, compliance with the ISM Code, the ISPS Code and Annex VI (Regulation for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) to MARPOL, the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage 2001;

(g)
promptly upon request by the Owners, a written report on the condition of the Vessel prepared by or on behalf of the Charterers in a form acceptable to the Owners;
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(h)
promptly upon request by the Owners, such further information in the possession or control of any Security Party with respect to the financial condition and operations of any Security Party; and

(i)
upon the request of the Owners:

(i)
evidence that the Charterers are not in breach of any Sanctions; and

(ii)
all relevant documentation related to the Vessel and the transported goods which the Owners are required to disclose to any Sanctions Authority.
47.1.2
at all times, in respect of the Vessel:

(a)
subject Clause 37 ( Flag and Class ), register (and maintain the registration of) the Vessel under the flag of the Flag State or such other flag agreed by the Owners on the Delivery Date with the name of the Owners as the owner;

(b)
ensure that the Vessel is:

(i)
classed and maintained in the highest class (free of outstanding recommendations or conditions of class) with the Classification Society; and

(ii)
complies with the rules and regulations of the Classification Society;

(c)
ensure that the Vessel is managed by the Manager on such terms as approved by the Owners in writing in advance;

(d)
notify the Owners of any non-compliance of the Manager’s Undertaking by the Manager and procure the due performance of the Manager’s obligations under the Manager’s Undertaking, provided if:

(i)
an Approved Manager breaches any provision of its Manager’s Undertaking; and

(ii)
the Charterers fail to, within a period of 15 days of them becoming aware of the occurrence of such circumstance or breach of or the receipt of a written notification from the Owners requesting it to remedy such circumstance or breach,
the Charterers shall promptly, in any event no later than 30 Banking Days upon receipt of the notice from the Owners, substitute the relevant Approved Manager with another Manager and procure such Manager to execute and deliver to the Owners a Manager’s Undertaking;

(e)
ensure material compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws and all other laws and regulations relating to the Vessel and the operation and management thereof, and take all reasonable precautions to ensure that the Manager, the crews, employees, agents or representatives of the Charterers at all times comply with such Environmental Laws and other applicable laws;

(f)
ensure that the Vessel is in possession of a valid Safety Management Certificate, a valid International Ship Security Certificate and an
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International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate and in all respects in compliance with all applicable international conventions, codes and regulations, including without limitation the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) 1974 (as adopted, amended or replaced from time to time), the ISM Code and the ISPS Code, and ensure such compliance by the Manager and that the Manager shall be in possession of a Document of Compliance appropriate for the Vessel and Annex VI (Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) to MARPOL and a certificate issued pursuant to the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage 2001;

(g)
make such (quarterly) voyage declarations as may be required in accordance with all applicable insurance conditions especially in order to maintain insurance cover for trading in and to the United States of America and the Exclusive Economic Zone (as defined in the US Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (as may be amended and/or re-enacted from time to time hereafter)); and

(h)
obtain in a timely manner, if the Vessel at any time shall call on any US port, in accordance with the regulations of the US Oil Pollution Act 1999 (as may be amended and/or re-enacted from time to time) and in line with the requirements of the US Coast Guard, a Certificate of Financial Responsibility (C.O.F.R), a copy of which shall promptly be provided to the Owners;
47.1.3
obtain and promptly renew from time to time and, whenever so required, promptly furnish certified copies to the Owners of all such authorisations, approvals, consents and licences as may be required under any applicable law or regulation to enable the Charterers to perform its obligations under this Charter or the Transaction Documents to which it is a party or required for the validity or enforceability of this Charter or the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, and the Charterers shall in all material respects comply with the terms of each of the same;
47.1.4
notify the Owners in writing of:

(a)
any accident to the Vessel, immediately upon but in any case within 24 hours of the occurrence of the same which is or is likely to become a Major Casualty;

(b)
any occurrence resulting in the Vessel becoming or being likely to become a Total Loss, immediately upon but in any case within 24 hours of the occurrence;

(c)
any requirement or recommendation made by any insurer or Classification Society, or by any competent authority, which is not complied with within any time limit imposed by such insurer, Classification Society or authority;

(d)
any arrest of the Vessel or the exercise or purported exercise of any lien on the Vessel or any Requisition of the Vessel , immediately upon but in any case within 24 hours of the occurrence;

(e)
any damage to or alteration to the Vessel in excess of the amount of US$300,000 (Dollars Three Hundred Thousand); and
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(f)
any breach by any party of any Project Document;
47.1.5
notify the Owners in writing of any Termination Event or any event or circumstances of which they are aware and which, with the giving of notice and/or lapse of time or other applicable condition, may constitute a Termination Event;
47.1.6
following an inspection of the Vessel by the Owners or its representatives pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Charter, comply with any reasonable requests from the Owners for repairs or works to the Vessel if required to ensure that the Vessel is maintained in the class and condition required by this Charter and if the Charterers dispute the need for any such repairs or works the matter shall be referred to the Classification Society whose decision on such matter shall be binding on the Owners and the Charterers;
47.1.7
comply with:

(a)
any existing law or regulation of any governmental of official authority or body which is applicable to the Charterers;

(b)
the constitutional documents of the Charterers;

(c)
any agreement, contract or other undertaking to which the Charterers are a party or which is binding on the Charterers or any of their assets;

(d)
and ensure that their Affiliates and their officers, directors, employees, consultants, agents and/or intermediaries comply with all applicable Business Ethics Laws.
47.1.8
shall not, and shall not permit or authorise any other person to, directly utilise or employ the Vessel or to use, lend, make payments of, contribute or otherwise make available, all or any part of the proceeds of any transaction(s) contemplated by the Transaction Documents to fund any trade, business or other activities:

(a)
involving or for the benefit of any Restricted Party; and

(b)
in any other manner that would reasonably be expected to result in any Obligor, the Owners, any Manager or any Finance Party (if applicable) being in breach of any Sanctions or become a Restricted Party.
47.1.9
promptly notify the Owners of:

(a)
any Environmental Claim; and

(b)
details of any material non-compliance by it with any applicable Environmental Law or applicable Environmental Approvals or any suspension, revocation or modification of any Environmental Approvals and shall set out the action it intends to take with respect to those matters;
47.1.10
throughout the Security Period, no Change of Control in respect of the Security Parties;
47.1.11
assume (and shall enter into such documents and contracts to assume) such obligations, and grant rights, to the Owners which shall corresponding to such
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obligations and rights reasonably assumed and granted by the Owners in favour of the Lenders under the Finance Documents provided that this shall be without prejudice to the Charterers rights and obligations under this Charter; and
47.1.12
all the Earnings are at all times paid to the Charterer Account and, without prejudice to the foregoing, there shall be paid into the Charterer Account, on or before the Delivery Date, the Minimum Balance and the Charterers shall, from the date of such payment until the last day of the Security Period, ensure that the balance standing to the credit of the Charterer Account shall not fall below an amount equal to the Minimum Balance.
47.2
The Charterers undertake and agree that throughout the Security Period it shall not, without prior written approval by the Owners:-

(a)
cancel or terminate the Ship Management Agreement;

(b)
amend or vary the terms of, or permit or suffer any amendment or variation of the terms of the Ship Management Agreement without providing a copy of the amended Ship Management Agreement to the Owners provided that if the only amendment to the Ship Management Agreement is in respect of the management fee thereunder, the Charterers shall only be required to notify the Owners in writing promptly after such amendment;

(c)
sub-let the Vessel on demise charter for any period;

(d)
incur or allow to remain outstanding any guarantee in respect of any obligation of any person except any guarantee entered into with the prior written consent of the Owners or in accordance with the Security Documents or for the purpose of securing the release of the Vessel from any potential or actual arrest or detention or in the ordinary course of business if the provision of such guarantee shall not cause adverse impact on the Charterers’ ability to perform their obligations under this Charter, provided always that a copy of any guarantee issued under this clause 47.2 shall be provided to the Owners within 14 days of its issuance;

(e)
create or permit to subsist any Security Interest over the Vessel or any of its assets;

(f)
engage in any business other than the disponent ownership, management, control and operation of the Vessel without the prior written consent of the Owners.

(g)
make any substantial change to the general nature of its business from that carried on by it at the date of this Charter;

(h)
enter into any transactions other than on arms’ length commercial terms.

(i)
incur any borrowings from any person or otherwise create, incur, assume, suffer to exist or in any manner become or remain liable for any other Financial Indebtedness except in the ordinary course of business as disponent owner of the vessel and/or charterer;

(j)
incur any indebtedness other than that incurred (i) to the Owners under this
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Charter and the Security Documents and (ii) in the Charterers’ ordinary course of business on arm’s length basis but in any event not overdue by 30 days;

(k)
enter into a single transaction or a series of transactions (whether related or not) and whether voluntary or involuntary to sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its assets (save and except as provided under the terms of this Charter and the Security Documents);

(l)
declare or pay any dividend or make any other capital or income distribution to its shareholders during the Security Period if a Termination Event has occurred and is continuing;

(m)
enter into any amalgamation, demerger, merger or corporate reconstruction (other than any amalgamation, demerger, merger or corporate reconstruction which would not have a Material Adverse Effect); or

(n)
permit any change in the composition of its board of directors from that existing on the date of this Charter.
47.3
The Charterers undertake and agree that, throughout the Security Period, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of an amount equal to the aggregate of the then applicable Owners’ Costs and the Excess Amount (if any) to the Market Value as determined by the latest valuation reports provided in accordance with Clause 47.1.1(a) (the “ LTV Ratio ”) shall equal to eighty per cent. (80%). If the LTV Ratio, at any relevant time, is above eighty per cent. (80%) (the “ LTV Breach ”), the Charterers shall, on the Payment Date immediately succeeding the date of the LTV Breach, prepay an amount of the shortfall such that the LTV Ratio will be equal to eighty per cent. (80%) subsequent to such prepayment. The parties hereby expressly acknowledge that:

(a)
the Owners’ Costs;

(b)
the Daily Charter Rate;

(c)
if such prepayment is made prior to the 3 rd Anniversary, the Early Termination Amount relating to each Early Termination Date; and

(d)
the Repurchase Price relating to each Purchase Option Date (other than the Repurchase Price relating to the Charter Period Expiry Date),
each applicable to the remaining Charter Period shall, with effect from the date of such prepayment (the “ Prepayment Date ”), be adjusted in accordance with the “goal seek and programming” formula on Microsoft Excel, on the basis of an XIRR of seven point two six per cent. (7.26%), such adjustment as more particular set out in Schedule VI ( Post-prepayment adjustment schedule ) (the “ Adjustment Schedule ”). The Charterers irrevocably consent and agree to the Owners that the Owners may deliver to the Charterers, on or at any time after the Prepayment Date, an amended Adjustment Schedule setting out, amongst other things, the amended Daily Charter Rate, the amended Repurchase Price applicable to each Purchase Option Date and, if applicable, the amended Early Termination Date applicable to each Early Termination Date. For the avoidance of doubt, the Charterers hereby expressly acknowledge, confirm and agree that,
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notwithstanding any prepayment made in accordance with this Clause 47.3, the Repurchase Price applicable to the Charter Period Expiry Date shall in no event be adjusted.
47.4
The Charterers hereby expressly acknowledge that each of:

(a)
the Owners’ Costs Schedule in its form and content as attached hereto is based on the assumption that the Delivery Date is 15 December 2018; and

(b)
the Adjustment Schedule in its form and content as attached hereto is based on the assumptions that:

(i)
the Delivery Date is 15 December 2018;

(ii)
a prepayment made in accordance with Clause 47.3 is:

A.
made on the 24 th Payment Date; and

B.
in the amount of USD2,000,000 (United States Dollars Two Million); and

(iii)
the 3 rd Anniversary falls on the 36 th Payment Date and the 4th Anniversary falls on the 48 th Payment Date,
and therefore on the date hereof is indicative and is for reference purpose only, accordingly, the Charterers irrevocably consent and agree to the Owners that the Owners may deliver to the Charterers, (in the case of the Owners’ Costs Schedule) on or at any time after the Delivery Date, an amended Owners’ Costs Schedule and (in the case of the Adjustment Schedule), on or at any time after a Prepayment Date, an amended Adjustment Schedule.
47.5
Any amended Adjustment Schedule or Owners’ Cost Schedule prepared and delivered to the Charterers pursuant to Clauses 47.3 or 47.4 respectively shall, from the date the same is delivered to the Charterers, be deemed to be incorporated into this Charter and, for the purposes of this Charter, shall thereafter:

(a)
constitute the current Adjustment Schedule or Owners’ Costs Schedule, as applicable; and

(b)
be conclusive evidence of the Owners’ Costs and, in the case of an amended Adjustment Schedule delivered by the Owners in accordance with Clause 47.4, the Daily Charter Rate, the Repurchase Price in relation to each Purchase Option Date and, if applicable, the Early Termination Price in relation to each Early Termination Date, each applicable under this Charter.
47.6
If, as a result of a prepayment made in accordance with Clause 47.3, the Owners’ Costs falls below US$17,500,000 (United States Dollars Seventeen Million and Five Hundred Thousand) (the “ Balloon ”), an amount equal to the difference between the Balloon and the Owners’ Costs following such prepayment (the “ Excess Amount ”) shall be retained by the Owners and
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applied in accordance with the terms of this Charter on the Purchase Option Date or the Termination Date (as applicable). In the event that, on the Charter Period Expiry Date:

(a)
no Termination Event has occurred and is continuing, and

(b)
the Charterers have not exercised their option to purchase the Vessel in accordance with Clause 39.2,
the Owners shall, simultaneous with the redelivery of the Vessel by the Charterers to the Owners on the Charter Period Expiry Date, refund the Excess Amount to the Charterers.
47.7
Any Excess Amount accrued in accordance with Clause 47.6 may be refunded to the Charterers if the Market Value as determined by the valuation reports provided immediately following the LTV Breach in accordance with Clause 47.1.1(a) is lower than eighty per cent. (80%), provided that after such refund, the LTV Ratio is equal to eighty per cent. (80%).
47.8
In the event that there any Excess Amount accrued in accordance with Clause 47.6 on the Purchase Option Date, the Termination Date or the Total Loss Payment Date (as applicable), the Owners shall set-off the applicable Purchase Option Sum or the applicable Termination Sum payable by the Charterers to the Owners against an amount equal to such Excess Amount.
47.9
The Charterers agree and acknowledge that any Excess Amount accrued in accordance with Clause 47.6 shall bear no interest.
48.
INSURANCES, TOTAL LOSS
48.1
The Charterers shall bear all risks whatsoever and howsoever arising from whether of use, navigation, operation, possession and/or maintenance of the Vessel throughout the duration of the Charter.
48.2
Insurances
The Charterers undertake to the Owners that throughout the Charter Period:

(a)
to insure and keep the Vessel insured free of cost and expense to the Owners and in the joint names of the Owners and the Charterers or otherwise as the Owners and the Charterers may agree pursuant to Box 29 and Box 31 (if any) of Part I and Clause 13 of Part II of this Charter and this Clause 48:

(i)
against fire and usual marine risks (including hull and machinery, hull interest, freight interest, disbursement, demurrage and/or increased value, other Total Loss interest and excess risks);

(ii)
against war risks (including terrorism cover, on hull and machinery basis and on war protection and indemnity risks, terrorism, piracy and strike risks);

(iii)
against full protection and indemnity risks, including, amongst other things, (a) FD&D cover, and (b) in the case of oil pollution liability risks,
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cover for an aggregate amount equal to the highest level of cover available from time to time under the basic P&I Club entry policy (currently at US$1,000,000,000 Dollars One Billion);

(iv)
against loss of hire or earning (only for piracy and war risks);

(v)
against such other risks of whatsoever nature and howsoever arising as may be required by the Owners which are customary to transactions of this nature;
on the following terms:

(vi)
in Dollars;

(vii)
on terms consistent with prevailing international market practice from time to time be approved by the Owners;

(viii)
in case of the fire and usual marine risks in (i) above and war risks in (ii) above, in an amount no less than 120% of the then applicable Early Termination Amount (if the relevant time falls prior to the 3rd Anniversary) or the Repurchase Price (if the relevant time falls on or after the 3 rd Anniversary);

(ix)
in case of loss of earnings risks (only for piracy and war risks) in such amounts as from time to time required by the Owners;

(x)
in the case of pollution liability risk for protection and indemnity risks, for an aggregate amount equal to the highest level of cover from time to time available under basic protection and indemnity club entry and in the international marine insurance market;

(xi)
with international reputable companies and/or underwriters or, in the case of protection and indemnity risks in such protection and indemnity association approved by the Owners, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. An insurance company with a Standard & Poor’s rating of BBB+ or above and a protection and indemnity association which is a member of the International Group of Protection and Indemnity Association shall be deemed approved for the purpose of this clause.

(b)
if and when so required by the Mortgagee, the Charterers shall pay the Mortgagee direct or reimburse the Owners (in case the Owners pay) the cost (as conclusively certified by the Mortgagee) of (A) a mortgagee’s interest insurance on the Vessel in an amount not less than the Minimum Insured Value or such lesser amount as may be approved by the Mortgagee; and (B) a mortgagee’s interest insurance - additional perils (pollution) on the Vessel in an amount not less than the Minimum Insured Value or such lesser amount as may be approved by the Mortgagee, and in each case, upon such terms as shall from time to time be approved in writing by the Mortgagee; and if and when so required by the Owners, the Charterers shall pay the Owners the cost (as conclusively certified by the Owners) of innocent shipowner’s Interest Insurance on the Vessel in an amount not less than the Minimum Insured Value or such lesser amount as may be approved by the Owners; and (B) an
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innocent shipowner’s interest insurance - additional perils (pollution) on the Vessel in an amount not less than the Minimum Insured Value or such lesser amount as may be approved by the Owners, and in each case, upon such terms as shall from time to time be approved in writing by the Owners;

(c)
to effect the Insurances aforesaid in Dollars and through the Approved Insurers;

(d)
if any of the Insurances form part of a fleet cover, to obtain insurers’ agreement not to cancel the insurances for reason of non-payment of premiums for other vessels under such fleet cover or of premiums for such other Insurances, and, only to the extent allowed under the relevant terms of the Insurances, to obtain insurers’ undertaking to the Owners that it shall neither set-off against any claims in respect of the Vessel any premiums due in respect of other vessels under such fleet cover or any premiums due for other Insurances.
The Charterers undertake to issue a separate policy in respect of the Vessel being part of a fleet cover if it becomes necessary to protect the Owners’ interests in the Insurance and when so reasonably requested by the Owners;

(e)
to punctually to pay all premiums, calls, contributions or other sums payable in respect of all such Insurances and to produce copies of all relevant receipts or other evidence of payment;

(f)
at least seven (7) days before the relevant policies, contracts or entries expire,

(i)
to notify the Owners of the names of the brokers proposed to be employed by the Charterers for the purposes of the renewal of such Insurances and of the amounts in which such Insurances are proposed to be renewed and the risks to be covered and, subject to compliance with any requirements of the Owners pursuant to this Clause 48,

(ii)
to procure that that the Approved Insurers will at least fourteen (14) days before such expiry, and the approved war risks and protection and indemnity associations will at least seven (7) days before such expiry confirm in writing to the Owners that they have been instructed to renew the relevant Insurances and such renewals are in the process of being effected in accordance with the instructions so given and to provide the Owners with details of the instructions as the Owners may require (except for the pricing information);

(g)
to arrange for the execution of such guarantees or indemnities as may from time to time be required by any protection and indemnity or war risks association;

(h)
to deposit with the Approved Insurers (or procure the deposit of) all slips, cover notes, policies, certificates of entry or other instruments of insurance from time to time issued in connection with the Insurances as are effected through the Approved Insurers;

(i)
to procure that the interest of the Owners shall be endorsed and, where the Insurances have been assigned to the Owners, by means of a notice of
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assignment the Owners shall be furnished with the originals or certified true copies thereof and to procure that the Approved Insurer shall issue to the Owners a letter or letters of undertaking in such form as shall from time to time be reasonably required by the Owners (in line with market standard);

(j)
to procure that any protection and indemnity and/or war risks associations (if applicable) in which the Vessel is for the time being entered shall endorse the relevant Loss Payable Clause (taking into account the associations’ standard wording) on the relevant certificate of entry or policy and shall furnish the Owners with a certified true copy of such certificate of entry and a letter or letters of undertaking in such form as may from time to time be reasonably required by the Owners in accordance with the associations’ standard form and wording;

(k)
if so requested by the Owners, but at the cost of the Charterers, to furnish the Owners from time to time with a detailed report signed by an independent firm of marine insurance brokers or an independent firm of international reputable insurance consultant appointed by the Charterers dealing with the Insurances maintained on the Vessel and stating the opinion of such firm as to the adequacy thereof;

(l)
to do all things necessary and provide all documents, evidence and information to enable the Owners to collect or recover any moneys which shall at any time become due to them in respect of the Insurances;

(m)
not to employ the Vessel or suffer the Vessel to be employed otherwise than in conformity with the terms of the instruments of insurance aforesaid (including any warranties express or implied therein) without first obtaining the consent of the insurers to such employment and complying with such requirements as to extra premium or otherwise as the insurers may prescribe;

(n)
to apply all sums receivable under the Insurances which are paid to the Charterers in accordance with the Loss Payable Clauses in repairing all damage and/or in discharging the liability in respect whereof the insurance moneys shall have been received;

(o)
to ensure that if the Vessel shall at any time enter the waters under the jurisdiction of the United States of America and/or the Exclusive Economic Zone (as defined in the Oil Pollution Act):

(i)
the certificate of entry for the Vessel issued by the protection and indemnity association with which it is entered is endorsed with the U.S. Oil Pollution Clause 20/2/91 (as amended or replaced from time to time) and to procure for the Owners sufficient documentary evidence that the Charterers has provided all declarations and satisfied all other requirements of the association and that the U.S. Trading Exclusion Clause (as defined in the rules and policies of such protection and indemnity association) has been deleted from the cover;

(ii)
make all such quarterly or other voyage declarations as may from time to time be required by the protection and indemnity risks association in order to maintain cover for trading to the United States of America and Exclusive Economic Zone and promptly deliver to the Owners
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copies of all such declarations;

(p)
to produce to the Owners upon demand copies (certified by the relevant brokers as being true copies) of all policies, certificates of insurance or entry, cover notes and binders relating to the Insurances and to furnish the Owners with any other evidence of the existence of the Insurances as the Mortgagee may request. The Charterers shall procure that the Approved Insurers give to the Owners such information as to the Insurances taken out or being or to be taken out in compliance with the Charterers’ obligations under the foregoing provisions or as to any other matter which may be relevant to the Insurances as the Owners may request (except for the pricing information of the Insurances);

(q)
the Charterers shall not do any act or permit or suffer any act to be done whereby any insurance required as aforesaid shall or may be suspended, impaired or become defective, unless otherwise specifically permitted under the insurance policies;

(r)
the Charterers shall not make any alteration to any of the insurances referred to in this Clause without prior written approval by the Owners (which shall not be unreasonably delayed or withheld) and shall not make, do, consent or agree to any act or omission which might render any such instrument of insurance invalid or unenforceable or render any sum payable thereunder repayable in whole or in part;

(s)
should any change be permitted or occur without the consent of the Owners, then, without prejudice to the aforesaid obligation of the Charterers or to the rights of the Owners on a Termination Event or to any other provision in this Charter, the Charterers shall forthwith give written notice to the Owners and thereupon the foregoing provisions of this clause where relevant shall apply thereto;

(t)
the Charterers not to settle, compromise or abandon any claim under any Insurance for Total Loss or for a Major Casualty;

(u)
In the event that any act or negligence of the Charterers (and/or the Manager or any sub-charterer in any level) shall vitiate, impair or void any of the Insurances herein provided, the Charterers shall take all rectification measures and pay to the Owners all losses and indemnify the Owners against all claims and demands which would otherwise have been covered by such Insurances,
PROVIDED ALWAYS THAT the Owners shall be entitled to review the requirements of this Clause 48.2 from time to time in order to take account of significant changes in circumstances arising as a result of any amendment to the existing laws of, or adoption of new laws by, any relevant jurisdiction after the date of this Charter (such changes in circumstances to include, without limitation, changes in the availability or the cost of insurance and/or protection and indemnity coverage). The Owners may notify the Charterers in writing from time to time of any proposed modification to the requirements of this Clause 48.2 which it may reasonably deem appropriate as a result of such amendment to the existing laws of, or adoption of new laws by, that jurisdiction, or as a result of the opinion of an independent firm of marine insurance brokers or an independent firm of international reputable insurance consultant
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referred to in Clause 48.2(k) above. Such modification shall take effect on and from the date it is notified in writing to the Charterers as an amendment to this Clause 48.2 (or, if as a result of the said opinion, from the date of the said advice), and shall bind the Charterers accordingly.
48.3
Total Loss For the purposes of this Charter, Total Loss shall be deemed to have occurred on the Total Loss Date.
If the Vessel shall become a Total Loss after Delivery, then:

(a)
the Owners’ obligation to charter the Vessel shall be immediately be terminated;

(b)
the Charterers shall within sixty (60) days from the Total Loss Date and no later than the actual date when the insurance proceeds are received from the relevant insurer as a result of such Total Loss, whichever occurs earlier (the “ Total Loss Payment Date ”), pay to the Owners the Termination Sum; and

(c)
the Charterers shall continue to pay the Charter-hire until the Total Loss Payment Date.
The Owners, upon the request and at the cost and expense of the Charterers, shall promptly execute such reasonable documents to enable the Charterers to abandon the Vessel and claim a Total Loss and shall give all reasonable assistance in pursuing the said claim. Any fees or costs charged by the Approved Insurers and insurance adviser approached by the Owners in connection with a Total Loss shall be borne by the Charterers.
Without prejudice to the Charterers’ obligation to pay the Termination Sum and any other amounts payable under any Transaction Document, upon the Owners’ receipt of the full insurance proceeds in respect of such Total Loss, the net insurance proceeds shall be distributed in the following manner and sequence:

(i)
any actual costs and expenses incurred by the Owners to apply for and procure the insurance proceeds together with accrued thereon pursuant to 42.3 hereof from the date shall be paid and/or distributed to the Owners, unless having indemnified to the Owners by the Charterers before the distribution;

(ii)
the amount equal to the outstanding Termination Sum together with interest accrued thereon pursuant to 42.3 hereof from the due date shall be paid/distributed to the Owners, unless having paid to the Owners by the Charterers before the distribution; and

(iii)
lastly, the remaining insurance proceeds after deducting and distributing the sums referred to in (i) and (ii) above to the Owners, if any, shall be paid/distributed to the Charterers without interest.
Where the net insurance proceeds are insufficient to satisfy (i) and (ii) above, or where the Owners or the Mortgagee fails to receive the insurance proceeds as a
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result of the insurance cover being voided as a result of the negligence, omission or default or whatsoever reason of the Charterers and or the Approved Insurers, the Charterers shall pay the shortfall to the Owners on demand.
49.
TERMINATION EVENTS
49.1
Each of the following events shall be a “ Termination Event ” for the purposes of this Charter:
(a)
a Security Party fails to pay any amount due from it under any Transaction Document to which it is a party unless its failure to pay is caused by an administrative or technical error and payment is made within five (5) Business Days of its due date; or
(b)
any Security Party fails to observe or perform any of its obligations (other than (a) above and (z) below) under this Charter and/or any of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party provided that no Termination Event shall occur if the failure or breach can be remedied and is remedied within twenty (20) days of the Owners giving notice to the relevant Security Party;
(c)
(i) the Charterers fail at any time to effect or maintain any Insurances, or any insurer shall avoid or cancel any such Insurances (other than by reason of any act or omission of the Owners), or the Charterers commit any breach of or make any misrepresentation in respect of any such Insurances, or (ii) any of the said Insurances cease for any reason whatsoever to be in full force and effect, and in each case, such failure is not remedied within fourteen (14) days; or
(d)
any representation or warranty of any Security Party in connection with this Charter or any Transaction Document or in any document or certificate furnished to the Owners in connection herewith or therewith is or was untrue, inaccurate or misleading in any material respect, when made or deemed made; or
(e)
the Charterers fail to observe or perform any of their obligations under this Charter and/or any Transaction Document, and such failure to observe or perform any such obligation is either not remediable or remediable but not fully remedied within twenty (20) days after such breach; or
(f)
any Security Interest created by a Security Document have been or becomes invalid or unenforceable or such Security Interest ranked after, or loses its priority to, any other Security Interest other than any Security Interest under the Security Documents; or
(g)
it becomes impossible or unlawful for any Security Party to perform or fulfil any of its obligations under this Charter or any other Transaction Document to which it is party; or
(h)
the occurrence of any event or circumstances which, pursuant to mandatory law, entitles or requires the termination of any Transaction Document; or
(i)
anything is done or omitted to be done by the Charterers or the Manager which
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may imperil the registration of the Vessel; or
(j)
any declared default arises in respect of any Financial Indebtedness entered into or assumed by the Charterers or a Guarantor; or
(k)
any Security Party does or causes or permits to be done any act or thing evidencing an intention to repudiate this Charter or any Transaction Document; or
(l)
there is a Change of Control; or
(m)
any Security Party ceases to be a company resident in the jurisdiction of its incorporation and/or duly registered in good-standing; or
(n)
any Security Party ceases, or threatens to cease, to carry on all or a substantial part of its business or disposes or threatens to dispose (other than for full arm’s length consideration) of the whole or a material part of its property, assets or undertaking; or
(o)
an encumbrancer takes possession of, or distress or execution is levied upon, the whole, or a material part of the property, assets or undertaking of the Charterers and the Charterers fail to release the same within fifteen (15) days (or a longer period as agreed between the Owners and the Charterers) from the date of the possession, distress or execution; or
(p)
a petition is presented or an order is made or an effective resolution is passed for the administration or winding-up or bankruptcy, as the case may be, of any Security Party or an administrator or other receiver is appointed in respect of the whole or any substantial part of the property, undertaking or assets of any Security Party or an administrator of any Security Party is appointed or anything analogous to any of the foregoing occurs under the laws of the place of such Security Party’s incorporation; or
(q)
any Security Party stops payment generally or cease to carry on or suspends payment of, or is unable to or admits inability to pay, all or a substantial part of its debts as they fall due or makes any special arrangement or composition with its creditors generally or shall otherwise become or be adjudicated insolvent; or
(r)
any Security Party convenes or gives notice to convene a meeting of all or any class or group of its creditors with a view to proposing or making, or proposes or makes, any arrangement or composition with or assignment for the benefit of all or any class or group of its creditors or declares, or applies to any court or other tribunal for, a moratorium or suspension of payments with respect to all or a substantial part of its debts or liabilities
(s)
any formal declaration of bankruptcy or any formal statement to the effect that any Security Party is insolvent is made by such Security Party or, in any proceedings, by a lawyer or auditors who are acting on behalf of the Charterers as having been duly authorised by such Security Party to do so; or
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(t)
any security Party applies to any court or other tribunal for, a moratorium or suspension of payments with respect to all or a substantial part of its debts or liabilities; or
(u)
a liquidator, receiver, administrative receiver or similar officer is appointed over the whole or any material part of the assets, rights or revenues of any Security Party or, if the whole or a substantial part of the assets of any Security Party shall be seized or sequestrated by any governmental or other public authority or, if any Security Party shall be restrained from using the whole or a substantial part of its assets in its business; or
(v)
the Vessel is arrested or detained and is not released within thirty (30) days after such arrest or detention (or such longer period as the Owners shall agree in the light of all the circumstances); or
(w)
any expropriation, attachment, sequestration, distress or execution affects any asset or assets of the Charterers are not discharged within fifteen (15) days; or
(x)
any consent, authorisation, licence or approval necessary for this Charter or any Security Document to be or remain the valid and legally binding obligations of the Charterers, or to enable the Security Party to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder, shall be materially adversely modified or is not granted or is revoked, suspended, withdrawn or terminated or expires and is not renewed; or
(y)
any event or series of events occurs which, in the reasonable opinion of the Owners, may have a Material Adverse Effect on the ability of any Security Party to comply with its obligations under this Charter or any Security Document to which they are respectively a party; or
(z)
any Security Party is involved in:

(i)
any incident which gives rise to any Environmental Claim and such incident will result in a Material Adverse Effect; and

(ii)
any Environmental Claim which, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect (except for any Environment Claim which is frivolous or vexatious and/or is defended and/or challenged in good faith), which in the opinion of the Owners are capable of remedy and is not remedied within fourteen (14) days from the Owners’ giving written notice to such Security Party; or
(aa)
any Security Party, any party to the Transaction Documents (other than the Owners), repudiates any of the Transaction Documents does or causes or permits to be done any act of thing evidencing an intention to repudiate any Transaction Document; or
(bb)
any money assigned pursuant to any of the Security Documents is paid other than as provided therein; or
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(cc)
any Project Document is terminated, cancelled, repudiated, suspended, rescinded or revoked or otherwise ceases to remain in full force and effect provided that no Termination Event will occur under this paragraph (cc) if, within sixty (60) days of the termination, cancellation, repudiation, suspension, rescission or revocation of the Sub-Charter:

(i)
such Sub-Charter is, replaced by another time charter having similar rate of hire and duration as the Sub-Charter and on terms acceptable to the Owners (acting timely and reasonably) entered into between the Charterers (as disponent owner) and a sub-charterer acceptable to the Owners; and

(ii)
the rights of the Charterers’ in such replacement time charter are assigned to the Owners; or
(dd)
any Security Document is terminated, cancelled, repudiated, suspended, rescinded or revoked or otherwise ceases to remain in full force and effect for any reason whatsoever; or
(ee)
the occurrence of any other event or circumstances which, pursuant to the terms hereof or at law, requires the Owners to terminate this Charter; or
(ff)
the occurrence of a Collateral Charter Termination Event.
49.2
Upon the occurrence of a Termination Event, the Owners shall be entitled to (but is not bound and without prejudice to the Charterers’ obligations) by written notice to the Charterers terminate this Charter and the chartering of the Vessel under this Charter forthwith and recover any and all amounts due and payable hereunder and/or resulting from such termination and to exercise its rights in the manner as set out in Clause 50 ( Owners’ Rights on Termination ).
49.3
The Owners shall not be under any liability whatsoever to the Charterers for loss or damage whatsoever occasioned by the Charterers or any Security Party for the termination of this Charter and the Charterers shall indemnify the Owners on demand for any and all liabilities, losses, costs and expenses incurred by the Owners pursuant to this Clause or otherwise resulting from the occurrence of a Termination Event.
50.
OWNERS’ RIGHTS ON TERMINATION
50.1
At any time after a Termination Event shall have occurred, the Owners may, by notice in writing to the Charterers, immediately, or on such other date as the Owners shall specify, terminate this Charter and whereby:

(a)
the Charterers shall within fifteen (15) days (in the case of a Termination Event under Clause 50.1(a)) or forty-five (45) days (in the case of all Termination Events other than a Termination Event under Clause 50.1(a)) of the Termination Date pay to the Owners the Termination Sum; and

(b)
the Owners’ obligation to charter the Vessel to the Charterers is terminated on the Termination Date specified by the Owners in the notice of termination and the following provisions shall apply:
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(i)
the Vessel shall no longer be in the possession of the Charterers and the Owners shall be entitled to retake possession of the Vessel;

(ii)
the Charterers shall procure that upon notice to the Master and Crew that the Owners have retaken possession of the Vessel, the Master and Crew shall obey the lawful orders of the Owners as regards the navigation and management of the Vessel and shall no longer obey the Charterers; and

(iii)
the Charterers shall redeliver the Vessel to the Owners pursuant to Clause 51 ( Redelivery ) hereof.
50.2
Any amount due to the Owners under Clauses 50 and 51 ( Redelivery ) shall bear interest pursuant to Clause 42.3 (before and after any relevant judgment or any winding-up of the Charterers) from the relevant Termination Date to the date of the Owners’ actual receipt thereof.
50.3
Notwithstanding the termination of the chartering of the Vessel pursuant to Clause 51 ( Redelivery ), the Charterers shall irrevocably and unconditionally continue to comply with its obligations under this Charter as provided for herein until the Vessel is redelivered to the Owners in accordance with Clause 51 ( Redelivery ).
50.4
Subject to Clause 50.5, the Owners agree to transfer the title in the Vessel to the Charterers after the Owners’ receipt of full payment of the Termination Sum.
50.5
In the event that the Charterers fail to make punctual full payment within fifteen (15) days (in the case of a Termination Event under Clause 50.1(a)) or forty-five (45) days (in the case of all Termination Events other than a Termination Event under Clause 50.1(a)) of the Termination Date in accordance with this Clause 50 :

(a)
the Owners may (but is not obligated to) sell the Vessel at any time free of any charter, lease or other engagement concerning the Vessel for such price and on such terms and conditions as it may, in its absolute discretion, think fit;

(b)
the gross proceeds of the sale of the Vessel shall deduct an amount equal to the aggregate of the expenses, disbursements, taxes, costs and losses whatsoever as may have been incurred by the Owners in respect of the sale of the Vessel (the “ Net Sale Proceeds ”);

(c)
an amount equal to the aggregate of the Termination Sum and all other amounts payable under the Transaction Documents together with interest as stipulated herein shall be deducted from the Net Sale Proceeds;

(d)
if the Net Sale Proceeds are insufficient to satisfy all amounts due and payable from the Charterers to the Owners hereunder, the Charterers shall pay the outstanding balance to the Owners; and

(e)
any remaining balance shall be paid to the Charterers.
51.
REDELIVERY
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51.1
Unless the Charterers exercise their option to purchase the Vessel from the Owners pursuant to Clause 39.2, upon expiration of the Charter Period, the Owners shall have the right to dispose of the Vessel, and the Vessel shall be redelivered to the Owners on the following terms:

(a)
at such safe and accessible berth as specified by the Owners and, if applicable, within such ranges as specified by Charterers in accordance with Clause 51.2;

(b)
with her class maintained without any conditions or recommendation; and

(c)
free of average damage affecting the Vessel’s class; and

(d)
with all the Vessel’s classification, trading, national and international certificates that the Vessel had when she was delivered under this Charter and the log book and whatsoever necessary relating to the operation of the Vessel, valid and un-extended without conditions or recommendation falling due for a minimum of six (6) months from the time of redelivery; and

(e)
subject to Clause 10 ( Maintenance and Operation ) in the same or as good structure, state, condition and class as that in which she was deemed delivered under Clause 35 ( Delivery of the Vessel ), fair wear and tear not affecting class excepted; and

(f)
subject to Clause 10 ( Maintenance and Operation ) with all such spare parts and other equipment she had at the time of delivery under this Charter together with all other additions, amendments, equipment or alterations made to the Vessel during the Charter Period without any cost to the Owners; and

(g)
with copies of the log books and all of the classification records and certificate(s) and class’s survey report(s) as well as plans, drawings and manuals (excluding ISM/ISPS manuals) which are on board the Vessel and relate to the Charter Period.
51.2
The Charterers shall give the Owners not less than thirty (30) days’ notices of the expected geographical range and port of redelivery.
51.3
The Charterers shall pay or reimburse to the Owners all costs and expenses so incurred in recovering possession of, and in moving, storing, insuring and maintaining, the Vessel and in carrying out any works or modifications required to cause the Vessel to conform with the provisions of this Clause 51 together with interest thereon pursuant to Clause 42.3 hereof from the date on which the relevant Loss was suffered by the Owners until the date of payment or reimbursement thereof (both before and after any relevant judgment or winding up of the Charterers).
51.4
The Owners shall reimburse the Charterers, a sum equal to the cost of the remaining bunkers and lubricating oil in the Vessel at the original purchase price as evidenced by copies of invoices certified by a director of the Charterers.
52.
COMMUNICATIONS
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52.1
Except as otherwise provided for in this Charter, all notices or other communications under or in respect of this Charter to either party hereto shall be in writing and shall be made or given to such party at the address or facsimile number appearing below (or at such other address or facsimile number as such party may hereafter specify for such purposes to the other by notice in writing):
In the case of the Owners:

Address:
1/F., Far East Consortium Building, 121 Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong

c/o Bank of Communications Financial Leasing Co., Ltd

28/F., 333 Lujiazui Ring Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 200120, PRC

Fax:
+86 -21-6278 8317

Email:
fang_xz@bankcomm.com/xux_31@bankcomm.com

Attention:
Mr. Fang Xiuzhi/Mr. Xu Xin
In the case of the Charterers:

Address:
1, Vass Sofias 15124, Maroussi Greece C/O Central Mare

Facsimile No.:
0030 210 6141272

Email:
atsirikos@topships,org

Attn:
Alexandros Tsirikos

Telephone :
0030 210 8128180
A written notice includes a notice by facsimile or via email. A notice or other communication received on a non-working day or after business hours in the place of receipt shall be deemed to be served on the next following working day in such place. Subject to the foregoing, any communication by personal delivery, courier or mail shall be deemed to be received upon receipt by the addressee (but in any case not later than 5 days after the date of dispatch in case of courier and 10 days after the date of dispatch in case of mail), any communication by facsimile or via email shall be deemed to be delivered immediately upon the sending of the facsimile or email.
52.2
All communications and documents delivered pursuant to or otherwise relating to this Charter shall either be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation.
52.3
Any communication to be made between the Parties under or in connection with this Charter may be made by electronic mail or other electronic means provided that between the Parties:
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(a)
it is agreed that, unless and until notified to the contrary, this is to be an accepted form of communication;

(b)
they have notified each other in writing of their electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the sending and receipt of information by that means; and

(c)
they have notified each other of any change to their address or any other such information supplied by them.
52.4
Any electronic communication made between the Parties will be effective only when actually received in readable form and in the case of any electronic communication made to the Owners, only if it is addressed in such a manner as the Owners shall specify for this purpose.
53.
ASSIGNMENT AND SET-OFF
53.1
This Charter shall be binding upon and enure for the benefit of the Owners and the Charterers and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
53.2
The Charterers shall not be entitled to assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Charter, unless with the prior written consent of the Owners.
53.3
In addition to the right of the Owners to assign under Clause 44 ( Owners’ Right to Mortgage ) and Clause 45 ( Owners’ Right to Sale ), the Owners may at any time assign or transfer any or all of its rights, benefit and interests under this Charter to any person.
53.4
Without prejudice to any right of set-off, combination of accounts, lien or other rights to which the Owners are at any time entitled whether by operation of law or contract or otherwise, the Owners may (but shall not be obliged to) set off against any obligation of the Charterers due and payable by it hereunder without prior notice any moneys held by the Owners for the account of the Charterers at any office of the Owners anywhere and in any currency. The Owners may effect such currency exchanges as are appropriate to implement such set-off.
54.
MISCELLANEOUS
54.1
The Owners represent, warrant, undertake and covenant that, throughout the duration of the Charter Period, they and their officers, directors, employees, consultants, agents and/or intermediaries, or any person acting on their behalf, have complied with, and shall comply with, all applicable Business Ethics Laws in connection with this Charter.
54.2
Time shall be of the essence of this Charter but no failure or delay on the part of the Owners to exercise any power, right or remedy under any Transaction Document shall operate as a waiver hereof or thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise by the Owners of any power, right or remedy preclude any other or further exercise hereof or thereof or the exercise of any other power, right or remedy.
54.3
Any amendment or waiver of any provision of this Charter or any other Transaction Documents shall only be effective if the Owners and the Charterers so agree in writing. Any consent by the Owners under this Charter or any Transaction Document must be
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made in writing. In addition, any such waiver or consent may be given subject to any conditions thought fit by the Owners and shall be effective only in the instance and for the purpose for which it is given.
54.4
The rights of one party hereof may be exercised as often as necessary, are cumulative and not exclusive of its rights under applicable laws or otherwise and may be waived only in writing and specifically. Failure to exercise, or any delay in exercising, by one party hereof, any right or remedy hereof shall not operate as a waiver of any such right or remedy or constitute an election to affirm any agreement hereof. No election to affirm any agreement on the part of the Owners shall be effective unless it is in writing. No single or partial exercise of any right or remedy shall prevent any further or other exercise or the exercise of any other right or remedy.
54.5
If any provision of this Charter and any Transaction Document is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction such prohibition or unenforceability shall not invalidate the remaining provisions hereof or affect the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
54.6
This Charter may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument, and any party hereto may execute this Charter by signing any such counterpart.
54.7
Unless expressly identified in this Charter, no third parties shall have the right to enforce or apply any term hereof and the Contracts ( Rights of Third Parties ) Act 1999 is expressly excluded.
54.8
Clauses 32 ( Definitions ) to 54 ( Miscellaneous ) (the “ Additional Clauses ”) form an, integral and indispensable part of this Charter and shall be read together with Part I to Part IV of this Charter. In the event of any inconsistency in the terms set out in Part I and Part II of this Charter and the Additional Clauses (i.e. Clauses 32 ( Definitions ) to 54 ( Miscellaneous )) of this Charter, then the terms of the Additional Clauses shall prevail.
54.9
This Charter (composed of, (i) Part I, Part II, and in the case where both party agree to apply either of or all of the optional Part III and Part IV, of the standard BIMCO BARECON 2001 with agreed and or logical amendments; (ii) the Additional Clauses; and, (iii) together with its attachments, appendices and schedules) contains the entire agreement and understanding between the parties and supersedes any prior or inconsistent agreements, negotiations, term sheet, representations and promises, written or oral between the parties respecting the subject matter hereof.
Neither Party shall be entitled to rely on any representations or statements made during negotiations other than to the extent that the same are expressly included in the Charter and its appendices.
Without prejudice to Clause 48.2 ( Insurances ) hereof whereby the Owners/Mortgagee may review and request amendments to the requirements of Insurance, no modification of this Charter shall be binding on either party unless in writing and signed by duly authorized representatives of both parties specifically mentioning that it is amending this Agreement. No modification shall be effected by any type of acknowledgement, order confirmation, sale documents, invoices or similar documents stipulating different conditions by the Charterers, and the Owners hereby give notice of its objection to, and rejection of, any additional or
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different terms or conditions in any such document. No course of prior dealings, no usage of the trade and no course of performance shall be used to modify, supplement or explain any terms used herein or in any contract between the Owners and the Charterers executed in conjunction with this transaction.
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SCHEDULE I
Repurchase Price Schedule
Purchase Option Date
Repurchase Price(US$)
3 rd Anniversary
19,130,000
1 st Payment Date after 3 rd Anniversary
19,063,333
2 nd Payment Date after 3 rd Anniversary
18,996,667
3 rd Payment Date after 3 rd Anniversary
18,930,000
4 th Payment Date after 3 rd Anniversary
18,863,333
5 th Payment Date after 3 rd Anniversary
18,796,667
6 th Payment Date after 3 rd Anniversary
18,730,000
7 th Payment Date after 3 rd Anniversary
18,663,333
8 th Payment Date after 3 rd Anniversary
18,596,667
9 th Payment Date after 3 rd Anniversary
18,530,000
10 th Payment Date after 3 rd Anniversary
18,463,333
11 th Payment Date after 3 rd Anniversary
18,396,667
4 th Anniversary
18,330,000
1 st Payment Date after 4 th Anniversary
18,260,833
2 nd Payment Date after 4 th Anniversary
18,191,667
3 rd Payment Date after 4 th Anniversary
18,122,500
4 th Payment Date after 4 th Anniversary
18,053,333
5 th Payment Date after 4 th Anniversary
17,984,167
6 th Payment Date after 4 th Anniversary
17,915,000
7 th Payment Date after 4 th Anniversary
17,845,833
8 th Payment Date after 4 th Anniversary
17,776,667
9 th Payment Date after 4 th Anniversary
17,707,500
10 th Payment Date after 4 th Anniversary
17,638,333
11 th Payment Date after 4 th Anniversary
17,569,167
Charter Period Expiry Date
17,500,000

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SCHEDULE II
Conditions Precedent
1.
Security Parties

(a)
certified copy of the constitutional documents of each Security Party including Certificate of Incorporation, and Memorandum and Articles of Association (or equivalent in its place of incorporation);

(b)
certified copy of resolutions of the board of directors of each Security Party, approving the execution of this Charter and the Security Documents to which it is a party and authorizing a person or persons to execute the same under seal (where appropriate), and any other notices and documents required in connection therewith, and the specimen signature(s) of such person(s);

(c)
original of the power of attorney of each person authorised to execute this Charter or any of the Security Documents on behalf of each Security Party; and

(d)
a certificate of a duly authorised officer of each Security Party certifying that each copy document relating to it specified in this Schedule II is correct, complete and in full force and effect and setting out the names of the directors, officers and shareholders of that Security Party and the proportion of shares held by each shareholder; and
2.
Security Documents
Duly executed originals of:

(a)
the Charterer Account Security Deed;

(b)
the General Assignment;

(c)
the Share Charge;

(d)
the Guarantees; and

(e)
the Manager’s Undertaking.
3.
Legal Opinions

(a)
an English legal opinion addressed to the Owners in such form and substance satisfactory to the Owners;

(b)
a Marshall Islands legal opinion addressed to the Owners in such form and substance satisfactory to the Owners; and

(c)
such other legal opinions as the Owners may require.
4.
Other documents and evidence

(a)
evidence that the Ship Registry of the Flag State has issued a letter acknowledging this Charter (if available);

(b)
all notices, consents, acknowledgements and other documents required to be received, given or exchanged pursuant to the Security Documents having been duly executed in the agreed forms;
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(c)
receipt by the Owners of all the documents that shall be delivered to the Owners under the Share Charge and any other Security Documents;

(d)
evidence that the Delivery Costs, the Advance Hire and the Charterers Arrangement Fee which is due and payable having been paid in accordance with the relevant provisions of this Charter;

(e)
evidence that full payment by the Charterers of all the legal fees with respect to the preparation, negotiation, execution and delivery of this Charter and the Transaction Documents;

(f)
evidence that the Vessel is, or immediately following the Delivery Date will be, insured in accordance with the provisions of this Charter and that all requirements of Clause 48 of this Charter in respect of such Insurances have been complied with;

(g)
if required by the Owners or the Mortgagee, a satisfactory opinion from an insurance consultants approved by the Owners on the insurances effected or to be effected on the Vessel pursuant to the provisions of this Charter;

(h)
evidence that the Vessel is classified and maintained in the highest class (free of outstanding recommendations or conditions of class) with the Classification Society;

(i)
such evidence as the Owners and/or the Mortgagee may require of the Charterers’ compliance with the ISM Code, the ISPS Code and MARPOL and all other international code, convention, regulation applicable to the Vessel;

(j)
the Vessel’s current Tonnage Certificate and International Load Line Certificate;

(k)
the Vessel’s current Cargo Ship Safety Construction, Safety Equipment and Safety Radio Certificates;

(l)
the Vessel’s current Minimum Safe Manning Document;

(m)
the Vessel’s current Safety Management Certificate (SMC) under the ISM Code;

(n)
the Manager’s current Document of Compliance (DOC) under the ISM Code;

(o)
the Vessel’s current International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC);

(p)
the Vessel’s current International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate (IAPPC) in respect of the Vessel, International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate (IOPP Certificate) and International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate (ISPP Certificate);

(q)
a certified true copy of each Project Document and evidence that the Vessel has been delivered to the Sub-Charterer under the Sub-Charter; and

(r)
an amount of not less than the Minimum Balance has been paid into the Charterer Account.
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SCHEDULE III
Loss Payable Clauses
LOSS PAYABLE CLAUSE (for Hull & Machinery)
By a bareboat charter made by [ ] (“Owner”) and [ ] (“Charterer”) in respect of chartering of m.v. Nord Valiant (“ Vessel ”), the Owner and the Charterer hereby agree:
(a)
that in the event of actual or constructive or compromised or arranged total loss of the Vessel the proceeds of insurance shall be paid first to the Owner;
(b)
that all other losses not exceeding US$300,000 (United States Dollars Three Hundred Thousand) shall be paid to the Charterer or its order and if the Underwriters or Insurers shall have been so notified by the Owner, then such losses shall be paid to the Owner; and
(c)
that all other losses exceeding US$300,000 (United States Dollars Three Hundred Thousand) shall be paid to the Owner unless the Owner consents in writing to such payment being made directly to the repairers on account of repairs in the course of being effected.
LOSS PAYABLE CLAUSE (for P&I)
“Payment of any recovery which any managers or demise Charterer of m.v. Nord Valiant (“ Vessel ”) is entitled to make out of the funds of the Association in respect of any liability, costs or expenses incurred by it shall be made to any managers or demise Charterer of the Vessel or to its order unless and until the Association receives notice from [ ] (the “ Owner ”) that demise Charterer of the Vessel is in a default which is continuing under the bareboat charter dated [.]in respect of the Vessel, in which event all recoveries shall thereafter be paid to the Owner or to its order; provided always that no liability whatsoever shall attach to the Association, its Managers or their agents for failure to comply with the latter obligation until after the expiry of two (2) clear business days from the receipt of such notice.”
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SCHEDULE IV
Form of Protocol of Delivery and Acceptance Certificate
PROTOCOL OF DELIVERY AND ACCEPTANCE
FOR M.V. “NORD VALIANT”
m.v. “ Nord Valiant ” (IMO No.: [ ], the “ Vessel ”) was delivered to and accepted by [ ] of the Marshall Islands (the “ Charterer ”) as charterer of the Vessel, pursuant to the Bareboat Charterparty dated [ ] and made between [ ] of Hong Kong (the “ Owner ”) as Owner of the Vessel and the Charterer, at ____ : _____ hours (Beijing Time) on [date]. for and on behalf of Ownerfor and on behalf of Charterer
for and on behalf of Owner
[ ]
 
for and on behalf of Charterer
[ ]
 
       
       
       
       
Name:
Title:
 
Name:
Title:
 
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SCHEDULE V
Owners’ Costs Schedule
Date
Owners’ Costs (US$)
Fixed Hire (US$)
Delivery Date
21,655,000
 
15 January 2019
21,595,367
59,633
15 February 2019
21,535,396
59,971
15 March 2019
21,480,922
54,474
15 April 2019
21,420,304
60,618
15 May 2019
21,361,310
58,995
15 June 2019
21,300,015
61,295
15 July 2019
21,240,362
59,653
15 August 2019
21,178,383
61,979
15 September 2019
21,116,054
62,329
15 October 2019
21,055,394
60,660
15 November 2019
20,992,369
63,025
15 December 2019
20,931,032
61,337
15 January 2020
20,867,303
63,729
15 February 2020
20,803,214
64,089
15 March 2020
20,742,921
60,293
15 April 2020
20,678,128
64,793
15 May 2020
20,615,071
63,057
15 June 2020
20,549,555
65,516
15 July 2020
20,485,794
63,761
15 August 2020
20,419,547
66,247
15 September 2020
20,352,925
66,622
15 October 2020
20,288,088
64,837
15 November 2020
20,220,722
67,365
15 December 2020
20,155,161
65,561
15 January 2021
20,087,044
68,117
15 February 2021
20,018,542
68,503
15 March 2021
19,956,318
62,223
15 April 2021
19,887,076
69,242
15 May 2021
19,819,689
67,387
15 June 2021
19,749,674
70,015
15 July 2021
19,681,534
68,140
15 August 2021
19,610,738
70,796
15 September 2021
19,539,541
71,197
15 October 2021
19,470,251
69,290
15 November 2021
19,398,260
71,991
15 December 2021
19,328,197
70,063
15 January 2022
19,255,402
72,795
15 February 2022
19,182,195
73,207
15 March 2022
19,115,699
66,496
15 April 2022
19,041,702
73,997

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Date
Owners’ Costs (US$)
Fixed Hire (US$)
15 May 2022
18,969,687
72,015
15 June 2022
18,894,864
74,823
15 July 2022
18,822,045
72,819
15 August 2022
18,746,387
75,658
15 September 2022
18,670,301
76,086
15 October 2022
18,596,253
74,048
15 November 2022
18,519,317
76,935
15 December 2022
18,444,443
74,875
15 January 2023
18,366,649
77,794
15 February 2023
18,288,415
78,234
15 March 2023
18,217,352
71,063
15 April 2023
18,138,274
79,078
15 May 2023
18,061,313
76,960
15 June 2023
17,981,352
79,961
15 July 2023
17,903,533
77,819
15 August 2023
17,822,679
80,854
15 September 2023
17,741,368
81,311
15 October 2023
17,662,235
79,133
15 November 2023
17,580,016
82,219
15 December 2023
17,500,000
80,016

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SCHEDULE VI
Adjustment Schedule
Daily Charter Rate: USD3,847 per day
Payment Date / Early Termination Date / Purchase Option Date
Hire (USD)
Fixed Hire (USD)
Variable Hire (USD)
Owners’ Costs (USD)
Repurchase Price (USD)
Early Termination Amount (USD)
24 th Payment Date
     
18,155,161
N/A
19,101,667
25 th Payment Date
119,269
16,812
102,458
18,138,350
N/A
18,995,278
26 th Payment Date
119,269
16,907
102,363
18,121,443
N/A
18,888,889
27 th Payment Date
107,727
15,357
92,371
18,106,086
N/A
18,782,500
28 th Payment Date
119,269
17,089
102,181
18,088,997
N/A
18,676,111
29 th Payment Date
115,422
16,631
98,791
18,072,367
N/A
18,569,722
30 th Payment Date
119,269
17,279
101,990
18,055,087
N/A
18,463,333
31 st Payment Date
115,422
16,816
98,606
18,038,271
N/A
18,356,944
32 nd Payment Date
119,269
17,471
101,798
18,020,800
N/A
18,250,556
33 rd Payment Date
119,269
17,570
101,699
18,003,230
N/A
18,144,167
34 th Payment Date
115,422
17,099
98,323
17,986,131
N/A
18,037,778
35 th Payment Date
119,269
17,766
101,504
17,968,365
N/A
17,931,389
36 th Payment Date
115,422
17,290
98,132
17,951,075
17,825,000
N/A
37 th Payment Date
119,269
17,964
101,306
17,933,112
17,933,112
N/A
38 th Payment Date
119,269
18,065
101,205
17,915,047
17,915,047
N/A
39 th Payment Date
107,727
16,409
91,318
17,898,638
17,898,638
N/A
40 th Payment Date
119,269
18,259
101,010
17,880,378
17,880,378
N/A
41 st Payment Date
115,422
17,770
97,652
17,862,608
17,862,608
N/A
42 nd Payment Date
119,269
18,463
100,807
17,844,145
17,844,145
N/A
43 rd Payment Date
115,422
17,968
97,454
17,826,177
17,826,177
N/A
44 th Payment Date
119,269
18,668
100,601
17,807,509
17,807,509
N/A
45 th Payment Date
119,269
18,774
100,496
17,788,735
17,788,735
N/A

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Payment Date / Early Termination Date / Purchase Option Date
Hire (USD)
Fixed Hire (USD)
Variable Hire (USD)
Owners’ Costs (USD)
Repurchase Price (USD)
Early Termination Amount (USD)
46 th Payment Date
115,422
18,271
97,151
17,770,464
17,770,464
N/A
47 th Payment Date
119,269
18,983
100,287
17,751,481
17,751,481
N/A
4 th Anniversary
115,422
18,474
96,948
17,733,007
17,733,007
N/A
49 th Payment Date
119,269
19,194
100,075
17,713,813
17,713,813
N/A
50 th Payment Date
119,269
19,303
99,967
17,694,511
17,694,511
N/A
51 st Payment Date
107,727
17,533
90,194
17,676,978
17,676,978
N/A
52 nd Payment Date
119,269
19,510
99,759
17,657,467
17,657,467
N/A
53 rd Payment Date
115,422
18,988
96,434
17,638,480
17,638,480
N/A
54 th Payment Date
119,269
19,728
99,542
17,618,752
17,618,752
N/A
55 th Payment Date
115,422
19,199
96,223
17,599,553
17,599,553
N/A
56 th Payment Date
119,269
19,947
99,322
17,579,605
17,579,605
N/A
57 th Payment Date
119,269
20,060
99,210
17,559,546
17,559,546
N/A
58 th Payment Date
115,422
19,522
95,900
17,540,023
17,540,023
N/A
59 th Payment Date
119,269
20,283
98,986
17,519,740
17,519,740
N/A
60 th Payment Date
115,422
19,740
95,682
17,500,000
N/A
N/A

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SCHEDULE VII
Early Termination Amount Schedule
Early Termination Date
Early Termination Amount (US$)
Delivery Date
21,655,000
1 st Payment Date after Delivery Date
21,584,861
2 nd Payment Date after Delivery Date
21,514,722
3 rd Payment Date after Delivery Date
21,444,583
4 th Payment Date after Delivery Date
21,374,444
5 th Payment Date after Delivery Date
21,304,306
6 th Payment Date after Delivery Date
21,234,167
7 th Payment Date after Delivery Date
21,164,028
8 th Payment Date after Delivery Date
21,093,889
9 th Payment Date after Delivery Date
21,023,750
10 th Payment Date after Delivery Date
20,953,611
11 th Payment Date after Delivery Date
20,883,472
1 st Anniversary
20,813,333
1 st Payment Date after 1 st Anniversary
20,743,194
2 nd Payment Date after 1 st Anniversary
20,673,056
3 rd Payment Date after 1 st Anniversary
20,602,917
4 th Payment Date after 1 st Anniversary
20,532,778
5 th Payment Date after 1 st Anniversary
20,462,639
6 th Payment Date after 1 st Anniversary
20,392,500
7 th Payment Date after 1 st Anniversary
20,322,361
8 th Payment Date after 1 st Anniversary
20,252,222
9 th Payment Date after 1 st Anniversary
20,182,083
10 th Payment Date after 1 st Anniversary
20,111,944
11 th Payment Date after 1 st Anniversary
20,041,806
2 nd Anniversary
19,971,667

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Early Termination Date
Early Termination Amount (US$)
1 st Payment Date after 2 nd Anniversary
19,901,528
2 nd Payment Date after 2 nd Anniversary
19,831,389
3 rd Payment Date after 2 nd Anniversary
19,761,250
4 th Payment Date after 2 nd Anniversary
19,691,111
5 th Payment Date after 2 nd Anniversary
19,620,972
6 th Payment Date after 2 nd Anniversary
19,550,833
7 th Payment Date after 2 nd Anniversary
19,480,694
8 th Payment Date after 2 nd Anniversary
19,410,556
9 th Payment Date after 2 nd Anniversary
19,340,417
10 th Payment Date after 2 nd Anniversary
19,270,278
11 th Payment Date after 2 nd Anniversary
19,200,139

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EXECUTION
For and on behalf of the Owners
XIANG T89 HK INTERNATIONAL SHIP LEASE CO., LIMITED
 
For and on behalf of the Charterers
MONTE CARLO LAX SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED
 
       
       
       
/s/ Lu Zhendong
 
/s/ Andreas M. Louka
 
Name:
Lu Zhendong
 
Name:
Andreas M. Louka
 
Title:
Director
 
Title:
Attorney-in-fact
 



68
Exhibit 4.98
Dated     21 December 2018
TOP SHIPS INC.
(as Guarantor)
- and -
XIANG T89 HK INTERNATIONAL SHIP LEASE CO., LIMITED
(as Owner)
 

GUARANTEE

 

Hong Kong


CONTENTS
Clause
 
Page

1
DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION
1
     
2
GUARANTEE AND INDEMNITY
3
     
3
GUARANTEE PERIOD
7
     
4
PAYMENTS AND TAXES
7
     
5
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
8
     
6
UNDERTAKINGS
11
     
7
SET-OFF
13
     
8
BENEFIT OF THIS GUARANTEE
13
     
9
NOTICES AND OTHER MATTERS
13
     
10
GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION
15
     
EXECUTION PAGE
17



THIS GUARANTEE (this “ Guarantee ”) is dated    21 December 2018    and made
BETWEEN:
1.
TOP SHIPS INC. , a company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Marshall Islands with its registered address at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Majuro, Marshall Islands NH96960 (the “ Guarantor ”); and
2.
XIANG T89 HK INTERNATIONAL SHIP LEASE CO., LIMITED , a company incorporated under the laws of Hong Kong with its registered address at 1/F., Far East Consortium Building, 121 Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong (the “ Owner ”) which expression includes its successors in title, permitted assigns and permitted transferees.
WHEREAS:
(A)
By a bareboat charterparty dated 21 December 2018 (the “ Bareboat Charterparty ”) and made between the Owner and MONTE CARLO LAX SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED (the “ Charterer ”), the Owner has agreed to let and the Charterer has agreed to take one m.t. “NORD VALIANT” on demise charter upon the terms and conditions therein mentioned.
(B)
As a condition precedent to the Bareboat Charterparty, the Guarantor has granted this Guarantee in favour of the Owner.
IT IS AGREED as follows:
1
DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION
1.1
Defined expressions
Words and expressions whose meanings are defined in the Bareboat Charterparty shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the same meanings where used in this Guarantee.
1.2
Definitions
In this Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires:
Collateral Instruments ” means notes, bills of exchange, certificates of deposit and other negotiable and non-negotiable instruments and guarantees relating to any indebtedness or liabilities of the Charterer or any other person liable and includes any documents or instruments creating or evidencing a mortgage, charge (whether fixed or floating), pledge, lien, hypothecation, assignment, trust arrangement or security interest of any kind.
GAAP ” means general accepted accounting principles as effective from time to time in the United States of America.
Guarantee ” includes each separate or independent stipulation or agreement by the Guarantor contained in this Guarantee.
Guaranteed Liabilities ” means any and all indebtedness, obligations and liabilities (whether actual or contingent, whether as principal, surety or otherwise, whether now existing or hereafter arising, whether or not for the payment of money, and including, without limitation, any obligation or liability to pay
1


damages) of the Security Parties owing and/or payable to the Owner under the Transaction Documents.
Guarantee Period ” means the period beginning on the date of this Guarantee and ending on the date on which all the Guaranteed Liabilities and all obligations (whether actual or contingent) under or in connection with this Guarantee have been unconditionally and irrevocably paid and discharged in full.
Indebtedness ” means any obligation howsoever arising (whether present or future, actual or contingent, secured or unsecured as principal, surety or otherwise) for the payment or repayment of money.
Pertinent Jurisdiction ” means the Republic of Marshall Islands or any jurisdiction in which or where the Guarantor is resident, is domiciled, established, incorporated, organized, have a permanent establishment, carries on, or has a place of business or is otherwise howsoever effectively connected.
Required Authorisation ” means any authorisation, consent, declaration, licence, permit, exemption, approval or other document, whether imposed by or arising in connection with any law, regulation, custom, contract, security or otherwise howsoever which must be obtained at any time from any person, government entity or central bank or other self-regulating or supra-national authority in order to enable the Guarantor to lawfully and continuously continue its corporate existence and/or perform all its obligations whatsoever whensoever arising and/or grant security under the relevant Transaction Documents and/or to ensure the continuous validity and enforceability thereof.
Restricted Party ” means a person or entity that is (i) listed on any Sanctions List; (ii) a national of, located in, incorporated under the laws of, or owned or (directly or indirectly) controlled by, or acting on behalf of, a person located in or organised under Iran; or (iii) otherwise a target of Sanctions (“target of Sanctions” signifying a person with whom a US person or other national of Sanctions Authority would be prohibited or restricted by law from engaging in trade, business or other activities).
Sanctions ” means the economic sanction laws, regulations, embargoes or restrictive measures administered, enacted or enforced by: (i) the United States; (ii) the United Nations; (iii) the European Union or its Member States, including, without limitation, the United Kingdom; (iv) the People’s Republic of China, or (v) the respective governmental institutions and agencies of any of the foregoing, including, without limitation, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of Treasury (“ OFAC ”), the United States Department of state and Her Majesty’s Treasury (“ HMT ”); (together, the “ Sanctions Authorities ”).
Sanctions List ” means the “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” list maintained by the OFAC, or any similar list maintained by, or public announcement of Sanctions designation made by, any of the Sanctions Authorities.
1.3
Construction
In this Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires:
1.3.1
clause headings and the index are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall be ignored in the construction of this Guarantee;
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1.3.2
the rules of interpretation contained in the Bareboat Charterparty shall apply mutatis mutandis to the construction of this Guarantee;
1.3.3
references to a “ regulation ” include any present or future regulation, rule, directive, requirement, request or guideline (whether or not having the force of law) of any government entity, central bank or any self-regulatory or other supra-national authority;
1.3.4
references to any person in or party to this Guarantee shall include reference to such person’s lawful successors and assigns and references to the Owner shall also include a transferee;
1.3.5
references to a “ guarantee ” include references to an indemnity or any other kind of assurance whatsoever (including, without limitation, any kind of negotiable instrument, bill or note) against financial loss or other liability including, without limitation, an obligation to purchase assets or services as a consequence of a default by any other person to pay any Indebtedness and “ guaranteed ” shall be construed accordingly;
1.3.6
a certificate by the Owner as to any amount due or calculation made or any matter whatsoever determined in connection with this Guarantee shall be conclusive and binding on the Guarantor except for manifest error;
1.3.7
if any document, term or other matter or thing is required to be approved, agreed or consented to by the Owner such approval, agreement or consent must be obtained in writing unless the contrary is stated; and
1.3.8
time shall be of the essence in respect of all obligations whatsoever of the Guarantor under this Guarantee, howsoever and whensoever arising.
1.4
Third party rights
A person who is not a party to this Guarantee shall have no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce or enjoy the benefit of any term of this Guarantee.
2
GUARANTEE AND INDEMNITY
2.1
Guarantor as principal debtor; indemnity
2.1.1
The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally:

(a)
guarantees to the Owner the due and punctual observance and performance of all the obligations of the Security Parties under the Transaction Documents and the due and punctual payment of all the Guaranteed Liabilities; and

(b)
undertakes with the Owner that whenever any Security Party does not pay any amount of the Guaranteed Obligations when due, the Guarantor shall immediately on demand pay that amount as if it were the principal obligor; and

(c)
indemnifies the Owner immediately on demand against any cost, loss or liability suffered by the Owner if any obligation guaranteed by it (or anything which would have been an obligation if not unenforceable, invalid or illegal) is or becomes unenforceable, invalid or illegal. The
3


amount of the cost, loss or liability shall be equal to the amount which the Owner would otherwise have been entitled to recover.
2.2
No security taken by Guarantor
The Guarantor warrants to the Owner that it has not taken or received, and undertakes, for so long as this Guarantee remains in force, not to take or receive the benefit of any security from the Charterer or any other person in respect of or extending to the Guaranteed Liabilities.
2.3
Interest
Any amount due to the Owner under this Guarantee shall bear interest from the date of demand until actual payment (both before and after judgment) at the rate of 2% per annum. Any interest payable under this Guarantee shall accrue from day to day and shall be calculated on the actual number of days on the basis of a year of three hundred and sixty (360) days and shall be compounded at such intervals as the Owner shall determine and shall be payable upon demand.
2.4
Continuing security and other matters
This Guarantee is a continuing security and shall:
2.4.1
secure the ultimate balance of the Guaranteed Liabilities from time to time owing to the Owner by any Security Party notwithstanding any settlement of account or other matter whatsoever;
2.4.2
be in addition to and shall not merge with or otherwise prejudice or affect any present or future Collateral Instrument, right or remedy now or hereafter held by or available to the Owner; and
2.4.3
not be in any way prejudiced or affected by the existence of any such Collateral Instrument, rights or remedies or by the same becoming wholly or in part void, voidable or unenforceable on any ground whatsoever or by the Owner dealing with, exchanging, varying or failing to perfect or enforce any of the same or giving time for payment or indulgence or compounding with any other person liable.
2.5
Waiver of Defences
2.5.1
The Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that none of the Guaranteed Liabilities shall be reduced, released or otherwise howsoever adversely affected by any circumstances, event, action, matter or thing whatsoever, howsoever arising, including, without limitation:

(a)
any renewal, variation, determination or increase in any accommodation or credit given by the Owner to any Security Party;

(b)
any time or waiver granted to or composition with any Security Party or any other person;

(c)
any variation, extension, release, discharge, compromise, dealing with, exchange or renewal of any right or remedy which the Owner may now or hereafter have from or against any Security Party and any other person in respect of any of the obligations and liabilities of any Security Party and any other person;
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(d)
any act or omission by the Owner or any other person in taking up, perfecting or enforcing any security or guarantee from or against any Security Party and any other person;

(e)
the administration, insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation, winding-up, incapacity, limitation, disability or the discharge by operation of law of any Security Party or any change in the constitution, name and style of any Security Party or any other person; or

(f)
any invalidity, irregularity, unenforceability, act or omission which might have discharged or affected the liability of the Guarantor had it been a mere surety in respect of the Guaranteed Liabilities or by anything done or omitted by any person which but for this provision might operate to exonerate or discharge the Guarantor or otherwise reduce or extinguish its liability under this Guarantee.
2.5.2
Without prejudice to the generality of Clause 2.5.1, the Guarantor expressly confirms that it intends that its obligations under this Guarantee and the guarantee and indemnity contained in it shall extend from time to time any variation, increase, extension or addition (in each case, however fundamentally) of or to any Transaction Document.
2.6
Additional Security
This Guarantee is in addition to and is not in any way prejudiced by any other guarantee or security now or subsequently held by the Owner.
2.7
Collateral Instruments
It shall not be obliged to make any claim or demand on any Security Party or to resort to any Collateral Instrument or other means of payment now or hereafter held by or available to it before enforcing this Guarantee and no action taken or omitted by the Owner in connection with any such Collateral Instrument or other means of payment shall discharge, reduce, prejudice or affect the liability of the Guarantor under this Guarantee nor shall the Owner be obliged to apply any money or other property received or recovered in consequence of any enforcement or realisation of any such Collateral Instrument or other means of payment in reduction of the Guaranteed Liabilities.
2.8
Non-Competition
Until all the Guaranteed Liabilities have been irrevocably paid, discharged or satisfied in full (and notwithstanding payment of a dividend in any liquidation or under any compromise or arrangement) the Guarantor shall not by virtue of any payment made, security realised, or monies received for or on account of the Guarantor’s liability hereunder:
2.8.1
be subrogated to any rights, security or monies held, received or receivable by the Owner or be entitled to any right of contribution;
2.8.2
be entitled and shall not claim to rank as creditor against the assets or in the bankruptcy or liquidation of any Security Party in competition with the Owner or from any other person liable or demand or accept any Collateral Instrument in respect of the same or dispose of the same;
2.8.3
take any step to enforce any right against any Security Party or any other person liable in respect of any Guaranteed Liabilities; or
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2.8.4
claim any set off or counterclaim against any Security Party or any other person liable or claim or prove in competition with the Owner in the liquidation of any Security Parties or any other person liable or have the benefit of, or share in, any payment from or composition with, any Security Party or any other person liable or any other Collateral Instrument now or hereafter held by the Owner for any Guaranteed Liabilities or for the obligations or liabilities of any other person liable but so that, if so directed by the Owner, it will prove for the whole or any part of its claim in the liquidation of any Security Party or any other person liable on terms that the benefit of such proof and of all money received by it in respect thereof shall be held on trust for the Owner and applied in or towards discharge of the Guaranteed Liabilities in such manner as the Owner shall deem appropriate.
2.9
Suspense accounts
Any money received in connection with this Guarantee may be placed and kept to the credit of a suspense account for so long as the Owner thinks fit, without any obligation to apply any part towards the discharge of any Guaranteed Liabilities. Notwithstanding any such payment in any proceedings in (or analogous to) bankruptcy, liquidation, administration, composition or arrangement the Owner may prove for and agree to accept any dividend or composition in respect of the whole or any part of the Guaranteed Liabilities as if this Guarantee had not been given.
2.10
New accounts
If for any reason this Guarantee ceases to be a continuing guarantee for the Owner, the Owner may either continue any then existing account(s) with the Guarantor or open one or more new accounts for the Guarantor, but in any such case the Guarantor’s obligations under this Guarantee shall remain unaffected by, and be calculated without regard to, any payment into and out of any such account after this Guarantee has ceased to be a continuing guarantee.
2.11
Settlements conditional
Any release, discharge or settlement between any of the Guarantor and the Owner shall be conditional upon no security, disposition or payment to the Owner by any Security Party or any other person liable being void, set aside or ordered to be refunded pursuant to any enactment or law relating to bankruptcy, liquidation, administration or insolvency or administration or for any other reason whatsoever and if such condition shall not be fulfilled the Owner shall be entitled to enforce this Guarantee subsequently as if such release, discharge or settlement had not occurred and any such payment had not been made.
2.12
Guarantor to pay and deliver up certain property
If, contrary to clauses 2.2, 2.8 or otherwise, the Guarantor takes or receives the benefit of any Security Interest or receives or recovers any money or other property, from any Security Party such Security Interest, money or other property shall be held on trust for the Owner and shall be delivered or paid, as appropriate to the Owner on demand.
2.13
Retention of this Guarantee
Any discharge, releases or reassignment by the Owner of any of the security constituted by, or any of the obligation of the Charterer contained in, any of the Transaction Documents shall be (and be deemed always to have been) void if any act (including, without limitation, any payment) as a result of which such
6


discharge, release or reassignment was given or made is subsequently wholly or partially rescinded or avoided by operation by any law. GUARANTEE PERIOD
This Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect as a continuing guarantee for the duration of the Guarantee Period.
3
PAYMENTS AND TAXES
3.1
Time for payment
All amounts payable by the Guarantor under or pursuant to this Guarantee shall be paid to such accounts at such banks as the Owner may from time to time direct to the Guarantor in US$ in same day funds for immediate value. Payment shall be deemed to have been received by the Owner on the date on which the Owner receives authenticated advice of receipt, unless that advice is received by the Owner on a day other than a Banking Day or at a time of day (whether on a Banking Day or not) when the Owner in its discretion considers that it is impossible or impracticable for the Owner to utilise the amount received for value that same day, in which event the payment in question shall be deemed to have been received by the Owner on the Banking Day next following the date of receipt of advice by the Owner.
3.2
No set-off or counter claim
All payments to be made by the Guarantor pursuant to this Guarantee shall, subject only to Clause 3.3, be made free and clear of and without deduction for or on account of any taxes or other deductions, withholdings, restrictions, conditions or counterclaims of any nature.
3.3
Grossing up for Taxes
If at any time any law requires (or is interpreted to require) the Guarantor to make any deduction or withholding from any payment, or to change the rate or manner in which any required deduction or withholding is made, the Guarantor will promptly notify the Owner and, simultaneously with making that payment, will pay to the Owner whatever additional amount (after taking into account any additional taxes on, or deductions or withholdings from, or restrictions or conditions on, that additional amount) is necessary to ensure that, after making the deduction or withholding, the Owner receives a net sum equal to the sum which it would have received had no deduction or withholding been made. If at any time the Guarantor is required by law to make any deduction or withholding from any payment to be made by it, the Guarantor will pay the amount required to be deducted or withheld to the relevant authority within the time allowed under the applicable law and will, no later than thirty days after making that payment, deliver to the Owner an original receipt issued by the relevant authority, or other evidence acceptable to the Owner, evidencing the payment to that authority of all amounts required to be deducted or withheld.
3.4
Currency Indemnity
If, under any applicable law or regulation, and whether pursuant to a judgment being made or registered against the Guarantor or the liquidation of the Guarantor or for any other reason whatsoever, any payment under or in connection with this Guarantee is made or falls to be made in a currency (the “ payment currency ”) other than the currency in which such payment is due under or in connection with this Guarantee (the “ contractual currency ”) then to the extent that the amount of such payment actually received by the Owner,
7


when converted into the contractual currency at the rate of exchange, falls short of the amount due under or in connection with this Guarantee, the Guarantor, as a separate and independent obligation, shall indemnify and hold harmless the Owner against the amount of such shortfall. For the purpose of this Clause “rate of exchange” means the rate at which the Owner is able on or about the date of such payment to purchase the contractual currency with the payment currency and shall take into account any premium and other costs of exchange with respect thereto.
4
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
4.1
Continuing Representations and Warranties
The Guarantor represents and warrants on the date of this Guarantee that:
4.1.1
Due incorporation

the Guarantor is duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction and incorporation, has the power to own its assets and carry on its business as it is being conducted;
4.1.2
Insolvency

the Guarantor is not insolvent or in bankruptcy or subject to any other insolvency procedure, and no receiver, trustee or analogous officer has been appointed in respect of the Guarantor or all or any part of its assets;
4.1.3
Power to guarantee

the Guarantor has the power to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under, and has taken all necessary action (corporate or otherwise) to authorise its execution, delivery and performance of, this Guarantee; no limit on the powers of the Guarantor will be exceeded as a result of the borrowing, grant of security, or giving of guarantees or indemnities contemplated by this Guarantee;
4.1.4
Binding obligations

this Guarantee has been duly executed and delivered by the Guarantor and the obligations expressed to be assumed by the Guarantor in this Guarantee are valid, legal, binding and enforceable obligations;
4.1.5
No conflict with other obligations
the execution and delivery of, the performance of its obligations under, and compliance with the terms of this Guarantee by the Guarantor will not:

(a)
contravene any existing applicable law, statute, rule or regulation or any judgment, decree or permit to which the Guarantor is subject; or

(b)
conflict with, or result in any breach of any of the terms of, or constitute a default under, any agreement or other instrument to which the Guarantor is a party or is subject or by which it or any of its assets is bound; or

(c)
contravene or conflict with any provision of any articles of association, articles of incorporation, by-laws, statutes or other constitutional documents of the Guarantor; or
8



(d)
result in the creation or imposition of or oblige the Guarantor to create any Security Interest, other than as permitted by the Owner on any of the undertakings, assets, rights or revenues of the Guarantor;
4.1.6
Validity and admissibility in evidence
all consents and authorisations required or desirable:

(a)
to enable it lawfully to enter into, exercise its rights and comply with its obligations under this Guarantee;

(b)
to ensure that the obligations expressed to be assumed by it in this Guarantee are valid, legally binding and enforceable; and

(c)
to make this Guarantee admissible in evidence in the jurisdiction of its incorporation,
have been obtained or effected and are in full force and effect;
4.1.7
No litigation
no proceedings are current, pending or threatened against the Guarantor or its assets which could have a material adverse effect on the business, assets or financial condition of the Guarantor;
4.1.8
Financial statements correct and complete
the latest financial statements of the Guarantor, and the consolidated financial statements of the Guarantor in respect of the relevant financial year shall be delivered to the Owner in accordance with Clause 5.1.7. Such statement represents and will represent that as at the end of such financial period to which the relevant financial statements relate, the Guarantor will not have had any significant liabilities (contingent or otherwise) or any unrealised or anticipated losses which are not disclosed by, or reserved against or provided for in, such financial statements and, further, each set of financial statements delivered to the Owner pursuant to the terms of this Guarantee shall fairly represent its financial condition as at the date as at which those financial statements were drawn up and that each set of financial statements delivered is prepared using GAAP;
4.1.9
Sanctions
no Security Party is a Restricted Party nor has any Security Party or any of their respective directors, officers or employees or any person acting on their behalf received notice or are aware of any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation against any of them with respect to Sanctions by a Sanctions Authority;
4.1.10
Registration Requirements
it is not necessary to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of this Guarantee that it or any other instrument be notarised, filed, recorded, registered or enrolled in any court, public office or elsewhere in any Pertinent Jurisdiction or that any stamp, registration or similar tax or charge be paid in any Pertinent Jurisdiction on or in relation to this Guarantee and this Guarantee is in proper form for its enforcement in the courts of each Pertinent Jurisdiction;
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4.1.11
Choice of law
the choice of English law to govern this Guarantee and the submission herein by the Guarantor to the English arbitration and performance of associated obligations are valid and binding;
4.1.12
No immunity
neither the Guarantor nor any of its assets is entitled to immunity on the grounds of sovereignty or otherwise from any legal action or proceeding;
4.1.13
Consents obtained
all Required Authorisations have been obtained and remain in full force and effect and the Guarantor is not aware of any event or circumstance which could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the right of the Guarantor to hold and/or obtain renewal of any such Required Authorisations;
4.1.14
Pari passu
the obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee are its direct, general and unconditional obligations ranking at least pari passu with all other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated Indebtedness of the Guarantor; and
4.1.15
Default lists
the Guarantor is not on any caution list or list of defaulters of any credit information company or under investigation by any investigation/ enforcement agency or regulatory body.
4.2
Initial Representations and Warranties
The Guarantor further represents and warrants that:
4.2.1
No default under other Indebtedness
the Guarantor is not (nor would with the giving of notice or lapse of time or the satisfaction of any other condition or any combination thereof be) in breach of or in default under any agreement relating to Indebtedness to which it is a party or by which it may be bound;
4.2.2
Information
all information whatsoever provided by the Guarantor to the Owner in connection with the negotiation and preparation of this Guarantee is true and accurate in all material respects and not misleading, does not omit material facts and all reasonable enquiries have been made to verify the facts and statements contained therein; there are no other facts the omission of which would make any fact or statement therein misleading;
4.2.3
No withholding Taxes
no Taxes anywhere are imposed howsoever by withholding or otherwise on any payment to be made by the Guarantor under this Guarantee or are imposed on or by virtue of the execution or delivery by the Guarantor of this Guarantee or any other document or instrument to be executed or delivered under this Guarantee; and
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4.2.4
No Default
no Default has occurred.
4.3
Repetition of Representations and Warranties
On each day from the date of this Guarantee until all monies due or owing by any Security Party under the Transaction Documents and/or by the Guarantor under this Guarantee have been paid in full, the Guarantor shall be deemed to repeat the representations and warranties in Clause 4.1 as if made with reference to the facts and circumstances existing on each such day.
5
UNDERTAKINGS
5.1
General
The Guarantor undertakes that, from the date of this Guarantee and so long as any monies are owing under this Guarantee, it will:
5.1.1
Compliance with laws
comply in all respects with all laws to which it may be subject, if failure so to comply would have a Material Adverse Effect;
5.1.2
Sanctions
guarantee and undertake from the date of this Guarantee, neither it nor any company that is directly or indirectly owned and controlled by the Guarantor is a Restricted Party;
5.1.3
Notice of Termination Event
promptly notify the Owner as soon as the Guarantor becomes aware of a Termination Event in the Bareboat Charterparty or any occurrence which might adversely affect its ability to perform its obligations under this Guarantee and will from time to time, if so requested by the Owner, confirm to the Owner in writing that, save as otherwise stated in such confirmation, no Termination Event in the Bareboat Charterparty has occurred and is continuing;
5.1.4
Consents and licences
without prejudice to Clause 4.1, obtain or cause to be obtained, maintain in full force and effect and comply in all material respects with the conditions and restrictions (if any) imposed in, or in connection with, every Required Authorisation and do, or cause to be done, all other acts and things which may from time to time be necessary or desirable under applicable law for the continued due performance of all of its obligations under this Guarantee;
5.1.5
Perfection and protection of Guarantee
as soon as reasonably practicable, execute all such documents (including notices), effect all such registrations and filings, deposit all such documents and do all such things as the Owner may reasonably require in order to facilitate the enforcement of this Guarantee or the exercise of any rights held by the Owner under this Guarantee;
5.1.6
Other information
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deliver to the Owner all other information financial or otherwise concerning the Guarantor and its affairs which the Owner may reasonably require from time to time including but not limited to the following:

(a)
all documents dispatched by it to its shareholders generally at the same time as they are dispatched;

(b)
as soon as reasonably practicable upon becoming aware of them, the details of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings which are current, threatened or pending against it; and

(c)
as soon as reasonably practicable, such further information including the financial condition, business and operations of the Guarantor or the Charterer,
as the Owner may request;
5.1.7
Financial Statements
supply to the Owner in sufficient copies as soon as they become available:

(a)
the unaudited semi annual financial statements of the Charterer and the Guarantor (each prepared in accordance with GAAP and, in the case of the Guarantor, on a consolidated basis) as soon as available and in no event later than 90 days after each such date;

(b)
the annual financial statement of the Charterer, as referred to in the Guarantor’s audited consolidated annual financial statements, and the audited financial statements of the Guarantor (each prepared in accordance with GAAP and, in the case of the Guarantor, on a consolidated basis) as soon as available and in no event later than one hundred and twenty (120) days after the end of their respective financial year;
5.1.8
Requirements as to Financial Statements

(a)
ensure that each set of financial statements delivered pursuant to Clause 5.1.7 shall fairly represent the financial condition of the Charterer and the Guarantor (as the case may be) as at the date as at which those financial statements were drawn up; and

(b)
ensure that its financial statements delivered pursuant to Clause 5.1.7 is prepared using GAAP; and
5.1.9
Notification of Default
shall, and shall procure that the Charterer shall, notify the Owner of any default (and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it) promptly upon becoming aware of its occurrence; and promptly upon a request by the Owner, the Guarantor shall and shall procure that the Charterer shall, supply to the Owner a certificate signed by the relevant sole director or a senior officer on its behalf certifying that no default is continuing (or if a default is continuing, specifying the default and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it).
5.2
Negative undertakings
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The Guarantor undertakes that, from the date of this Guarantee and so long as any moneys are owing under this Guarantee, it will not, without the prior written consent of the Owner:
5.2.1
No merger
merge or consolidate with any other company or person which would result in a Change of Control.
6
SET-OFF
6.1
Set-off
The Guarantor irrevocably authorises the Owner at any time to set off without notice any liability of the Guarantor to the Owner (whether present or future, actual or contingent, and irrespective of the branch or office, currency or place of payment) against any money held by the Owner for account of the Guarantor (whether current or otherwise and whether or not subject to notice) with any branch of the Owner in or towards satisfaction of the Secured Obligations and, in the name of the Owner or the Guarantor, to do all acts (including, without limitation, converting or exchanging any currency) and execute all documents which may be required to effect such application.
7
BENEFIT OF THIS GUARANTEE
7.1
Benefit and burden
This Guarantee shall be binding upon, and shall enure to the benefit of the Guarantor and the Owner and their respective successors and permitted assigns. The Guarantor may not assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other party to this Guarantee. The Owner may assign or transfer its rights under this Guarantee without the consent of the Guarantor. The Owner shall notify the Guarantor after the Owner transfers its rights under this Guarantee to any third party.
7.2
Changes in constitution of the Owner
This Guarantee shall remain binding on the Guarantor notwithstanding any change in the constitution of the Owner or the Owner’s absorption in, or amalgamation with, or the acquisition of all or part of its undertaking or assets by, any other person, or any reconstruction or reorganisation of any kind, to the intent that this Guarantee shall remain valid and effective in all respects.
7.3
Disclosure of information
The Owner may disclose to a potential assignee or sub-participant any information which the Owner has received in relation to a Guarantor or its affairs under or in connection with this Guarantee, the Bareboat Charterparty and the Transaction Documents to which the Guarantor is a party.
8
NOTICES AND OTHER MATTERS
8.1
Notices
8.1.1
Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, every Notice under or in connection with this Guarantee shall be given in English by letter delivered personally and/or sent by post and/or transmitted by fax.
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8.1.2
In this Clause 8, “ Notice ” and or “ Notices ” includes any demand, consent, authorisation, approval, instruction, request, waiver or other communication.
8.2
Address for Notices, effective date of Notices
8.2.1
Subject to Clause 8.2.4, notices to the Guarantor shall be deemed to have been given and shall take effect when received in full legible form by the Guarantor at the address and/or the fax number and/or email address appearing below (or at such other address, fax number or email address as the Guarantor may hereafter specify for such purpose to the Owner by notice in writing):

Address:
1, Vass Sofias 151 24 Marousi c/o Top Ships

Fax:
0030 210 6141272

Email:
atsirikos@topships.org

Attention:
Alexandros Tsirikos
8.2.2
Notwithstanding the provisions of Clause 8.2.1 or 8.2.4, a Notice given pursuant to this Guarantee shall be deemed to have been given and shall take effect when delivered, sent or transmitted by the Owner to a Guarantor to the address or fax number referred to in clause 8.2.1.
8.2.3
Subject to clause 8.2.4, Notices to the Owner shall be deemed to be given, and shall take effect, when received in full legible form by the Owner at the address and/or the fax number appearing below (or at such other address or fax number as the Owner may hereafter specify for such purpose to the Guarantor by notice in writing):

Address:
c/o Bank of Communications Financial Leasing Co., Ltd 28/F., 333 Lujiazui Ring Road, Shanghai, China

Fax:
+86 -21-6278 8317

Email:
fang xz@bankcomm.com / xux_31@bankcomm.com

Attention:
Mr. Fang Xiuzhi / Mr. Xu Xin
8.2.4
If under clause 8.2.1 or 8.2.3 any Notice would be deemed to have been given and effective on a day which is not a Banking Day in the place of receipt or is outside normal business hours in the place of receipt, the Notice shall be deemed to have been given and to have taken effect at the opening of business on the next Banking Day.
8.3
No implied waivers, remedies cumulative
No failure or delay on the part of the Owner in exercising any right, power, discretion or remedy under or pursuant to this Guarantee nor any actual or alleged course of dealing between the Owner and the Guarantor shall operate as a waiver of, or acquiescence in, any default on the part of the Guarantor, unless expressly agreed to in writing by the Owner nor shall any single or partial exercise by the Owner of any right, power, discretion or remedy or the exercise by the Owner of any other right, power, discretion or remedy. The remedies provided in this Guarantee are cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.
8.4
Acknowledgment
The Guarantor acknowledges and confirms that the Owner has an unrestricted right to give to any of the Lenders any information (and copies of such information) in connection with any of the Transaction Documents (and the transactions contemplated therein) and/or any Security Party.
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8.5
Language
This Guarantee has been prepared and executed in the English language only.
8.6
Expenses
The Guarantor agrees to reimburse the Owner on demand on a full indemnity basis for all legal and other costs, charges and expenses incurred by the Owner in relation to the enforcement of this Guarantee.
8.7
Partial Invalidity
If, at any time, any provision of this Guarantee is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, that provision shall be severed from the remainder and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not be affected or impaired in any way.
8.8
Counterparts
This Guarantee may be executed in counterparts and by the different parties on separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original but all counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
9
GOVERNING LAW AND ARBITRATION
9.1
Governing Law
9.1.1
This Guarantee and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law in accordance with the Arbitration Act in accordance with English law in London in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996 or any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof save to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Clause.
9.2
Arbitration
The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) Terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced. The reference shall be to three arbitrators. A party wishing to refer a dispute to arbitration shall appoint its arbitrator and send notice of such appointment in writing to the other party requiring the other party to appoint its own arbitrator within fourteen (14) calendar days of that notice and stating that it will appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator unless the other party appoints its own arbitrator and gives notice that it has done so within the fourteen (14) days specified. If the other party does not appoint its own arbitrator and give notice that it has done so within the fourteen (14) days specified, the party referring a dispute to arbitration may, without the requirement of any further prior notice to the other party, appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator and shall advise the other party accordingly. The award of a sole arbitrator shall be binding on the parties as if the sole arbitrator had been appointed by agreement.
In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of US$100,000 the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the LMAA Small
15


Claims Procedure current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
IN WITNESS whereof the parties to this Guarantee have caused this Guarantee to be duly executed as a deed on the date first above written.

16


EXECUTION PAGE
THE GUARANTOR
EXECUTED as a DEED
For and on behalf of
TOP SHIPS INC.
by Alexandre Tsirikos
Witnessed / Verified by
)
)
)
)
)
)
 
 
 
/s/ Alexandre Tsirikos

   
/s/ Andreas Louka
 
Name:  Andreas Louka
 
Title:   Advocate
 



THE OWNER
SIGNED by Lu Zhendong
for and on behalf of
XIANG T89 HK INTERNATIONAL SHIP LEASE CO., LIMITED
 
Witnessed / Verified by
)
)
)
)
)
)
/s/ Lu Zhendong

   
/s/ Wang Ying
 
Name:  Wang Ying
 
Title:
 



17
Exhibit 4.99

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
 
Norwegian Shipbrokers' Association's
 
Memorandum of Agreement for sale and
 
purchase of ships. Adopted by BIMCO in 1956.
 
Code-name
 
SALEFORM 2012
 
Revised 1966, 1983 and 1986/87, 1993 and 2012

Dated:  21 December 2018

PCH77 SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED, a company incorporated and existing under the laws of the republic of the Marshall Islands and having its registered office at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands, MH96960 (Name of sellers) , hereinafter called the "Sellers", have agreed to sell, and XIANG T88 HK INTERNATIONAL SHIP LEASE CO., LIMITED, a company incorporated and existing under the laws of Hong Kong and having its registered address at 1/F., Far East Consortium Building, 121 Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong (Name of buyers) , hereinafter called the "Buyers", have agreed to buy:
Name of vessel:  Hull No. 8218, tbn ECO CALIFORNIA

IMO Number:  N/A

Classification Society:  DNV GL

Class Notation:  +1A,   Tanker for Oil and Chemicals, ESP, CSR, Ship Type 2 & 3, E0, BIS, TMON, CMON, ERS, LCS, SPM, COAT-PSPC(B), Inert, BWM(E(s), T), VCS(2B), CLEAN, Recyclable, ECA(Sox-A), ETC.
Year of Build: 2019
Builder/Yard: Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co., Ltd.

Flag:  Marshall Islands upon delivery under Building Contract Place of Registration:  Majuro     GT/NT: as per Building Contract / ______
hereinafter called the "Vessel", on the following terms and conditions:

Definitions (see also Clause 24 (Further definitions))
"Banking Days" are days on which banks are open both in the country of the currency stipulated for the Purchase Price in Clause 1 (Purchase Price) and in the place of closing stipulated in Clause 8 (Documentation) and Shanghai, Monaco and the Netherlands (add additional jurisdictions as appropriate) .
"Buyers' Nominated Flag State" means the Republic of the Marshall Islands (state flag state).

"Class" means the class notation referred to above.

"Classification Society" means the Society referred to above.

"Deposit" shall have the meaning given in Clause 2 (Deposit)
"Deposit Holder" means ______   (state name and location of Deposit Holder) or, if left blank, the Sellers' Bank, which shall hold and release the Deposit in accordance with this Agreement.

"In writing" or "written" means a letter handed over from the Sellers to the Buyers or vice versa, a registered letter, e-mail or telefax.

"Parties" means the Sellers and the Buyers.

"Purchase Price" means the price for the Vessel as stated in Clause 1 (Purchase Price).

"Sellers' Account" means _______ (state details of bank account) at the Sellers' Bank.

"Sellers' Bank" means ________ (state name of bank, branch and details) or, if left blank, the bank notified by the Sellers to the Buyers for receipt of the balance of the Purchase Price.

1.
Purchase Price
 
The Purchase Price is United States Dollars Thirty Four Million only (US$34,000,000) ( state currency and amount both in words and figures) .
2.
Deposit
 
As security for the correct fulfilment of this Agreement the Buyers shall lodge a deposit of __ % ( __ per cent) or, if left blank, 10% (ten per cent), of the Purchase Price (the "Deposit") in an interest bearing account for the Parties with the Deposit Holder within three (3) Banking Days after the date that:
   
 
(i)
this Agreement has been signed by the Parties and exchanged in original or by e-mail or telefax; and
     
 
(ii)
the Deposit Holder has confirmed in writing to the Parties that the account has been

This document is a computer generated SALEFORM 2012 form printed by authority of the Norwegian Shipbrokers’ Association.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original approved document shall apply.  BIMCO and the Norwegian Shipbrokers’ Association assume no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original approved document and this computer generated document.


   
opened.
   
 
The Deposit shall be released in accordance with joint written instructions of the Parties. Interest, if any, shall be credited to the Buyers. Any fee charged for holding and releasing the Deposit shall be borne equally by the Parties. The Parties shall provide to the Deposit Holder all necessary documentation to open and maintain the account without delay.
   
3.
Payment (See also Clause 22 (Partial set-off of Purchase Price) and Clause 23 (Payment))
 
On delivery of the Vessel, but not later than three (3) Banking Days after the date that Notice of Readiness has been given in accordance with Clause 5 (Time and place of delivery and notices):
   
 
(i)
the Deposit shall be released to the Sellers; and
     
 
(ii)
the balance of the Purchase Price and all other sums payable on delivery by the Buyers to the Sellers under this Agreement shall be paid in full free of bank charges to the Sellers' Account.
     
4.
Inspection
 
(a) * The Buyers have inspected and accepted the Vessel's classification records. The Buyers have also inspected the Vessel at/in                 (state place) on                 (state date) and have accepted the Vessel following this inspection. and the sale is outright and definite, subject only to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
   
 
(b) * The Buyers shall have the right to inspect the Vessel's classification records and declare whether same are accepted or not within                         (state date/period).
   
 
The Sellers shall make the Vessel available for inspection at/in               (state place/range) within             (state date/period) .
   
 
The Buyers shall undertake the inspection without undue delay to the Vessel. Should the Buyers cause undue delay they shall compensate the Sellers for the losses thereby incurred.
   
 
The Buyers shall inspect the Vessel without opening up and without cost to the Sellers.
   
 
During the inspection, the Vessel's dock and engine log books shall be made available for examination by the Buyers.
   
 
The sale shall become outright and definite, subject only to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, provided that the Sellers receive written notice of acceptance of the Vessel from the Buyers within seventy two (72) hours after completion of such inspection or after the date/last day of the period stated in Line 59 , whichever is earlier.
   
 
Should the Buyers fail to undertake the inspection as scheduled and/or notice of acceptance of the Vessel's classification records and/or of the Vessel not be received by the Sellers as aforesaid, the Deposit together with interest earned, if any, shall be released immediately to the Buyers, whereafter this Agreement shall be null and void.
   
 
* 4(a) and 4(b) are alternatives; delete whichever is not applicable. In the absence of deletions, alternative 4(a) shall apply.
   
5.
Time and place of delivery and notices
   
 
(a)  The Vessel shall be delivered and taken over safely afloat at a safe and accessible berth or anchorage at/in   at sea whether laden or ballast or in dry-dock   ( state place/range)   in the Sellers' option.
 
Notice of Readiness shall not be tendered before:                      (date)
   
 
Cancelling Date (see Clauses 5(c), 6 (a)(i), 6 (a)(iii) and 14): 28 October 2019
   
 
(b)  The Sellers shall keep the Buyers well informed of the Vessel's itinerary and shall provide the Buyers with provide the Buyers with twenty (20), ten   (10), five (5) and three (3) days' notice of the date the Sellers intend to tender Notice of Readiness and of the intended date and place of delivery , provided that if the period from the date of this Agreement to the intended date of delivery is shorter than any of these notice periods, then the notice in relation to the relevant notice period does not need to be provided .
 
When the Vessel is at the place of delivery and physically ready for delivery in accordance with this Agreement, the Sellers shall give the Buyers a written Notice of Readiness for delivery.
   
 
(c)   If the Sellers anticipate that, notwithstanding the exercise of due diligence by them, the Vessel will not be ready for delivery by the Cancelling Date they may notify the Buyers in writing stating the date when they anticipate that the Vessel will be ready for delivery and proposing a new Cancelling Date. Upon receipt of such notification the Buyers shall have the option of
   
This document is a computer generated SALEFORM 2012 form printed by authority of the Norwegian Shipbrokers’ Association.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original approved document shall apply.  BIMCO and the Norwegian Shipbrokers’ Association assume no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original approved document and this computer generated document.
2


 
either cancelling this Agreement in accordance with Clause 14 (Sellers' Default) within three (3) Banking Days of receipt of the notice or of accepting the new date as the new Canceling Date.   If the Buyers have not declared their option within three (3) Banking Days of receipt of the Sellers' notification or if the Buyers accept the new date, the date proposed in the Sellers' notification shall be deemed to be the new Cancelling Date and shall be substituted for the Cancelling Date stipulated in line 79 .
   
 
If this Agreement is maintained with the new Cancelling Date all other terms and conditions hereof including those contained in Clauses 5(b ) and 5(d) shall remain unaltered and in full force and effect.
   
 
(d)  Cancellation, failure to cancel or acceptance of the new Cancelling Date shall be entirely without prejudice to any claim for damages the Buyers may have under Clause 14 (Sellers' Default) for the Vessel not being ready by the original Cancelling Date.
   
 
(e) Should the Vessel become an actual, constructive or compromised total loss before delivery the Deposit together with interest earned, if any, shall be released immediately to the Buyers whereafter this Agreement shall be null and void.
   
6.
Divers Inspection / Drydocking
 
(a)*
 
(i)
The Buyers shall have the option at their cost and expense to arrange for an underwater inspection by a diver approved by the Classification Society prior to the delivery of the Vessel. Such option shall be declared latest nine (9) days prior to the Vessel's intended date of readiness for delivery as notified by the Sellers pursuant to Clause 5(b) of this Agreement. The Sellers shall at their cost and expense make the Vessel available for such inspection. This inspection shall be carried out without undue delay and in the presence of a Classification Society surveyor arranged for by the Sellers and paid for by the Buyers. The Buyers' representative(s) shall have the right to be present at the diver's inspection as observer(s) only without interfering with the work or decisions of the Classification Society surveyor. The extent of the inspection and the conditions under which it is performed shall be to the satisfaction of the Classification Society. If the conditions at the place of delivery are unsuitable for such inspection, the Sellers shall at their cost and expense make the Vessel available at a suitable alternative place near to the delivery port, in which event the Cancelling Date shall be extended by the additional time required for such positioning and the subsequent re-positioning. The Sellers may not tender Notice of Readiness prior to completion of the underwater inspection.
     
 
(ii)
If the rudder, propeller, bottom or other underwater parts below the deepest load line are found broken, damaged or defective so as to affect the Vessel's class, then (1) unless repairs can be carried out afloat to the satisfaction of the Classification Society, the Sellers shall arrange for the Vessel to be drydocked at their expense for inspection by the Classification Society of the Vessel's underwater parts below the deepest load line, the extent of the inspection being in accordance with the Classification Society's rules (2) such defects shall be made good by the Sellers at their cost and expense to the  satisfaction of the Classification Society without condition/recommendation** and (3) the Sellers shall pay for underwater inspection and the Classification Society's attendance.
     
   
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if the Classification Society do not require the aforementioned defects to be rectified before the next class  drydocking survey, the Sellers shall be entitled to deliver the Vessel with these defects against a deduction from the Purchase Price of the estimated direct cost (of labour and materials) of carrying out the repairs to the satisfaction of the Classification Society, whereafter the Buyers shall have no further rights whatsoever in respect of the defects and/or repairs. The estimated direct cost of the repairs shall be the average of quotes for the repair work obtained from two reputable independent shipyards at or in the vicinity of the port of delivery, one to be obtained by each of the Parties within two (2) Banking Days from the date of the imposition of the condition/recommendation, unless the Parties agree otherwise. Should either of the Parties fail to obtain such a quote within the stipulated time then the quote duly obtained by the other Party shall be the sole basis for the estimate of the direct repair costs. The Sellers may not tender Notice of Readiness prior to such estimate having been established.
     
 
(iii)
If the Vessel is to be drydocked pursuant to Clause 6(a)(ii) and no suitable dry-docking facilities are available at the port of delivery, the Sellers shall take the Vessel to a port where suitable drydocking facilities are available, whether within or outside the delivery range as per Clause 5(a) . Once drydocking has taken place the Sellers shall deliver the Vessel at a port within the delivery range as per Clause 5(a) which shall, for the purpose
     
This document is a computer generated SALEFORM 2012 form printed by authority of the Norwegian Shipbrokers’ Association.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original approved document shall apply.  BIMCO and the Norwegian Shipbrokers’ Association assume no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original approved document and this computer generated document.
3


   
of this Clause, become the new port of delivery. In such event the Cancelling Date shall be extended by the additional time required for the drydocking and extra steaming, but limited to a maximum of fourteen (14) days.
     
 
(b)* The Sellers shall place the Vessel in drydock at the port of delivery for inspection by the Classification Society of the Vessel's underwater parts below the deepest load line, the extent of the inspection being in accordance with the Classification Society's rules. If the rudder, propeller, bottom or other underwater parts below the deepest load line are found broken, damaged or defective so as to affect the Vessel's class, such defects shall be made good at the Sellers' cost and expense to the satisfaction of the Classification Society without condition/recommendation**. In such event the Sellers are also to pay for the costs and expenses in connection with putting the Vessel in and taking her out of drydock, including the drydock dues and the Classification Society's fees. The Sellers shall also pay for these costs and expenses if parts of the tailshaft system are condemned or found defective or broken so as to affect the Vessel's class. In all other cases, the Buyers shall pay the aforesaid costs and expenses, dues and fees.
 
Sellers' cost and expense to the satisfaction of the Classification Society without condition/recommendation**. In such event the Sellers are also to pay for the costs and expenses in connection with putting the Vessel in and taking her out of drydock, including the drydock dues and the Classification Society's fees. The Sellers shall also pay for these costs and expenses if parts of the tailshaft system are condemned or found defective or broken so as to affect the Vessel's class. In all other cases, the Buyers shall pay the aforesaid costs and expenses, dues and fees.
   
 
(c)  If the Vessel is drydocked pursuant to Clause 6(a)(ii) or 6(b) above:
   
 
(i)
The Classification Society may require survey of the tailshaft system, the extent of the survey being to the satisfaction of the Classification surveyor. If such survey is not required by the Classification Society, the Buyers shall have the option to require the tailshaft to be drawn and surveyed by the Classification Society, the extent of the survey being in accordance with the Classification Society's rules for tailshaft survey and  consistent with the current stage of the Vessel's survey cycle. The Buyers shall declare whether they require the tailshaft to be drawn and surveyed not later than by the completion of the inspection by the Classification Society. The drawing and refitting of the tailshaft shall be arranged by the Sellers. Should any parts of the tailshaft system be condemned or found defective so as to affect the Vessel's class, those parts shall be renewed or made good at the Sellers' cost and expense to the satisfaction of Classification Society without condition/recommendation**.
     
 
(ii)
The costs and expenses relating to the survey of the tailshaft system shall be borne by the Buyers unless the Classification Society requires such survey to be carried out or if parts of the system are condemned or found defective or broken so as to affect the Vessel's class, in which case the Sellers shall pay these costs and expenses.
     
 
(iii)
The Buyers' representative(s) shall have the right to be present in the drydock, as observe(s) only without interfering with the work or decisions of the Classification Society surveyor.
     
 
(iv)
The Buyers shall have the right to have the underwater parts of the Vessel cleaned and painted at their risk, cost and expense without interfering with the Seller's or the Classification Society surveyor's work, if any, and without affecting the Vessel's timely delivery. If, however, the Buyers' work in drydock is still in progress when the Sellers have completed the work which the Sellers are required to do, the additional docking time needed to complete the Buyers' work shall be for the Buyers' risk, cost and expense. In the event that the Buyers' work required such additional time, the Sellers may upon completion of the Sellers' work tender Notice of Readiness for delivery whilst the Vessel is still in drydock and, notwithstanding Clause 5(a) , the Buyers shall be obliged to take delivery in accordance with Clause 3 (Payment), whether the Vessel is in drydock or not.
     
 
* 6(a) and 6 (b) are alternatives; delete whichever is not applicable. In the absence of deletions, alternative 6 (a) shall apply.
   
 
**Notes or memoranda, if any, in the surveyor's report which are accepted by the Classification Society without condition/recommendation are not to be taken into account.
   
7.
Spares, bunkers and other items
 
The Sellers shall deliver the Vessel to the Buyers with everything belonging to her on board and on shore. All spare parts and spare equipment including spare tail-end shaft(s) and/or spare propeller(s)/propeller blade(s), if any, belonging to the Vessel at the time of inspection delivery used or unused, whether on board or not shall become the Buyers' property, but spares on order are excluded. Forwarding charges, if any, shall be for the Buyers' Sellers' account. The Sellers are not required to replace spare parts including spare tail-end shaft(s) and spare propeller(s)/propeller blade(s) which are taken out of spare and used as replacement prior to delivery, but the replaced items shall be the property of the Buyers. Unused stores and provisions shall be included in the sale and be taken over by the Buyers without extra payment.
 
Library and forms exclusively for use in the Sellers' vessel(s) and captain's, officers' and crew's
   
This document is a computer generated SALEFORM 2012 form printed by authority of the Norwegian Shipbrokers’ Association.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original approved document shall apply.  BIMCO and the Norwegian Shipbrokers’ Association assume no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original approved document and this computer generated document.
4



 
personal belongings including the slop chest are excluded from the sale without compensation, as well as the following additional items: -                 (include list)
 
Items on board which are on hire or owned by third parties, listed as follows, are excluded from the sale without compensation:                        (include list)
   
 
Items on board at the time of inspection delivery which are on hire or owned by third parties, not listed above, shall be replaced or procured by the Sellers prior to delivery at their cost and expense.
   
 
The Buyers shall take over remaining bunkers and  unused lubricating and hydraulic oils and greases in storage tanks and unopened drums shall remain the property of the Sellers and shall not be included in the sale but shall remain on board the Vessel on and after the Delivery Date. and pay either:
   
 
(a) *the actual net price (excluding barging expenses) as evidenced by invoices or vouchers; or
   
 
(b) *the current net market price (excluding barging expenses) at the port and date of delivery of the Vessel or, if unavailable, at the nearest bunkering port
   
 
for the quantities taken over.
   
 
Payment under this Clause shall be made at the same time and place and in the same currency as the Purchase Price.
   
 
"inspection" in this Clause 7 , shall mean the Buyers' inspection according to Clause 4(a) or 4(b) (Inspection), if applicable. If the Vessel is taken over without inspection, the date of this Agreement shall be the relevant date.
   
 
*(a) and (b) are alternatives, delete whichever is not applicable. In the absence of deletions alternative (a) shall apply.
   
8.
Documentation Conditions Precedent
 
The place of closing: Piraeus or such other place as may be agreed between the Sellers and the Buyers
   
 
(a) In exchange for p P ayment of the Purchase Price is conditional upon the Sellers   shall provid ing e the Buyers with the following delivery documents:
   
 
(i)
Legal Bill(s) of Sale in a form recordable in the Buyers' Nominated Flag State, transferring title of the Vessel and stating that the Vessel is free from all mortgages, encumbrances and maritime liens or any other debts whatsoever, duly notarially attested and legalised or apostilled, as required by the Buyers' Nominated Flag State;
     
 
(ii)
Evidence that all necessary corporate, shareholder and other action has been taken by the Sellers to authorise the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement;
     
 
(iii)
Power of Attorney of the Sellers appointing one or more representatives to act on behalf of the Sellers in the performance of this Agreement, duly notarially attested and legalised or apostilled (as appropriate);
     
 
(iv)
Certificate or Transcript of Registry issued by the competent authorities of the flag state on the date of delivery evidencing the Sellers' ownership of the Vessel and that the Vessel is free from registered encumbrances and mortgages, to be faxed or e-mailed by such authority to the closing meeting with the original to be sent to the Buyers as soon as possible after delivery of the Vessel The Builder's certificate and/or bill of sale transferring the title in the Vessel from the Builder to the Sellers ;
     
 
(v)
Declaration of Class or (depending on the Classification Society) a Class Maintenance Certificate issued within three (3) Banking Days prior to delivery   on the Delivery Date confirming that the Vessel is in Class free of condition/recommendation;
     
 
(vi)
Certificate of Deletion of the Vessel from the Vessel's registry or other official evidence of deletion appropriate to the Vessel's registry at the time of delivery, or, in the event that the registry does not as a matter of practice issue such documentation immediately a written undertaking by the Sellers to effect deletion from the Vessel's registry forthwith and provide a certificate or other official evidence of deletion to the Buyers promptly and latest within four (4) weeks after the Purchase Price has been paid and the Vessel has been delivered;
     
 
(vii)
A copy of the Vessel's Continuous Synopsis Record certifying the date on which the Vessel ceased to be registered with the Vessel's registry, or, in the event that the registry does not as a matter of practice issue such certificate immediately, a written undertaking

This document is a computer generated SALEFORM 2012 form printed by authority of the Norwegian Shipbrokers’ Association.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original approved document shall apply.  BIMCO and the Norwegian Shipbrokers’ Association assume no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original approved document and this computer generated document.
5


   
from the Sellers to provide the copy of this certificate promptly upon it being issued together with evidence of submission by the Sellers of a duly executed Form 2 stating the date on which the Vessel shall cease to be registered with the Vessel's registry;
     
 
(vi ii )
Commercial Invoice for the Vessel;
     
 
(ix)
Commercial Invoice(s) for bunkers, lubricating and hydraulic oils and greases;
     
 
(x)
A copy of the Sellers' letter to their satellite communication provider cancelling the Vessel's communication contract which is to be sent immediately after delivery of the Vessel;
     
 
( xi vii)
Any additional documents as may reasonably be required by the competent authorities of the Buyers' Nominated Flag State for the purpose of registering the Vessel, provided the Buyers notify the Sellers of any such documents as soon as possible after the date of this Agreement; and
     
 
( xii viii)
The Sellers' letter of confirmation that to the best of their knowledge, the Vessel is not black listed by any nation or international organisation; .
     
 
(ix)
A certificate from an authorised signatory of the Sellers confirming that all copies of documents provided under this Agreement are true copies of such documents;
     
 
(x)
A Protocol of Delivery and Acceptance signed by the Parties confirming the date and time of delivery of the Vessel from the Sellers to the Buyers;
     
 
(xi)
The Buyers being satisfied that, in their opinion, (A) the conditions precedent set out in paragraph 34 (Conditions precedent) of the Bareboat Charter (as defined in Clause 24 (Further definitions) have been, or will be in the Buyers' opinion, satisfied on the Delivery Date, and (B) no Potential Termination Event (as defined in the Bareboat Charter) is continuing or would result from the proposed sale and purchase of the Vessel under this Agreement and chartering of the Vessel under the Bareboat Charter;
     
 
(xii)
An original of the notice of assignment in respect of the Warranties (as defined in Clause 25 (Assignment of Builder's warranties)) duly executed by the Sellers together with the acknowledgement duly executed by the Builder in the form set out in Appendix A (Form of notice of assignment);
     
 
(xiii)
A copy of the protocol of delivery and acceptance made between the Builder (as sellers) and the Sellers (as buyers) under the Building Contract (as defined in Clause 24 (Further definitions)) confirming the date and time of delivery of the Vessel from the Builder to the Sellers;
     
 
(xiv)
Evidence of full payment to the Builder of any part of the Contractual Purchase Price (as defined in Clause 24 (Further Definitions)) which is due and payable on or before the Prepositioning Date (as defined in Clause 24 (Further Definitions)) and which does not form part of the Builder's Portion (as defined in Clause 24 (Further Definitions)).]
     
 
The conditions set out in this Clause 8(a) are for the sole benefit of the Buyers and may be waive or deferred by the Buyers in whole or in part and with or without conditions.  The foregoing is without prejudice to the Buyers' rights to require fultilment of any such conditions by the Sellers in whole or in part any time after the Delivery Date.
     
 
(b) At the time delivery the Buyers shall provide the Sellers with:
     
 
(i)
Evidence that all necessary corporate, shareholder and other action has been taken by the Buyers to authorise the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement; and
     
 
(ii)
Power of Attorney of the Buyers appointing one or more representatives to act on behalf of the Buyers in the performance of this Agreement, duly notarially attested and legalised or apostilled (as appropriate).
     
 
(c)  If any of the documents listed in Sub clauses (a) and (b) above are not in the English language they shall be accompanied by an English translation by an authorised translator or certified by a lawyer qualified to practice in the country of the translated language.
   
 
(d)  The Parties shall to the extent possible exchange copies, drafts or samples of the documents listed in Sub-clause (a) and Sub-clause (b) above for review and comment by the other party not later than ________________________ (state number of days) , or if left blank, nine (9) days prior to the Vessel's intended date of readiness for delivery as notified by the Sellers pursuant to

This document is a computer generated SALEFORM 2012 form printed by authority of the Norwegian Shipbrokers’ Association.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original approved document shall apply.  BIMCO and the Norwegian Shipbrokers’ Association assume no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original approved document and this computer generated document.
6


 
Clause 5(b) of this Agreement.
   
 
(e)  Concurrent with the exchange of documents in Sub-clause (a) and Sub-clause (b) above, the Sellers shall also hand to the Buyers shall gain title and ownership to the classification certificate(s) as well as all plans, drawings and manuals, (excluding ISM/ISPS manuals), which are on board the Vessel and shall remain on board the Vessel . Other certificates which are on board the Vessel shall also be handed over to the Buyers unless the Sellers are required to retain same, in which case the Buyers have the right to take copies.
   
 
(f)  Other technical documentation which may be in the Sellers' possession shall promptly after delivery be forwarded to the Buyers at Sellers' their expense, if they so request. The Sellers may keep the Vessel's log books but the Buyers have the right to take copies of same.
   
 
(g)  The Parties shall sign and deliver to each other a Protocol of Delivery and Acceptance confirming the date and time of delivery of the Vessel from the Sellers to the Buyers.
   
9.
Encumbrances
 
The Sellers warrant that the Vessel, at the time of delivery, is free from all charters (other than the Bareboat Charter (as defined in Clause 24 (Further definitions)), the Sub Charter (as defined in the Bareboat Charter) and any other charters disclosed to and approved by the Buyers) , encumbrances, mortgages and maritime liens or any other debts whatsoever, and is not subject to Port State or other administrative detentions. The Sellers hereby undertake to indemnify the Buyers against all consequences of claims made against the Vessel which have been incurred prior to the time of delivery.
   
10.
Taxes, fees and expenses
 
Any taxes, fees and expenses in connection with the purchase and registration in the Buyers' Nominated Flag State shall be for the Buyers' account, whereas similar charges in connection with the closing of the Sellers' register shall be for the Sellers' account.
   
11.
Condition on delivery
 
(See also Clause 20 (Delivery under Building Contract and Bareboat Charter))
The Vessel with everything belonging to her shall be at the Sellers' risk and expense until she is delivered to the Buyers, but subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement she shall be delivered and taken over "as is where is" she was at the time of delivery inspection, fair wear and tear excepted .
   
 
However, the Vessel shall be delivered free of cargo and free of stowaways with her Class maintained without condition/recommendation*, free of average damage affecting the Vessel's class, and with her classification certificates and national, certificates, as well as all other certificates the Vessel had at the time of inspection delivery , valid and unextended without condition/recommendation* by the Classification Society or the relevant authorities at the time of delivery.
   
 
"inspection" in this Clause 11 , shall mean the Buyers' inspection according to Clause 4(a) or 4(b) (Inspections), if applicable. If the Vessel is taken over without inspection, the date of this Agreement shall be the relevant date.
   
 
*Notes and memoranda, if any, in the surveyor's report which are accepted by the Classification Society without condition/recommendation are not to be taken into account.
   
  12.
Name/markings
 
Upon delivery the Buyers undertake to change the name of the Vessel and alter funnel markings.
   
13.
Buyers' default
 
Should the Deposit not be lodged in accordance with Clause 2 (Deposit), the Sellers have the right to cancel this Agreement, and they shall be entitled to claim compensation for their losses and for all expenses incurred together with interest.
   
 
Should the Purchase Price not be paid in accordance with Clause 2 3 (Payment), the Sellers have the right to cancel this Agreement, in which case the Deposit together with interest earned, if any, shall be released to the Sellers. If the Deposit does not cover their loss, and the Sellers shall be entitled to claim further compensation for their losses and for all expenses incurred together with interest.
   
14.
Sellers' default
 
Should the Sellers fail to give Notice of Readiness   the Buyers any of the notices referred in accordance with Clause 5(b) or fail to be ready to validly complete a legal transfer by the Cancelling Date the Buyers shall have the option of cancelling this Agreement. If after Notice of Readiness   the three (3) days' notice has been

This document is a computer generated SALEFORM 2012 form printed by authority of the Norwegian Shipbrokers’ Association.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original approved document shall apply.  BIMCO and the Norwegian Shipbrokers’ Association assume no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original approved document and this computer generated document.
7


 
given in accordance with Clause 5(b) but before the Buyers have taken delivery, the Vessel ceases to be physically ready for delivery and is not made physically ready again by the Cancelling Date and new Notice of Readiness   written notice given, the Buyers shall retain their option to cancel. In the event that the Buyers elect to cancel this Agreement, the Deposit together with interest earned, if any, shall be released to them immediately.
   
 
Should the Sellers fail to give Notice of Readiness   any of the notices referred to in accordance with Clause 5(b) by the Cancelling Date or fail to be ready to validly complete a legal transfer as aforesaid they shall make due compensation to the Buyers for their loss and for all expenses together with interest if their failure is due to proven negligence and whether or not the Buyers cancel this Agreement.
   
15.
Buyers' representatives
 
After this Agreement has been signed by the Parties and the Deposit has been lodged, the Buyers have the right to place two (2) representatives on board the Vessel at their sole risk and expense.
 
These representatives are on board for the purpose of familiarisation and in the capacity of observers only, and they shall not interfere in any respect with the operation of the Vessel. The Buyers and the Buyers' representatives shall sign the Sellers' P&I Club's standard letter of indemnity prior to their embarkation.
   
16.
Law and Arbitration
 
(a)   * This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration in London in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996 or any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof save to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Clause.
   
 
The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) Terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
   
 
The reference shall be to three arbitrators. A party wishing to refer a dispute to arbitration shall appoint its arbitrator and send notice of such appointment in writing to the other party requiring the other party to appoint its own arbitrator within fourteen (14) calendar days of that notice and stating that it will appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator unless the other party appoints its own arbitrator and gives notice that it has done so within the fourteen (14) days specified. If the other party does not appoint its own arbitrator and give notice that it has done so within the fourteen (14) days specified, the party referring a dispute to arbitration may, without the requirement of any further prior notice to the other party, appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator and shall advise the other party accordingly. The award of a sole arbitrator shall be binding on both Parties as if the sole arbitrator had been appointed by agreement.
   
 
In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of US$100,000 the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the LMAA Small Claims Procedure current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
   
 
(b) *This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Title 9 of the United States Code and the substantive law (not including the choice of law rules) of the State of New York and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to three (3) persons at New York, one to be appointed by each of the parties hereto, and the third by the two so chosen; their decision or that of any two of them shall be final, and for the purposes of enforcing any award, judgement may be entered on an award by any court of competent jurisdiction. The proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc.
   
 
In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of US$100,000 the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the Shortened Arbitration Procedure of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc.
   
 
(c) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of __________ ( state place ) and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration at _________ ( state place ), subject to the procedures applicable there.
   
 
*16(a), 16(b) and 16(c) are alternatives; delete whichever is not applicable, In the absence of deletions, alternative 16(a) shall apply.
   
17.
Notices

This document is a computer generated SALEFORM 2012 form printed by authority of the Norwegian Shipbrokers’ Association.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original approved document shall apply.  BIMCO and the Norwegian Shipbrokers’ Association assume no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original approved document and this computer generated document.
8


 
All notices to be provided under this Agreement shall be in writing.
   
 
Contact details for recipients of notices are as follows:
   
 
For the Buyers:
Address:
Xiang T88 HK International Ship Lease Co., Limited
c/o Bank of Communications Financial Leasing Co., Ltd.
   
28/F., 333 Liujiazui Ring Road, Shanghai, China
 
Fax:
+86-21-62788317
 
E-mail:
Fang_xz@bankcomm.com/xux_31@bankcomm.com
 
Attention:
Mr. Fang Xiuzhi/Mr. Xu Xin
     
 
For the Sellers:
PCH77 Shipping Company Limited
 
Address:
1, Vass, Sofias 15124, Maroussi Greece C/O Central Mare
 
Fax:
0030 210 8128180
 
E-mail:
atsirikos@topships.org
 
Attention:
Alexandros Tsirikos
   
18.
Entire Agreement
 
The written terms of this Agreement comprise the entire agreement between the Buyers and the Sellers in relation to the sale and purchase of the Vessel and supersede all previous agreements whether oral or written between the Parties in relation thereto.
   
 
Each of the Parties acknowledges that in entering into this Agreement it has not relied on and shall have no right or remedy in respect of any statement, representation, assurance or warranty (whether or not made negligently) other than as is expressly set out in this Agreement.
   
 
Any terms implied into this Agreement by any applicable statute or law are hereby excluded to the extent that such exclusion can legally be made. Nothing in this Clause shall limit or exclude any liability for fraud.
   

 
For and on behalf of the Sellers
PCH77 Shipping Company Limited
For and on behalf of the Buyers
Xiang T88 HK International Ship Lease Co., Limited
     
 
/s/ Andreas Louka
/s/ Lu Zhendong
     
 
Name: Andreas Louka
Name:  Lu Zhendong
 
Title:  Attorney-in-fact
Title: Director
     

This document is a computer generated SALEFORM 2012 form printed by authority of the Norwegian Shipbrokers’ Association.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original approved document shall apply.  BIMCO and the Norwegian Shipbrokers’ Association assume no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original approved document and this computer generated document.

9

Exhibit 4.100




1. Shipbroker
N/A
 
BIMCO STANDARD BAREBOAT CHARTER
CODE NAME: "BARECON 2001"
BIMCO
 
 
PART I
2. Place and date
 
3 December 2018
3. Owners/Place of business ( Cl. 1 )
Xiang T88 HK International Ship Lease Co., Limited
1/F., Far East Consortium Building
121 Des Voeux Road Central
Hong Kong
 
 
4. Bareboat Charterer/Place of Business ( Cl. 1 )
PCH77 Shipping Company Limited
Trust Company Complex
Ajeltake Road, Majuro
Marshall Islands MH96960
5. Vessel’s name, call sign and flag ( Cl. 1 and 3 )
Name: Hull No. 8218 (tbn Eco California)
Call Sign: N/A
Flag on Actual Delivery Date: The Republic of the Marshall Islands
6. Type of Vessel
Class Product and Chemical Tanker
7. GT/NT
Gross Tonnage: as per Building Contract
Net Tonnage: as per Building Contract
8. When/Where built
2019
Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co. Ltd.
9. Total DWT (abt.) in metric tons on summer freeboard
as per Building Contract
10. Classification Society ( Cl. 3 )
DNV-GL
11. Date of last special survey by the Vessel’s classification society
N/A
12. Further particulars of Vessel (also indicate minimum number of months’ validity of class certificates agreed acc. to Cl. 3 )
N/A
13. Port or Place of delivery ( Cl. 3 )
See Additional Clause 35 (Delivery of the Vessel)
14. Time for delivery ( Cl. 4 )
See Additional Clause 35
(Delivery of the Vessel)
15. Cancelling date ( Cl. 5 )
28 October 2019
16. Port or Place of redelivery ( Cl. 15 )
See Additional Clause 51 (Redelivery)
17. No. of months’ validity of trading and class certificates upon   redelivery ( Cl. 15 )
Six (6) months
18. Running days’ notice if other than stated in Cl. 4
N/A
19. Frequency of dry-docking ( Cl. 10(g) )
In accordance with Classification Society or flag state requirements
20. Trading Limits ( Cl. 6 )
Trading worldwide, always safe / afloat, always within Institute Navigating Limit (INL) and subject to the exclusions and conditions set out in the Insurances of the Vessel (as may be revised from time to time).
 
Always in compliance with the Vessel’s Classification Society’s requirement  and the Vessels specifications
21. Charter period ( Cl. 2 )
Charter Period (as defined in Additional  Clause 32 (Definitions))
22. Charter hire ( Cl. 11 )
See Additional Clause 41 (Charterhire)
23. New class and other safety requirements (state percentage of Vessel’s insurance value acc. to Box 29 )( Cl. 10(a)(ii) )
N/A
24. Rate of interest payable acc. to Cl. 11(f) and, if applicable, acc. to PART IV
Seven per cent (7%) per annum
25. Currency and method of payment ( Cl. 11 )
United States Dollars (US$)

This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.

“BARECON 2001” STANDARD BAREBOAT CHARTER
PART I
26. Place of payment; also state beneficiary and bank account (Cl. 11)
See Additional Clause 42.1 (Payments)
27. Bank guarantee/bond (sum and place)( Cl. 24 )(optional)
See Clause 24 (Corporate guarantee)
28. Mortgage(s), if any (state whether 12(a) or (b) applies; if 12(b) applies state date of Financial Instrument and name of Mortgagee(s)/Place of business)( Cl. 12 )
Clause 12(b) applies; form fo Financial Instrument and name of mortgagee to be determined.
29. Insurance (hull and machinery and war risks)(state value acc. to Cl. 13(f) or, if applicable, acc. to Cl. 14(k) )(also state if Cl. 14 applies)
See Additional Clause 48 (Insurances, Total Loss)
 
30. Additional insurance cover, if any, for Owners’ account limited to ( Cl. 13(b) or, if applicable, Cl. 14(g) )
See Additional Clause 48 (Insurance, Total Loss)
31. Additional insurance cover, if any, for Charterers’ account limited to ( Cl. 13(b) or, if applicable, Cl. 14(g) )
See Additional Clause 48 (Insurances, Total Loss)
 
32. Latent defects (only to be filled in if period other than stated in Cl. 3 )
See Additional Clause 36 (Exclusion of Warranties)
33. Brokerage commission and to whom payable ( Cl. 27 )
N/A
34. Grace period (state number of clear banking dates)( Cl. 28 )
N/A
35. Dispute Resolution (state 30(a) , 30(b) or 30(c) ; if 30(c) agreed Place of Arbitration must be stated ( Cl. 30 )
(a) English law, London arbitration
36. War cancellation (indicate countries agreed)( Cl. 26(f) )
N/A
37. Newbuilding Vessel (indicate with ”yes” or “no” whether PART III applies)(optional)
Yes, Part III does not apply
38. Name and place of Builders (only to be filled in if PART III applies)
N/A
39. Vessel’s Yard Building No. (only to be filled in if PART III applies)
N/A
40. Date of Building Contract (only to be filled in if PART III applies)
N/A
41. Liquidated damages and costs shall accrue to (state party acc. to Cl. 1 )
a) N/A
b) N/A
c) N/A
42. Hire/Purchase agreement (indicate with “yes” or “no” whether PART IV applies)(optional)
No, Part IV does not apply
43. Bareboat Charter Registry (indicate “yes” or “no” whether PART V applies)(optional)
No, Part V does not apply
44. Flag and Country of the Bareboat Charter Registry (only to be filled in if PART V applies)
N/A
45. Country of the Underlying Registry (only to be filled in if PART V applies)
N/A
46. Number of additional clauses covering special provisions, if agreed
Clause 32 (Definitions) to Clause 54 (Miscellaneous) and Scheduels I – VII thereto  form an integral part of this Charter. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the terms of Part I and Part II of this Charter with the terms of the Additional Clauses, the terms of the Additional Clauses shall prevail.
 
PREAMBLE - It is mutually agreed that this Contract shall be performed subject to the conditions contained in this Charter which shall Include PART I
and PART II . In the event of a conflict of conditions, the provisions of PART I shall prevail over those of PART II to the extent of such conflict but no further. It Is further mutually agreed that PART III and/or PART IV and/or PART V shall only apply and only form part of this Charter If expressly agreed and stated in Boxes 37 , 42 and 43 . If PART III and/or PART IV and/or PART V apply, it Is further agreed that In the event of a conflict of conditions,
the provisions of PART l and PART II shall prevail over those of PART III and/or PART IV and/or PART V to the extent of such conflict but no further.
 
Signature (Owners)
For and on behalf of
Xiang T88 HK International Ship Lease Co., Limited
/s/ Lu Zhendong
Name: Lu Zhendong
Title: Director
Signature (Charterers)
For and on behalf of
PCH77 Shipping Company Limited
/s/ Audreas Louka
Name: Audreas Louka
Title: Attorney-in-fact

This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


PART II
“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
1.
Definitions
In this Charter, the following terms shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them:
The Owners " shall mean the party identified in Box 3 ;
The Charterers " shall mean the party identified in Box 4 ;
The Vessel ” shall mean the vessel named in Box 5 and with particulars as stated in Boxes 6 to 12 .
Financial Instrument ” means the Finance Documents (as defined in Additional Clause 32 (Definitions)) mortgage, deed covenant or other such financial security instrument as annexed to this Charter and stated in Box 28 .
2.
Charter Period
In consideration of the hire detailed in Box 22 , the Owners have agreed to let and the Charterers have agreed to hire the Vessel for the period stated in Box 21   (“The Charter Period”) .
3.
Delivery (See Additional Clause 35 (Delivery of the Vessel)
(not applicable when Part III applies, as indicated in Box 37 )
(a)     The Owners shall before and at the time of delivery exercise due diligence to make the Vessel seaworthy
And in every respect ready-in-hull, machinery and equipment for service under this Charter.
The vessel shall be delivered by the Owners and taken over by the Charterers at the port or place indicated in Box 13   in such ready safe berth as the Charterers may direct.
(b)     The Vessel shall be properly documented on delivery in accordance with the laws of the flag State indicated in Box 5 and the requirements of the classification society stated in Box 10.  The Vessel upon delivery shall have her survey cycles up to date and trading and class certificates valid for at least the number of months agreed in Box 12 .
(c)     The delivery of the Vessel by the Owners and the taking over of the Vessel by the Charterers shall constitute a full performance by the Owners of all the Owners’ obligations under this Clause 3 , and thereafter the Charterers shall not be entitled to make or assert any claim against the Owners on account of any conditions, representations or warranties expressed or implied with respect to the Vessel but the Owners shall be liable for the cost of but not the time for repairs or renewals occasioned by the latent defects in the Vessel, her machinery or appurtenances, existing at the time of delivery under this Charter, provided such defects have manifested themselves within twelve (12) months after delivery unless otherwise provided in Box 32 .
4.
Time for Delivery (See Additional Clause 35 (Delivery of the Vessel)
(not applicable when Part III applies, as indicated in Box 37 )
The Vessel shall not be delivered before the date indicated in Box 14 without the Charterers’ consent and the Owners shall exercise due diligence to deliver the Vessel not later than the date indicated in Box 15 .  Unless otherwise agreed in Box 18 , the Owners shall give the Charterers not less than thirty (30) running days’ preliminary and not less than fourteen (14) running days’ definite notice of the date on which the Vessel is expected to be ready for delivery.
The Owners shall keep the Charterers closely advised of possible changes in the Vessel’s position.
5.
Cancelling (See Additional Clause 33 Effectiveness of this Charter)
(not applicable when Part III applies, as indicated in Box 37 )
(a)     Should the Vessel not be delivered latest by the cancelling date indicated in Box 15, the Charterers shall have the option of cancelling this Charter by giving the Owners notice of cancellation within thirty-six (36) running hours after the cancelling date stated in Box 15, failing which this Charter shall remain in full force and effect.
(b)     If it appears that the Vessel will be delayed beyond the cancelling date, the Owners may, as soon as they are in a position to state with reasonably certainty the day on which the Vessel should be ready, give notice thereof to the Charterers asking whether they will exercise their option of cancelling, and the option must then be declared within one hundred and sixty-eight(168) running hours of the receipt by the Charterers of such notice or within thirty-six (36) running hours after the cancelling date, whichever is the earlier.  If the Charterers do not then exercise their option of cancelling, the seventh day after the readiness date stated in the Owners’ notice shall be substituted for the cancelling date indicated in Box 15 for the purpose of this Clause 5 .
(c)     Cancellation under this Clause 5 shall be without prejudice to any claim the Charterers may otherwise have on the Owners under this Charter.
6.
Trading Restrictions
The Vessel shall be employed in lawful trades for the carriage of suitable lawful merchandise within the trading limits indicated in Box 20 .
The Charterers undertake not to employ the Vessel or suffer the Vessel to be employed otherwise than in conformity with the terms of the contracts of insurance   Insurances (as defined in Additional Clause 32 (Definitions)) (including any warranties expressed or implied therein) without first obtaining the consent of the insurers to such employment and complying with such requirements as the extra premium or otherwise as the insurers may prescribe.
The Charterers also undertake not to employ the Vessel or suffer her employment in any trade or business which is forbidden by the law of any country to which the Vessel may sail or is otherwise illicit or in carrying illicit or prohibited goods or in any manner whatsoever which may render her liable to condemnation, destruction, seizure or confiscation.
Notwithstanding any other provisions contained in this Charter it is agreed that nuclear fuels or radioactive products or waste are specifically excluded from the cargo permitted to be loaded or carried under this Charter.  This exclusion does not apply to radio-isotopes used or intended to be used for any industrial, commercial, agricultural, medical or scientific purposes provided the Owners' prior approval has been obtained to loading thereof.
7.
Surveys on Delivery and Redelivery
(not applicable when Part III applies, as indicated in Box 37 )
The Owners and Charterers shall each appoint surveyors for the purpose of determining and agreeing in writing the condition of the Vessel at the time of delivery and redelivery hereunder.  The Owners shall bear all expenses of the On-hire Survey including loss of time, if any, and of the Off-hire Survey including loss of time, if any, at the daily equivalent to the rate of hire or pro rate thereof.
8.
Inspection
The Owners shall have the right at any time after giving reasonable notice to the Charterers to inspect or survey the Vessel or instruct a duly authorised surveyor to carry out such survey on their behalf:-
(a)      to ascertain the condition of the Vessel and satisfy themselves that the Vessel is being properly repaired and maintained.  The costs and fees for one such inspection or survey shall in the absence of a Termination Event be paid by the Owners Charterers per calendar year provided upon the occurrence of a Termination Event, the costs and fees for all such inspection or survey shall be paid by the Charterers unless the Vessel

This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.

PART II
“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
Is found to require repairs or maintenance in order to achieve the condition so provided;
(b)      in dry-dock if the Charterers have not dry-docked Her in accordance with Clause 10(g) .  The costs and fees for such inpsection or survey shall be paid by the Charterers; and
(c)     for any other commercial reason they consider necessary (provided it does not unduly interfere with the commercial operatioin of the Vessel). The costs and fees for such inspection and survey shall be paid by the Owners Charterers.
All time used in respect of inspection, survey or repairs shall be for the Charterers account and form part of the Charter Period.
The Charterers shall also permit the Owners to inspect the Vessel’s log books whenever requested and shall whenever required by the Owners furnish them with full information regarding any casualties or other accident or damage to the Vessel.
9.
Inventories, Oil and Stores
A complete inventory of the Vessel’s entire equipment, outfit including spare parts, appliances and of all consumables stores on board the Vessel shall be made by the Charterers in conjunction with the Owners on delivery and again on redelivery of the Vessel. Without limiting the foregoing,   Tt he Charterers and the Owners, respectively, shall at the also provide the Owners with a complete inventory of time of delivery and redelivery take over and pay for all bunkers, lubricating oil, unbreached provisions, paints, ropes and other consumable stores (excluding spare parts) in the said Vessel at the then current market prices at the ports of delivery and redelivery, respectively.  The Charterers shall ensure that all spare part listed in the inventory and used during the Charter Period are replaced at their expense prior to on redelivery of the Vessel.  (See also Additional Clause 51 (Redelivery))
10.
Maintenance and Operation
(a)(i) Maintenance and Repairs - During the Charter Period the Vessel shall be in the full possession and at the absolute disposal for all purposes of the Charterers and under their complete control in every respect.  The Charterers shall maintain the Vessel, her machinery, boilers, appurtenances and spare parts in a good state of repair, in efficient operating condition and in accordance with good commercial maintenance practice and, except as provided for in Clause 14(I) , if applicable, at their own expense they shall at all times keep the Vessel’s Class fully up to date with the Classification Society indicated in Box 10 and maintain all other necessary certificates in force at all times.

(ii)
New Class and Other Safety Requirements - In the event of any improvement, structural changes or new equipment becoming necessary for the continued operation of the Vessel by reason of new class requirements or by compulsory legislation costing (excluding the Charterers’ loss of time) more than the percentage stated in Box 23 , or if Box 23 is left blank, 5 percent of the Vessel’s insurance value as stated in Box 29 , then the extent, if any, to which the rate of hire shall be varied and the ratio in which the cost of compliance and the time used in relation thereto shall be shared between the parties concerned in order to achieve a reasonable distribution thereof as between the Owners and for the Charterers’ account . having regard, inter alia, to the length of the period remaining under this Charter shall, in the absence of agreement, be referred to the dispute resolution method agreed in Clause 30 .

(iii)
Financial Security - The Charterers shall maintain financial security or responsibility in respect of third party liabilities as required by any government, including federal, state or municipal or other division or authority thereof, to enable the Vessel, without penalty or charge, lawfully to enter, remain at, or leave any port, place, territorial or contiguous waters of any country, state or municipality in performance of this Charter without any delay.  This obligation shall apply whether or not such requirements have been lawfully imposed by such government or division or authority thereof.
The Charterers shall make and maintain all arrangements by bond or otherwise as may be necessary to satisfy such requirements at the Charterers’ sole expense and the Charterers shall indemnify the Owners against all consequences whatsoever (including loss of time) for any failure or inability to do so.
(b)      Operation of the Vessel - The Charterers shall at their own expense and by their own procurement man, victual, navigate, operate, supply, fuel and, whenever required, repair the Vessel during the Charter Period and they shall pay all charges and expenses of every kind and nature whatsoever incidental to their use and operation of the vessel under this Charter, including annual F f lag State fees and any foreign general municipality and/or state taxes.  The Master, officers and his crew of the Vessel shall be the servants of the Charterers for all purposes whatsoever, even if for any reason appointed by the Owners.
Charterers shall comply with the regulations regarding officers and crew in force in the country of the Vessel’s flag or any other applicable law.
(c)      The Charterers shall keep the Owners and the mortgagee(s) advised of the intended employment, planned dry docking and major repairs of the Vessel, as reasonably required.
(d)      Flag and Name of Vessel - During the Charter Period, the Charterers shall have the liberty to paint the Vessel in their own colours, install and display their funnel insignia and fly their own house flag.  The Charterers shall also have the liberty not , with out the Owners’  prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, to change the flag and/or the name of the Vessel during the Charter Period.  Painting and re-painting, instalment and re-instalment, registration   and re-registration, if required by the Owners, shall be at the Charterers’ expense and time.
(e)      Changes to the Vessel - Subject to clause 10(a)(ii), the Charterers shall make no structural changes in the Vessel or changes in the machinery, boilers, appurtenances or spare parts thereof without in each instance first securing the Owners’ approval thereof.  If the Owners so agree, the Charterers shall, if the Owners so require, restore the Vessel to its former condition before the termination of this Charter.
(f)      Use of the Vessel’s Outfit, Equipment and Appliances – The Charterers shall have the use of all outfit, equipment, and appliances on board the Vessel at the time of delivery, provided the same or their substantial equivalent shall be returned to the Owners on redelivery in the same good order and condition as when received, ordinary wear and tear expected.  The Charterers shall from time to time during the Charter Period replace such items of equipment as shall be so damaged or worn as to be unfit for use.  The Charterers are to procure that all repairs to or replacement of any damaged, worn or lost parts or equipment be effected in such manner (both as regards workmanship and quality of materials) as not to diminish the value of the Vessel.  The Charterers have the right to fit additional

This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.

equipment at their expense and risk but title to such additional equipment shall be deemed to have passed to the Owners immediately upon such fitting, and the Charterers shall remove such equipment at the end of the period if requested by the Owners.  Any equipment including radio equipment on hire on the Vessel at time of delivery shall be kept and maintained by the Charters and the Charterers shall assume the obligations and liabilities of the Owners under any lease contracts in connection therewith and shall reimburse the Owners for all expenses incurred in connection therewith, also for any new equipment required in order to comply with radio regulations.
(g)      Periodical Dry-Docking – The Charters shall dry-dock the Vessel and clean and paint her underwater parts whenever the same may be necessary, but not less than once during the period stated in Box 19 or, if Box 19 has been left blank, every sixty (60) calendar months after delivery or such other period as may be required by the Classification Society or Flag State.
11.
Hire (See Additional Clause 41 (Charterhire))
(a)     The Charterers shall pay hire due to the Owners punctually in accordance with the terms of this Charter in respect of which time shall be of the essence.
(b)     The Charterers shall pay to the Owners for the hire of the Vessel a lump sum in the amount indicated in Box 22 which shall be payable no later than every thirty (30) running days in advance, the first lump sum being payable on the date and hour of the Vessel’s delivery to the Charterers.  Hire shall be paid continuously throughout the Charter Period.
( c)     Payments of hire shall be made in cash without discount in the currency and in the manner indicated in Box 25 and at the place mentioned in Box 26 .
(d)     Final payment of hire, if for a period less than thirty (30) running days, shall be calculated proportionally according to the number of days and hours remaining before redelivery and advance payment to be affected accordingly.
(e)     Should the Vessel be lost or missing, hire shall cease from the date and time when she was lost or last heard of.  The date upon which the Vessel is to be treated as lost or missing shall be ten (10) days after the Vessel was last reported or when the Vessel is posted as missing by Lloyd’s, whichever occurs first.  Any hire paid in advance to be adjusted accordingly.
(f)     Any delay in payment of hirer shall entitle the Owners to interest at the rate per annum as agreed in Box 24 If Box 24 has not been filled in, the three months Interbank offered rate in London (LIBOR or is successor) for the currency stated in Box 25 , as quoted by the British Bankers’ Association (BBA) on the date when the hire fell due, increased by 2 per cent, shall apply.
(g)     Payments of interest due under subclause 11(f) shall be made within seven (7) running days of the date of the Owners invoice specifying the amount payable or, in the absence of an invoice, at the time of the next hire payment date.
12.
Mortgage (See also Additional Clause 44 (Owners’ Right to Mortgage))
(only to apply if Box 28 has been appropriately filled in)
*)
(a)     The Owners warrant that they have not effected any mortgage(s) of the Vessel and that they shall not effect any mortgage(s) without the prior consent of the Charterers, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
*)
(b)     The Vessel chartered under this Charter is may be financed by a mortgage according to the Financial Instrument.  The Charterers undertake to comply, and provide such information and documents to enable the Owners to comply, with all such instructions or directions in regard to the employment, insurances, operation, repairs and maintenance of the Vessel as laid down in the Financial Instrument or as may be directed from time to time during the currency of the Charter by the mortgagee(s) in conformity with the Financial Instrument.  The Charterers confirm that, for this purpose, they will have acquainted themselves with all relevant terms, conditions and provisions of the Financial Instrument and agree to acknowledge this in writing in any form that may be required by the mortgagee(s).  The Owners warrant that they have not effected any mortgage(s) other than stated in Box 28 and that they shall not agree to any amendment of the mortgage(s) referred to in Box 28 or effect any other mortgage(s) without the prior consent of the Charterers, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
*)
(Optional, Clauses 12(a) and 12(b) are alternatives; indicate alternative agreed in Box 28 )
13.
Insurance and Repairs (See also Additional Clause 48 (Insurances, Total Loss))
(a)     During the Charter Period the Vessel shall be kept insured by the Charterers at their expense against hull and machinery, war and Protection and Indemnity risks (and any risks against which it is compulsory to insure for the operation of the Vessel, including maintaining financial security in accordance with sub clause 10(a)(iii)) in such form as the Owners shall in writing approve, which approval shall not be un-reasonably withheld.  Such insurances shall be arranged by the Charterers to protect the interests of both the Owners and the Charterers and the mortgagee(s), (if any), and The Charterers shall be at liberty to protect under such insurances the interests of any managers they may appoint.  Insurance policies shall cover the Owners, and the Charterers according to their respective interests.  Subject to the provisions of the Financial Instrument, if any , and the approval of the Owners and the insurers, the Charterers shall effect all insured repairs and shall undertake settlement and reimbursement from the insurers of all costs in connection with such repairs as well as insured charges, expenses and liabilities to the extent of coverage under the insurances herein provided for.
The Charterers also to remain responsible for and to effect repairs and settlement of costs and expenses incurred thereby in respect of all other repairs not covered by the insurances and/or not exceeding any possible franchise(s) or deductibles provided for in the insurance.
All time used for repairs under the provisions of sub- clause 13(a) and for repairs of latent defects according to Clause 3(c) above, including any deviation, shall be the Charterers’ account.
(b)     If the conditions of the above insurances permit additional insurance to be placed by the parties, such cover shall be limited to the amount for each party set out in Box 30 and Box 31 , respectively.  The Owners or the Charterers as the case may be shall immediately furnish the other party with particulars of any additional insurance effected, including copies of any cover notes or policies and the written consent of the insurers of any such required insurance in any case where the consent of such insurers are necessary.
(c)     The Charterers shall upon the request of the Owners, provide information and promptly execute such documents as may be reasonably required to enable the Owners to comply with the insurance provisions of the Financial Instrument.
(d)     Subject to the provisions of the Financial Instruments, if any, should the Vessel become an actual, constructive, compromised or agreed total loss under the insurances required under sub-clause 13(a) , all insurance payments for such loss shall be paid to the Owners who shall distribute the moneys between the in accordance with Additional Clause 48.3 (Total Loss)   Owners and the Charterers according to their respective interests. The Charterers undertake to notify the Owners and the mortgagee(s), if any, of any occurrences in consequence of which the Vessel is likely to become a


This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.

PART II
“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
total loss as defined in this Clause.
(e)     The Owners shall upon the request of the Charterers, promptly execute such documents as may be required to enable the Charterers to abandon the Vessel to insurers and claim a constructive total loss.
(f)     For the purpose of insurance coverage against hull and machinery and war risks under the provisions of sub-clause 13(a) , the value of the Vessel is the sum indicated in Box 29 .
14.
Insurance, Repairs and Classification
(Optional, only to apply if expressly agreed and stated in Box 29 , in which event Clause 13 shall be considered deleted).
(a)     During the Charter Period the Vessel shall be kept insured by the Owners at their expense against hull and machinery and war risks under the form of policy or policies attached hereto.  The Owners and/or insurers shall not have any right of recovery or subrogation against the Charterers on account of loss of or any damage to the Vessel or her machinery or appurtenances covered by such insurance, or on account of payments made to discharge claims against or liabilities of the Vessel or the Owners covered by such insurance. Insurance policies shall cover the Owners and the Charterers according to their respective interests.
(b)      During the Charter Period the Vessel shall be kept insured by the Charterers at their expense against Protection and Indemnity risks (and any risks against which it is compulsory to insure for the operation of the Vessel, including maintaining financial security in accordance with sub-clause 10(a)(iii) ) in such form as the Owners shall in writing approve which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(c)    In the event that any act or negligence of the Charterers shall vitiate any of the insurance herein provided, the Charterers shall pay to the Owners all losses and indemnify the Owners against all claims and demands which would otherwise have been covered by such insurance.
(d)      The Charterers shall, subject to the approval of the Owners or Owners' Underwriters, effect all insured repairs, and the Charterers shall undertake settlement of all miscellaneous expenses in connection with such repairs as well as all insured charges, expenses and liabilities to the extent of coverage under the insurances provided for under the provisions of sub-clause 14(a) .  The Charterers to be secured reimbursement through the Owners' Underwriters for such expenditures upon presentation of accounts.
(e)      The Charterers to remain responsible for and to effect repairs and settlement of costs and expenses incurred thereby in respect of all other repairs not covered by the insurances and/or not exceeding any possible franchise(s) or deductibles provided for in the insurances.
(f)      All time used for repairs under the provisions of sub-clauses 14(d) and 14(e) and for repairs of latent defects according to Clause 3 above, including any deviation, shall be for the Charterers' account and shall form part of the Charter Period.
The Owners shall not be responsible for any expenses  as are incident to the use and operation of the Vessel for such time as may be required to make such repairs.
(g)    If the conditions of the above insurances permit additional insurance to be placed by the parties such cover shall be limited to the amount for each party set out in Box 30 and Box 31 , respectively.  The Owners or the Charterers as the case may be shall immediately furnish the other party with particulars of any additional insurance effected, including copies of any cover notes or policies and the written consent of the insurers of any such required insurance in any case where the consent of such insurers is necessary.
(h)      Should the Vessel become an actual, constructive, compromised or agreed total loss under the insurances required under sub-clause 14(a), all insurance payments for such loss shall be paid to the Owners, who shall distribute the moneys between themselves and the Charterers according to their respective interests.
(i)      If the Vessel becomes an actual, constructive,  compromised or agreed total loss under the insurances arranged by the Owners in accordance with sub-clause 14(a), this Charter shall terminate as of the date of such loss.
(j)      The Charterers shall upon the request of the Owners, promptly execute such documents as may be required to enable the Owners to abandon the Vessel to the insurers and claim a constructive total loss.
(k)      For the purpose of insurance coverage against hull and machinery and war risks under the provisions of sub-clause 14(a) , the value of the Vessel is the sum indicated in Box 29 .
(I)      Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-clause 10(a), it is agreed that under the provisions of Clause 14, if applicable, the Owners shall keep the Vessel's Class fully up to date with the Classification Society indicated in Box 10 and maintain all other necessary certificates in force at all times.
15.
Redelivery (See also Additional Clause 51 (Redelivery))
At the expiration of the Charter Period the Vessel shall be redelivered by the Charterers to the Owners at a safe and ice-free port or place as indicated in Box 16 , in such ready safe berth as the Owners may direct.  The Charterers shall give the Owners not less than thirty (30) running days' preliminary notice of expected date, range of ports of redelivery or port or place of redelivery and not less than fourteen (14) running days' definite notice of expected date and port or place of redelivery.  Any changes thereafter in the Vessel's position shall be notified immediately to the Owners.
The Charterers warrant that they will not permit the Vessel to commence a voyage (including any preceding ballast voyage) which cannot reasonably be expected to be completed in time to allow redelivery of the Vessel within the Charter Period.  Notwithstanding the above, should the Charterers fail to redeliver the Vessel within   the Charter Period, the Charterers shall pay the daily equivalent to the rate of hire stated in Box 22 plus 10 per cent. or to the market rate, whichever is the higher, for the number of days by which the Charter Period is exceeded.  All other terms, conditions and provisions of this Charter shall continue to apply.
Subject to the provisions of Clause 10 , the Vessel shall be redelivered to the Owners in the same or as good structure, state, condition and class as that in which she was delivered, fair wear and tear not affecting class excepted.
The Vessel upon redelivery shall have her survey cycles up to date and trading and class certificates valid for at least the number of months agreed in Box 17 .
16.
Non-Lien
The Charterers will not suffer, nor permit to be continued, any lien or encumbrance incurred by them or their agents, which might have priority over the title and interest of the Owners in the Vessel.  The Charterers further agree to fasten to the Vessel in a conspicuous place and to keep so fastened during the Charter Period a notice reading as follows:
“This Vessel is the property of (name of Owners).  It is under charter to (name of Charterers) and by the terms of the Charter Party neither the Charterers nor the Master have any right, power or authority to create, incur or permit to be imposed on the Vessel any lien whatsoever.”
17.
Indemnity  (See also Clause 43 (Indemnity)




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PART II
“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
 (a)      The Charterers shall indemnify the Owners against any loss, damage or expense incurred by the Owners arising out of or in relation to a breach of this Charter and/or the operation of the Vessel by the Charterers, and against any lien of whatsoever nature arising out of an event occurring during the Charter Period Security Period .  If the Vessel be arrested or otherwise detained by reason of claims or liens arising out of her operation hereunder by the Charterers, the Charterers shall at their own expense take all reasonable steps to secure that within a reasonable time the Vessel is released, including the provision of bail.
Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Charterers agree to indemnify the Owners against all consequences or liabilities arising from the Master, officers or agents signing Bills of Lading or other documents.
(b)      If the Vessel be arrested or otherwise detained by reason of a claim or claims against the Owners, the Owners shall at their own expense take all reasonable steps to secure that within a reasonable time the Vessel is released, including the provision of bail.  In such circumstances the Owners shall indemnify the Charterers against any loss, damage or expense incurred by the Charterers (including hire paid under this Charter) as a direct consequence of such arrest or detention.
18.
Lien
The Owners to have a lien upon all cargoes, sub-hires   and sub-freights belonging or due to the Charterers or   any sub-charterers and any Bill of Lading freight for all   claims under this Charter , and the Charterers to have a lien on the Vessel for all moneys paid in advance and   not earned . The Charterers are not entitled to have any lien on the Vessel of whatsoever nature.
19.
Salvage
All salvage and towage performed by the Vessel shall be for the Charterers' benefit and the cost of repairing damage occasioned thereby shall be borne by the Charterers.
20.
Wreck Removal
In the event of the Vessel becoming a wreck or obstruction to navigation the Charterers shall indemnify the Owners against any sums whatsoever which the Owners shall become liable to pay and shall pay in consequence of the Vessel becoming a wreck or obstruction to navigation.
21.
General Average
The Owners shall not contribute to General Average.
22.
Assignment, Sub-Charter and Sale (See Additional Cluase 53 (Assignment and set-off)
( a)     The Charterers shall not assign this Charter nor sub-charter the Vessel on a bareboat basis except with the prior consent in writing of the Owners, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, and subject to such terms and conditions as the Owners shall approve.
(b)      The Owners shall not sell the Vessel during the currency of this Charter . except with the prior written consent of the Charterers, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, and subject to the buyer accepting an assignment of this Charter.
23.
Contracts of Carriage
*)
(a)     The Charterers are to procure that all documents issued during the Charter Period evidencing the terms and conditions agreed in respect of carriage of goods shall contain a paramount clause incorporating any legislation relating to carrier's liability for cargo compulsorily applicable in the trade; if no such legislation exists, the documents shall incorporate the Hague-Visby Rules.  The documents shall also contain the New Jason Clause and the Both-to-Blame Collision Clause.
*)
(b)      The Charterers are to procure that all passenger tickets issued during the Charter Period for the carriage of passengers and their luggage under this Charter shall contain a paramount clause incorporating any legislation relating to carrier's liability for passengers and their luggage compulsorily applicable in the trade; if no such legislation exists, the passenger tickets shall incorporate the Athens Convention Relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 1974, and any protocol thereto.
*)
Delete as applicable.
24.
Bank Corporate Gpuarantees
(Optional, only to apply if Box 27 filled in)
The Charterers undertake to furnish, before delivery of the Vessel, a first class bank corporate guarantee or bond in the   from each of (i) Top Ships Inc. and (ii) Central Shipping Monaco S.A.M.   sum and at the place as indicated in Box 27 as guarantee, for full performance of their obligations under this Charter.
25.
Requisition/Acquisition
(a)    In the event of the Requisition for Hire of the Vessel by any governmental or other competent authority (hereinafter referred to as "Requisition for Hire") irrespective of the date during the Charter Period   Security Period when "Requisition for Hire" may occur and irrespective of the length thereof and whether or not it be for an indefinite or a limited period of time, and irrespective of whether it   may or will remain in force for the remainder of the Charter Period   Security Period , this Charter shall not be deemed thereby or thereupon to be frustrated or otherwise terminated and the Charterers shall continue to pay the stipulated hire in the manner provided by this Charter until the time when the Charter would have terminated pursuant to any provisions hereof. always proivded however that in the event of “Requisiton for Hire” any Requisition for Hire or compensation recevied or receivable by the Owners shall be payable to the Charterers during the remainder of the Charter Period or the period of the remainder of the Charter Period or the period of the “Requisition for Hire” whichever be the shorter .
(b) In the event of the Owners being deprived of their ownership in the Vessel by any Compulsory Acquisition of the Vessel or requisition for title by any governmental or other competent authority (hereinafter referred to as "Compulsory Acquisition"), then, irrespective of the date during the Charter Period when "Compulsory Acquisition" may occur, this Charter shall be deemed terminated as of the date of such "Compulsory Acquisition".  In such event Charter Hire to be considered as earned and to be paid up to the date and time of such "Compulsory Acquisition".
26.
War
(a)     For the purpose of this Clause, the words "War Risks" shall include any war (whether actual or threatened), act of war, civil war, hostilities, revolution, rebellion, civil commotion, warlike operations, the laying of mines (whether actual or reported), acts of piracy, acts of terrorists, acts of hostility or malicious damage, blockades (whether imposed against all vessels or imposed selectively against vessels of certain flags or ownership, or against certain cargoes or crews or otherwise howsoever), by any person, body, terrorist or political group, or the Government of any state whatsoever, which may be dangerous or are likely to be or to become dangerous to the Vessel, her cargo, crew or other persons on board the Vessel.
(b)     T he Vessel, unless adequate insurace cover and the written consent of the Owners be first obtained, shall not continue to or go through any port, place, area or zone (whether of land or sea), or any waterway or canal, where it reasonably

This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


PART II
“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
appears that the Vessel, her cargo, crew or other persons on board the Vessel, in the reasonable judgement of the Owners, may be, or are likely to be, exposed to War Risks.  Should the Vessel be within any such place as aforesaid, without adequate insurance cover or without the written consent of the Owners, which only becomes dangerous, or is likely to be or to become dangerous, after her entry into it, the Owners shall have the right to require the Vessel to leave such area.
(c)      The Vessel shall not load contraband cargo, or to pass through any blockade, whether such blockade be imposed on all vessels, or is imposed selectively in any way whatsoever against vessels of certain flags or ownership, or against certain cargoes or crews or otherwise howsoever, or to proceed to an area where she shall be subject, or is likely to be subject to a belligerent's right of search and/or confiscation.
(d)      If the insurers of the war risks insurance, when Clause 14 is applicable, should require payment of premiums and/or calls because, pursuant to the Charterers' orders, the Vessel is within, or is due to enter and remain within, any area or areas which are specified by such insurers as being subject to additional premiums because of War Risks, then such premiums and/or calls shall be reimbursed by the Charterers to the Owners at the same time as the next payment of hire is due.
(e)       The Charterers shall have the liberty:

(i)
to comply with all orders, directions, recommendations or advice as to departure, arrival, routes, sailing in convoy, ports of call, stoppages, destinations, discharge of cargo, delivery, or in any other way whatsoever, which are given by the Government of the Nation under whose flag the Vessel sails, or any other Government, body or group whatsoever acting with the power to compel compliance with their orders or directions;

(ii)
to comply with the orders, directions or recommendations of any war risks underwriters who have the authority to give the same under the terms of the war risks insurance;

(iii)
to comply with the terms of any resolution of the Security Council of the United Nations, any directives of the European Community, the effective orders of any other Supranational body which has the right to issue and give the same, and with national laws aimed at enforcing the same to which the Owners are subject, and to obey the orders and directions of those who are charged with their enforcement.
(f)       In the event of outbreak of war (whether there be a declaration of war or not) (i) between any two or more of the following countries: the United States of America; Russia; the United Kingdom; France; and the People's Republic of China, (ii) between any two or more of the countries stated in Box 36 , both the Owners and the Charterers shall have the right to cancel this Charter, whereupon the Charterers shall redeliver the Vessel to the Owners in accordance with Clause 15 , if the Vessel has cargo on board after discharge thereof at destination, or if debarred under this Clause from reaching or entering it at a near, open and safe port as directed by the Owners, or if the Vessel has no cargo on board, at the port at which the Vessel then is or if at sea at a near, open and safe port as directed by the O wners.  In all cases hire shall continue to be paid in accordance with   Clause 11 and except as aforesaid all other provisions of this Charter shall apply until redelivery.
27.
Commission
The Owners to pay a commission at the rate indicated in Box 33 to the Brokers named in Box 33 on any hire paid under the Charter.  If no rate is indicated in Box 33 , the commission to be paid by the Owners shall cover the actual expenses of the Brokers and a reasonable fee for their work.
If the full hire is not paid owing to breach of the Charter by either of the parties the party liable therefor shall indemnify the Brokers against their loss of commission.  Should the parties agree to cancel the Charter, the Owners shall indemnify the Brokers against any loss of commission but in such case the commission shall not exceed the brokerage on one year's hire.
28.
Termination (See Additional Clauses 49 (Termination Events) and 50 Owners’ rights on termination))
(a)       Charterers' Default
The Owners shall be entitled to withdraw the Vessel from the service of the Charterers and terminate the Charter with immediate effect by written notice to the Charterers if:

(i)
the Charterers fail to pay hire in accordance with   Clause 11 .  However, where there is a failure to make punctual payment of hire due to oversight, negligence, errors or omissions on the part of the Charterers or their bankers, the Owners shall give   the Charterers written notice of the number of clear banking days stated in Box 34 (as recognised at the agreed place of payment) in which to rectify the failure, and when so rectified within such number of days following the Owners' notice, the payment shall stand as regular and punctual.  Failure by the Charterers to pay hire within the number of days stated in Box 34 of their receiving the Owners' notice as provided herein, shall entitle the Owners to withdraw the Vessel from the service of the Charterers and terminate the Charter without further notice;

(ii)
the Charterers fail to comply with the requirements of:
(1)   Clause 6 (Trading Restrictions)
(2)   Clause 13(a)
(Insurance and Repairs) provided that the Owners shall have the option, by written notice to the Charterers, to give the Charterers a specified number of days grace within which to rectify the failure without prejudice to the Owners' right to withdraw and terminate under this Clause if the Charterers fail to comply with such notice;

(iii)
the Charterers fail to rectify any failure to comply with the requirements of sub-clause 10(a)(i) (Maintenance and Repairs) as soon as practically

This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


PART II
“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
possible after the Owners have requested them in writing so to do and in any event so that the Vessel's insurance cover is not prejudiced.
(b)      Owners' Default
If the Owners shall by any act or omission be in breach of their obligations under this Charter to the extent that the Charterers are deprived of the use of the Vessel and such breach continues for a period of fourteen (14) running days after written notice thereof has been given by the Charterers to the Owners, the Charterers shall be entitled to terminate this Charter with immediate effect by written notice to the Owners.
(c)      Loss of Vessel
This Charter shall be deemed to be terminated if the Vessel becomes a total loss or is declared as a constructive or compromised or arranged total loss.  For the purpose of this sub-clause, the Vessel shall not be deemed to be lost unless she has either become an actual total loss or agreement has been reached with her underwriters in respect of her constructive, compromised or arranged total loss or if such agreement with her underwriters is not reached it is adjudged by a competent tribunal that a constructive loss of the Vessel has occurred.
(d)      Either party shall be entitled to terminate this Charter with immediate effect by written notice to the other party in the event of an order being made or resolution passed for the winding up, dissolution, liquidation or bankruptcy of the other party (otherwise than for the purpose of reconstruction or amalgamation) or if a receiver is appointed, or if it suspends payment, ceases to carry on business or makes any special arrangement or composition with its creditors.
(e)      The termination of this Charter shall be without prejudice to all rights accrued due between the parties prior to the date of termination and to any claim that either party might have.
29.
Repossession
In the event of the termination of this Charter in accordance with the applicable provisions of Clause s 28 this Charter , the Owners shall have the right to repossess the Vessel from the Charterers at her current or next port of call, or at a port or place convenient to them without hindrance or interference by the Charterers, courts or local authorities.  Pending physical repossession of the Vessel in accordance with this Clause 29 , the Charterers shall hold the Vessel as gratuitous bailee only to the Owners and the Charterers shall procure that the master and the crew follow the orders and directions of the Owners .
The Owners shall arrange for an authorised representative to board the Vessel as soon as reasonably practicable following the termination of the Charter.  The Vessel shall be deemed to be repossessed by the Owners from the Charterers upon the boarding of the Vessel by the Owners' representative.  All arrangements and expenses relating to the settling of wages, disembarkation and repatriation of the Charterers' Master, officers and crew shall be the sole responsibility of the Charterers.
30.
Dispute Resolution
*)
(a)      This Contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Contract shall be referred to arbitration in London in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996 or any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof save to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Clause.
The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) Terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
The reference shall be to three arbitrators.  A party wishing to refer a dispute to arbitration shall appoint its arbitrator and send notice of such appointment in writing to the other party requiring the other party to appoint its own arbitrator within 14 calendar days of that notice and stating that it will appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator unless the other party appoints its own arbitrator and gives notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified.  If the other party does not appoint its own arbitrator and give notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified, the party referring a dispute to arbitration may, without the requirement of any further prior notice to the other party, appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator and shall advise the other party accordingly.  The award of a sole arbitrator shall be binding on both parties as if he had been appointed by agreement.
Nothing herein shall prevent the parties agreeing in writing to vary these provisions to provide for the appointment of a sole arbitrator.
In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of US$50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the LMAA Small Claims Procedure current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
*)
(b)      This Contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Title 9 of the United States Code and the Maritime Law of the United States and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Contract shall be referred to three persons at New York, one to be appointed by each of the parties hereto, and the third by the two so chosen; their decision or that of any two of them shall be final, and for the purposes of enforcing any award, judgement may be entered on an award by any court of competent jurisdiction.  The proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc.
In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of US550,000 (or such other sum as   the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the Shortened Arbitration Procedure of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc. current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
*)
(c)      This Contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the place mutually agreed by the parties and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Contract shall be referred to arbitration at a mutually agreed place, subject to the procedures applicable there.
(d)      Notwithstanding (a), (b) or (c) above, the parties may agree at any time to refer to mediation any difference and/or dispute arising out of or in connection with this Contract.
In the case of a dispute in respect of which arbitration has been commenced under (a), (b) or (c) above, the following shall apply:-

(i)
Either party may at any time and from time to time elect to refer the dispute or part of the dispute to mediation by service on the other party of a written notice (the "Mediation Notice') calling on the other party to agree to mediation.

(ii)
The other party shall thereupon within 14 calendar days of receipt of the Mediation Notice confirm that they agree to mediation, in which case the parties shall thereafter agree a mediator within a further 14 calendar days, failing which on the application of either party a mediator will be appointed promptly by the Arbitration Tribunal ("the Tribunal") or such person as the Tribunal may designate for that purpose.  The mediation shall be conducted in such place and in accordance with such procedure and

This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.

PART II
“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
on such terms as the parties may agree or, in the event of disagreement, as may be set by the mediator.

(iii)
If the other party does not agree to mediate, that fact may be brought to the attention of the Tribunal and may be taken into account by the Tribunal when allocating the costs of the arbitration as between the parties.

(iv)
The mediation shall not affect the right of either party to seek such relief or take such steps as it considers necessary to protect its interest.

(v)
Either party may advise the Tribunal that they have agreed to mediation.  The arbitration procedure shall continue during the conduct of the mediation but the Tribunal may take the mediation timetable into account when setting the timetable for steps in the arbitration.

(vi)
Unless otherwise agreed or specified in the mediation terms, each party shall bear its own costs incurred in the mediation and the parties shall share equally the mediator's costs and expenses.

(vii)
The mediation process shall be without prejudice and confidential and no information or documents disclosed during it shall be revealed to the Tribunal except to the extent that they are disclosable under the law and procedure governing the arbitration.
(Note: The parties should be aware that the mediation process may not necessarily interrupt time limits.)
(e)    If Box 35 in Part I is not appropriately filled in, sub-clause 30(a) of this Clause shall apply.  Sub-clause 30(d) shall apply in all cases.
*)     Sub-clauses 30(a) , 30(b) and 30(c) are alternatives;
indicate alternative agreed in Box 35 .
31.
Notices (See Additional Clause 52 (Communications))
(a)      Any notice to be given by either party to the other party shall be in writing and may be sent by fax, telex, registered or recorded mail or by personal service.
(b)      The address of the Parties for service of such communication shall be as stated in Boxes 3 and 4 respectively.















This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
   
OPTIONAL
PART
PART III
PROVISIONS TO APPLY FOR NEWBUILDING VESSELS ONLY
(Optional, only to apply if expressly agreed and stated in Box 37)
1.
Specifications and Building Contract
(a)      The Vessel shall be constructed in accordance with the Building Contract (hereafter called the Building Contract") as annexed to this Charter, made between the Builders and the Owners and in accordance with the specifications and plans annexed thereto, such Building Contract, specifications and plans having been counter- signed as approved by the Charterers.
(b)      No change shall be made in the Building Contract or in the specifications or plans of the Vessel as approved by the Charterers as aforesaid, without the Charterers' consent.
(c)      The Charterers shall have the right to send their representative to the Builders' Yard to inspect the Vessel during the course of her construction to satisfy themselves that construction is in accordance with such approved specifications and plans as referred to under sub-clause (a) of this Clause.
(d)      The Vessel shall be built in accordance with the Building Contract and shall be of the description set out therein.  Subject to the provisions of sub-clause 2(c)(ii) hereunder, the Charterers shall be bound to accept the Vessel from the Owners, completed and constructed in accordance with the Building Contract, on the date of delivery by the Builders.  The Charterers undertake that having accepted the Vessel they will not thereafter raise any claims against the Owners in respect of the Vessel's performance or specification or defects, if any.  Nevertheless, in respect of any repairs, replacements or defects which appear within the first 12 months from delivery by the Builders, the Owners shall endeavour to compel the Builders to repair, replace or remedy any defects or to recover from the Builders any expenditure incurred in carrying out such repairs, replacements or remedies.  However, the Owners' liability to the Charterers shall be limited to the extent the Owners have a valid claim against the Builders under the guarantee clause of the Building Contract (a copy whereof has been supplied to the Charterers).  The Charterers shall be bound to accept such sums as the Owners are reasonably able to recover under this Clause and shall make no further claim on the Owners for the difference between the amount(s) so recovered and the actual expenditure on repairs, replacement or remedying defects or for any loss of time incurred.  Any liquidated damages for physical defects or deficiencies shall accrue to the account of the party stated in Box 41(a) or if not filled in shall be shared equally between the parties.  The costs of pursuing a claim or claims against the Builders under this Clause (including any liability to the Builders) shall be borne by the party stated in Box 41(b) or if not filled in shall be shared equally between the parties.
2.
Time and Place of Delivery
(a)      Subject to the Vessel having completed her acceptance trials including trials of cargo equipment in accordance with the Building Contract and specifications to the satisfaction of the Charterers, the Owners shall give and the Charterers shall take delivery of the Vessel afloat when ready for delivery and properly documented at the Builders' Yard or some other safe and readily accessible dock, wharf or place as may be agreed between the parties hereto and the Builders.  Under the Building Contract the Builders have estimated that the Vessel will be ready for delivery to the Owners as therein provided but the delivery date for the purpose of this Charter shall be the date when the Vessel is in fact ready for delivery by the Builders after completion of trials whether that be before or after as indicated in the Building Contract.  The Charterers shall not be entitled to refuse acceptance of delivery of the Vessel and upon and after such acceptance, subject to Clause 1(d), the Charterers shall not be entitled to make any claim against the Owners in respect of any conditions, representations or warranties, whether express or implied, as to the seaworthiness of the Vessel or in respect of delay in delivery.
(b)      If for any reason other than a default by the Owners under the Building Contract, the Builders become entitled under that Contract not to deliver the Vessel to the Owners, the Owners shall upon giving to the Charterers written notice of Builders becoming so entitled, be excused from giving delivery of the Vessel to the Charterers and upon receipt of such notice by the Charterers this Charter shall cease to have effect.
(c)     If for any reason the Owners become entitled under the Building Contract to reject the Vessel the Owners shall, before exercising such right of rejection, consult the Charterers and thereupon
(i) if the Charterers do not wish to take delivery of the Vessel they shall inform the Owners within seven (7) running days by notice in writing and upon receipt by the Owners of such notice this Charter shall cease to have effect; or
(ii) if the Charterers wish to take delivery of the Vessel
they may by notice in writing within seven (7) running days require the Owners to negotiate with the Builders as to the terms on which delivery should be taken and/or refrain from exercising their right to rejection and upon receipt of such notice the Owners shall commence such negotiations and/ or take delivery of the Vessel from the Builders and deliver her to the Charterers;
(iii) in no circumstances shall the Charterers be entitled to reject the Vessel unless the Owners are able to reject the Vessel from the Builders;
(iv) if this Charter terminates under sub-clause (b) or (c) of this Clause, the Owners shall thereafter not be liable to the Charterers for any claim under or arising out of this Charter or its termination.
(d)     Any liquidated damages for delay in delivery under the Building Contract and any costs incurred in pursuing a claim therefor shall accrue to the account of the party stated in Box 41(c) or if not filled in shall be shared equally between the parties.
3.
Guarantee Works
If not otherwise agreed, the Owners authorise the Charterers to arrange for the guarantee works to be performed in accordance with the building contract terms, and hire to continue during the period of guarantee works.  The Charterers have to advise the Owners about the performance to the extent the Owners may request.
4.
Name of Vessel
The name of the Vessel shall be mutually agreed between the Owners and the Charterers and the Vessel shall be painted in the colours, display the funnel insignia and fly the house flag as required by the Charterers.
5.
Survey on Redelivery
The Owners and the Charterers shall appoint surveyors  for the purpose of determining and agreeing in writing the condition of the Vessel at the time of re-delivery Without prejudice to Clause 15 (Part II), the Charterers shall bear all survey expenses and all other costs, if any, including the cost of docking and undocking, if required, as well as all repair costs incurred.  The Charterers shall also bear all loss of time spent in connection with any docking and undocking as well as repairs, which shall be paid at the rate of hire per day or pro rata.

This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.

“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
   
OPTIONAL
PART
PART IV
HIRE/PURCHASE AGREEMENT
(Optional, only to apply if expressly agreed and stated in Box 42)
On expiration of this Charter and provided the Charterers   have fulfilled their obligations according to Part I and II as well as Part III, if applicable, it is agreed, that on payment of the final payment of hire as per Clause 11 the Charterers have purchased the Vessel with everything belonging to her and the Vessel is fully paid for.

In the following paragraphs the Owners are referred to as the Sellers and the Charterers as the Buyers.

The Vessel shall be delivered by the Sellers and taken over by the Buyers on expiration of the Charter.

The Sellers guarantee that the Vessel, at the time of delivery, is tree from all encumbrances and maritime liens or any debts whatsoever other than those arising from anything done or not done by the Buyers or any existing mortgage agreed not to be paid off by the time of delivery.  Should any claims, which have been incurred prior to the time of delivery be made against the Vessel, the Sellers hereby undertake to indemnify the Buyers against all consequences of such claims to the extent it can be proved that the Sellers are responsible for such claims.  Any taxes, notarial, consular and other charges and expenses connected with the purchase and registration under Buyers' flag, shall be for Buyers' account.  Any taxes, consular and other charges and expenses connected with closing of the Sellers' register, shall be for Sellers' account.

In exchange for payment of the last month's hire instalment the Sellers shall furnish the Buyers with a Bill of Sale duly attested and legalized, together with a certificate setting out the registered encumbrances, if any.  On delivery of the Vessel the Sellers shall provide for deletion of the Vessel from the Ship's Register and deliver a certificate of deletion to the Buyers.  The Sellers shall, at the time of delivery, hand to the Buyers all classification certificates (for hull, engines, anchors, chains, etc.), as well as all plans which may be in Sellers' possession.

The Wireless Installation and Nautical Instruments, unless on hire, shall be included in the sale without any extra payment.

The Vessel with everything belonging to her shall be at Sellers' risk and expense until she is delivered to the Buyers, subject to the conditions of this Contract and the Vessel with everything belonging to her shall be delivered and taken over as she is at the time of delivery, after which the Sellers shall have no responsibility for possible faults or deficiencies of any description.

The Buyers undertake to pay for the repatriation of the Master, officers and other personnel if appointed by the Sellers to the port where the Vessel entered the Bareboat Charter as per Clause 3 (Part II) or to pay the equivalent cost for their journey to any other place.

This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


“BARECON 2001” Standard Bareboat Charter
   
OPTIONAL
PART
PART V
PROVISIONS TO APPLY FOR VESSELS REGISTERED IN BAREBOAT CHARTER REGISTRY
(Optional, only to apply if expressly agreed and stated in Box 43)

1.
Definitions
For the purpose of this PART V, the following terms shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them: " The Bareboat Charter Registry " shall mean the registry of the State whose flag the Vessel will fly and in which the Charterers are registered as the bareboat charterers during the period of the Bareboat Charter.
The Underlying Registry " shall mean the registry of the State in which the Owners of the Vessel are registered as Owners and to which jurisdiction and control of the Vessel will revert upon termination of the Bareboat Charter Registration.
2.
Mortgage
The Vessel chartered under this Charter is financed by a mortgage and the provisions of Clause 12(b) (Part II) shall apply.
3.
Termination of Charter by Default
If the Vessel chartered under this Charter is registered in a Bareboat Charter Registry as stated in Box 44 , and if the Owners shall default in the payment of any amounts due under the mortgage(s) specified in Box 28 . the Charterers shall, if so required by the mortgagee, direct the Owners to re-register the Vessel in the Underlying Registry as shown in Box 45 .
In the event of the Vessel being deleted from the Bareboat Charter Registry as stated in Box 44 , due to a default by the Owners in the payment of any amounts due under the mortgage(s), the Charterers shall have the right to terminate this Charter forthwith and without prejudice to any other claim they may have against the Owners under this Charter.

This document is computer generate BARECON 2001 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.
Exhibit 4.101
Eco California
BBC Additional Clauses
ADDITIONAL CLAUSES
to the Bareboat Charter dated this         21st       day of  December 2018
(“this Charter”)
between
XIANG T88 HK INTERNATIONAL SHIP LEASE CO., LIMITED
(as Owners)
and
PCH77 SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED
(as Charterers)
in respect of
A Class Product and Chemical Tanker currently bearing Builder’s Hull No. 8218 to
be named “Eco California”
(“Vessel”)
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CONTENTS
CLAUSE
PAGE

32.
DEFINITIONS
3
     
33.
EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS CHARTER
18
     
34.
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
20
     
35.
DELIVERY OF THE VESSEL
20
     
36.
EXCLUSION OF WARRANTIES
21
     
37.
FLAG AND CLASS
23
     
38.
MANAGEMENT
24
     
39.
CHARTER PERIOD AND PURCHASE OPTION
24
     
40.
CHARTER ARRANGEMENT FEE
26
     
41.
CHARTERHIRE
26
     
42.
PAYMENTS
28
     
43.
INDEMNITY
29
     
44.
OWNERS’ RIGHT TO MORTGAGE
30
     
45.
OWNERS’ RIGHT TO SALE
31
     
46.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
31
     
47.
UNDERTAKINGS
34
     
48.
INSURANCES, TOTAL LOSS
42
     
49.
TERMINATION EVENTS
47
     
50.
OWNERS’ RIGHTS ON TERMINATION
51
     
51.
REDELIVERY
52
     
52.
COMMUNICATIONS
53
     
53.
ASSIGNMENT AND SET-OFF
54
     
54.
MISCELLANEOUS
55

SCHEDULE I Repurchase Price Schedule
57
   
SCHEDULE II Conditions Precedent
59
   
SCHEDULE III Loss Payable Clauses
61
   
SCHEDULE IV Form of Protocol of Delivery and Acceptance Certificate
62
   
SCHEDULE V Owners’ Costs Schedule
63
   
SCHEDULE VI Adjustment Schedule
65
   
SCHEDULE VII Early Termination Amount Schedule
68
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32.
DEFINITIONS
32.1
In this Charter, unless the context otherwise requires, the following expressions shall have the following meanings:
“Acceptance Certificate” means a protocol of delivery and acceptance certificate substantially in the form of Schedule IV ( Form of Protocol of Delivery and Acceptance Certificate ).
“Advance Hire” has the meaning given to the term in Clause 40.2 ( Advance Hire ).
“Approved Brokers” means Simpson Spence Young, Clarksons Platou, Maersk Broker, Arrow Shipbrokers, Howe Robinson, Braemar ACM, Barry Rogliano Salles or any other reputable shipbroker nominated by the Charterers and approved by the Owners from time to time.
“Approved Insurers” means the insurance broker(s) from time to time approved by the Owners for the purpose of this Charter.
“Approved Manager” means the manager or sub-manager of the Vessel, being:

(a)
in respect of technical management of the Vessel, CENTRAL MARE INC. of Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960; and

(b)
in respect of commercial management of the Vessel, CENTRAL SHIPPING INC. of Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960.
Affiliate ” means, in relation to any person, a Subsidiary of that person or a Holding Company of that person or any other Subsidiary of that Holding Company.
Anniversary ” means each anniversary of the Delivery Date.
Banking Day ” means:

(a)
in relation to a day on which a payment is to be made or calculated in Dollars, a day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) on which banks are open for business in Amsterdam, Athens, New York, Beijing and Hong Kong; and

(b)
in relation to any other day, a day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) on which banks are open for business in Amsterdam, Athens, Beijing and Hong Kong.
“Breakage Costs” means all costs or any expense, premium or penalty which the Owners sustain including, without limitation, such costs incurred in unwinding any associated interest rate or currency swaps or currency futures and/or incurred as a consequence of:

(a)
Delivery not occurring after the delivery under the MOA takes place; and/or

(b)
this Charter is terminated or cancelled prior to the expiry of the Charter Period for whatsoever reason; and/or
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(c)
the lease of the Vessel under this Charter being prevented or early terminated due to the occurrence of a Termination Event.
Builder ” means Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co., Ltd., a company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Korea, having its principal office at 100, Bangeojinsunhwan-Doro, Dong-Gu, Ulsan 44113, Korea.
“Building Contract” means the shipbuilding contract in respect of the Vessel dated 31 October 2017 and made between the Sellers (as buyer) and the Builder (as seller) in relation to the construction and sale and purchase of the Vessel, as amended, supplemented and/or varied from time to time.
“Business Ethics Laws” means any laws, regulations and/or other legally binding requirements or determinations in relation to bribery, corruption, fraud, money-laundering, terrorism, sanctions, collusion bid-rigging or anti-trust, human rights violations (including forced labour and human trafficking) which are applicable to either party or to any jurisdiction where activities are performed and which shall include: (i) the United Kingdom Bribery Act 2010, (ii) the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act 1977 and (iii) any United States, United Nations or European Union sanctions.
“Change of Control” means, in relation to a Security Party, any circumstances in which Control of that Security Party passes from the person or persons (whether acting individually or in concert) who are in Control that Security Party to a person or persons who is not or are not in Control of that Security Party as at the date of this Charter.
“Charter Period” has the meaning given to the term in Clause 39.1.
“Charter Period Expiry Date” means the date which falls on the last day of an eighty-four (84) Month period after the Delivery Date.
“Charterer” or “Charterers” means PCH77 SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED , a company incorporated and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, having its registered office at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960.
“Charterer Account” means the account opened or to be opened in the name of the Charterers with the Charterer Account Bank which includes any sub-accounts or replacement or time deposit thereof and subject to the Owners’ approval, any other account designated in writing by the Owners and the Charterers to be a Charterer Account for the purposes of this Charter.
“Charterer Account Bank” means ABN AMRO in the Netherlands or any other bank or financial institution as may be designated in writing by the Owners and the Charterers to be the Charterer Account Bank for the purpose of this Charter.
“Charterer Account Security Deed” means the account security deed executed or to be executed by and between the Owners and the Charterers in respect of the Charterer Account in form and substance acceptable to the Owners.
“Charter Arrangement Fee” has the meaning given to the term in Clause 40.1 ( Charter Arrangement Fee ).
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“Charter-hire” means, in respect of each Payment Date, the amount calculated by multiplying the Daily Charter Rate by the number of days in the relevant Hire Calculation Period and payable on such Payment Date in accordance with Clause 41 ( Charterhire ) of this Charter.
“Classification Society” means the classification society as named in Box 10 of Part I of this Charter, or such other classification society as shall be acceptable to the Owners and any Mortgagee.
“Collateral Charter” means the bareboat charterparty dated on or about the date of this Charter with respect to the bareboat chartering of the Collateral Vessel (together with all amendments, modifications, supplements and addenda thereto from time to time) made between Xiang T89 HK International Ship Lease Co., Limited as owners and Monte Carlo Lax Shipping Company Limited as charterers.
“Collateral Charter Termination Event” means any termination event or event of default, default and/or breach of the Collateral Charter (however described).
“Collateral Vessel” means the oil/chemical tanker named “ Nord Valiant ” with IMO number 9629926.
“Control” means, in respect of a Security Party, the power of a person to secure that the affairs of such Security Party are conducted in accordance with the wishes of that person:

(a)
by means of the holding of shares, or the possession of voting powers in or in relation to such Security Party; or

(b)
as a result of any powers conferred by the articles of association or any other document regulating such Security Party.
“Daily Charter Rate” means in respect of the Charter Period and subject to Clause 47.3, a rate in the sum of US$6,550 (Dollars Six Thousand Five Hundred and Fifty) per day net of any commission.
“Delivery” means the delivery of the Vessel from the Owners to the Charterers according to this Charter.
“Delivery Costs” means the aggregate amount of all charges, fees, costs (including legal fees) and expenses whatsoever incurred and/or arising out of and/or in relation to (i) the delivery of the Vessel under the MOA (excluding the Purchase Price) and/or (ii) the delivery of the Vessel by the Owners to the Charterers under this Charter and/or (iii) the registration of the title of the Vessel in the name of the Owners.
“Delivery Date” means the date of Delivery.
“Dollars” and “US$” means the lawful currency for the time being of the United States of America.
“Early Termination Date” means, in respect of the Vessel, from and including the Delivery Date until the date immediately preceding the 3 rd Anniversary, the Delivery Date, each Payment Date and each Anniversary, as more particularly set out under the column headed “Early Termination Date” under:
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(a)
in the event that no prepayment is made in accordance with Clause 47.3, Schedule I ( Repurchase Price Schedule ); or

(b)
in the event that a prepayment is made in accordance with Clause 47.3, Schedule VI ( Post-prepayment adjustment schedule ).
“Early Termination Amount” means, in respect of each Early Termination Date, the amount shown in the column “Early Termination Amount” in:

(a)
in the event that no prepayment is made in accordance with Clause 47.3, Schedule VII ( Early Termination Amount Schedule ); or

(b)
in the event that a prepayment is made in accordance with Clause 47.3, Schedule VI ( Post-prepayment adjustment schedule ),
each against the relevant Early Termination Date.
“Earnings” means, in relation to the Vessel, all moneys whatsoever from time to time due or payable to the Charterers during the Security Period arising out of the use or operation of the Vessel including (but without limiting the generality of the foregoing) all freight, hire and passage moneys, income arising under pooling arrangements, compensation payable to the Charterers in the event of requisition of the Vessel for hire, remuneration for salvage and towage services, demurrage and detention moneys, and damages for breach (or payments for variation or termination) of any charter party or other contract for the employment of the Vessel.
“Encumbrance” means any mortgage, charge (whether fixed or floating), pledge, lien, hypothecation, assignment, trust arrangement, security interest or other encumbrance of any kind in each case, securing or conferring any priority of payment in respect of any obligation of any person and includes any right granted by a transaction which, in legal terms, is not the granting of security but which has an economic or financial effect similar to the granting of security in each case under any applicable law.
“Environmental Affiliate” means any agent or employee of the Charterers or the Operator or any person having a contractual relationship with the Charterers or the Operator in connection with the Vessel or its operation or the carriage of cargo thereon and/or the provision of goods and/or services on or from the Vessel.
“Environmental Approvals” means all authorisations, consents, licences, permits, exemptions or other approvals whatsoever required by the Charterers or the Operator under applicable Environmental Laws.
“Environmental Claim” means in relation to the Vessel:

(a)
any claim by, or directive from, any applicable governmental, judicial or other regulatory authority alleging breach of, or non-compliance with, any Environmental Laws or Environmental Approvals or otherwise howsoever relating to or arising out of an Environmental Incident; or

(b)
any claim by any other third party howsoever relating to or arising out of Environmental Incident (and, in each such case, “ claim ” shall means a claim for damages, clean-up costs, compliance, remedial action or otherwise); or
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(c)
any Proceedings arising from any of the foregoing.
Environmental Incident ” means:

(a)
any release of Environmentally Sensitive Material from the Vessel; or

(b)
any incident in which Environmentally Sensitive Material is released from a vessel other than the Vessel and where the Vessel is actually or potentially liable to be arrested as a result and/or the Charterers or the Manager or any manager of the Vessel are actually or allegedly at fault or otherwise liable.
“Environmental Laws” means all laws, regulations, proclamations, orders, conventions and agreements whatsoever relating to pollution or protection of the environment (including, without limitation International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, the United States Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (as same may be amended and/or re-enacted from time to time, the “ Oil Pollution Act ”), United States Comprehensive Environmental Responses, Compensation and Liability Act and any comparable United States federal laws or laws of the individual States of the United States of America) all as amended or supplemented from time to time.
“Environmentally Sensitive Material” means oil, oil products, any other substance which is polluting, toxic or hazardous or any substance the release of which into the environment is regulated, prohibited or penalised by or pursuant to any Environmental Laws.
“Excess Amount” has the meaning given to the term under Clause 47.6.
“Facility Agreement” shall mean any facility agreement entered into or to be entered into by the Owners and the Lenders before or after the date of this Charter for financing or as the case may be re-financing part of the acquisition costs of the Vessel.
“Finance Documents” means the Facility Agreement, any swap agreement, and any other finance or security documents referred to in or designated as such, or in connection with, the Facility Agreement.
Financial Indebtedness ” means:

(a)
moneys borrowed;

(b)
any amount raised by acceptance under any acceptance credit facility or dematerialised equivalent;

(c)
any amount raised pursuant to any note purchase facility or the issue of bonds, notes, debentures, loan stock or any similar instrument;

(d)
the amount of any liability in respect of any lease or hire purchase contract which would, in accordance with GAAP, be treated as a balance sheet liability;

(e)
receivables sold or discounted (other than any receivables to the extent they are sold on a non-recourse basis);

(f)
any amount raised under any other transaction (including any forward sale or hire purchase agreement) of a type not referred to in any other paragraph
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of this definition having the commercial effect of a borrowing;

(g)
any derivative transaction entered into in connection with protection against or benefit from fluctuation in any rate or price (and, when calculating the value of any derivative transaction, only the marked to market value (or, if any actual amount is due as a result of the termination or close-out of that derivative transaction, that amount) shall be taken into account);

(h)
any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a guarantee, indemnity, bond, standby or documentary letter of credit or any other instrument issued by a bank or financial institution; and

(i)
the amount of any liability in respect of any guarantee or indemnity for any of the items referred to in paragraphs (a) to (h) above.
“Fixed Hire” means the non-variable element forming part of Hire, as more particularly set out under the column headed “Fixed Hire” in:

(a)
in the event that no prepayment is made in accordance with Clause 47.3, Schedule V ( Owners’ Costs Schedule ); or

(b)
in the event that a prepayment is made in accordance with Clause 47.3, Schedule VI ( Post-prepayment adjustment schedule ).
“Flag State” means the Republic of the Marshall Islands or such other flag state of the Vessel as changed according to Clause 37 ( Flag and Class ).
“GAAP” means general accepted accounting principles as effective from time to time in the United States of America.
“General Assignment” means, in relation to the Vessel, a first priority assignment of the Earnings, Insurances, Requisition compensation and Sub-Charter of the Vessel to be executed by the Charterers in favour of the Owners in the form and substance acceptable to the Owners.
“Guarantees” means, collectively:

(a)
a guarantee to be executed by Guarantor A in favour of the Owners in respect of, inter alia , the obligations of the Charterers under this Charter in the form acceptable to the Owners; and

(b)
a guarantee to be executed by Guarantor B in favour of the Owners in respect of, inter alia , the obligations of the Charterers under this Charter in the form acceptable to the Owners.
“Guarantor A” means TOP SHIPS INC. , a company established and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, having its registered office at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960.
“Guarantor B” means CENTRAL SHIPPING MONACO S.A.M. , a company established and existing under the laws of Monaco, having its registered office at 16 rue R.P Louis Frolla, Les Orchidees – 2eme Etage, 98000 Monaco.
“Guarantors” means, collectively, Guarantor A and Guarantor B.
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“Hire Calculation Period” means, during the Charter Period,

(a)
with respect to the first Hire Calculation Period:

(i)
in the case of the Delivery Date falls on a day which is before the 15 th day of the relevant month, the period commencing from the Delivery Date and ending on the 15 th day of that month;

(ii)
in the case of the Delivery Date falls on a date which is on or after the 15 th day of the relevant month, the period commencing from the Delivery Date and ending on the 15 th day of the succeeding month after the Delivery Date; and

(b)
with respect to each subsequent Hire Calculation Period, each successive period commencing on the first day after the expiry of the immediate preceding Hire Calculation Period and ending on the 15 th day of the next succeeding calendar month, except that if a Hire Calculation Period would otherwise extend beyond the Charter Period Expiry Date, then such Hire Calculation Period shall end on the Charter Period Expiry Date.
“Holding Company” shall mean, in relation to a company or corporation, any other company or corporation in respect of which it is a Subsidiary.
“Insurances” means (a) any and all contracts and/or policies of insurance required to be in place, taken out, effected and maintained according to any provisions of this Charter, by or for the benefit of the Owners and/or the Mortgagee and/or the Charterers (whether in the sole name of either of the Owners or the Charterers or the , or in the joint names of the Owners and/or the Mortgagee and/or the Charterers and/or the manager or otherwise) in respect of the Vessel, her earnings or otherwise howsoever in connection therein; and (b) all rights, benefits and other assets relating to, or deriving from, any of the foregoing, including claims of whatsoever nature and return of premium.
“ISM Code” means the International Safety Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention constituted pursuant to Resolution A.741(18) of the International Maritime Organisation and incorporated into the Safety of Life at Sea Convention and includes any amendments or extensions of it and any regulations issued pursuant to it (and the terms “ Safety Management System ”, “ Safety Management Certificate ” and “ Document of Compliance ” have the same meanings as are given to them in the ISM Code).
“ISM SMS” means the safety management system which is required to be developed, implemented and maintained under the ISM Code.
“ISPS Code” means the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code adopted by the International Maritime Organisation incorporated into the Safety of Life at Sea Convention and includes any amendments or extensions of it and any regulations issued pursuant to it.
“ISSC” means a valid and current International Ship Security Certificate issued under the ISPS Code.
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“Lenders” shall mean the banks and financial institutions defined as Lenders in the Facility Agreement.
“Loss Payable Clauses” means the provisions regulating the manner of payment of sums receivable under the Insurances which are to be incorporated in the relevant insurance documents, such Loss Payable Clauses to be in the forms and substance similar to those set out in Schedule III ( Loss Payable Clauses ) hereto but in any event in accordance with the then prevailing market practice or according to the rules and standard wording of the relevant protection and indemnity association which is a member of the International Group of Protection and Indemnity Association, or in such other form as may from time to time be agreed in writing by the Owners.
“Losses” means all losses, costs, charges, expenses, fees, payments, liabilities, penalties, fines, damages or other sanctions of a monetary nature.
“LTV Breach” has the meaning given to the term in Clause 47.3.
“LTV Ratio” has the meaning given to the term in Clause 47.3.
“Major Casualty” shall mean any casualty to the Vessel or incident (other than a Total Loss) in respect of which the claim or the aggregate of the claims against all insurers, before adjustment for any relevant franchise or deductible, reaches the amount of US$300,000 (Dollars Three Hundred Thousand) or the equivalent in any other currency.
“Manager” means any Approved Manager or, with prior written approval by the Owners, such other first class manager to be appointed by the Charterers as the manager of the Vessel or appointed by the manager as the sub-manager of the Vessel.
“Manager’s Undertakings” means a letter of undertakings to be issued by the Manager being in such form as the Owners and/or the Mortgage may require.
“Market Value” means, subject to Clause 47.1.1(a), the arithmetic mean of the value of the Vessel under two (2) Valuation Reports.
“MARPOL” means the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973 (as modified in 1978 and 1977) and includes any amendments or extensions of it and any regulations issued pursuant to it.
“Material Adverse Effect” means any event, condition or change which materially and adversely affects or could reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect:

(a)
the assets, liabilities, financial results of or operations or financial condition, of any Security Party ;

(b)
the performance of the obligations of any Security Party under this Charter and/or any Transaction Document to which it is a party; or

(c)
the validity, legality or enforceability of any Transaction Document to which it is a party.
“Minimum Balance” means US$500,000 (Dollars Fiver Hundred Thousand).
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“MOA” means the memorandum of agreement dated on or about the date of this Charter made by and between (1) the Charterers as sellers and (2) the Owners as buyers, including all appendices, addenda, supplements and modifications thereto, for the sale and purchase of the Vessel.
“MOA Cancelling Date” means the cancelling date as determined in accordance with Clause 5 of the MOA.
“Month” means a period beginning in one calendar month and ending in the next calendar month on the day numerically corresponding to the day of the calendar month on which it started provided that if there is no such numerically corresponding day, it shall end on the last day in such next calendar month and “months” shall be construed accordingly.
“Mortgage” has the meaning given to it in Clause 44.1.
“Mortgagee” or “Mortgagees” shall mean the person(s) to whom the Vessel is being mortgaged by the Owners;
“Operator” means the Manager and/or any other person who is from time to time during the Security Period concerned in the operation of the Vessel and falls within the definition of “Company” set out in rule 1.1.2 of the ISM Code.
“Owner” or “Owners” means XIANG T88 HK INTERNATIONAL SHIP LEASE CO., LIMITED , a company incorporated and existing under the laws of Hong Kong, having its registered office at 1/F., Far East Consortium Building, 121 Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong.
“Owners’ Account” means the account designated in writing by the Owners from time to time to be an Owners’ Account for the purposes of this Charter.
“Owners’ Costs” means, at any relevant time during the Security Period, an amount equal to the Purchase Price as may be reduced by payment of Fixed Hire and any prepayment made pursuant to Clause 47.3, as more particularly set out under the column headed “Owners’ Costs” in:

(a)
in the event that no prepayment is made in accordance with Clause 47.3, Schedule V ( Owners’ Costs Schedule ); or

(b)
in the event that a prepayment is made in accordance with Clause 47.3, Schedule VI ( Post-prepayment adjustment schedule ).
“Owners’ Costs Schedule” means a schedule of Owners’ Costs, as more particularly set out in Schedule V ( Owners’ Costs Schedule ).
“Payment Date” means the last day of each Hire Calculation Period.
“Prepayment Date” has the meaning given to such term in Clause 47.3.
“Proceedings” means any litigation, arbitration or legal action or judicial, quasi-judicial or administrative proceedings whatsoever arising or instigated by anyone in any court, tribunal or public office wheresoever (including, without limitation,
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any action for provisional or permanent attachment of anything or for injunctive remedies or interim relief and any action instigated on an ex parte basis).
“Project Documents” means the Building Contract, the Management Agreement and the Sub-Charter.
“Purchase Option Date” means including and after the expiry of the 3rd Anniversary, each Anniversary and/or a Payment Date until and including the Charter Period Expiry Date. The last Purchase Option Date shall be the Charter Period Expiry Date, as more particularly set out under the column headed “Purchase Option Date” under:

(a)
in the event that no prepayment is made in accordance with Clause 47.3, Schedule I ( Repurchase Price Schedule ); or

(b)
in the event that a prepayment is made in accordance with Clause 47.3, Schedule VI ( Post-prepayment adjustment schedule ).
“Purchase Price” means the purchase price of the Vessel under the MOA, being US$34,000,000 (Dollars Thirty Four Million only).
“Purchase Option Sum” has the meaning given to the term in Clause 39.2
“Redelivery” shall have the meaning given to it in Clause 51.
“Repurchase Price” means, in respect of each Purchase Option Date, the amount shown in the column “Repurchase Price” in:

(a)
in the event that no prepayment is made in accordance with Clause 47.3, Schedule I ( Repurchase Price Schedule ); or

(b)
in the event that a prepayment is made in accordance with Clause 47.3, Schedule VI ( Post-prepayment adjustment schedule ),
each against the relevant Purchase Option Date.
“Requisition” means any expropriation, confiscation, requisition or acquisition of the Vessel, whether for full consideration, a consideration less than its proper value, a nominal consideration or without any consideration, which is effected by any government or official authority or by any person or persons claiming to be or to represent a government or official authority (excluding a requisition for hire for a fixed period less than 1 year without any right to an extension).
Restricted Party ” means a person or entity that is (i) listed on any Sanctions List; (ii) a national of, located in, incorporated under the laws of, or owned or (directly or indirectly) controlled by, or acting on behalf of, a person located in or organised under the laws of a country or territory that is the target of Sanctions; or (iii) otherwise a target of Sanctions (“target of Sanctions” signifying a person with whom a US person or other national of Sanctions Authority would be prohibited or restricted by law from engaging in trade, business or other activities).
Sanctions ” means the economic sanction laws, regulations, embargoes or restrictive measures administered, enacted or enforced by: (i) the United States; (ii) the United Nations; (iii) the European Union or its Member States, including,
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without limitation, the United Kingdom; (iv) the People’s Republic of China, or (v) the respective governmental institutions and agencies of any of the foregoing, including, without limitation, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of Treasury (“ OFAC ”), the United States Department of state and Her Majesty’s Treasury (“ HMT ”); (together, the “ Sanctions Authorities ”).
Sanctions List ” means the “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” list maintained by the OFAC, or any similar list maintained by, or public announcement of Sanctions designation made by, any of the Sanctions Authorities.
“Security Documents” means the following documents:

(a)
the Charterer Account Security Deed;

(b)
the General Assignment;

(c)
the Guarantees;

(d)
the Share Charge;

(e)
the Manager’s Undertaking; and

(f)
any other documents which may be executed by any Security Party in favour of the Owners and designated by the Owners as a “Security Document”,
and “Security Document” means any of them.
“Security Interest” means any mortgage, charge (whether fixed or floating), pledge, lien, hypothecation, assignment, trust arrangement, security interest or other encumbrance of any kind in each case, securing or conferring any priority of payment in respect of any obligation of any person and includes any right granted by a transaction which, in legal terms, is not the granting of security but which has an economic or financial effect similar to the granting of security in each case under any applicable law.
“Secured Obligations” means any and all obligations and liabilities (whether actual or contingent, whether as principal, surety or otherwise, whether now existing or hereafter arising, whether or not for the payment of money, and including, without limitation, any obligation or liability to pay damages) of the Charterers under the Transaction Documents including, without limitation, payment of all moneys which are or may become payable by the Charterers to the Owners under or pursuant to this Charter.
“Security Parties” shall mean, collectively:

(a)
the Charterers;

(b)
the Guarantors; and

(c)
a party (other than the Owners) to any Security Document (for the avoidance of doubt, always excluding the Manager and the Sub-Charterer),
and “Security Party” means any of them.
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“Security Period” means the period commencing on the execution date of this Charter and continuing for so long as any or all Secured Obligations remain owing, actually or contingently, to the Owners under this Charter and/or the other Transaction Documents.
“Share Charge” means a share charge executed or to be executed by the Guarantor A in favour of the Owners whereby the entire shares in the Charterers are charged in favour of the Owners, as security for the performance of all the Secured Obligations.
“Ship Management Agreement” means any agreement made or to be made between the Charterers and the Manager in respect of the technical and/or commercial management of the Vessel.
“Sub-Charter” means, in respect of the Vessel;

(a)
the time charter dated 16 October 2017 and entered into between the Charterers, as owner, and the Sub-Charterer, as time charterer, as the same may be supplemented, amended or extended from time to time; or

(b)
any other sub-charter permitted under this Charter and entered into by the Charterers, as owner, from time to time.
Sub-Charterer ” means:

(a)
Shell Tankers Singapore Private Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of Singapore and having its registered office at 9 North Buona Vista Drive #07-01 The Metropolis Singapore 138588. Singapore; or

(b)
any other party (that are not the Charterers) to a Sub-Charter.
“Subsidiary” of a person means any company or entity directly or indirectly controlled by such person for which purpose “ control ” means either ownership of more than fifty per cent. (50%) of the voting share capital (or equivalent right of ownership) of such company or entity or power to direct its policies and management whether by contract or otherwise and the term “ Subsidiaries ” shall be interpreted accordingly.
“Swap Gains” means, in relation to any swap agreement, any amount payable to Owner under such swap agreement in relation to an unwinding of the whole or part of any interest rate swap transaction entered into between the Owner and the relevant counterparty under such swap agreement.
“Taxes” has the meaning given to it in Clause 42.2.
“Termination Date” means the date on which the chartering of the Vessel is terminated under this Charter pursuant to the express terms of this Charter.
“Termination Event” has the meaning given to it in Clause 49.1.
“Termination Sum” means the Owners’ losses as a result of the early termination of this Charter prior to the expiry of the Charter Period which amount shall consist of the following:
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(a)
all Charter-hire due and payable, but unpaid, under this Charter up to (and including) the Termination Date together with interest accrued thereon pursuant to Clause 42.3 from the due date for payment thereof to the Termination Date;

(b)
any other sums, other than the Charter-hire, due and payable, but unpaid, under this Charter and the other Transaction Documents together with interest accrued thereon pursuant to Clause 42.3 hereof up to the Termination Date;

(c)
if the Termination Date falls:

(i)
before the 3 rd Anniversary and on an Early Termination Date, an amount equal to the Early Termination Amount applicable to such Early Termination Date; and

(ii)
on or after the 3 rd Anniversary and on a Purchase Option Date, an amount equal to the Repurchase Price applicable to such Purchase Option Date;

(d)
if the Termination Date falls:

(i)
before the 3 rd Anniversary and on a date that is not an Early Termination Date, an amount equal to the aggregate of (A) the Early Termination Amount applicable to the Early Termination Date immediately preceding the Termination Date, and (B) an amount equal to (X-Y)*Z, where X = the Early Termination Amount applicable to the Early Termination Date immediately preceding the Termination Date, Y = the Early Termination Amount applicable to the Early Termination Date immediately succeeding the Termination Date, and Z = the number of days elapsed between the Early Termination Date immediately preceding the Termination Date and the Termination Date; and

(ii)
on or after the 3 rd Anniversary and on a date that is not a Purchase Option Date, an amount equal to the aggregate of (A) the Repurchase Price applicable to the Purchase Option Date immediately preceding the Termination Date, and (B) an amount equal to (X-Y)*Z, where X = the Repurchase Price applicable to the Purchase Option Date immediately preceding the Termination Date, Y = the Repurchase Price applicable to the Purchase Option Date immediately succeeding the Termination Date, and Z = the number of days elapsed between the Purchase Option Date immediately preceding the Termination Date and the Termination Date;

(e)
an amount equal to two point five per cent. (2.50%) of the Early Termination Amount or the Repurchase Price (as the case may be) applicable on such Termination Date;

(f)
all liabilities, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, legal fees) so incurred in relation to locating or recovering possession of, and in repositioning, berthing, insuring and maintaining the Vessel for carrying out any works or modifications required to cause the Vessel to conform
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with the provisions of Clause 51 (Redelivery) together with interest thereon pursuant to Clause 42.3 from the date on which the relevant Loss was suffered by the Owners;

(g)
any and all Losses incurred or suffered by the Owners as a result of the early termination of this Charter, including, without limitation, all Losses incurred or suffered by the Owners in liquidating, employing or prepaying funds acquired or borrowed to purchase or finance or refinance the Vessel (including any costs incurred in unwinding any associated interest rate or currency swaps or currency futures and/or incurred under the Finance Documents less any Swap Gain);

(h)
any and all Breakage Costs; and

(i)
the applicable interest accrued on the sums under the above items calculated pursuant to Clause 42.3 from the due date to the actual date of payment.
Total Loss ” shall mean:

(a)
actual or constructive loss or compromised or arranged total loss of the Vessel, or

(b)
the Requisition of the Vessel, or

(c)
the hijacking, theft, condemnation, capture, seizure, arrest, detention or confiscation of the Vessel (other than Requisition) by any government entity, or by persons allegedly acting or purporting to act on behalf of any government entity, unless the Vessel is released and restored to the Owners within three (3) Months after such an incident.
For the avoidance of doubt, the definition of “ Total Loss ” may be amended from time to time to accommodate the requirements of the Approved Insurers (following consultation and agreement between the Owners, the Charterers and the Approved Insurers).
“Total Loss Date” shall mean the date upon which a Total Loss is deemed to have occurred as follows:

(a)
in the case of an actual total loss of the Vessel, on the actual date and at the time such Vessel was lost or, if such date is not known, on the date on which such Vessel was last reported; or

(b)
in the case of a constructive total loss of the Vessel, upon the date and at the time notice of abandonment of the Vessel is given to the insurers of the Vessel (provided a claim for total loss is admitted by such insurers) or, if such insurers do not forthwith admit such a claim, on the date and at the time at which either a total loss is subsequently admitted by the insurers or a total loss is subsequently adjudged by a competent court of law or arbitration tribunal to have occurred. The Charterers, upon the request of the Owners, shall promptly execute such documents to enable the Owners to abandon the Vessel and claim a constructive Total Loss and shall give all assistances in pursuing the said claim; or
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(c)
in the case of a compromised or arranged total loss, on the date upon which a binding agreement as to such compromised or arranged total loss has been entered into by the insurers of the Vessel; or

(d)
in the case of Requisition, on the date when it is determined by the Approved Insurers or the approved insurers the Owners is irretrievably deprived of the Vessel; or

(e)
in case of hijacking, theft, condemnation, capture, seizure, arrest, detention or confiscation of the Vessel (other than Requisition) by any government entity, or by persons allegedly acting or purporting to act on behalf of any government entity, the date on the expiry of six (6) Months after such an incident or such other shorter period as the Owners may, in their sole discretion, decide or the date when the assured has given notice of abandonment to the insurers.
For the avoidance of doubt, the definition of “ Total Loss Date ” may be amended from time to time upon written notice by the Owners to the Charterers to accommodate the requirements of the Approved Insurers or approved insurers.
“Total Loss Payment Date” has the meaning given to the term under Clause 48.3(b).
Transaction Documents ” means:

(a)
this Charter;

(b)
the MOA;

(c)
the Security Documents;

(d)
all notices, amendments, addenda, acknowledgements, consents, certificates, instruments, deeds, charges and other documents and/or agreements issued or entered into or, as the case may be, to be issued or entered into pursuant to any of the foregoing; and

(e)
any other document designated as such by the Owners and the Charterers.
“US” means the United States of America.
Vessel ” means the class product / chemical tanker currently bearing Builder’s hull no. 8218 (tbn “ECO CALIFORNIA”).
XIRR ” means the internal rate of return generated by Microsoft Excel from a series of supplied cash flows (including, without limitation, an initial investment value and a series of net income values) occurring at a series of supplied dates.
32.2
The headings in this Charter do not affect its interpretation.
32.3
Construction
Unless a contrary indication appears, any reference in this Agreement to:
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(i)
the “Owners” , the “Charterers” , any “Guarantor” , any “Security Party” , any “ Sub-Charterer ” any “party” shall be construed as to include its successors in title, permitted assigns and permitted transferees;

(ii)
“assets” includes present and future properties, revenues and rights of every description;

(iii)
a “Transaction Document” or any other agreement or instrument is a reference to that Transaction Document or other agreement or instrument as amended, novated, supplemented, extended or restated;

(iv)
“indebtedness” includes any obligation (whether incurred as principal or surety) for the payment or repayment of money, whether present or future, actual or contingent, and shall include indebtedness incurred in respect of (i) money borrowed or raised, (ii) any bond, note, loan stock, debenture or similar instrument, (iii) acceptance or documentary credit facilities, (iv) deferred payments for assets or services acquired, (v) rental payments under and any amounts payable on termination of leases (whether in respect of ships, land machinery equipment or otherwise) entered into primarily as a method of raising finance or of financing the acquisition of the asset leased, (vi) guarantees, bonds, stand-by letters of credit or other instruments issued in connection with the performance of contracts and (vii) guarantees or other assurances against financial loss in respect of Indebtedness of any person falling within any of paragraphs (i) to (vi) above;

(v)
a “person” includes any individual, firm, company, government, state or agency of a state or any association, trust, joint venture, consortium or partnership (whether or not having separate legal personality);

(vi)
a “regulation” includes any regulation, rule, official directive, request or guideline (whether or not having the force of law) of any governmental, intergovernmental or supranational body, agency, department or regulatory, self-regulatory or other authority or organisation;

(vii)
a “ Termination Event ” is “continuing” if it has not been waived and/or remedied;

(viii)
a provision of law is a reference to that provision as amended or re-enacted; and

(ix)
a time of day is a reference to Beijing time.
33.
EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS CHARTER
33.1
This Charter shall not become effective until all of the following conditions have been fulfilled:

(a)
the execution of this Charter by both parties hereto; and

(b)
the Owners receiving, contemporaneously with the execution of this Charter, the originals of the following duly executed documents:

(i)
the MOA; and
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(ii)
the Security Documents, other than the General Assignment, the Charterer Account Security Deed and the Manager’s Undertaking, which shall be executed and dated on the Delivery Date;
The conditions precedent set out in Clause 33.1(b) are for the sole benefit of the Owners and may be waived by the Owners in whole or in part, with or without conditions, without prejudicing the right of the Owners to require fulfilment of such conditions in whole or in part at any time thereafter.
33.2
Notwithstanding any provision of Clause 33.1, Clause 40.1 ( Charter Arrangement Fee ), Clause 42 ( Payments ) and Clause 43 ( Indemnity ) shall take effect upon the execution of this Charter.
33.3
Unless otherwise agreed by the parties hereto in writing, in the event that:

(a)
the MOA is cancelled, terminated, rescinded or otherwise ceases to remain in full force and effect for any reason prior to the Delivery Date; [or]

(b)
the Vessel is not delivered to the Owners in accordance with the terms of the MOA on or before the MOA Cancelling Date; or

(c)
the Vessel is not delivered to the Charterers (as buyers) in accordance with the terms of the Building Contract,
the Owners shall be entitled (but not obliged) to cancel this Charter by written notice to the Charterers.
33.4
With immediate effect upon the Charterers’ receipt of the notice of cancellation from the Owners in accordance with Clause 33.3:

(a)
this Charter shall be deemed to be cancelled forthwith and the Owners’ obligations under this Charter shall immediately be terminated and discharged (with the exception of Clause 17 ( Indemnity ) (Part II) and Clause 43 ( Indemnity )); and

(b)
the Charterers shall forthwith pay to the Owners the aggregate of the following amounts:

(i)
any and all costs and expenses (including, without limitation to, legal fees) incurred by the Owners in connection with the entering into of this Charter, the MOA, the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated therein;

(ii)
any unpaid Charter Arrangement Fee (irrespective of whether such unpaid balance has become due and payable in accordance with Clause 40.1 ( Charter Arrangement Fee )), it being understood that such payment shall not be construed as a penalty but shall represent an agreed estimate of the loss and damage suffered by the Owners in entering into this Charter and shall therefore be paid as compensation to the Owners;

(iii)
any and all Breakage Costs incurred by the Owners as a result of such cancellation; and
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(iv)
all other amounts due and payable (other than the Termination Sum) but unpaid by the Charterers under this Charter together with interest accruing thereon pursuant to Clause 42.3.
34.
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
34.1
The Owners will not be obliged to charter the Vessel to the Charterers in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Charter unless the Owners, on or before the Delivery Date, has received all of the documents and other evidences listed in Schedule II ( Conditions Precedent ) in form and substance satisfactory to the Owners.
34.2
The Owners will only be obliged to charter the Vessel to the Charterers in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Charter if on the Delivery Date:-

(a)
no Termination Event has occurred and is continuing, and no other event has occurred, which with the giving of notice and/or lapse of time would, if not remedied, constitute a Termination Event;

(b)
each of the representations and warranties contained in Clause 46 ( Representations and Warranties ) is true and correct in all material aspects by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing; and

(c)
delivery of the Vessel to the Charterers by the Builder under the Building Contract and delivery of the Vessel from the Charterers to the Owners under and subject to the terms of the MOA.
34.3
The conditions precedent set out in Schedule II ( Conditions Precedent ) and this Clause 34 are for the sole benefit of the Owners and may be waived by the Owners in whole or in part, with or without conditions, on or before the Delivery Date without prejudicing the right of the Owners to require fulfilment of such conditions in whole or in part at any time thereafter.
34.4
The Owners may in its discretion deliver the Vessel to the Charterers under this Charter notwithstanding that one or more of the conditions precedent set out in Clause 34.1 or Clause 34.2 have not been satisfied by the Delivery Date, in which event the Charterers shall procure the satisfaction of the relevant conditions precedent within seven (7) days thereafter or such longer period as the Owners in its absolute discretion shall agree in writing.
35.
DELIVERY OF THE VESSEL
35.1
As at the date of this Charter, the Vessel is under construction by the Builder pursuant to the terms of the Building Contract and the Owners have entered into the MOA with the Sellers. The Charterers hereby confirm that they have reviewed, received and agreed to the forms of the Building Contract and the MOA (or copies thereof).
35.2
The Owners will deliver and the Charterers will take delivery of the Vessel under this Charter immediately, which to the extent possible shall be deemed to take place simultaneously, after (A) the Builder delivers the Vessel to the Sellers under the Building Contract and (B) the Sellers deliver the Vessel to the Owners under and subject to the terms of the MOA upon the Delivery Date, irrespective of whether
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or not the Charterers take the possession and/or use of the Vessel, subject to which, the Charterers will accept the Vessel on an “as is where is” basis on delivery under this Charter. The Charterers shall not be entitled for any reason whatsoever to refuse to accept delivery of the Vessel under this Charter. Without prejudice to the foregoing:

(a)
if the Charterers are unable to reject the Vessel under the Building Contract, then the Charterers shall in no circumstances be entitled to reject the Vessel under this Charter; and

(b)
subject to the foregoing, once the Builder has delivered the Vessel and the Charterers have accepted the Vessel under the Building Contract and the Owners (as buyers under the MOA) will, without prejudice and subject to fulfilment (to the Owners’ satisfaction) of all conditions to delivery pursuant to the MOA and this Charter, be deemed to have accepted the Vessel under the MOA, the Charterers will be deemed to have simultaneously accepted the Vessel under this Charter on an “as is where is” basis in exactly the same form and state as the Vessel is delivered by the Charterers to the Owners pursuant to the MOA with any faults, deficiencies and errors of description.
35.3
The Delivery Date for the purpose of this Charter shall be the date when the Vessel is actually delivered by the Charterers (as sellers) to the Owners (as buyers) pursuant to the MOA. The Owners shall be under no responsibility for any losses or damage as a result of any delay in delivery of the Vessel to the Charterers for whatsoever reason.
35.4
Without prejudice to the provisions of Clause 35.2, the Owners and the Charterers shall on the Delivery Date sign an Acceptance Certificate evidencing delivery of the Vessel hereunder and delivery of which will constitute:

(a)
irrevocable, final and conclusive acceptance of the Vessel by the Charterers for the purposes of this Charter;

(b)
irrevocable, final and conclusive evidence that, for the purposes of the obligations and liabilities of the Owners hereunder or in connection herewith, the Vessel is at the time of delivery to the Charterers seaworthy, in accordance with the provisions of this Charter, in good working order and repair and without defect or inherent vice whether or not discoverable by the Charterers and free and clear of all Encumbrances and debts of whatsoever nature; and

(c)
irrevocable, final and conclusive evidence that the Vessel is satisfactory in all respects and complies with the requirements of this Charter.
35.5
The Charterers shall pay to the Owners any of the Delivery Costs from time to time within five (5) Banking Days after presentation of evidence.
36.
EXCLUSION OF WARRANTIES
36.1
No responsibility for Vessel
The Charterers expressly acknowledge and agree that:
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(a)
the Owners are not the manufacturer or original supplier of the Vessel which has been purchased by the Owners pursuant to the MOA and therefore the Owners make no condition, term, representation or warranty, express or implied (and whether statutory, contractual or otherwise) as to the Owners’ title to the Vessel or as to the seaworthiness, merchantability, classification, condition, design, quality, operation, performance, capacity or fitness for use or as to the eligibility of the Vessel for any particular trade or operation or any other condition, term, representation or warranty whatsoever, express or implied, with respect to the Vessel. Delivery (or, as the case may be, deemed delivery) of the Vessel to the Charterers under this Charter shall be conclusive proof evidencing that, for the purposes of the obligations and liabilities of the Owners hereunder or in connection herewith, the Vessel is at that time seaworthy and in all aspects satisfies any intended use of the Charterers, in accordance with the provisions of this Charter, in good working order and repair and without defect or inherent vice whether or not discoverable by the Charterers and free and clear of all Encumbrances and debts of whatsoever nature, other than the Encumbrances permitted or created by the Owners pursuant to the terms hereof, and the Charterers hereby waive all their rights in respect of any warranty or condition implied (whether statutory or otherwise) on the part of the Owners and all claims against the Owners howsoever the same might arise at any time in respect of the physical condition of the Vessel, or arising out of the construction, operation or performance of the Vessel and the chartering thereof under this Charter (including, without limitation, in respect of the seaworthiness or otherwise of the Vessel);

(b)
the condition of the Vessel on Delivery to the Charterers under this Charter is the sole responsibility of the Charterers;

(c)
the Vessel is, or will upon Delivery be, satisfactory for the business of the Charterers and any intended use of the Charterers;

(d)
the Owners have purchased the Vessel solely for the purpose of leasing the Vessel to the Charterers under this Charter and the Owners enter into this Charter at the request of, but not on behalf of, the Charterers; and

(e)
the Owners will have no responsibility whatsoever for any loss of profit resulting directly or indirectly from any defect or alleged defect in the Vessel.
To the extent permissible under applicable law, the Charterers also waives any rights which it may have in tort in respect of any of the matters referred to above and irrevocably agrees that the Owners shall have no greater liability in tort in respect of any such matter than it would have in contract after taking account of all the foregoing exclusions. No third party making any representation or warranty relating to the Vessel or any part of the Vessel is the agent or partner of the Owners nor has any such third party authority to bind the Owners thereby.
In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Owners shall be under no liability whatsoever and howsoever arising in respect of the sickness, injury, death, loss, damage or delay of or to or in connection with any vessel (including the Vessel) or any person or property whatsoever, whether on board the Vessel or elsewhere, irrespective of whether such injury, death, loss,
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damage or delay shall arise from the seaworthiness, merchantability, classification, condition, design, quality, operation, performance, capacity or fitness for use or as to the eligibility of the Vessel, and the Charterers agree to indemnify, defend and hold the Owners harmless from any of above liabilities.
36.2
As Is, Where Is
The Vessel leased under this Charter will be delivered “ as is, where is ”, and subject to each and every disclaimer set forth in this Clause 36.2, the Charterers agrees and acknowledges that the Owners will have no liability in relation to, and has not nor will be deemed to have made or given, any conditions, warranties or representations, express or implied, with respect to the Vessel, including but not limited to the description, merchantability, satisfactory quality, fitness for any use or purpose, value, condition, or design, of the Vessel or any part thereof or any obligation, liability, right, claim or remedy in tort, whether or not arising from the owner’s or any other party’s negligence, actual or imputed, or any obligation, liability, right, claim or remedy for loss of or damage to the Vessel, for any liability of the charterer to any third party, or for any other direct or indirect, incidental or consequential damages. The Charterers hereby waive all its rights in respect of any condition, warranty or representation, express or implied, on the part of the owner, any finance party and each interested party and all claims against the owner, any finance party or any interested party howsoever and whenever arising at any time in respect of or out of, in each case, the condition, operation or performance of the Vessel and the chartering thereof under this Charter (including, without limitation, the seaworthiness or otherwise of the Vessel).
36.3
Charterers’ Acknowledgment
The Charterers confirm that they are fully aware of the provisions of Clause 36.2(As Is, Where Is) and acknowledge that Charter-hire and other amounts have been calculated notwithstanding these provisions.
36.4
The Charterers hereby waive all of its rights in respect of any condition, term, representation or warranty express or implied (and whether statutory or otherwise) on the part of the Owners and all of its claims against the Owners howsoever and whatsoever that may arise in respect of the Vessel or the Owners’ title thereto, or all of its rights therein or arising out of the operation of the Vessel or the chartering thereof under this Charter (including in respect of the seaworthiness or otherwise of the Vessel).
36.5
The Charterers agree that the Owners shall be under no liability to supply any replacement Vessel or any piece or part thereof during any period when the Vessel is unusable and shall not be liable to the Charterers or any other person as a result of the Vessel being unusable.
37.
FLAG AND CLASS
37.1
The Vessel shall be registered in the ownership of the Owners under the Flag State (with a proper demise charter notation in respect of this Charter) for the duration of the Charter and the Charterers shall provide full cooperation and assistance and bear all the costs and expenses to effect such registration.
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The Charterers warrant and represent to the Owners that to the best knowledge of the Charterers, there is nothing under the laws of the Flag State which prevents the Vessel from being registered in the ownership of the Owners upon Delivery. The Charterers hereby further undertake that if such flag state for title or demise charter registration becomes involved in hostilities or civil war or there is a seizure of power by unconstitutional means or there is an adverse change in the legal or tax system in such flag state or such other reason, which in the reasonable opinion of the Owners might be expected to imperil the Vessel or the title or ownership of the Vessel or increase the financial liability of the Owners, the Owners shall, at any time during the Charter Period, be entitled to transfer the flag of the Vessel from the Flag State at the time to such other registry as the Owners may reasonably select following consultation with the Charterers. All costs and expenses including without limitation annual tonnage tax arising in connection with the title registration and/or the demise charter registration and/or change of the Vessel’s flag state shall be borne by the Charterers.
37.2
The Charterers shall ensure that the Vessel shall be entered and maintained in the highest class under the Classification Society indicated in Box 10 of Part I of this Charter (or with such other classification society as shall be acceptable to the Owners and/or the Lenders) throughout the duration of this Charter, free of all overdue recommendations and conditions, and comply with the rules and regulations of the Classification Society.
38.
MANAGEMENT
38.1
The technical and commercial management of the Vessel after Delivery and during the Charter Period shall be with the Manager.
38.2
The Owners’ prior written consent shall be obtained in case of any change of the Manager during the Charter Period to any Manager which is not an Approved Manager. If the Owners consent to such change, the Charterers shall further procure that before such appointment commences, the Manager shall first issue and deliver to the Owners (or, as the case maybe, the Mortgagee) a Manager’s Undertaking in such form and substance as the Owners may require.
39.
CHARTER PERIOD AND PURCHASE OPTION
39.1
The period of chartering of the Vessel under this Charter shall commence on the Delivery Date and end on the Charter Period Expiry Date unless otherwise terminated in accordance with the terms hereof (the “ Charter Period ”).
The Charterers shall have no right to terminate this Charter before the Charter Period Expiry Date except as set forth in Clause 39.2 .
39.2
On and after the 3 rd anniversary of the Delivery Date until the Charter Period Expiry Date, the Charterers have the option to purchase the Vessel from the Owners on any Purchase Option Date, provided all the following conditions are satisfied:-

(a)
the Charterers shall serve the Owners at least sixty (60) days’ prior written notice (the “ Purchase Option Notice ”), which shall specify the Purchase Option Date on which the Charterers intend to purchase the Vessel;

(b)
no Termination Event has occurred and is continuing; and
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(c)
on or before the scheduled Purchase Option Date (as specified in the Purchase Option Notice), the Charterers shall have paid to the Owners the aggregate amount of the following sums (the “ Purchase Option Sum ”):

(i)
the Repurchase Price applicable to such Purchase Option Date;

(ii)
if the Purchase Option Date does not fall on a Payment Date, an amount equal to the Charter-hire covering the period from the Payment Date immediately preceding such Purchase Option Date until the Purchase Option Date (being the Daily Charter Rate multiplied by the number of days elapsed during such period);

(iii)
all amounts (including, without limitation, Charter-hire and any Breakage Costs) due and payable under this Charter and other Transaction Documents less any Swap Gain; and

(iv)
all liabilities, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, legal fees) in relation to transferring title to the Charterers and/or the closing of registration of the Vessel.
39.3
In the event the Charterers exercise their option to purchase the Vessel pursuant to Clause 39.2 on a Purchase Option Date other than the Charter Period Expiry Date, this Charter shall be early terminated on the date on which the protocol of delivery and acceptance is signed and timed in accordance with Clause 39.4.
39.4
The Owners shall in exchange for payment of the Purchase Option Sum, at the Charterers’ costs and expense, provide the Charterers with:

(i)
a legal Bill of Sale in respect of the Vessel transferring to the Charterers the title to the Vessel stating that the Vessel is free from all mortgages, encumbrances and maritime liens or any other debts whatsoever duly attested and legalised or apostilled, as required by Charterers’ nominated flag state; and

(ii)
Certificate or Transcript of Registry issued by the competent authorities on the date of delivery evidencing the Owners’ ownership of the Vessel and that the Vessel is free from registered encumbrances and mortgages, to be faxed or e-mailed by such authority to the closing meeting with the original to be sent to the Charterers as soon as possible after delivery of the Vessel.
Upon the Owners’ provision of the documents required under this Clause 39.4, the Owners and the Charterers shall sign a protocol of delivery and acceptance of the Vessel, which shall be conclusive evidence that the Vessel has been delivered by the Owners to the Charterers and the sale of and transfer title in the Vessel by the Owners to the Charterers has completed. Delivery of the Vessel to the Charterers under this Clause 39.4 shall be at such safe and accessible port as specified by the Charterers.
39.5
The Charterers shall, immediately prior to the receipt of the bill of sale, furnish the Owners with a letter of indemnity (in a form satisfactory to the Owners) whereby the Charterers and the Guarantors shall state that, among other things, the Owners have and will have no interest, concern or connection with the Vessel after the date of such letter and that the Charterers and/or the Guarantors shall indemnify the
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Owners and keep the Owners indemnified forever against any claims made by any person arising in connection with the Vessel.
39.6
The sale of the Vessel in accordance with this Clause 39 ( Charter Period and Purchase Option ) shall be on an “ as is, where is “ basis, with the Mortgage (or Mortgages) on the Vessel created pursuant Clause 44 ( Owners’ Right to Mortgage ) fully discharged, without any warranty or guarantee of condition, fitness for purpose or similar type of condition warranty and without any recourse to, or representation or warranty from, the Owners. The Charterers hereby acknowledge and agree that the Owners make no condition, term, representation or warranty, express or implied (and whether statutory or otherwise) as to the seaworthiness, merchantability, condition, design, operation, performance, capacity or fitness for use or as to the eligibility of the Vessel for any particular trade or operation or any other condition, term, representation or warranty whatsoever, express or implied, with respect to the Vessel.
39.7
All registration, legal or other expenses whatsoever incurred in transferring the title from the Owners to the Charterers (including, without limitation to, any taxes, notarial, consular and other charges and expenses connected with the purchase and registration under Charterers’ flag shall be for Charterers’ account and/or the closing of the Owners’ register and transferring title to the Charterers) shall be borne by the Charterers and paid to the Owners on demand.
40.
CHARTER ARRANGEMENT FEE
40.1
Charter Arrangement Fee
The Charterers shall, on the earlier of the Delivery Date and the MOA Cancellation Date, pay to the Owners a non-refundable charter arrangement fee in an amount equal to one per cent (1%) of the Purchase Price (the “ Charter Arrangement Fee ”) provided that the obligation of the Charterers to make payment of the Charter Arrangement Fee shall be set-off against the obligation of the Owners to make payment of the Purchase Price under the MOA such that the Sellers’ Portion (as defined in the MOA) payable by the Owners (as buyers) to the Charterers (as sellers) under the MOA shall be set-off against an amount equal to the Charter Arrangement Fee.
40.2
Advance Hire

(a)
The Charterers shall, on the Delivery Date, pay to the Owners by way of an irrevocable payment an amount equal to twenty nine percent (29%) of the Purchase Price (the “ Advance Hire ”) as advance hire under this Charter, provided that the obligation of the Charterers to make payment of the Advance Hire shall be set off against the obligation of the Owners to make payment of the Purchase Price under the MOA such that the Sellers’ Portion (as defined in the MOA) payable by the Owners (as buyers) to the Charterers (as sellers) under the MOA shall be set-off against an amount equal to the Advance Hire.

(b)
All Advance Hire paid pursuant to this Clause 40.2 shall bear no interest and shall be non-refundable.
41.
CHARTERHIRE
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41.1
The Charterers shall, on each Payment Date (in respect of which time shall be of the essence) throughout the Charter Period, pay to the Owners as hire for use of the Vessel, the Charter-hire due and payable as of each such Payment Date in accordance with the terms of this Charter.
41.2
The Vessel shall not be deemed off-hire at any time and the Charterers’ obligation to pay all Charter-hire and all other amounts payable under this Charter shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances and shall not be affected by any circumstances of any nature whatsoever and whether or not similar to any of the matters set out in paragraphs (i) to (x) below, including, without limitation:

(i)
any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defence or other right which the Charterers may at any time have against the Owners or any other person for any reason whatsoever;

(ii)
the unavailability of the Vessel for any reason, including (but not limited to) any invalidity or other defect in the title, the seaworthiness, condition, design, operation, performance, capacity, merchantability, security interest, or fitness for use or eligibility of the Vessel for any particular trade or operation or for documentation under the laws of any country or any damage to the Vessel;

(iii)
any change, extension, indulgence or other act or omission in respect of any indebtedness or obligation of the Charterers, or any sale, exchange, release or surrender of, or other dealing in, any security for any such indebtedness or obligation;

(iv)
any incapacity, disability, or defect in powers of the Charterers, or any irregular exercise thereof by, or lack of authority of, any person purporting to act on behalf of the Charterers;

(v)
any damage to or loss (including a Total Loss), destruction, capture, seizure, judicial attachment or arrest, forfeiture or marshal’s or other sale of the Vessel;

(vi)
any libel, attachment, levy, detention, sequestration or taking into custody of the Vessel or any restriction, prevention, interference, interruption or cessation in the use or possession thereof by the Charterers for any reason whatsoever, or any inability to engage in any particular trade;

(vii)
any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, readjustment of debt, dissolution, liquidation or similar proceedings by or against the Charterers;

(viii)
any failure or delay on the part of the Owners whether with or without fault on its part, in performing or complying with any of the terms or covenants hereof;

(ix)
any lack of due authorizations or documentation for the Vessel for any particular trade or use, or invalidity, illegality or other defect of this Charter; or
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(x)
any circumstances which, but for this provision, might operate to exonerate the Charterers from liability, whether in whole or in part, under this Charter.
42.
PAYMENTS
42.1
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Charter, all payments by the Charterers hereunder (whether by way of hire or otherwise) shall be made as follows:

(a)
in the case of Charter-hire, not later than the relevant Payment Date;

(b)
in Dollars in immediately available funds for same day value to the Owners’ Account; and

(c)
if any day for the making of any payment hereunder shall not be a Banking Day, the due date for payment of the same shall be the immediately preceding Banking Day.
42.2
All payments by the Charterers under this Charter shall be made without any set-off or counterclaim whatsoever and free and clear of and without withholding or deduction for, or on account of, any present or future income, freight, stamp and other taxes, levies, imposts, duties, fees, charges, restrictions or conditions of any nature (collectively “ Taxes ”). If the Charterers are so required to make any withholding or deduction from any such payment, the sum due from the Charterers in respect of such payment will be increased to the extent necessary to ensure that, after making such withholding or deduction, the Owners receive a net sum equal to the amount which it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been required to be made. The Charterers shall promptly deliver to the Owners any receipts, certificates or other proof evidencing the amounts, if any, paid to payable in respect of any such withholding or deduction as aforesaid.
42.3
In the event of failure by the Charterers to pay on the due date for payment thereof, or in the case of the sum payable on demand, the date of demand therefor, any hire or other amount payable by them under this Charter, the Charterers shall pay, as liquidated damages and not as penalty, to the Owners on demand default interest on such hire or such other amount from the date of such failure to the date of actual payment (both before and after any relevant judgment or winding up of the Charterers) at the rate of five per cent (5%) per annum. Any interest payable under this Charter shall accrue from day to day and shall be calculated on the actual number of days elapsed and a three hundred and sixty (360) day year and shall be compounded at such intervals as the Owners shall determine and shall be payable on demand.
The aforementioned interest rate has been agreed between the parties to represent a genuine and reasonable pre-estimate of the Owners’ loss in the event of failure by the Charterers to pay on the due date and was negotiated on the basis of the direct and overhead costs (together with a reasonable profit thereon) and the cost of interest on borrowings and other bank charges incurred by the Owners and reasonable costs incurred by the Owners with respect to such Charterers’ delay in payment.The Charterers accept that this sum is neither exorbitant nor
unconscionable when regard is had to the Owners’ interest in the performance of this Charter.
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42.4
Time of payment of Charter-hire and all other sums payable under this Charter shall be of the essence of this Charter.
43.
INDEMNITY
43.1
To the extent such liability is not caused by a default of the Owners hereunder, the Charterers agree at all times whether before, during or after the Charter Period, to indemnify and keep the Owners indemnified, hold harmless against:

(a)
all reasonable, properly incurred and documented costs and expenses incurred by the Owners as a result of its entering into and/or performance of this Charter and other Transaction Documents, including without limitation the costs, expenses, fees, charges for legal services, evaluation, consultancy, survey, registration of the Vessel, registration of relevant charges, perfection of any securities and others of whatsoever nature arising out of or in connection with this Charter;

(b)
all costs and expenses whatsoever incurred in connection with this Charter and any Transaction Document or the Vessel, and any costs, charges, or expenses which the Charterers have agreed to pay under this Charter and which are claimed or assessed against or paid by the Owners;

(c)
all Losses suffered or incurred by the Owners and arising out of the design, manufacture, delivery, non-delivery, purchase, importation, registration, ownership, chartering, sub-chartering, possession, control, use, operation, condition, maintenance, repair, replacement, refurbishment, modification, overhaul, insurance, sale or other disposal, return or storage of or loss of or damage to the Vessel or otherwise in connection with the Vessel (whether or not in the control or possession of the Charterers) including any and all claims in tort or in contract by any sub-charterer of the Vessel from the Charterers or by the holders of any bill of lading issued by the Charterers or the sub-charterer;

(d)
all Losses suffered or incurred by the Owners which result from claims which may at any time be made on the ground that any design, article or material of or in the Vessel or the operation or use thereof constitutes or is alleged to constitute an infringement of patent or copyright or registered design or other intellectual property right or any other right whatsoever;

(e)
all Losses suffered or incurred by the Owners in preventing or attempting to prevent the arrest, confiscation, seizure, taking in execution, impounding, forfeiture or detention of the Vessel, or in securing the release of the Vessel therefrom;

(f)
all Losses suffered or incurred by the Owners with respect to or as a direct result of the presence, escape, seepage, spillage, leaking, discharge or migration from the Ship of oil or any other hazardous substance, including without limitation, any claims asserted or arising under the US Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (as same may be amended and/or re-enacted from time to time hereafter) or similar legislation, regardless of whether or not caused by or within the control of the Charterers;

(g)
following a Termination Event, any Losses incurred or suffered by the
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Owners in connection with the Finance Documents;

(h)
any Losses suffered or incurred by the Owners which result from any breach of the Manager’s Undertaking by the Charterers or the Manager, or replacing the Manager and obtaining a Manager’s Undertaking from the new manager; and

(i)
any Losses incurred or suffered by the Owners in liquidating, employing or prepaying funds acquired or borrowed to purchase or finance or refinance the Vessel (including any costs incurred in unwinding any associated interest rate or currency swaps or currency futures) following any default in payment hereunder or the occurrence of any Termination Event.
43.2
If, under any applicable law, whether as a result of judgment against the Charterers or the liquidation of the Charterers or for any other reason, any payment to be made by the Charterers under or in connection with this Charter is made or is recovered in a currency other than the currency in which it is payable pursuant to this Charter (the “ currency of obligation ”) then, to the extent that the payment (when converted into the currency of obligation at the rate of exchange on the date for the determination of liabilities permitted by the applicable law) falls short of the amount unpaid under this Charter, the Charterers shall as a separate and independent obligation, fully indemnify the Owners against the amount of the shortfall; and for the purposes of this provision “rate of exchange” means the best rate at which the Owners is able on the relevant date to purchase the currency of obligation with the other currency.
43.3
The indemnities contained in this Clause 43, and each other indemnity contained in this Charter, shall survive any termination or other ending of this Charter and any breach by, or repudiation or alleged repudiation by, the Charterers or the Owners of this Charter.
43.4
All moneys payable by the Charterers under this Clause 43 shall be paid on demand of the Owners.
44.
OWNERS’ RIGHT TO MORTGAGE
44.1
The Charterers agree that the Owners shall be entitled at any time after the date of this Charter, to grant any bank or financial institution (the “ Mortgagee ”) a first ranking mortgage on the Vessel, assignment(s) of the Owners’ earnings, the Insurances and requisition compensation thereof, and assignment(s) of any and all its rights, title, interest and benefit in and to this Charter and/or all or any security under the Transaction Documents to the Mortgagee as security for any loan or other facilities arranged by the Owners to finance or re-finance the purchase of the Vessel (collectively, the “ Mortgage ”).
44.2
The Charterers hereby agree and undertake to enter into any such documents as the Mortgagee shall reasonably require in relation to the aforementioned finance or re-finance of the Vessel including without limitation assignment of insurance and requisition compensations by the Charterers, the assignment of this Charter and the other relevant Transaction Documents, and to procure that the Manager to issue the Manager’s Undertakings provided.
44.3
The Charterers agree with the Owners to acknowledge notice of any assignment of
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this Charter executed in favour of the Mortgagee in the manner as required by the Mortgagee.
44.4
All costs and expenses incurred by the Owners in connection with Mortgage shall be for the account of the Owners.
45.
OWNERS’ RIGHT TO SALE
45.1
During the Charter Period, the Owners shall be entitled to transfer the title in the Vessel to any of its Affiliates; however, any transfer of title in the Vessel to a party other than an Affiliate of the Owners shall, in the absence of a Termination Event, require the Charterers’ prior approval which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
In case of any such change of ownership, unless the parties agree otherwise, this Charter should continue between the subsequent owner and the Charterers on identical terms (save for logical and consequential amendments and the assumption by the subsequent owner of the Owners’ obligations and liabilities thereunder).
The Charterers agree and undertake to enter into any such usual documents as the Owners shall reasonably require to complete or perfect the transfer of the Vessel pursuant to this Clause 45.1, any costs or expenses whatsoever arising in relation thereto to be borne by the Owners.
45.2
The Charterers hereby agree and undertake that at any time upon the request of the Owners they will promptly and duly execute, sign, perfect, do and (if required) register, and procure any Security Party and other persons to execute and do, such assurances, acts, deeds and things and (if required) register every such further assurance, document, act or thing as in the sole opinion of the Owners may be necessary for the purpose of more effectually completing or perfecting the transfer of the Vessel (with the benefit and burden of this Charter) pursuant to Clause 45.1. All costs and expenses incurred by the Owners pursuant to this Clause 45.2 shall be for the account of the Owners.
46.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
46.1
The Charterers acknowledge that the Owners have entered into this Charter in full reliance on representations by the Charterers in the following terms, and the Charterers now warrant to the Owners that the following statements are true and accurate at the date hereof, on the Delivery Date and throughout the continuation of this Charter:

(a)
each of the Security Parties is duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of its respective jurisdiction of incorporation;

(b)
each of the Security Parties has the power to conduct its business as it is now carried on, to own or hold under lease its assets, to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is respectively a party, and all necessary corporate, shareholder’s and other actions have been taken to authorise the execution, delivery and performance of such documents;
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(c)
each Transaction Document to which any Security Party is a party constitutes such Security Party’s valid and legally binding and enforceable obligations ranking at least pani passu with all other of its unsecured obligations and liabilities (actual or contingent) other than any such obligations and liabilities preferred by law;

(d)
the entry into and performance by each Security Party of the Transaction Document and Project Document to which it is a party does not, and will not during the Security Period, violate in any respect

(i)
any existing law or regulation of any governmental of official authority or body;

(ii)
its constitutional documents; or

(iii)
any agreement, contract or other undertaking to which it is a party or which is binding on it or any of its assets;

(e)
all consents, licences, approvals and authorisations required in connection with the entry into, performance, validity and enforceability of the Transaction Document to which each Security Party is a party have been obtained and are, or will prior to the Delivery Date be, in full force and effect;

(f)
any information, exhibits and reports furnished by the Charterers to the Owners in connection with the matters contemplated by this Charter or in connection with the negotiation and preparation of the Security Documents are true and accurate in all material respects and not misleading, do not omit material facts and there are no other facts the omission of which would make any fact or statement therein misleading;

(g)
no litigation, arbitration or administrative proceeding is taking place against any Security Party or against any Security Party’s assets which is likely to be adversely determined and, if adversely determined, would have a Material Adverse Effect on its ability to perform its obligations under any Transaction Document to which any Security Party is a party;

(h)
the Charterers have not undertaken any business other than in the ordinary course of its business of owning, operating and chartering the Vessel or as otherwise disclosed to the Owners on or prior to the date of this Charter;

(i)
there will not be any agreement or arrangement whereby the Earnings may be shared howsoever with any other person;

(j)
none of the Earnings, Insurances, compensation for Requisition nor any other properties or rights which are, or are to be, the subject of any of the Security Documents nor any part thereof will be subject to any Encumbrances except under the Security Documents;

(k)
at the time of coming into force of this Charter, the Charterers have in place, or undertakes to put in place soon thereafter, a sanctions compliance programme, adapted to its particular circumstances;

(l)
no Security Party is a Restricted Party nor has any Security Party or any of
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their respective directors, officers or employees or any person acting on their behalf received notice or are aware of any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation against any of them with respect to Sanctions by a Sanctions Authority;

(m)
the Vessel is not chartered, leased or otherwise provided directly or indirectly to any Restricted Party;

(n)
the performance of the obligations of the Security Parties under the Transaction Documents will not involve any breach by any of them of any law or regulatory measure relating to “money laundering” as defined in Article 1 of the Directive (2005/60/EC) of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Communities;

(o)
the copies of the Project Documents provided by the Charterers to the Owners in accordance with Clause 34 ( Conditions precedent ) are true and accurate copies of the originals and represent the full agreement between the parties to those Project Documents in relation to the subject matter of those Project Documents and there are no commissions, rebates, premiums or other payments due or to become due in connection with the subject matter of those Project Documents other than in the ordinary course of business or as disclosed to, and approved in writing by, the Owners;

(p)
the Charterers make the representations and warranties set out in this Clause to the Owners on the date of this Charter and except as may have already been disclosed by the Charterers in writing to, and acknowledged by, the Owners:

(i)
the Charterers and the Operator and their respective Environmental Affiliates have each complied with the provisions of all Environmental Laws in relation to the Vessel;

(ii)
the Charterers and the Operator and their respective Environmental Affiliates have each obtained all Environmental Approvals in relation to the Vessel and are in compliance with all such Environmental Approvals;

(iii)
no Environmental Claim has been made or threatened or pending against the Charterers, the Operator or, to the best of their knowledge and belief (having made due enquiry), any of their respective Environmental Affiliates; and

(iv)
there has been no Environmental Incident;

(q)
no Termination Event, and no event which with the giving of notice and/or lapse of time and/or relevant determination would constitute a Termination Event, has occurred and is continuing;

(r)
none of the Security Parties has breached any law or regulation which breach has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(s)
each of the Security Parties is the legal and beneficial owner of all assets and other property which it purports to charge, mortgage, pledge, assign or
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otherwise secure pursuant to each Security Document and those Security Documents to which it is a party create and give rise to valid and effective security having the ranking expressed in those Security Documents;

(t)
no Security Party is materially overdue in the filing of any Tax returns and no Security Party is overdue in the payment of any amount in respect of Tax, save in the case of Taxes which are being contested on bona fide grounds;

(u)
no claims or investigations are being made or conducted against any Security Party with respect to Taxes is reasonably likely to arise; and

(v)
they and their Affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, consultants, agents and/or intermediaries have complied with, and shall comply with, all applicable Business Ethics Laws in connection with this Charter and the other Transaction Documents.
46.2
The representations and warranties contained in Clause 46.1 hereof shall be deemed to be repeated by the Charterers on each day from the date of this Charter as if made with reference to the facts and circumstances existing on such date, and the rights of the Owners in respect thereof shall survive the delivery or re-delivery of the Vessel hereunder.
47.
UNDERTAKINGS
47.1
The Charterers undertake and agree that throughout the continuation of this Charter, the Charterers shall:
47.1.1
provide to the Owners:

(a)
in respect of the Vessel, two valuation reports, one to be provided by an Approved Broker appointed by the Owners and the other to be provided by an Approved Broker appointed by the Charterers, each at the Charterers’ cost:

(i)
once per calendar year in the absence of a Termination Event, provided that in the event that the discrepancy of the market value of the Vessel between such valuation reports exceeds twenty per cent (20%), the Charterers shall, at the Charterers’ costs, provide one further valuation report prepared by an Approved Broker appointed by the Owners, and the Market Value of the Vessel shall be the arithmetic mean of the values of the Vessel under all three (3) Valuation Reports obtained pursuant to this Clause 47.1.1(a)(i); and

(ii)
at any time upon the occurrence of a Termination Event;

(b)
promptly upon becoming aware of them, relevant details of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings which are current or, to its knowledge, threatened or pending against any Security Party , which are likely, in the reasonable opinion of the Owners, to have a Material Adverse Effect on the ability of any Security Party in performing its obligations under the Transaction Documents;

(c)
the unaudited semi-annual financial statements of the Charterers and the
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Guarantors (each prepared in accordance with GAAP and, in the case of Guarantor A, on a consolidated basis) as soon as available and in no event later than ninety (90) days after each such financial half-year;

(d)
the annual financial statement of the Charterers (as referred to in Guarantor A’s audited consolidated annual financial statements) and the audited annual financial statements of the Guarantors (each prepared in accordance with GAAP and, in the case of Guarantor A, on a consolidated basis) as soon as available and in no event later than one hundred and twenty (120) days after the end of its financial year;

(e)
promptly upon request by the Owners, copies of all class records, class certificates and survey reports and copies of all management reports;

(f)
promptly upon request by the Owners, all such information as it may from time to time request regarding the Vessel, compliance with the ISM Code, the ISPS Code and Annex VI (Regulation for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) to MARPOL, the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage 2001;

(g)
promptly upon request by the Owners, a written report on the condition of the Vessel prepared by or on behalf of the Charterers in a form acceptable to the Owners;

(h)
promptly upon request by the Owners, such further information in the possession or control of any Security Party with respect to the financial condition and operations of any Security Party; and

(i)
upon the request of the Owners:

(i)
evidence that the Charterers are not in breach of any Sanctions; and

(ii)
all relevant documentation related to the Vessel and the transported goods which the Owners are required to disclose to any Sanctions Authority.
47.1.2
at all times, in respect of the Vessel:

(a)
subject Clause 37 ( Flag and Class ), register (and maintain the registration of) the Vessel under the flag of the Flag State or such other flag agreed by the Owners on the Delivery Date with the name of the Owners as the owner;

(b)
ensure that the Vessel is:

(i)
classed and maintained in the highest class (free of outstanding recommendations or conditions of class) with the Classification Society; and

(ii)
complies with the rules and regulations of the Classification Society;

(c)
ensure that the Vessel is managed by the Manager on such terms as approved by the Owners in writing in advance;
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(d)
notify the Owners of any non-compliance of the Manager’s Undertaking by the Manager and procure the due performance of the Manager’s obligations under the Manager’s Undertaking, provided if:

(i)
an Approved Manager breaches any provision of its Manager’s Undertaking; and

(ii)
the Charterers fail to, within a period of 15 days of them becoming aware of the occurrence of such circumstance or breach of or the receipt of a written notification from the Owners requesting it to remedy such circumstance or breach,
the Charterers shall promptly, in any event no later than 30 Banking Days upon receipt of the notice from the Owners, substitute the relevant Approved Manager with another Manager and procure such Manager to execute and deliver to the Owners a Manager’s Undertaking;

(e)
ensure material compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws and all other laws and regulations relating to the Vessel and the operation and management thereof, and take all reasonable precautions to ensure that the Manager, the crews, employees, agents or representatives of the Charterers at all times comply with such Environmental Laws and other applicable laws;

(f)
ensure that the Vessel is in possession of a valid Safety Management Certificate, a valid International Ship Security Certificate and an International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate and in all respects in compliance with all applicable international conventions, codes and regulations, including without limitation the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) 1974 (as adopted, amended or replaced from time to time), the ISM Code and the ISPS Code, and ensure such compliance by the Manager and that the Manager shall be in possession of a Document of Compliance appropriate for the Vessel and Annex VI (Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) to MARPOL and a certificate issued pursuant to the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage 2001;

(g)
make such (quarterly) voyage declarations as may be required in accordance with all applicable insurance conditions especially in order to maintain insurance cover for trading in and to the United States of America and the Exclusive Economic Zone (as defined in the US Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (as may be amended and/or re-enacted from time to time hereafter)); and

(h)
obtain in a timely manner, if the Vessel at any time shall call on any US port, in accordance with the regulations of the US Oil Pollution Act 1999 (as may be amended and/or re-enacted from time to time) and in line with the requirements of the US Coast Guard, a Certificate of Financial Responsibility (C.O.F.R), a copy of which shall promptly be provided to the Owners;
47.1.3
obtain and promptly renew from time to time and, whenever so required, promptly furnish certified copies to the Owners of all such authorisations, approvals, consents and licences as may be required under any applicable law or regulation to enable the Charterers to perform its obligations under this Charter or the Transaction Documents to which it is a party or required for the validity or
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enforceability of this Charter or the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, and the Charterers shall in all material respects comply with the terms of each of the same;
47.1.4
notify the Owners in writing of:

(a)
any accident to the Vessel, immediately upon but in any case within 24 hours of the occurrence of the same which is or is likely to become a Major Casualty;

(b)
any occurrence resulting in the Vessel becoming or being likely to become a Total Loss, immediately upon but in any case within 24 hours of the occurrence;

(c)
any requirement or recommendation made by any insurer or Classification Society, or by any competent authority, which is not complied with within any time limit imposed by such insurer, Classification Society or authority;

(d)
any arrest of the Vessel or the exercise or purported exercise of any lien on the Vessel or any Requisition of the Vessel , immediately upon but in any case within 24 hours of the occurrence;

(e)
any damage to or alteration to the Vessel in excess of the amount of US$300,000 (Dollars Three Hundred Thousand); and

(f)
any breach by any party of any Project Document;
47.1.5
notify the Owners in writing of any Termination Event or any event or circumstances of which they are aware and which, with the giving of notice and/or lapse of time or other applicable condition, may constitute a Termination Event;
47.1.6
following an inspection of the Vessel by the Owners or its representatives pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Charter, comply with any reasonable requests from the Owners for repairs or works to the Vessel if required to ensure that the Vessel is maintained in the class and condition required by this Charter and if the Charterers dispute the need for any such repairs or works the matter shall be referred to the Classification Society whose decision on such matter shall be binding on the Owners and the Charterers;
47.1.7
comply with:

(a)
any existing law or regulation of any governmental of official authority or body which is applicable to the Charterers;

(b)
the constitutional documents of the Charterers;

(c)
any agreement, contract or other undertaking to which the Charterers are a party or which is binding on the Charterers or any of their assets;

(d)
and ensure that their Affiliates and their officers, directors, employees, consultants, agents and/or intermediaries comply with all applicable Business Ethics Laws.
47.1.8
shall not, and shall not permit or authorise any other person to, directly utilise or
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employ the Vessel or to use, lend, make payments of, contribute or otherwise make available, all or any part of the proceeds of any transaction(s) contemplated by the Transaction Documents to fund any trade, business or other activities:

(a)
involving or for the benefit of any Restricted Party; and

(b)
in any other manner that would reasonably be expected to result in any Obligor, the Owners, any Manager or any Finance Party (if applicable) being in breach of any Sanctions or become a Restricted Party.
47.1.9
promptly notify the Owners of:

(a)
any Environmental Claim; and

(b)
details of any material non-compliance by it with any applicable Environmental Law or applicable Environmental Approvals or any suspension, revocation or modification of any Environmental Approvals and shall set out the action it intends to take with respect to those matters;
47.1.10
throughout the Security Period, no Change of Control in respect of the Security Parties;
47.1.11
assume (and shall enter into such documents and contracts to assume) such obligations, and grant rights, to the Owners which shall corresponding to such obligations and rights reasonably assumed and granted by the Owners in favour of the Lenders under the Finance Documents provided that this shall be without prejudice to the Charterers rights and obligations under this Charter; and
47.1.12
all the Earnings are at all times paid to the Charterer Account and, without prejudice to the foregoing, there shall be paid into the Charterer Account, on or before the Delivery Date, the Minimum Balance and the Charterers shall, from the date of such payment until the last day of the Security Period, ensure that the balance standing to the credit of the Charterer Account shall not fall below an amount equal to the Minimum Balance.
47.2
The Charterers undertake and agree that throughout the Security Period it shall not, without prior written approval by the Owners:-

(a)
cancel or terminate the Ship Management Agreement;

(b)
amend or vary the terms of, or permit or suffer any amendment or variation of the terms of the Ship Management Agreement without providing a copy of the amended Ship Management Agreement to the Owners provided that if the only amendment to the Ship Management Agreement is in respect of the management fee thereunder, the Charterers shall only be required to notify the Owners in writing promptly after such amendment;

(c)
sub-let the Vessel on demise charter for any period;

(d)
incur or allow to remain outstanding any guarantee in respect of any obligation of any person except any guarantee entered into with the prior written consent of the Owners or in accordance with the Security Documents or for the purpose of securing the release of the Vessel from any potential
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or actual arrest or detention or in the ordinary course of business if the provision of such guarantee shall not cause adverse impact on the Charterers’ ability to perform their obligations under this Charter, provided always that a copy of any guarantee issued under this clause 47.2 shall be provided to the Owners within 14 days of its issuance;

(e)
create or permit to subsist any Security Interest over the Vessel or any of its assets;

(f)
engage in any business other than the disponent ownership, management, control and operation of the Vessel without the prior written consent of the Owners.

(g)
make any substantial change to the general nature of its business from that carried on by it at the date of this Charter;

(h)
enter into any transactions other than on arms’ length commercial terms.

(i)
incur any borrowings from any person or otherwise create, incur, assume, suffer to exist or in any manner become or remain liable for any other Financial Indebtedness except in the ordinary course of business as disponent owner of the vessel and/or charterer;

(j)
incur any indebtedness other than that incurred (i) to the Owners under this Charter and the Security Documents and (ii) in the Charterers’ ordinary course of business on arm’s length basis but in any event not overdue by 30 days;

(k)
enter into a single transaction or a series of transactions (whether related or not) and whether voluntary or involuntary to sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its assets (save and except as provided under the terms of this Charter and the Security Documents);

(l)
declare or pay any dividend or make any other capital or income distribution to its shareholders during the Security Period if a Termination Event has occurred and is continuing;

(m)
enter into any amalgamation, demerger, merger or corporate reconstruction (other than any amalgamation, demerger, merger or corporate reconstruction which would not have a Material Adverse Effect); or

(n)
permit any change in the composition of its board of directors from that existing on the date of this Charter.
47.3
The Charterers undertake and agree that, throughout the Security Period, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of an amount equal to the aggregate of the then applicable Owners’ Costs and the Excess Amount (if any) to the Market Value as determined by the latest valuation reports provided in accordance with Clause 47.1.1(a) (the “ LTV Ratio ”) shall equal to eighty per cent. (80%). If the LTV Ratio, at any relevant time, is above eighty per cent. (80%) (the “ LTV Breach ”), the Charterers shall, on the Payment Date immediately succeeding the date of the LTV Breach, prepay an amount of the shortfall such that the LTV Ratio will be equal to eighty per cent. (80%) subsequent to such prepayment.
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The parties hereby expressly acknowledge that:

(a)
the Owners’ Costs;

(b)
the Daily Charter Rate;

(c)
if such prepayment is made prior to the 3 rd Anniversary, the Early Termination Amount relating to each Early Termination Date; and

(d)
the Repurchase Price relating to each Purchase Option Date (other than the Repurchase Price relating to the Charter Period Expiry Date),
each applicable to the remaining Charter Period shall, with effect from the date of such prepayment (the “ Prepayment Date ”), be adjusted in accordance with the “goal seek and programming” formula on Microsoft Excel, on the basis of an XIRR of seven point three six per cent. (7.36%), such adjustment as more particular set out in Schedule VI ( Post-prepayment adjustment schedule ) (the “ Adjustment Schedule ”). The Charterers irrevocably consent and agree to the Owners that the Owners may deliver to the Charterers, on or at any time after the Prepayment Date, an amended Adjustment Schedule setting out, amongst other things, the amended Daily Charter Rate, the amended Repurchase Price applicable to each Purchase Option Date and, if applicable, the amended Early Termination Date applicable to each Early Termination Date. For the avoidance of doubt, the Charterers hereby expressly acknowledge, confirm and agree that, notwithstanding any prepayment made in accordance with this Clause 47.3, the Repurchase Price applicable to the Charter Period Expiry Date shall in no event be adjusted.
47.4
The Charterers hereby expressly acknowledge that each of:

(a)
the Owners’ Costs Schedule in its form and content as attached hereto is based on the assumption that the Delivery Date is 15 December 2018; and

(b)
the Adjustment Schedule in its form and content as attached hereto is based on the assumptions that:

(i)
the Delivery Date is 15 December 2018;

(ii)
a prepayment made in accordance with Clause 47.3 is:

A.
made on the 24 th Payment Date; and

B.
in the amount of USD2,000,000 (United States Dollars Two Million); and

(iii)
the 3 rd Anniversary falls on the 36 th Payment Date, the 4th Anniversary falls on the 48 th Payment Date, the 5 th Anniversary falls on the 60 th Payment Date and the 6 th Anniversary falls on the 72 nd Payment Date,
and therefore on the date hereof is indicative and is for reference purpose only, accordingly, the Charterers irrevocably consent and agree to the Owners
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that the Owners may deliver to the Charterers, (in the case of the Owners’ Costs Schedule) on or at any time after the Delivery Date, an amended Owners’ Costs Schedule and (in the case of the Adjustment Schedule), on or at any time after a Prepayment Date, an amended Adjustment Schedule.
47.5
Any amended Adjustment Schedule or Owners’ Cost Schedule prepared and delivered to the Charterers pursuant to Clauses 47.3 or 47.4 respectively shall, from the date the same is delivered to the Charterers, be deemed to be incorporated into this Charter and, for the purposes of this Charter, shall thereafter:

(a)
constitute the current Adjustment Schedule or Owners’ Costs Schedule, as applicable; and

(b)
be conclusive evidence of the Owners’ Costs and, in the case of an amended Adjustment Schedule delivered by the Owners in accordance with Clause 47.4, the Daily Charter Rate, the Repurchase Price in relation to each Purchase Option Date and, if applicable, the Early Termination Price in relation to each Early Termination Date, each applicable under this Charter.
47.6
If, as a result of a prepayment made in accordance with Clause 47.3, the Owners’ Costs falls below US$17,500,000 (United States Dollars Seventeen Million and Five Hundred Thousand) (the “ Balloon ”), an amount equal to the difference between the Balloon and the Owners’ Costs following such prepayment (the “ Excess Amount ”) shall be retained by the Owners and applied in accordance with the terms of this Charter on the Purchase Option Date or the Termination Date (as applicable). In the event that, on the Charter Period Expiry Date:

(a)
no Termination Event has occurred and is continuing, and

(b)
the Charterers have not exercised their option to purchase the Vessel in accordance with Clause 39.2,
the Owners shall, simultaneous with the redelivery of the Vessel by the Charterers to the Owners on the Charter Period Expiry Date, refund the Excess Amount to the Charterers.
47.7
Any Excess Amount accrued in accordance with Clause 47.6 may be refunded to the Charterers if the Market Value as determined by the valuation reports provided immediately following the LTV Breach in accordance with Clause 47.1.1(a) is lower than eighty per cent. (80%), provided that after such refund, the LTV Ratio is equal to eighty per cent. (80%).
47.8
In the event that there any Excess Amount accrued in accordance with Clause 47.6 on the Purchase Option Date, the Termination Date or the Total Loss Payment Date (as applicable), the Owners shall set-off the applicable Purchase Option Sum or the applicable Termination Sum payable by the Charterers to the Owners against an amount equal to such Excess Amount.
47.9
The Charterers agree and acknowledge that any Excess Amount accrued in accordance with Clause 47.6 shall bear no interest.
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48.
INSURANCES, TOTAL LOSS
48.1
The Charterers shall bear all risks whatsoever and howsoever arising from whether of use, navigation, operation, possession and/or maintenance of the Vessel throughout the duration of the Charter.
48.2
Insurances
The Charterers undertake to the Owners that throughout the Charter Period:

(a)
to insure and keep the Vessel insured free of cost and expense to the Owners and in the joint names of the Owners and the Charterers or otherwise as the Owners and the Charterers may agree pursuant to Box 29 and Box 31 (if any) of Part I and Clause 13 of Part II of this Charter and this Clause 48:

(i)
against fire and usual marine risks (including hull and machinery, hull interest, freight interest, disbursement, demurrage and/or increased value, other Total Loss interest and excess risks);

(ii)
against war risks (including terrorism cover, on hull and machinery basis and on war protection and indemnity risks, terrorism, piracy and strike risks);

(iii)
against full protection and indemnity risks, including, amongst other things, (a) FD&D cover, and (b) in the case of oil pollution liability risks, cover for an aggregate amount equal to the highest level of cover available from time to time under the basic P&I Club entry policy (currently at US$1,000,000,000 Dollars One Billion);

(iv)
against loss of hire or earning (only for piracy and war risks);

(v)
against such other risks of whatsoever nature and howsoever arising as may be required by the Owners which are customary to transactions of this nature;
on the following terms:

(vi)
in Dollars;

(vii)
on terms consistent with prevailing international market practice from time to time be approved by the Owners;

(viii)
in case of the fire and usual marine risks in (i) above and war risks in (ii) above, in an amount no less than 120% of the then applicable Early Termination Amount (if the relevant time falls prior to the 3rd Anniversary) or the Repurchase Price (if the relevant time falls on or after the 3 rd Anniversary);

(ix)
in case of loss of earnings risks (only for piracy and war risks) in such amounts as from time to time required by the Owners;

(x)
in the case of pollution liability risk for protection and indemnity risks, for an aggregate amount equal to the highest level of cover from time
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to time available under basic protection and indemnity club entry and in the international marine insurance market;

(xi)
with international reputable companies and/or underwriters or, in the case of protection and indemnity risks in such protection and indemnity association approved by the Owners, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. An insurance company with a Standard & Poor’s rating of BBB+ or above and a protection and indemnity association which is a member of the International Group of Protection and Indemnity Association shall be deemed approved for the purpose of this clause.

(b)
if and when so required by the Mortgagee, the Charterers shall pay the Mortgagee direct or reimburse the Owners (in case the Owners pay) the cost (as conclusively certified by the Mortgagee) of (A) a mortgagee’s interest insurance on the Vessel in an amount not less than the Minimum Insured Value or such lesser amount as may be approved by the Mortgagee; and (B) a mortgagee’s interest insurance - additional perils (pollution) on the Vessel in an amount not less than the Minimum Insured Value or such lesser amount as may be approved by the Mortgagee, and in each case, upon such terms as shall from time to time be approved in writing by the Mortgagee; and if and when so required by the Owners, the Charterers shall pay the Owners the cost (as conclusively certified by the Owners) of innocent shipowner’s Interest Insurance on the Vessel in an amount not less than the Minimum Insured Value or such lesser amount as may be approved by the Owners; and (B) an innocent shipowner’s interest insurance - additional perils (pollution) on the Vessel in an amount not less than the Minimum Insured Value or such lesser amount as may be approved by the Owners, and in each case, upon such terms as shall from time to time be approved in writing by the Owners;

(c)
to effect the Insurances aforesaid in Dollars and through the Approved Insurers;

(d)
if any of the Insurances form part of a fleet cover, to obtain insurers’ agreement not to cancel the insurances for reason of non-payment of premiums for other vessels under such fleet cover or of premiums for such other Insurances, and, only to the extent allowed under the relevant terms of the Insurances, to obtain insurers’ undertaking to the Owners that it shall neither set-off against any claims in respect of the Vessel any premiums due in respect of other vessels under such fleet cover or any premiums due for other Insurances.
The Charterers undertake to issue a separate policy in respect of the Vessel being part of a fleet cover if it becomes necessary to protect the Owners’ interests in the Insurance and when so reasonably requested by the Owners;

(e)
to punctually to pay all premiums, calls, contributions or other sums payable in respect of all such Insurances and to produce copies of all relevant receipts or other evidence of payment;

(f)
at least seven (7) days before the relevant policies, contracts or entries expire,

(i)
to notify the Owners of the names of the brokers proposed to be
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employed by the Charterers for the purposes of the renewal of such Insurances and of the amounts in which such Insurances are proposed to be renewed and the risks to be covered and, subject to compliance with any requirements of the Owners pursuant to this Clause 48,

(ii)
to procure that that the Approved Insurers will at least fourteen (14) days before such expiry, and the approved war risks and protection and indemnity associations will at least seven (7) days before such expiry confirm in writing to the Owners that they have been instructed to renew the relevant Insurances and such renewals are in the process of being effected in accordance with the instructions so given and to provide the Owners with details of the instructions as the Owners may require (except for the pricing information);

(g)
to arrange for the execution of such guarantees or indemnities as may from time to time be required by any protection and indemnity or war risks association;

(h)
to deposit with the Approved Insurers (or procure the deposit of) all slips, cover notes, policies, certificates of entry or other instruments of insurance from time to time issued in connection with the Insurances as are effected through the Approved Insurers;

(i)
to procure that the interest of the Owners shall be endorsed and, where the Insurances have been assigned to the Owners, by means of a notice of assignment the Owners shall be furnished with the originals or certified true copies thereof and to procure that the Approved Insurer shall issue to the Owners a letter or letters of undertaking in such form as shall from time to time be reasonably required by the Owners (in line with market standard);

(j)
to procure that any protection and indemnity and/or war risks associations (if applicable) in which the Vessel is for the time being entered shall endorse the relevant Loss Payable Clause (taking into account the associations’ standard wording) on the relevant certificate of entry or policy and shall furnish the Owners with a certified true copy of such certificate of entry and a letter or letters of undertaking in such form as may from time to time be reasonably required by the Owners in accordance with the associations’ standard form and wording;

(k)
if so requested by the Owners, but at the cost of the Charterers, to furnish the Owners from time to time with a detailed report signed by an independent firm of marine insurance brokers or an independent firm of international reputable insurance consultant appointed by the Charterers dealing with the Insurances maintained on the Vessel and stating the opinion of such firm as to the adequacy thereof;

(l)
to do all things necessary and provide all documents, evidence and information to enable the Owners to collect or recover any moneys which shall at any time become due to them in respect of the Insurances;

(m)
not to employ the Vessel or suffer the Vessel to be employed otherwise than in conformity with the terms of the instruments of insurance aforesaid (including any warranties express or implied therein) without first obtaining
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the consent of the insurers to such employment and complying with such requirements as to extra premium or otherwise as the insurers may prescribe;

(n)
to apply all sums receivable under the Insurances which are paid to the Charterers in accordance with the Loss Payable Clauses in repairing all damage and/or in discharging the liability in respect whereof the insurance moneys shall have been received;

(o)
to ensure that if the Vessel shall at any time enter the waters under the jurisdiction of the United States of America and/or the Exclusive Economic Zone (as defined in the Oil Pollution Act):

(i)
the certificate of entry for the Vessel issued by the protection and indemnity association with which it is entered is endorsed with the U.S. Oil Pollution Clause 20/2/91 (as amended or replaced from time to time) and to procure for the Owners sufficient documentary evidence that the Charterers has provided all declarations and satisfied all other requirements of the association and that the U.S. Trading Exclusion Clause (as defined in the rules and policies of such protection and indemnity association) has been deleted from the cover;

(ii)
make all such quarterly or other voyage declarations as may from time to time be required by the protection and indemnity risks association in order to maintain cover for trading to the United States of America and Exclusive Economic Zone and promptly deliver to the Owners copies of all such declarations;

(p)
to produce to the Owners upon demand copies (certified by the relevant brokers as being true copies) of all policies, certificates of insurance or entry, cover notes and binders relating to the Insurances and to furnish the Owners with any other evidence of the existence of the Insurances as the Mortgagee may request. The Charterers shall procure that the Approved Insurers give to the Owners such information as to the Insurances taken out or being or to be taken out in compliance with the Charterers’ obligations under the foregoing provisions or as to any other matter which may be relevant to the Insurances as the Owners may request (except for the pricing information of the Insurances);

(q)
the Charterers shall not do any act or permit or suffer any act to be done whereby any insurance required as aforesaid shall or may be suspended, impaired or become defective, unless otherwise specifically permitted under the insurance policies;

(r)
the Charterers shall not make any alteration to any of the insurances referred to in this Clause without prior written approval by the Owners (which shall not be unreasonably delayed or withheld) and shall not make, do, consent or agree to any act or omission which might render any such instrument of insurance invalid or unenforceable or render any sum payable thereunder repayable in whole or in part;

(s)
should any change be permitted or occur without the consent of the Owners, then, without prejudice to the aforesaid obligation of the Charterers or to the rights of the Owners on a Termination Event or to any other provision in this
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Charter, the Charterers shall forthwith give written notice to the Owners and thereupon the foregoing provisions of this clause where relevant shall apply thereto;

(t)
the Charterers not to settle, compromise or abandon any claim under any Insurance for Total Loss or for a Major Casualty;

(u)
In the event that any act or negligence of the Charterers (and/or the Manager or any sub-charterer in any level) shall vitiate, impair or void any of the Insurances herein provided, the Charterers shall take all rectification measures and pay to the Owners all losses and indemnify the Owners against all claims and demands which would otherwise have been covered by such Insurances,
PROVIDED ALWAYS THAT the Owners shall be entitled to review the requirements of this Clause 48.2 from time to time in order to take account of significant changes in circumstances arising as a result of any amendment to the existing laws of, or adoption of new laws by, any relevant jurisdiction after the date of this Charter (such changes in circumstances to include, without limitation, changes in the availability or the cost of insurance and/or protection and indemnity coverage). The Owners may notify the Charterers in writing from time to time of any proposed modification to the requirements of this Clause 48.2 which it may reasonably deem appropriate as a result of such amendment to the existing laws of, or adoption of new laws by, that jurisdiction, or as a result of the opinion of an independent firm of marine insurance brokers or an independent firm of international reputable insurance consultant referred to in Clause 48.2(k) above. Such modification shall take effect on and from the date it is notified in writing to the Charterers as an amendment to this Clause 48.2 (or, if as a result of the said opinion, from the date of the said advice), and shall bind the Charterers accordingly.
48.3
Total Loss
For the purposes of this Charter, Total Loss shall be deemed to have occurred on the Total Loss Date.
If the Vessel shall become a Total Loss after Delivery, then:

(a)
the Owners’ obligation to charter the Vessel shall be immediately be terminated;

(b)
the Charterers shall within sixty (60) days from the Total Loss Date and no later than the actual date when the insurance proceeds are received from the relevant insurer as a result of such Total Loss, whichever occurs earlier (the “ Total Loss Payment Date ”), pay to the Owners the Termination Sum; and

(c)
the Charterers shall continue to pay the Charter-hire until the Total Loss Payment Date.
The Owners, upon the request and at the cost and expense of the Charterers, shall promptly execute such reasonable documents to enable the Charterers to abandon the Vessel and claim a Total Loss and shall give all reasonable assistance in pursuing the said claim. Any fees or costs charged by the Approved Insurers and
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insurance adviser approached by the Owners in connection with a Total Loss shall be borne by the Charterers.
Without prejudice to the Charterers’ obligation to pay the Termination Sum and any other amounts payable under any Transaction Document, upon the Owners’ receipt of the full insurance proceeds in respect of such Total Loss, the net insurance proceeds shall be distributed in the following manner and sequence:

(i)
any actual costs and expenses incurred by the Owners to apply for and procure the insurance proceeds together with accrued thereon pursuant to 42.3 hereof from the date shall be paid and/or distributed to the Owners, unless having indemnified to the Owners by the Charterers before the distribution;

(ii)
the amount equal to the outstanding Termination Sum together with interest accrued thereon pursuant to 42.3 hereof from the due date shall be paid/distributed to the Owners, unless having paid to the Owners by the Charterers before the distribution; and

(iii)
lastly, the remaining insurance proceeds after deducting and distributing the sums referred to in (i) and (ii) above to the Owners, if any, shall be paid/distributed to the Charterers without interest.
Where the net insurance proceeds are insufficient to satisfy (i) and (ii) above, or where the Owners or the Mortgagee fails to receive the insurance proceeds as a result of the insurance cover being voided as a result of the negligence, omission or default or whatsoever reason of the Charterers and or the Approved Insurers, the Charterers shall pay the shortfall to the Owners on demand.
49.
TERMINATION EVENTS
49.1
Each of the following events shall be a “ Termination Event ” for the purposes of this Charter:
(a)
a Security Party fails to pay any amount due from it under any Transaction Document to which it is a party unless its failure to pay is caused by an administrative or technical error and payment is made within five (5) Business Days of its due date; or
(b)
any Security Party fails to observe or perform any of its obligations (other than (a) above and (z) below) under this Charter and/or any of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party provided that no Termination Event shall occur if the failure or breach can be remedied and is remedied within twenty (20) days of the Owners giving notice to the relevant Security Party;
(c)
(i) the Charterers fail at any time to effect or maintain any Insurances, or any insurer shall avoid or cancel any such Insurances (other than by reason of any act or omission of the Owners), or the Charterers commit any breach of or make any misrepresentation in respect of any such Insurances, or (ii) any of the said Insurances cease for any reason whatsoever to be in full force and effect, and in each case, such failure is not remedied within fourteen (14) days; or
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(d)
any representation or warranty of any Security Party in connection with this Charter or any Transaction Document or in any document or certificate furnished to the Owners in connection herewith or therewith is or was untrue, inaccurate or misleading in any material respect, when made or deemed made; or
(e)
the Charterers fail to observe or perform any of their obligations under this Charter and/or any Transaction Document, and such failure to observe or perform any such obligation is either not remediable or remediable but not fully remedied within twenty (20) days after such breach; or
(f)
any Security Interest created by a Security Document have been or becomes invalid or unenforceable or such Security Interest ranked after, or loses its priority to, any other Security Interest other than any Security Interest under the Security Documents; or
(g)
it becomes impossible or unlawful for any Security Party to perform or fulfil any of its obligations under this Charter or any other Transaction Document to which it is party; or
(h)
the occurrence of any event or circumstances which, pursuant to mandatory law, entitles or requires the termination of any Transaction Document; or
(i)
anything is done or omitted to be done by the Charterers or the Manager which may imperil the registration of the Vessel; or
(j)
any declared default arises in respect of any Financial Indebtedness entered into or assumed by the Charterers or a Guarantor; or
(k)
any Security Party does or causes or permits to be done any act or thing evidencing an intention to repudiate this Charter or any Transaction Document; or
(l)
there is a Change of Control; or
(m)
any Security Party ceases to be a company resident in the jurisdiction of its incorporation and/or duly registered in good-standing; or
(n)
any Security Party ceases, or threatens to cease, to carry on all or a substantial part of its business or disposes or threatens to dispose (other than for full arm’s length consideration) of the whole or a material part of its property, assets or undertaking; or
(o)
an encumbrancer takes possession of, or distress or execution is levied upon, the whole, or a material part of the property, assets or undertaking of the Charterers and the Charterers fail to release the same within fifteen (15) days (or a longer period as agreed between the Owners and the Charterers) from the date of the possession, distress or execution; or
(p)
a petition is presented or an order is made or an effective resolution is passed for the administration or winding-up or bankruptcy, as the case may be, of any
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Security Party or an administrator or other receiver is appointed in respect of the whole or any substantial part of the property, undertaking or assets of any Security Party or an administrator of any Security Party is appointed or anything analogous to any of the foregoing occurs under the laws of the place of such Security Party’s incorporation; or
(q)
any Security Party stops payment generally or cease to carry on or suspends payment of, or is unable to or admits inability to pay, all or a substantial part of its debts as they fall due or makes any special arrangement or composition with its creditors generally or shall otherwise become or be adjudicated insolvent; or
(r)
any Security Party convenes or gives notice to convene a meeting of all or any class or group of its creditors with a view to proposing or making, or proposes or makes, any arrangement or composition with or assignment for the benefit of all or any class or group of its creditors or declares, or applies to any court or other tribunal for, a moratorium or suspension of payments with respect to all or a substantial part of its debts or liabilities
(s)
any formal declaration of bankruptcy or any formal statement to the effect that any Security Party is insolvent is made by such Security Party or, in any proceedings, by a lawyer or auditors who are acting on behalf of the Charterers as having been duly authorised by such Security Party to do so; or
(t)
any security Party applies to any court or other tribunal for, a moratorium or suspension of payments with respect to all or a substantial part of its debts or liabilities; or
(u)
a liquidator, receiver, administrative receiver or similar officer is appointed over the whole or any material part of the assets, rights or revenues of any Security Party or, if the whole or a substantial part of the assets of any Security Party shall be seized or sequestrated by any governmental or other public authority or, if any Security Party shall be restrained from using the whole or a substantial part of its assets in its business; or
(v)
the Vessel is arrested or detained and is not released within thirty (30) days after such arrest or detention (or such longer period as the Owners shall agree in the light of all the circumstances); or
(w)
any expropriation, attachment, sequestration, distress or execution affects any asset or assets of the Charterers are not discharged within fifteen (15) days; or
(x)
any consent, authorisation, licence or approval necessary for this Charter or any Security Document to be or remain the valid and legally binding obligations of the Charterers, or to enable the Security Party to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder, shall be materially adversely modified or is not granted or is revoked, suspended, withdrawn or terminated or expires and is not renewed; or
(y)
any event or series of events occurs which, in the reasonable opinion of the Owners, may have a Material Adverse Effect on the ability of any Security Party to comply
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with its obligations under this Charter or any Security Document to which they are respectively a party; or
(z)
any Security Party is involved in:

(i)
any incident which gives rise to any Environmental Claim and such incident will result in a Material Adverse Effect; and

(ii)
any Environmental Claim which, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect (except for any Environment Claim which is frivolous or vexatious and/or is defended and/or challenged in good faith), which in the opinion of the Owners are capable of remedy and is not remedied within fourteen (14) days from the Owners’ giving written notice to such Security Party; or
(aa)
any Security Party, any party to the Transaction Documents (other than the Owners), repudiates any of the Transaction Documents does or causes or permits to be done any act of thing evidencing an intention to repudiate any Transaction Document; or
(bb)
any money assigned pursuant to any of the Security Documents is paid other than as provided therein; or
(cc)
any Project Document is terminated, cancelled, repudiated, suspended, rescinded or revoked or otherwise ceases to remain in full force and effect provided that no Termination Event will occur under this paragraph (cc) if, within sixty (60) days of the termination, cancellation, repudiation, suspension, rescission or revocation of the Sub-Charter:

(i)
such Sub-Charter is, replaced by another time charter having similar rate of hire and duration as the Sub-Charter and on terms acceptable to the Owners (acting timely and reasonably) entered into between the Charterers (as disponent owner) and a sub-charterer acceptable to the Owners; and

(ii)
the rights of the Charterers’ in such replacement time charter are assigned to the Owners; or
(dd)
any Security Document is terminated, cancelled, repudiated, suspended, rescinded or revoked or otherwise ceases to remain in full force and effect for any reason whatsoever; or
(ee)
the occurrence of any other event or circumstances which, pursuant to the terms hereof or at law, requires the Owners to terminate this Charter; or
(ff)
the occurrence of a Collateral Charter Termination Event.
49.2
Upon the occurrence of a Termination Event, the Owners shall be entitled to (but is not bound and without prejudice to the Charterers’ obligations) by written notice to the Charterers terminate this Charter and the chartering of the Vessel under this Charter forthwith and recover any and all amounts due and payable hereunder
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and/or resulting from such termination and to exercise its rights in the manner as set out in Clause 50 ( Owners’ Rights on Termination ).
49.3
The Owners shall not be under any liability whatsoever to the Charterers for loss or damage whatsoever occasioned by the Charterers or any Security Party for the termination of this Charter and the Charterers shall indemnify the Owners on demand for any and all liabilities, losses, costs and expenses incurred by the Owners pursuant to this Clause or otherwise resulting from the occurrence of a Termination Event.
50.
OWNERS’ RIGHTS ON TERMINATION
50.1
At any time after a Termination Event shall have occurred, the Owners may, by notice in writing to the Charterers, immediately, or on such other date as the Owners shall specify, terminate this Charter and whereby:

(a)
the Charterers shall within fifteen (15) days (in the case of a Termination Event under Clause 50.1(a)) or forty-five (45) days (in the case of all Termination Events other than a Termination Event under Clause 50.1(a)) of the Termination Date pay to the Owners the Termination Sum; and

(b)
the Owners’ obligation to charter the Vessel to the Charterers is terminated on the Termination Date specified by the Owners in the notice of termination and the following provisions shall apply:

(i)
the Vessel shall no longer be in the possession of the Charterers and the Owners shall be entitled to retake possession of the Vessel;

(ii)
the Charterers shall procure that upon notice to the Master and Crew that the Owners have retaken possession of the Vessel, the Master and Crew shall obey the lawful orders of the Owners as regards the navigation and management of the Vessel and shall no longer obey the Charterers; and

(iii)
the Charterers shall redeliver the Vessel to the Owners pursuant to Clause 51 ( Redelivery ) hereof.
50.2
Any amount due to the Owners under Clauses 50 and 51 ( Redelivery ) shall bear interest pursuant to Clause 42.3 (before and after any relevant judgment or any winding-up of the Charterers) from the relevant Termination Date to the date of the Owners’ actual receipt thereof.
50.3
Notwithstanding the termination of the chartering of the Vessel pursuant to Clause 51 ( Redelivery ), the Charterers shall irrevocably and unconditionally continue to comply with its obligations under this Charter as provided for herein until the Vessel is redelivered to the Owners in accordance with Clause 51 ( Redelivery ).
50.4
Subject to Clause 50.5, the Owners agree to transfer the title in the Vessel to the Charterers after the Owners’ receipt of full payment of the Termination Sum.
50.5
In the event that the Charterers fail to make punctual full payment within fifteen (15) days (in the case of a Termination Event under Clause 50.1(a)) or forty-five (45) days (in the case of all Termination Events other than a Termination Event
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under Clause 50.1(a)) of the Termination Date in accordance with this Clause 50 :

(a)
the Owners may (but is not obligated to) sell the Vessel at any time free of any charter, lease or other engagement concerning the Vessel for such price and on such terms and conditions as it may, in its absolute discretion, think fit;

(b)
the gross proceeds of the sale of the Vessel shall deduct an amount equal to the aggregate of the expenses, disbursements, taxes, costs and losses whatsoever as may have been incurred by the Owners in respect of the sale of the Vessel (the “ Net Sale Proceeds ”);

(c)
an amount equal to the aggregate of the Termination Sum and all other amounts payable under the Transaction Documents together with interest as stipulated herein shall be deducted from the Net Sale Proceeds;

(d)
if the Net Sale Proceeds are insufficient to satisfy all amounts due and payable from the Charterers to the Owners hereunder, the Charterers shall pay the outstanding balance to the Owners; and

(e)
any remaining balance shall be paid to the Charterers.
51.
REDELIVERY
51.1
Unless the Charterers exercise their option to purchase the Vessel from the Owners pursuant to Clause 39.2, upon expiration of the Charter Period, the Owners shall have the right to dispose of the Vessel, and the Vessel shall be redelivered to the Owners on the following terms:

(a)
at such safe and accessible berth as specified by the Owners and, if applicable, within such ranges as specified by Charterers in accordance with Clause 51.2;

(b)
with her class maintained without any conditions or recommendation; and

(c)
free of average damage affecting the Vessel’s class; and

(d)
with all the Vessel’s classification, trading, national and international certificates that the Vessel had when she was delivered under this Charter and the log book and whatsoever necessary relating to the operation of the Vessel, valid and un-extended without conditions or recommendation falling due for a minimum of six (6) months from the time of redelivery; and

(e)
subject to Clause 10 ( Maintenance and Operation ) in the same or as good structure, state, condition and class as that in which she was deemed delivered under Clause 35 ( Delivery of the Vessel ), fair wear and tear not affecting class excepted; and

(f)
subject to Clause 10 ( Maintenance and Operation ) with all such spare parts and other equipment she had at the time of delivery under this Charter together with all other additions, amendments, equipment or alterations made to the Vessel during the Charter Period without any cost to the Owners; and
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(g)
with copies of the log books and all of the classification records and certificate(s) and class’s survey report(s) as well as plans, drawings and manuals (excluding ISM/ISPS manuals) which are on board the Vessel and relate to the Charter Period.
51.2
The Charterers shall give the Owners not less than thirty (30) days’ notices of the expected geographical range and port of redelivery.
51.3
The Charterers shall pay or reimburse to the Owners all costs and expenses so incurred in recovering possession of, and in moving, storing, insuring and maintaining, the Vessel and in carrying out any works or modifications required to cause the Vessel to conform with the provisions of this Clause 51 together with interest thereon pursuant to Clause 42.3 hereof from the date on which the relevant Loss was suffered by the Owners until the date of payment or reimbursement thereof (both before and after any relevant judgment or winding up of the Charterers).
51.4
The Owners shall reimburse the Charterers, a sum equal to the cost of the remaining bunkers and lubricating oil in the Vessel at the original purchase price as evidenced by copies of invoices certified by a director of the Charterers.
52.
COMMUNICATIONS
52.1
Except as otherwise provided for in this Charter, all notices or other communications under or in respect of this Charter to either party hereto shall be in writing and shall be made or given to such party at the address or facsimile number appearing below (or at such other address or facsimile number as such party may hereafter specify for such purposes to the other by notice in writing):
In the case of the Owners:

Address:
1/F., Far East Consortium Building, 121 Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong

c/o Bank of Communications Financial Leasing Co., Ltd

28/F., 333 Lujiazui Ring Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 200120, PRC

Fax:
+86 -21-6278 8317

Email:
fang_xz@bankcomm.com/xux_31@bankcomm.com

Attention:
Mr. Fang Xiuzhi/Mr. Xu Xin

In the case of the Charterers:

Address:
1, Vass Sofias 15124, Maroussi Greece C/O Central Mare

Facsimile No.:
0030 210 6141272

Email:
atsirikos@topships,org
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Attn:
Alexandros Tsirikos

Telephone :
0030 210 8128180
A written notice includes a notice by facsimile or via email. A notice or other communication received on a non-working day or after business hours in the place of receipt shall be deemed to be served on the next following working day in such place. Subject to the foregoing, any communication by personal delivery, courier or mail shall be deemed to be received upon receipt by the addressee (but in any case not later than 5 days after the date of dispatch in case of courier and 10 days after the date of dispatch in case of mail), any communication by facsimile or via email shall be deemed to be delivered immediately upon the sending of the facsimile or email.
52.2
All communications and documents delivered pursuant to or otherwise relating to this Charter shall either be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation.
52.3
Any communication to be made between the Parties under or in connection with this Charter may be made by electronic mail or other electronic means provided that between the Parties:

(a)
it is agreed that, unless and until notified to the contrary, this is to be an accepted form of communication;

(b)
they have notified each other in writing of their electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the sending and receipt of information by that means; and

(c)
they have notified each other of any change to their address or any other such information supplied by them.
52.4
Any electronic communication made between the Parties will be effective only when actually received in readable form and in the case of any electronic communication made to the Owners, only if it is addressed in such a manner as the Owners shall specify for this purpose.
53.
ASSIGNMENT AND SET-OFF
53.1
This Charter shall be binding upon and enure for the benefit of the Owners and the Charterers and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
53.2
The Charterers shall not be entitled to assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Charter, unless with the prior written consent of the Owners.
53.3
In addition to the right of the Owners to assign under Clause 44 ( Owners’ Right to Mortgage ) and Clause 45 ( Owners’ Right to Sale ), the Owners may at any time assign or transfer any or all of its rights, benefit and interests under this Charter to any person.
53.4
Without prejudice to any right of set-off, combination of accounts, lien or other rights to which the Owners are at any time entitled whether by operation of law or contract or otherwise, the Owners may (but shall not be obliged to) set off against any
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obligation of the Charterers due and payable by it hereunder without prior notice any moneys held by the Owners for the account of the Charterers at any office of the Owners anywhere and in any currency. The Owners may effect such currency exchanges as are appropriate to implement such set-off.
54.
MISCELLANEOUS
54.1
The Owners represent, warrant, undertake and covenant that, throughout the duration of the Charter Period, they and their officers, directors, employees, consultants, agents and/or intermediaries, or any person acting on their behalf, have complied with, and shall comply with, all applicable Business Ethics Laws in connection with this Charter.
54.2
Time shall be of the essence of this Charter but no failure or delay on the part of the Owners to exercise any power, right or remedy under any Transaction Document shall operate as a waiver hereof or thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise by the Owners of any power, right or remedy preclude any other or further exercise hereof or thereof or the exercise of any other power, right or remedy.
54.3
Any amendment or waiver of any provision of this Charter or any other Transaction Documents shall only be effective if the Owners and the Charterers so agree in writing. Any consent by the Owners under this Charter or any Transaction Document must be made in writing. In addition, any such waiver or consent may be given subject to any conditions thought fit by the Owners and shall be effective only in the instance and for the purpose for which it is given.
54.4
The rights of one party hereof may be exercised as often as necessary, are cumulative and not exclusive of its rights under applicable laws or otherwise and may be waived only in writing and specifically. Failure to exercise, or any delay in exercising, by one party hereof, any right or remedy hereof shall not operate as a waiver of any such right or remedy or constitute an election to affirm any agreement hereof. No election to affirm any agreement on the part of the Owners shall be effective unless it is in writing. No single or partial exercise of any right or remedy shall prevent any further or other exercise or the exercise of any other right or remedy.
54.5
If any provision of this Charter and any Transaction Document is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction such prohibition or unenforceability shall not invalidate the remaining provisions hereof or affect the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
54.6
This Charter may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument, and any party hereto may execute this Charter by signing any such counterpart.
54.7
Unless expressly identified in this Charter, no third parties shall have the right to enforce or apply any term hereof and the Contracts ( Rights of Third Parties ) Act 1999 is expressly excluded.
54.8
Clauses 32 ( Definitions ) to 54 ( Miscellaneous ) (the “ Additional Clauses ”) form an, integral and indispensable part of this Charter and shall be read together with Part I to Part IV of this Charter. In the event of any inconsistency in the terms set out in Part I and Part II of this Charter and the Additional Clauses (i.e. Clauses 32 ( Definitions ) to 54 ( Miscellaneous )) of this Charter, then the terms of the Additional
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Clauses shall prevail.
54.9
This Charter (composed of, (i) Part I, Part II, and in the case where both party agree to apply either of or all of the optional Part III and Part IV, of the standard BIMCO BARECON 2001 with agreed and or logical amendments; (ii) the Additional Clauses; and, (iii) together with its attachments, appendices and schedules) contains the entire agreement and understanding between the parties and supersedes any prior or inconsistent agreements, negotiations, term sheet, representations and promises, written or oral between the parties respecting the subject matter hereof.
Neither Party shall be entitled to rely on any representations or statements made during negotiations other than to the extent that the same are expressly included in the Charter and its appendices.
Without prejudice to Clause 48.2 ( Insurances ) hereof whereby the Owners/Mortgagee may review and request amendments to the requirements of Insurance, no modification of this Charter shall be binding on either party unless in writing and signed by duly authorized representatives of both parties specifically mentioning that it is amending this Agreement. No modification shall be effected by any type of acknowledgement, order confirmation, sale documents, invoices or similar documents stipulating different conditions by the Charterers, and the Owners hereby give notice of its objection to, and rejection of, any additional or different terms or conditions in any such document. No course of prior dealings, no usage of the trade and no course of performance shall be used to modify, supplement or explain any terms used herein or in any contract between the Owners and the Charterers executed in conjunction with this transaction.
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SCHEDULE I
Repurchase Price Schedule
Purchase Option Date
Repurchase Price(US$)
3 rd Anniversary
21,350,000
1 st Payment Date after 3 rd Anniversary
21,275,833
2 nd Payment Date after 3 rd Anniversary
21,201,667
3 rd Payment Date after 3 rd Anniversary
21,127,500
4 th Payment Date after 3 rd Anniversary
21,053,333
5 th Payment Date after 3 rd Anniversary
20,979,167
6 th Payment Date after 3 rd Anniversary
20,905,000
7 th Payment Date after 3 rd Anniversary
20,830,833
8 th Payment Date after 3 rd Anniversary
20,756,667
9 th Payment Date after 3 rd Anniversary
20,682,500
10 th Payment Date after 3 rd Anniversary
20,608,333
11 th Payment Date after 3 rd Anniversary
20,534,167
4 th Anniversary
20,460,000
1 st Payment Date after 4 th Anniversary
20,381,667
2 nd Payment Date after 4 th Anniversary
20,303,333
3 rd Payment Date after 4 th Anniversary
20,225,000
4 th Payment Date after 4 th Anniversary
20,146,667
5 th Payment Date after 4 th Anniversary
20,068,333
6 th Payment Date after 4 th Anniversary
19,990,000
7 th Payment Date after 4 th Anniversary
19,911,667
8 th Payment Date after 4 th Anniversary
19,833,333
9 th Payment Date after 4 th Anniversary
19,755,000
10 th Payment Date after 4 th Anniversary
19,676,667
11 th Payment Date after 4 th Anniversary
19,598,333
5 th Anniversary
19,520,000
1 st Payment Date after 5 th Anniversary
19,436,667

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Purchase Option Date
Repurchase Price(US$)
2 nd Payment Date after 5 th Anniversary
19,353,333
3 rd Payment Date after 5 th Anniversary
19,270,000
4 th Payment Date after 5 th Anniversary
19,186,667
5 th Payment Date after 5 th Anniversary
19,103,333
6 th Payment Date after 5 th Anniversary
19,020,000
7 th Payment Date after 5 th Anniversary
18,936,667
8 th Payment Date after 5 th Anniversary
18,853,333
9 th Payment Date after 5 th Anniversary
18,770,000
10 th Payment Date after 5 th Anniversary
18,686,667
11 th Payment Date after 5 th Anniversary
18,603,333
6 th Anniversary
18,520,000
1 st Payment Date after 6 th Anniversary
18,435,000
2 nd Payment Date after 6 th Anniversary
18,350,000
3 rd Payment Date after 6 th Anniversary
18,265,000
4 th Payment Date after 6 th Anniversary
18,180,000
5 th Payment Date after 6 th Anniversary
18,095,000
6 th Payment Date after 6 th Anniversary
18,010,000
7 th Payment Date after 6 th Anniversary
17,925,000
8 th Payment Date after 6 th Anniversary
17,840,000
9 th Payment Date after 6 th Anniversary
17,755,000
10 th Payment Date after 6 th Anniversary
17,670,000
11 th Payment Date after 6 th Anniversary
17,585,000
Charter Period Expiry Date
17,500,000

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SCHEDULE II
Conditions Precedent
1.
Security Parties

(a)
certified copy of the constitutional documents of each Security Party including Certificate of Incorporation, and Memorandum and Articles of Association (or equivalent in its place of incorporation);

(b)
certified copy of resolutions of the board of directors of each Security Party, approving the execution of this Charter and the Security Documents to which it is a party and authorizing a person or persons to execute the same under seal (where appropriate), and any other notices and documents required in connection therewith, and the specimen signature(s) of such person(s);

(c)
original of the power of attorney of each person authorised to execute this Charter or any of the Security Documents on behalf of each Security Party; and

(d)
a certificate of a duly authorised officer of each Security Party certifying that each copy document relating to it specified in this Schedule II is correct, complete and in full force and effect and setting out the names of the directors, officers and shareholders of that Security Party and the proportion of shares held by each shareholder; and
2.
Security Documents
Duly executed originals of:

(a)
the Charterer Account Security Deed;

(b)
the General Assignment;

(c)
the Share Charge;

(d)
the Guarantees; and

(e)
the Manager’s Undertaking.
3.
Legal Opinions

(a)
an English legal opinion addressed to the Owners in such form and substance satisfactory to the Owners;

(b)
a Marshall Islands legal opinion addressed to the Owners in such form and substance satisfactory to the Owners; and

(c)
such other legal opinions as the Owners may require.
4.
Other documents and evidence

(a)
evidence that the Ship Registry of the Flag State has issued a letter acknowledging this Charter (if available);

(b)
all notices, consents, acknowledgements and other documents required to be received, given or exchanged pursuant to the Security Documents having been duly executed in the agreed forms;

(c)
receipt by the Owners of all the documents that shall be delivered to the
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Owners under the Share Charge and any other Security Documents;

(d)
evidence that the Delivery Costs, the Advance Hire and the Charterers Arrangement Fee which is due and payable having been paid in accordance with the relevant provisions of this Charter;

(e)
evidence that full payment by the Charterers of all the legal fees with respect to the preparation, negotiation, execution and delivery of this Charter and the Transaction Documents;

(f)
evidence that the Vessel is, or immediately following the Delivery Date will be, insured in accordance with the provisions of this Charter and that all requirements of Clause 48 of this Charter in respect of such Insurances have been complied with;

(g)
if required by the Owners or the Mortgagee, a satisfactory opinion from an insurance consultants approved by the Owners on the insurances effected or to be effected on the Vessel pursuant to the provisions of this Charter;

(h)
evidence that the Vessel is classified and maintained in the highest class (free of outstanding recommendations or conditions of class) with the Classification Society;

(i)
such evidence as the Owners and/or the Mortgagee may require of the Charterers’ compliance with the ISM Code, the ISPS Code and MARPOL and all other international code, convention, regulation applicable to the Vessel;

(j)
the Vessel’s current Tonnage Certificate and International Load Line Certificate;

(k)
the Vessel’s current Cargo Ship Safety Construction, Safety Equipment and Safety Radio Certificates;

(l)
the Vessel’s current Minimum Safe Manning Document;

(m)
the Vessel’s current Safety Management Certificate (SMC) under the ISM Code;

(n)
the Manager’s current Document of Compliance (DOC) under the ISM Code;

(o)
the Vessel’s current International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC);

(p)
the Vessel’s current International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate (IAPPC) in respect of the Vessel, International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate (IOPP Certificate) and International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate (ISPP Certificate);

(q)
a certified true copy of each Project Document and evidence that the Vessel has been delivered to the Sub-Charterer under the Sub-Charter; and

(r)
an amount of not less than the Minimum Balance has been paid into the Charterer Account.
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SCHEDULE III
Loss Payable Clauses
LOSS PAYABLE CLAUSE (for Hull & Machinery)
By a bareboat charter made by [ ] (“Owner”) and [ ] (“Charterer”) in respect of chartering of m.v. Eco California (“ Vessel ”), the Owner and the Charterer hereby agree:
(a)
that in the event of actual or constructive or compromised or arranged total loss of the Vessel the proceeds of insurance shall be paid first to the Owner;
(b)
that all other losses not exceeding US$300,000 (United States Dollars Three Hundred Thousand) shall be paid to the Charterer or its order and if the Underwriters or Insurers shall have been so notified by the Owner, then such losses shall be paid to the Owner; and
(c)
that all other losses exceeding US$300,000 (United States Dollars Three Hundred Thousand) shall be paid to the Owner unless the Owner consents in writing to such payment being made directly to the repairers on account of repairs in the course of being effected.
LOSS PAYABLE CLAUSE (for P&I)
“Payment of any recovery which any managers or demise Charterer of m.v. Eco California (“ Vessel ”) is entitled to make out of the funds of the Association in respect of any liability, costs or expenses incurred by it shall be made to any managers or demise Charterer of the Vessel or to its order unless and until the Association receives notice from [ ] (the “ Owner ”) that demise Charterer of the Vessel is in a default which is continuing under the bareboat charter dated [.]in respect of the Vessel, in which event all recoveries shall thereafter be paid to the Owner or to its order; provided always that no liability whatsoever shall attach to the Association, its Managers or their agents for failure to comply with the latter obligation until after the expiry of two (2) clear business days from the receipt of such notice.”
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SCHEDULE IV
Form of Protocol of Delivery and Acceptance Certificate
PROTOCOL OF DELIVERY AND ACCEPTANCE
FOR M.V. “ECO CALIFORNIA”
m.v. “ Eco California ” (IMO No.: [ ] , the “ Vessel ”) was delivered to and accepted by [ ] of the Marshall Islands (the “ Charterer ”) as charterer of the Vessel, pursuant to the Bareboat Charterparty dated [ ] and made between [ ] of Hong Kong (the “ Owner ”) as Owner of the Vessel and the Charterer, at ____ : _____ hours (Beijing Time) on [date].

for and on behalf of Owner
[ ]
 
for and on behalf of Charterer
[ ]
 
       
       
       
       
Name:
Title:
 
Name:
Title:
 

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SCHEDULE V
Owners’ Costs Schedule
Date
Owners’ Costs (US$)
Fixed Hire (US$)
Delivery Date
24,140,000
 
15 January 2019
24,077,006
62,994
15 February 2019
24,032,041
44,965
15 March 2019
23,968,420
63,621
15 April 2019
23,906,494
61,926
15 May 2019
23,842,145
64,349
15 June 2019
23,779,511
62,635
15 July 2019
23,714,425
65,086
15 August 2019
23,648,961
65,463
15 September 2019
23,585,242
63,719
15 October 2019
23,519,029
66,213
15 November 2019
23,454,580
64,449
15 December 2019
23,387,610
66,971
15 January 2020
23,320,250
67,360
15 February 2020
23,256,871
63,379
15 March 2020
23,188,753
68,118
15 April 2020
23,122,449
66,303
15 May 2020
23,053,551
68,898
15 June 2020
22,986,489
67,062
15 July 2020
22,916,802
69,687
15 August 2020
22,846,711
70,091
15 September 2020
22,778,488
68,224
15 October 2020
22,707,594
70,894
15 November 2020
22,638,589
69,005
15 December 2020
22,566,884
71,705
15 January 2021
22,494,763
72,121
15 February 2021
22,429,243
65,520
15 March 2021
22,356,323
72,920
15 April 2021
22,285,346
70,977
15 May 2021
22,211,592
73,755
15 June 2021
22,139,802
71,790
15 July 2021
22,065,203
74,599
15 August 2021
21,990,171
75,032
15 September 2021
21,917,138
73,033
15 October 2021
21,841,247
75,891
15 November 2021
21,767,379
73,869
15 December 2021
21,690,619
76,760
15 January 2022
21,613,414
77,205
15 February 2022
21,543,275
70,138
15 March 2022
21,465,215
78,060
15 April 2022
21,389,235
75,980
15 May 2022
21,310,281
78,954
15 June 2022
21,233,431
76,850
15 July 2022
21,153,573
79,858

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Date
Owners’ Costs (US$)
Fixed Hire (US$)
15 August 2022
21,073,252
80,321
15 September 2022
20,995,071
78,181
15 October 2022
20,913,831
81,241
15 November 2022
20,834,755
79,076
15 December 2022
20,752,584
82,171
15 January 2023
20,669,937
82,647
15 February 2023
20,594,854
75,082
15 March 2023
20,511,292
83,563
15 April 2023
20,429,955
81,336
15 May 2023
20,345,436
84,519
15 June 2023
20,263,169
82,267
15 July 2023
20,177,682
85,487
15 August 2023
20,091,699
85,983
15 September 2023
20,008,007
83,692
15 October 2023
19,921,039
86,967
15 November 2023
19,836,389
84,650
15 December 2023
19,748,426
87,963
15 January 2024
19,659,953
88,473
15 February 2024
19,576,707
83,246
15 March 2024
19,487,237
89,470
15 April 2024
19,400,152
87,086
15 May 2024
19,309,657
90,494
15 June 2024
19,221,575
88,083
15 July 2024
19,130,044
91,530
15 August 2024
19,037,983
92,061
15 September 2024
18,948,375
89,608
15 October 2024
18,855,260
93,115
15 November 2024
18,764,626
90,634
15 December 2024
18,670,444
94,181
15 January 2025
18,575,717
94,728
15 February 2025
18,489,660
86,057
15 March 2025
18,393,883
95,777
15 April 2025
18,300,659
93,225
15 May 2025
18,203,786
96,873
15 June 2025
18,109,494
94,292
15 July 2025
18,011,511
97,982
15 August 2025
17,912,961
98,551
15 September 2025
17,817,036
95,925
15 October 2025
17,717,357
99,679
15 November 2025
17,620,334
97,023
15 December 2025
17,500,000
120,334

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SCHEDULE VI
Adjustment Schedule
Daily Charter Rate: USD5,245 per day
Payment Date / Purchase Option Date
Hire (USD)
Fixed Hire (USD)
Variable Hire (USD)
Owners’ Costs (USD)
Repurchase Price (USD)
Early Termination Amount (USD)
24 th Payment Date
     
20,552,991
N/A
21,263,333
25 th Payment Date
162,602
43,642
118,960
20,509,349
N/A
21,143,472
26 th Payment Date
146,866
39,647
107,220
20,469,702
N/A
21,023,611
27 th Payment Date
162,602
44,124
118,478
20,425,578
N/A
20,903,750
28 th Payment Date
157,357
42,948
114,409
20,382,630
N/A
20,783,889
29 th Payment Date
162,602
44,628
117,974
20,338,001
N/A
20,664,028
30 th Payment Date
157,357
43,439
113,918
20,294,563
N/A
20,544,167
31 st Payment Date
162,602
45,138
117,464
20,249,425
N/A
20,424,306
32 nd Payment Date
162,602
45,399
117,203
20,204,026
N/A
20,304,444
33 rd Payment Date
157,357
44,189
113,168
20,159,836
N/A
20,184,583
34 th Payment Date
162,602
45,918
116,684
20,113,919
N/A
20,064,722
35 th Payment Date
157,357
44,694
112,663
20,069,225
N/A
19,944,861
3rd Anniversary
162,602
46,442
116,160
20,022,783
19,825,000
N/A
37 th Payment Date
162,602
46,711
115,891
19,976,072
19,781,667
N/A
38 th Payment Date
146,866
42,435
104,432
19,933,637
19,738,333
N/A
39 th Payment Date
162,602
47,227
115,375
19,886,410
19,695,000
N/A
40 th Payment Date
157,357
45,968
111,389
19,840,442
19,651,667
N/A
41 st Payment Date
162,602
47,766
114,836
19,792,675
19,608,333
N/A
42 nd Payment Date
157,357
46,493
110,864
19,746,182
19,565,000
N/A
43 rd Payment Date
162,602
48,312
114,290
19,697,870
19,521,667
N/A
44 th Payment Date
162,602
48,592
114,011
19,649,279
19,478,333
N/A
45 th Payment Date
157,357
47,296
110,061
19,601,982
19,435,000
N/A

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Payment Date / Purchase Option Date
Hire (USD)
Fixed Hire (USD)
Variable Hire (USD)
Owners’ Costs (USD)
Repurchase Price (USD)
Early Termination Amount (USD)
46 th Payment Date
162,602
49,147
113,456
19,552,836
19,391,667
N/A
47 th Payment Date
157,357
47,837
109,520
19,504,999
19,348,333
N/A
4 th Anniversary
162,602
49,708
112,894
19,455,291
19,305,000
N/A
49 th Payment Date
162,602
49,996
112,606
19,405,296
19,258,083
N/A
50 th Payment Date
146,866
45,419
101,448
19,359,877
19,211,167
N/A
51 st Payment Date
162,602
50,548
112,054
19,309,329
19,164,250
N/A
52 nd Payment Date
157,357
49,200
108,156
19,260,129
19,117,333
N/A
53 rd Payment Date
162,602
51,125
111,477
19,209,003
19,070,417
N/A
54 th Payment Date
157,357
49,762
107,594
19,159,241
19,023,500
N/A
55 th Payment Date
162,602
51,709
110,893
19,107,532
18,976,583
N/A
56 th Payment Date
162,602
52,008
110,594
19,055,523
18,929,667
N/A
57 th Payment Date
157,357
50,622
106,735
19,004,901
18,882,750
N/A
58 th Payment Date
162,602
52,602
110,000
18,952,299
18,835,833
N/A
59 th Payment Date
157,357
51,200
106,157
18,901,098
18,788,917
N/A
5 th Anniversary
162,602
53,203
109,399
18,847,895
18,742,000
N/A
61 st Payment Date
162,602
53,511
109,091
18,794,384
18,691,833
N/A
62 nd Payment Date
152,112
50,349
101,763
18,744,035
18,641,667
N/A
63 rd Payment Date
162,602
54,112
108,490
18,689,923
18,591,500
N/A
64 th Payment Date
157,357
52,670
104,687
18,637,253
18,541,333
N/A
65 th Payment Date
162,602
54,730
107,872
18,582,523
18,491,167
N/A
66 th Payment Date
157,357
53,271
104,085
18,529,251
18,441,000
N/A
67 th Payment Date
162,602
55,356
107,247
18,473,896
18,390,833
N/A
68 th Payment Date
162,602
55,676
106,926
18,418,220
18,340,667
N/A
69 th Payment Date
157,357
54,192
103,165
18,364,028
18,290,500
N/A
70 th Payment Date
162,602
56,312
106,290
18,307,716
18,240,333
N/A
71 st Payment Date
157,357
54,811
102,546
18,252,905
18,190,167
N/A

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Payment Date / Purchase Option Date
Hire (USD)
Fixed Hire (USD)
Variable Hire (USD)
Owners’ Costs (USD)
Repurchase Price (USD)
Early Termination Amount (USD)
72 nd Payment Date
162,602
56,955
105,647
18,195,950
18,140,000
N/A
73 rd Payment Date
162,602
57,285
105,317
18,138,666
18,086,667
N/A
74 th Payment Date
146,866
52,040
94,826
18,086,625
18,033,333
N/A
75 th Payment Date
162,602
57,917
104,685
18,028,708
17,980,000
N/A
76 th Payment Date
157,357
56,374
100,983
17,972,334
17,926,667
N/A
77 th Payment Date
162,602
58,579
104,023
17,913,755
17,873,333
N/A
78 th Payment Date
157,357
57,017
100,339
17,856,738
17,820,000
N/A
79 th Payment Date
162,602
59,248
103,354
17,797,490
17,766,667
N/A
80 th Payment Date
162,602
59,591
103,011
17,737,899
17,713,333
N/A
81 st Payment Date
157,357
58,002
99,354
17,679,896
17,660,000
N/A
82 nd Payment Date
162,602
60,272
102,331
17,619,625
17,606,667
N/A
83 rd Payment Date
157,357
58,665
98,692
17,560,960
17,553,333
N/A
84 th Payment Date
162,602
60,960
101,642
17,500,000
N/A
N/A

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SCHEDULE VII
Early Termination Amount Schedule
Early Termination Date
Early Termination Amount (US$)
Delivery Date
24,140,000
1 st Payment Date after Delivery Date
24,062,500
2 nd Payment Date after Delivery Date
23,985,000
3 rd Payment Date after Delivery Date
23,907,500
4 th Payment Date after Delivery Date
23,830,000
5 th Payment Date after Delivery Date
23,752,500
6 th Payment Date after Delivery Date
23,675,000
7 th Payment Date after Delivery Date
23,597,500
8 th Payment Date after Delivery Date
23,520,000
9 th Payment Date after Delivery Date
23,442,500
10 th Payment Date after Delivery Date
23,365,000
11 th Payment Date after Delivery Date
23,287,500
1 st Anniversary
23,210,000
1 st Payment Date after 1 st Anniversary
23,132,500
2 nd Payment Date after 1 st Anniversary
23,055,000
3 rd Payment Date after 1 st Anniversary
22,977,500
4 th Payment Date after 1 st Anniversary
22,900,000
5 th Payment Date after 1 st Anniversary
22,822,500
6 th Payment Date after 1 st Anniversary
22,745,000
7 th Payment Date after 1 st Anniversary
22,667,500
8 th Payment Date after 1 st Anniversary
22,590,000
9 th Payment Date after 1 st Anniversary
22,512,500
10 th Payment Date after 1 st Anniversary
22,435,000
11 th Payment Date after 1 st Anniversary
22,357,500
2 nd Anniversary
22,280,000

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Early Termination Date
Early Termination Amount (US$)
1 st Payment Date after 2 nd Anniversary
22,202,500
2 nd Payment Date after 2 nd Anniversary
22,125,000
3 rd Payment Date after 2 nd Anniversary
22,047,500
4 th Payment Date after 2 nd Anniversary
21,970,000
5 th Payment Date after 2 nd Anniversary
21,892,500
6 th Payment Date after 2 nd Anniversary
21,815,000
7 th Payment Date after 2 nd Anniversary
21,737,500
8 th Payment Date after 2 nd Anniversary
21,660,000
9 th Payment Date after 2 nd Anniversary
21,582,500
10 th Payment Date after 2 nd Anniversary
21,505,000
11 th Payment Date after 2 nd Anniversary
21,427,500

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EXECUTION
For and on behalf of the Owners
XIANG T88 HK INTERNATIONAL SHIP LEASE CO., LIMITED
 
For and on behalf of the Charterers
PCH77 SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED
 
       
       
       
/s/ Lu Zhendong
 
/s/ Andreas M. Louka
 
Name:
Lu Zhendong
 
Name:
Andreas M. Louka
 
Title:
Director
 
Title:
Attorney-in-fact
 



70
Exhibit 4.95
Confidential
Dated 1 June 2018

PCH77 SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED
as Borrower
arranged by
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V.
with
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V.
as Agent
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V.
as Security Agent
and
TOP SHIPS INC.
and
ASTARTE INTERNATIONAL INC.
as Guarantors


FACILITY AGREEMENT
for up to $10,140,000 Loan Facility

Contents
Clause
Page

Section 1 - Interpretation
1
   
1
Definitions and interpretation
1
     
Section 2 - The Facility
25
   
2
The Facility
25
     
3
Purpose
25
     
4
Conditions of Utilisation
26
     
Section 3 - Utilisation
27
   
5
Utilisation
27
     
Section 4 - Repayment, Prepayment and Cancellation
29
   
6
Repayment
29
     
7
Illegality, prepayment and cancellation
29
     
8
Restrictions
32
     
Section 5 - Costs of Utilisation
34
   
9
Interest
34
     
10
Interest Periods
35
     
11
Changes to the calculation of interest
35
     
12
Fees
36
     
Section 6 - Additional Payment Obligations
38
   
13
Tax gross-up and indemnities
38
     
14
Increased Costs
42
     
15
Other indemnities
43
     
16
Mitigation by the Lenders
47
     
17
Costs and expenses
47
     
Section 7 - Guarantee
49
   
18
Guarantee and indemnity
49
     
Section 8 - Representations, Undertakings and Events of Default
52
   
19
Representations
52
     
20
Information undertakings
59
     
21
Financial covenants
62
     
22
General undertakings
63
     
23
Construction period
68
     
24
Dealings with Ships
69
     
25
Condition and operation of Collateral Ship
72
     
26
Insurance
76


27
Chartering undertakings
79
     
28
Bank accounts
81
     
29
Business restrictions
82
     
30
Events of Default
84
     
Section 9 - Changes to Parties
90
   
31
Changes to the Lenders
90
     
32
Changes to the Obligors
93
     
Section 10 - The Finance Parties
94
   
33
Roles of Agent, Security Agent and Arranger
94
     
34
Trust and security matters
105
     
35
Enforcement of Transaction Security
109
     
36
Application of proceeds
110
     
37
Conduct of business by the Finance Parties
113
     
38
Sharing among the Finance Parties
113
     
Section 11 - Administration
115
   
39
Payment mechanics
115
     
40
Set-off
118
     
41
Notices
119
     
42
Calculations and certificates
121
     
43
Partial invalidity
121
     
44
Remedies and waivers
121
     
45
Amendments and waivers
121
     
46
Confidential Information
126
     
47
Confidentiality of Funding Rates
128
     
48
Counterparts
129
     
49
Contractual recognition of bail-in
130
     
Section 12 - Governing Law and Enforcement
131
   
50
Governing law
131
     
51
Enforcement
131
     
Schedule 1 The original parties
132
   
Schedule2 Ship information
136
   
Schedule 3 Conditions precedent
138
   
Schedule 4 Utilisation Request
143
   
Schedule 5 Form of Transfer Certificate
144
   
Schedule 6 Forms of Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction Notice
147
   
Schedule 7 Form of Compliance Certificate
149


THIS AGREEMENT is dated 1 June 2018 and made between:
(1)
PCH77 SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED (the Borrower );
(2)
TOP SHIPS INC. (the Top Ships Guarantor );
(3)
ASTARTE INTERNATIONAL INC. (the Astarte Guarantor );
(4)
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V. as mandated lead arranger (the Arranger );
(5)
THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS listed in Schedule 1 as lenders (the Original   Lenders );
(6)
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V. as agent of the other Finance Parties (the Agent ); and
(7)
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V. as security trustee for the Finance Parties (the Security Agent ).
IT IS AGREED as follows:
Section 1 - Interpretation
1
Definitions and interpretation
1.1
Definitions
In this Agreement and (unless otherwise defined in the relevant Finance Document) the other Finance Documents:
Acceptable Bank means:

(a)
a bank or financial institution which has a rating for its long-term unsecured and non-credit-enhanced debt obligations of “A-” or higher by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services or Fitch Ratings Ltd or “Baal” or higher by Moody’s Investors Service Limited or a comparable rating from an internationally recognised credit rating agency; or

(b)
any other bank or financial institution approved by the Agent and the Borrower.
Account means any bank account, deposit or certificate of deposit opened, made or established in accordance with clause 28 (Bank accounts) .
Account Bank means, in relation to any Account, either the bank or financial institution specified as such in Schedule 1 (The original parties) or another bank or financial institution approved by the Majority Lenders at the request of the Borrower.
Account Holder(s) means, in relation to any Account, each Obligor in whose name that Account is held.
Account Security means, in relation to an Account, a first priority (or, in the case of an Account of the Astarte Guarantor, second priority) deed or other instrument executed by the relevant Account Holder(s) in favour of the Security Agent in an agreed form conferring a Security Interest over that Account.
Accounting Reference Date means 31 December or such other date as may be approved by the Lenders.
Active Facility means, at any relevant time, such part of the Total Commitments (whether drawn or undrawn) as is then available for borrowing under this Agreement at such time in accordance with clause 4 (Conditions of Utilisation) to the extent that such part of the Total Commitments is not cancelled or reduced under this Agreement.
1


Advance means each borrowing of a proportion of the Total Commitments by the Borrower or (as the context may require) the outstanding principal amount of such borrowing.
Affiliate means, in relation to any person, a Subsidiary of that person or a Holding Company of that person or any other Subsidiary of that Holding Company.
Agent includes any person who may be appointed as such under the Finance Documents.
Agent’s Unacceptable Countries List means the list issued by the Agent named “Unacceptable Countries List” and notified to the Borrower on or prior to the date of this Agreement, as such list may be amended by the Agent and notified to the Borrower from time to time.
Auditors means one of PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, KPMG or Deloitte & Touche or another firm proposed by the Borrower and approved by the Majority Lenders (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
Authorisation means any authorisation, consent, concession, approval, resolution, licence, exemption, filing, notarisation or registration.
Available Commitment means a Lender’s Commitment minus the amount of its participation in the Loan.
Available Facility means the aggregate for the time being of all the Lenders’ Available Commitments.
Bail-In Action means the exercise of any Write-down and Conversion Powers.
Bail-In Legislation means:

(a)
in relation to an EEA Member Country which has implemented, or which at any time implements, Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU establishing a framework for the recovery and resolution of credit institutions and investment firms, the relevant implementing law or regulation as described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule from time to time; and

(b)
in relation to any other state, any analogous law or regulation from time to time which requires contractual recognition of any Write-down and Conversion Powers contained in that law or regulation.
Basel II Accord means the “International Convergence of Capital Measurement and Capital Standards, a Revised Framework” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in June 2004 as updated prior to, and in the form existing on, the date of this Agreement, excluding any amendment thereto arising out of the Basel III Accord or Reformed Basel III.
Basel II Approach means, in relation to any Finance Party, either the Standardised Approach or the relevant Internal Ratings Based Approach (each as defined in the Basel II Regulations applicable to such Finance Party) adopted by that Finance Party (or any of its Affiliates) for the purposes of implementing or complying with the Basel II Accord.
Basel II Regulation means:

(a)
any law or regulation in force as at the date hereof implementing the Basel II Accord, (including the relevant provisions of CRD IV and CRR) to the extent only that such law or regulation re-enacts and/or implements the requirements of the Basel II Accord but excluding any provision of such law or regulation implementing the Basel III Accord; and

(b)
any Basel II Approach adopted by a Finance Party or any of its Affiliates.
2


Basel III Accord means, together:

(a)
the agreements on capital requirements, a leverage ratio and liquidity standards contained in “Basel III: A global regulatory framework for more resilient banks and banking systems”, “Basel III: International framework for liquidity risk measurement, standards and monitoring” and “Guidance for national authorities operating the countercyclical capital buffer” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in December 2010, each as amended, supplemented or restated;

(b)
the rules for global systemically important banks contained in “Global systemically important banks: assessment methodology and the additional loss absorbency requirement - Rules text” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in November 2011, as amended, supplemented or restated; and

(c)
any further guidance or standards published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision relating to “Basel III” other than, in each such case, the agreements, rules, guidance and standards set out in Reformed Basel III as amended, supplemented or restated after the date of this Agreement.
Basel III Increased Cost means an Increased Cost which is attributable to the implementation or application of or compliance with any Basel III Regulation in force as at the date hereof (whether such implementation, application or compliance is by a government, regulator, Finance Party or any of its Affiliates).
Basel III Regulation means any law or regulation implementing the Basel III Accord (including the relevant provisions of CRD IV and CRR) save to the extent that such law or regulation reenacts a Basel II Regulation and excluding any such law or regulation which implements Reformed Basel III.
Borrower Affiliate means the Top Ships Guarantor, each of its Affiliates, any trust of which the Top Ships Guarantor or any of its Affiliates is a trustee, any partnership of which the Top Ships Guarantor or any of its Affiliates is a partner and any trust, fund or other entity which is managed by, or is under the control of, the Top Ships Guarantor or any of its Affiliates.
Break Costs means the amount (if any) by which:

(a)
the interest (excluding the Margin) which a Lender should have received for the period from the date of receipt of all or any part of its participation in the Loan or relevant part of it or Unpaid Sum to the last day of the current Interest Period in respect of the Loan or relevant part of it or Unpaid Sum, had the relevant principal amount or Unpaid Sum received been paid on the last day of that Interest Period;
exceeds:

(b)
the amount which that Lender would be able to obtain by placing an amount equal to the relevant principal amount or Unpaid Sum received by it on deposit with a leading bank for a period starting on the Business Day following receipt or recovery and ending on the last day of that Interest Period.
Borrower’s Ship means the ship (to be built by the Builder under the Building Contract) described as such in Schedule 2 (Ship information) .
Builder means, in relation to the Borrower’s Ship only, the person specified as such in Schedule 2 (Ship information) .
Building Contract means, in relation to the Borrower’s Ship only, the shipbuilding contract specified in Schedule 2 (Ship information) between the Builder and the Borrower relating to the construction of the Borrower’s Ship.
3


Building Contract Documents means, in relation to the Borrower’s Ship only, the Building Contract, any Refund Guarantee and any other guarantee or security given to any person for the Builder’s obligations under the Building Contract and Building Contract Document means each one of them.
Business Day means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in London, Amsterdam and New York.
Charged Property means all of the assets of the Obligors which from time to time are, or are expressed or intended to be, the subject of the Transaction Security.
Charter means, in relation to a Ship, the charter commitment for that Ship details of which are provided in Schedule 2 (Ship information) .
Charter Assignment means, in relation to the Collateral Ship only and in relation to any Charter Documents in relation to such Ship each of the following one:

(a)
a second priority assignment by the Astarte Guarantor or its interest in such Charter Documents in favour of the Security Agent in the agreed form; and

(b)
a second priority assignment by the Charterer or its interest in such Charter Documents in favour of the Security Agent in the agreed form.
Charter Documents means, in relation to the Collateral Ship only, the Charter of that Ship, any documents supplementing it and any guarantee or security given by any person to the Astarte Guarantor or (as the case may be) the Charterer for the relevant Charterer’s or (as the case may be) Sub-charterer’s obligations under it.
Charterer means, in relation to a Ship and a Charter of that Ship, the entity details of which are provided in Schedule 2 (Ship information) as Charterer of that Ship.
Classification means, in relation to a Ship, the classification specified in respect of such Ship in Schedule 2 (Ship information) with the relevant Classification Society or another classification approved by the Majority Lenders as its classification, at the request of the relevant Owner.
Classification Society means, in relation to a Ship, the classification society specified in respect of such Ship in Schedule 2 (Ship information) or another classification society approved by the Majority Lenders as its Classification Society, at the request of the relevant Owner.
Code means the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Collateral Documents means, together the Mortgage, the General Assignment, the Account Security by the Astarte Guarantor, each Charter Assignment, the Share Security in respect of the shares in the Astarte Guarantor and the Manager’s Undertaking.
Collateral Loan means, at any relevant time, the principal amount outstanding for the time being under the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement.
Collateral Ship means the vessel described as such in Schedule 2 (Ship information) and owned by the Astarte Guarantor.
Commitment means:

(a)
in relation to an Original Lender, the amount set opposite its name under the heading “Commitment” in Schedule 1 (The original parties) and the amount of any other Commitment assigned to it under this Agreement; and

(b)
in relation to any other Lender, the amount of any Commitment assigned to it under this Agreement,
4


to the extent not cancelled, reduced or assigned by it under this Agreement.
Compliance Certificate means a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule 7 (Form of Compliance Certificate) or otherwise approved.
Confidential Information means all information relating to an Obligor (other than any Charterer and the Sub-charterer), the Group, the Finance Documents or the Facility of which a Finance Party becomes aware in its capacity as, or for the purpose of becoming, a Finance Party or which is received by a Finance Party in relation to, or for the purpose of becoming a Finance Party under, the Finance Documents or the Facility from either:

(a)
any member of the Group or any of its advisers; or

(b)
another Finance Party, if the information was obtained by that Finance Party directly or indirectly from any member of the Group or any of its advisers,
in whatever form, and includes information given orally and any document, electronic file or any other way of representing or recording information which contains or is derived or copied from such information but excludes:

(i)
information that:

(A)
is or becomes public information other than as a direct or indirect result of any breach by that Finance Party of clause 46 (Confidential Information) ;   or

(B)
is identified in writing or orally if given orally at the time of delivery as non-confidential by any member of the Group or any of its advisers; or

(C)
is known by that Finance Party before the date the information is disclosed to it in accordance with paragraphs (a) or (b) above or is lawfully obtained by that Finance Party after that date, from a source which is, as far as that Finance Party is aware, unconnected with the Group and which, in either case, as far as that Finance Party is aware, has not been obtained in breach of, and is not otherwise subject to, any obligation of confidentiality; and

(ii)
any Funding Rate.
Confidentiality Undertaking means a confidentiality undertaking substantially in a recommended form of the Loan Market Association or in any other form agreed between the Borrower and the Agent.
Constitutional Documents means, in respect of an Obligor (other than any Charterer and the Sub-charterer), such Obligor’s articles of incorporation, bye-laws or other constitutional documents including as referred to in any certificate relating to an Obligor delivered pursuant to Schedule 3 (Conditions precedent) .
Contract Price means the price of the Borrower’s Ship payable under the Building Contract.
CRD IV means the directive 2013/36/EU of the European Union on access to the activity of credit institutions and the prudential supervision of credit institutions and investment firms.
CRR means the regulation 575/2013 of the European Union on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms.
CSM means Central Shipping Monaco S.A.M. of Les Orchidees, 16 rue R.P. Louis Frolla, 98000 Monaco, registered with the Register of Commerce and Industry under number 11 S 05588.
5


Debt Purchase Transaction means, in relation to a person, a transaction where such person:

(a)
purchases by way of assignment or transfer;

(b)
enters into any sub-participation in respect of; or

(c)
enters into any other agreement or arrangement having an economic effect substantially similar to a sub-participation in respect of,
any Commitment or amount outstanding under this Agreement.
Default means an Event of Default or any event or circumstance specified in clause 30 (Events of Default) which would (with the expiry of a grace period, the giving of notice, the making of any determination under the Finance Documents or any combination of any of the foregoing) be an Event of Default.
Defaulting Lender means any Lender (other than a Lender which is a Borrower Affiliate):

(a)
which has failed to make its participation in an Advance available (or has notified the Agent or the Borrower (which has notified the Agent) that it will not make its participation in an Advance available) by the Utilisation Date of that Advance in accordance with clause 5.4 (Lenders’ participation);

(b)
which has otherwise rescinded or repudiated a Finance Document; or

(c)
with respect to which an Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing,
unless, in the case of paragraph (a) above:

(i)
its failure to pay is caused by:

(A)
administrative or technical error; or

(B)
a Disruption Event; and,
payment is made within five Business Days of its due date; or

(ii)
the Lender is disputing in good faith whether it is contractually obliged to make the payment in question.
Delegate means any delegate, agent, attorney, additional trustee or co-trustee appointed by the Security Agent under the terms of the Finance Documents.
Delivery means the delivery and acceptance of the Borrower’s Ship by the Borrower under the Building Contract.
Delivery Date means the date on which Delivery occurs.
Disposal Repayment Date means in relation to the Collateral Ship only and in relation to:

(a)
a Total Loss of such Ship, the applicable Total Loss Repayment Date; and

(b)
a sale of such Ship by the Astarte Guarantor, the date upon which such sale is completed by the transfer of title to the purchaser in exchange for payment of all or part of the relevant purchase price.
Disclosed Persons means the person or persons disclosed to the Agent in writing pursuant to paragraph 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 3.
6


Disruption Event means either or both of:

(a)
a material disruption to those payment or communications systems or to those financial markets which are, in each case, required to operate in order for payments to be made in connection with the Facility (or otherwise in order for the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents to be carried out) which disruption is not caused by, and is beyond the control of, any of the Parties; or

(b)
the occurrence of any other event which results in a disruption (of a technical or systems-related nature) to the treasury or payments operations of a Party preventing that, or any other Party:

(i)
from performing its payment obligations under the Finance Documents; or

(ii)
from communicating with other Parties in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents,
and which (in either such case) is not caused by, and is beyond the control of, the Party whose operations are disrupted.
Earnings means:

(a)
in relation to the Borrower’s Ship and/or the Borrower, all money at any time payable to the Borrower for or in relation to the use or operation of the Borrower’s Ship, the Building Contract Documents or otherwise including damages for breach and payments for termination or variation of any charter commitment, any Building Contract Document or otherwise; and

(b)
in relation to the Collateral Ship and a person, all money at any time payable to that person for or in relation to the use or operation of such Ship, including freight, hire and passage moneys, money payable to that person for the provision of services by or from such Ship or under any charter commitment, requisition for hire compensation, remuneration for salvage and towage services, demurrage and detention moneys and damages for breach and payments for termination or variation of any charter commitment.
EEA Member Country means any member state of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
Eligible Institution means any Lender or other bank, financial institution, trust, fund or other entity selected by the Borrower and which, in each case, is not a Borrower Affiliate or an Obligor or another Group Member.
Environmental Claims means:

(a)
enforcement, clean-up, removal or other governmental or regulatory action or orders or claims instituted or made pursuant to any Environmental Laws or resulting from a Spill; or

(b)
any claim made by any other person relating to a Spill.
Environmental Incident means any Spill from any vessel in circumstances where:

(a)
any Fleet Vessel or its owner, operator or manager is liable for Environmental Claims arising from the Spill (other than Environmental Claims arising and fully satisfied before the date of this Agreement); and/or

(b)
any Fleet Vessel is arrested or attached in connection with any such Environmental Claim.
7


Environmental Laws means all laws, regulations and conventions concerning pollution or protection of human health or the environment.
EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule means the document described as such and published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person) from time to time.
Event of Default means any event or circumstance specified as such in clause 30 (Events of Default) .
Facility means the term loan facility made available under this Agreement as described in clause 2 (The Facility) .
Facility Office means:

(a)
in respect of a Lender, the office or offices notified by that Lender to the Agent in writing on or before the date it becomes a Lender (or, following that date, by not less than five Business Days’ written notice) as the office or offices through which it will perform its obligations under this Agreement; or

(b)
in respect of any other Finance Party, the office in the jurisdiction in which it is resident for tax purposes.
Facility Period means the period from and including the date of this Agreement to and including the date on which the Total Commitments have reduced to zero and all indebtedness of the Obligors under the Finance Documents has been fully paid and discharged.
FATCA means:

(a)
sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code or any associated regulations;

(b)
any treaty, law or regulation of any other jurisdiction, or relating to an intergovernmental agreement between the US and any other jurisdiction, which (in either case) facilitates the implementation of any law or regulation referred to in paragraph (a) above; or

(c)
any agreement pursuant to the implementation of any treaty, law or regulation referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b) above with the US Internal Revenue Service, the US government or any governmental or taxation authority in any other jurisdiction.
FATCA Application Date means:

(a)
in relation to a “withholdable payment” described in section 1473(1)(A)(i) of the Code (which relates to payments of interest and certain other payments from sources within the US), 1 July 2014;

(b)
in relation to a “withholdable payment” described in section’ 1473(1)(A)(ii) of the Code (which relates to “gross proceeds” from the disposition of property of a type that can produce interest from sources within the US), 1 January 2019; or

(c)
in relation to a “passthru payment” described in section 1471(d)(7) of the Code not falling within paragraphs (a) or (b) above, 1 January 2019,
or, in each case, such other date from which such payment may become subject to a deduction or withholding required by FATCA as a result of any change in FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
FATCA Deduction means a deduction or withholding from a payment under a Finance Document required by FATCA.
FATCA Exempt Party means a Party that is entitled to receive payments free from any FATCA Deduction.
8


Fee Letter means any letter or letters dated on the date of this Agreement between the Arranger and the Borrower (or the Agent and the Borrower) setting out any of the fees referred to in clause 12 (Fees) and includes any agreement setting out any fees payable to a Finance Party under any other Finance Document.
Finance Documents means this Agreement, any Fee Letter, the Security Documents and any other document designated as such by the Agent and the Borrower.
Finance Party means the Agent, the Security Agent, the Arranger or a Lender.
Financial Indebtedness means any indebtedness for or in respect of:

(a)
moneys borrowed and debit balances at banks or other financial institutions;

(b)
any amount raised under any acceptance under any acceptance credit or bill discounting facility (or dematerialised equivalent);

(c)
any amount raised pursuant to any note purchase facility or the issue of bonds, notes, debentures, loan stock or any similar instrument;

(d)
the amount of any liability in respect of any lease or hire purchase contract which would, in accordance with GAAP be treated as a finance or capital lease;

(e)
receivables sold or discounted (other than any receivables to the extent they are sold on a non-recourse basis and meet any requirement for de-recognition under GAAP);

(f)
any Treasury Transaction (and, when calculating the value of that Treasury Transaction, only the marked to market value (or, if any actual amount is due as a result of the termination or close-out of that Treasury Transaction, that amount) shall be taken into account);

(g)
any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a guarantee, indemnity, bond, standby or documentary letter of credit or any other instrument issued by a bank or financial institution;

(h)
in respect of the Borrower only, any amount raised by the issue of shares which are redeemable (other than at the option of the issuer) before the Repayment Date or are otherwise classified as borrowings under GAAP);

(i)
any amount of any liability under an advance or deferred purchase agreement if (i) one of the primary reasons behind entering into the agreement is to raise finance or to finance the acquisition or construction of the asset or service in question or (ii) the agreement is in respect of the supply of assets or services and payment is due more than 180 days after the date of supply;

(j)
any amount raised under any other transaction (including any forward sale or purchase, sale and sale back or sale and leaseback agreement) of a type not referred to in any other paragraph of this definition having the commercial effect of a borrowing or otherwise classified as borrowings under GAAP; and

(k)
the amount of any liability in respect of any guarantee or indemnity for any of the items referred to in paragraphs (a) to (j) above.
Financial Year means the annual accounting period of the Borrower or, as the context may require, each Guarantor ending on the Accounting Reference Date in each year.
Flag State means, in relation to the Collateral Ship only, the country specified in respect of such Ship in Schedule 2 (Ship information), or such other state or territory as may be approved by the Lenders, at the request of the Astarte Guarantor, as being the “Flag State” of such Ship for the purposes of the Finance Documents.
9


Fleet Vessel means the Borrower’s Ship, the Collateral Ship and any other vessel owned by any Group Member.
Funding Rate means any individual rate notified by a Lender to the Agent pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii) of clause 11.3 (Cost of funds) .
GAAP means general accounting principles and standards as applying in the United States of America from time to time.
General Assignment means, in relation to the Collateral Ship only, a second priority assignment of, and/or (as the case may be) a second priority deed of covenant in relation to, its Owner’s interest in such Ship’s Insurances, Earnings and Requisition Compensation by the Astarte Guarantor in favour of the Security Agent in the agreed form.
Group means the Top Ships Guarantor and its Subsidiaries for the time being and, for the purposes of clause 20.3 (Financial statements) and clause 21 (Financial covenants) any other entity required to be treated as a subsidiary in its consolidated accounts in accordance with GAAP and/or any applicable law.
Group Member means any Obligor (other than CSM to the extent it is not part of the Group) and any other entity which is part of the Group.
Guarantor means each of the Top Ships Guarantor and the Astarte Guarantor and Guarantors means both of them.
Holding Company means, in relation to a person, any other person in respect of which it is a Subsidiary.
Impaired Agent means the Agent at any time when:

(a)
it has failed to make (or has notified a Party that it will not make) a payment required to be made by it under the Finance Documents by the due date for payment;

(b)
the Agent otherwise rescinds or repudiates a Finance Document;

(c)
(if the Agent is also a Lender) it is a Defaulting Lender under paragraphs (a) or (b) of the definition of “Defaulting Lender”; or

(d)
an Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Agent,
unless, in the case of paragraph (a) above:

(i)
its failure to pay is caused by:

(A)
administrative or technical error; or

(B)
a Disruption Event; and
payment is made within five Business Days of its due date; or

(ii)
the Agent is disputing in good faith whether it is contractually obliged to make the payment in question.
Increased Costs has the meaning given to that term in paragraph (b) of clause 14.1 (Increased costs) .
10


Indemnified Person means:

(a)
each Finance Party, each Receiver, any Delegate and any attorney, agent or other person appointed by them under the Finance Documents;

(b)
each Affiliate of those persons; and

(c)
any officers, directors, employees, advisers, representatives or agents of any of the above persons.
Insolvency Event in relation to an entity means that the entity:

(a)
is dissolved (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger);

(b)
becomes insolvent or is unable to pay its debts or fails or admits in writing its inability generally to pay its debts as they become due;

(c)
makes a general assignment, arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of its creditors;

(d)
institutes or has instituted against it, by a regulator, supervisor or any similar official with primary insolvency, rehabilitative or regulatory jurisdiction over it in the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organisation or the jurisdiction of its head or home office, a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or a petition is presented for its winding-up or liquidation by it or such regulator, supervisor or similar official;

(e)
has instituted against it a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or a petition is presented for its winding-up or liquidation, and, in the case of any such proceeding or petition instituted or presented against it, such proceeding or petition is instituted or presented by a person or entity not described in paragraph (d) above and:

(i)
results in a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or the entry of an order for relief or the making of an order for its winding up or liquidation; or

(ii)
is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained in each case within 30 days of the institution or presentation thereof;

(f)
has a resolution passed for its winding-up, official management or liquidation (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger);

(g)
seeks or becomes subject to the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all its assets (other than, for so long as it is required by law or regulation not to be publicly disclosed, any such appointment which is to be made, or is made, by a person or entity described in paragraph (d) above);

(h)
has a secured party take possession of all or substantially all its assets or has a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other enforcement action or legal process levied, enforced, taken or sued on or against all or substantially all its assets and such secured party maintains possession, or any such process is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained, in each case within 30 days thereafter;

(i)
causes or is subject to any event with respect to it which, under the applicable laws of any jurisdiction, has an analogous effect to any of the events specified in paragraphs (a) to (h) above; or
11



(j)
takes any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing acts.
Interbank Market means the London interbank market.
Insurance Notice means, in relation to the Collateral Ship only, a notice of assignment in the form scheduled to the General Assignment or in another approved form.
Insurances means, in relation to the Collateral Ship only:

(a)
all policies and contracts of insurance; and

(b)
all entries in a protection and indemnity or war risks or other mutual insurance association,
in the name of such Ship’s Owner or the joint names of its Owner and any other person in respect of or in connection with such Ship and/or its Owner’s Earnings from such Ship and includes all benefits thereof (including the right to receive claims and to return of premiums).
Interest Period means, in relation to the Loan (or any part of the Loan), each period determined in accordance with clause 10 (Interest Periods) and, in relation to an Unpaid Sum, each period determined in accordance with clause 9.3 (Default interest) .
Interpolated Screen Rate means, in relation to LIBOR for an Interest Period with respect to the Loan or any part of it or any Unpaid Sum, the rate (rounded to the same number of decimal places as the two relevant Screen Rates) which results from interpolating on a linear basis between:

(a)
the applicable Screen Rate for the longest period (for which that Screen Rate is available) which is less than the relevant Interest Period; and

(b)
the applicable Screen Rate for the shortest period (for which that Screen Rate is available) which exceeds the relevant Interest Period,
each as of 11:00 a.m. on the relevant Quotation Day.
Joint Venture means any joint venture entity, whether a company, unincorporated firm, undertaking, association, joint venture or partnership or any other entity.
Last Availability Date means 31 January 2019 (or such later date as may be approved by the Lenders).
Legal Opinion means any legal opinion delivered to the Agent under clause 4 (Conditions of Utilisation) .
Legal Reservations means:

(a)
the principle that equitable remedies may be granted or refused at the discretion of a court and the limitation of enforcement by laws relating to insolvency, reorganisation and other laws generally affecting the rights of creditors;

(b)
the time barring of claims under the Limitation Act 1980 and the Foreign Limitation Periods Act 1984, the possibility that an undertaking to assume liability for, or indemnify a person against, non-payment of UK stamp duty may be void and defences of set-off or counterclaim; and

(c)
similar principles, rights and defences under the laws of any Relevant Jurisdiction.
12


Lender means:

(a)
any Original Lender; and

(b)
any bank, financial institution, trust, fund or other entity which has become a Party as a Lender in accordance with clause 31 (Changes to the Lenders),
which in each case has not ceased to be a Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
LIBOR means, in relation to the Loan or any part of it or any Unpaid Sum:

(a)
the applicable Screen Rate as of 11:00 a.m. on the relevant Quotation Day for a period equal in length to the Interest Period of the Loan or relevant part of it or Unpaid Sum; or

(b)
as otherwise determined pursuant to clause 11.1 (Unavailability of Screen Rate),
and if, in either case, that rate is less than zero, LIBOR shall be deemed to be zero.
Loan means the loan made or to be made under the Facility or the principal amount outstanding for the time being of that loan.
Loss Payable Clauses means, in relation to the Collateral Ship only, the provisions concerning payment of claims under such Ship’s Insurances in the form scheduled to the General Assignment or in another approved form.
Losses means any costs, expenses, payments, charges, losses, demands, liabilities, claims, actions, proceedings, penalties, fines, damages, judgments, orders or other sanctions.
Major Casualty means, in relation to the Collateral Ship only, any casualty to the Collateral Ship for which the total insurance claim, inclusive of any deductible, exceeds or is reasonably expected to exceed the Major Casualty Amount.
Major Casualty Amount means, in relation to the Collateral Ship only, the amount specified as such against the name of such Ship in Schedule 2 (Ship information) or the equivalent in any other currency.
Majority Lenders means a Lender or Lenders whose Commitments aggregate more than 66 2/3 per cent of the Total Commitments (or, if the Total Commitments have been reduced to zero, aggregated more than 66 2/3 per cent of the Total Commitments immediately prior to that reduction).
Manager’s Undertaking means, in relation to the Collateral Ship only, a second priority undertaking by any manager of such Ship to the Security Agent in the agreed form pursuant to clause 24.11 (Manager) .
Margin means:

(a)
from the date of this Agreement until the Utilisation Date (as such term is defined in the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement) under the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement, 6.30 per cent per annum; and

(b)
at all times thereafter, 6 per cent per annum.
Material Adverse Effect means, in the reasonable opinion of the Majority Lenders, a material adverse effect on:

(a)
the business or financial condition of an Obligor; or

(b)
the ability of an Obligor to perform its obligations under the Finance Documents; or
13



(c)
the legality, validity or enforceability of, or the effectiveness or ranking of any Security Interest granted or purporting to be granted pursuant to any of, the Finance Documents or the rights or remedies of any Finance Party under any of the Finance Documents.
Month means a period starting on one day in a calendar month and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the next calendar month, except that:

(a)
(subject to paragraph (c) below) if the numerically corresponding day is not a Business Day, that period shall end on the next Business Day in the calendar month in which that period is to end (if there is one) or on the immediately preceding Business Day (if there is not);

(b)
if there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month in which that period is to end, that period shall end on the last Business Day in that calendar month; and

(c)
if an Interest Period begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month, that Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day in the calendar month in which that Interest Period is to end.
The above rules will only apply to the last Month of any period.
Mortgage means, in relation to the Collateral Ship only, a second preferred or (as the case may be) a second priority mortgage of such Ship in the agreed form by the Astarte Guarantor in favour of the Security Agent and/or the Finance Parties.
Mortgage Period means, in relation to the Collateral Ship only, the period from the date the Mortgage is executed and registered until the date such Mortgage is released and discharged or, if earlier, its Total Loss Date.
New Lender has the meaning given to that term in clause 31 (Changes to the Lenders) .
Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction has the meaning given to that term in clause 45.9 (Disenfranchisement of Borrower Affiliates) .
Obligors means the parties to the Finance Documents (other than the Finance Parties) and Obligor means any one of them.
Operating Account means any Account designated as an “Operating Account” under clause 28 (Bank accounts) .
Original Jurisdiction means, in relation to an Original Obligor, the jurisdiction under whose laws that Obligor is incorporated as at the date of this Agreement or, in the case of any other Obligor, as at the date on which that Obligor becomes an Obligor.
Original Obligor means each party to this Agreement and the Original Security Documents (other than a Finance Party).
Original Security Documents means:

(a)
the Pre-Delivery Security Assignment;

(b)
the Share Security in relation to the shares in each of the Borrower and the Astarte Guarantor;

(c)
the Account Security in relation to each Operating Account;

(d)
the Mortgage;

(e)
the General Assignment;
14



(f)
each Charter Assignment; and

(g)
any Manager’s Undertaking if required under clause 24.11 (Manager) .
Owner means each of the Borrower and the Astarte Guarantor and in relation to a Ship, the person specified against the name of that Ship in Schedule 2 (Ship information) .
Participating Member State means any member state of the European Union that has the euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Union relating to Economic and Monetary Union.
Party means a party to this Agreement.
Permitted Maritime Liens means, in relation to the Collateral Ship only:

(a)
any ship repairer’s or outfitter’s possessory lien in respect of the Collateral Ship for an amount not exceeding the Major Casualty Amount;

(b)
any lien on the Collateral Ship for master’s, officer’s or crew’s wages outstanding in the ordinary course of its trading;

(c)
any lien on the Collateral Ship for salvage or general average; and

(d)
any other lien on the Collateral Ship arising by operation of law for claims incurred in the ordinary course of the operation, repair or maintenance of the Collateral Ship and which are outstanding for not longer than thirty (30) days or for an aggregate amount not exceeding the Major Casualty Amount.
Permitted Security Interests means, in relation to a Ship (other than in respect of paragraph (c) below which shall apply only to the Collateral Ship), any Security Interest over it which is:

(a)
granted by the Finance Documents; or

(b)
approved by the Majority Lenders; or

(c)
in the case of the Collateral Ship only:

(i)
a Permitted Maritime Lien; or

(ii)
granted by the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement and any Post-Delivery Finance Documents.
Pollutant means and includes crude oil and its products, any other polluting, toxic or hazardous substance and any other substance whose release into the environment is regulated or penalised by Environmental Laws.
Post-Delivery Events means each one of the events described in clauses 7.1 (Illegality), 7.7 (Total Loss), 7.9 (Mandatory Cancellation) and 31 (Events of Default) of the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement.
Post-Delivery Facility Agreement means the facility agreement dated 5 September 2017 (as amended and/or supplemented from time to time) between (among others) the Astarte Guarantor as borrower, the financial institutions listed therein as lenders and Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V. as agent and security agent in respect of a loan of up to $23,500,000.
Post-Delivery Finance Documents has the meaning given to “Finance Documents” in the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement.
15


Pre-Delivery Instalment means, in relation to the Borrower’s Ship only, each of the third, fourth, fifth, six and seventh instalments of the Contract Price falling due before Delivery (other than the first, second, eighth and ninth instalments of the Contract Price).
Pre-Delivery Security Assignment means, in relation to the Borrower’s Ship only, an assignment of the Building Contract and the Refund Guarantee by the Borrower in favour of the Security Agent in the agreed form.
Quasi-Security has the meaning given to that term in clause 29.2 (General negative pledge) .
Quotation Day means, in relation to any period for which an interest rate is to be determined, two Business Days before the first day of that period unless market practice in the Interbank Market differs, in which case the Quotation Day shall be determined by the Agent in accordance with market practice in the Interbank Market (and if quotations would normally be given on more than one day, the Quotation Day will be the last of those days).
Receiver means a receiver or receiver and manager or administrative receiver of the whole or any part of the Charged Property appointed under any Security Document.
Reformed Basel III means the agreements contained in “Basel III: Finalising post-crisis reforms” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in December 2017, as amended, supplemented or restated.
Reformed Basel III Increased Cost means an Increased Cost which is attributable to the implementation or application of or compliance with any other law or regulation which implements Reformed Basel III (whether such implementation, application or compliance is by a government, regulator, Finance Party or any of its Affiliates.
Refund Guarantee means in relation to the Borrower’s Ship only, the guarantee details of which are specified in Schedule 2 (Ship information) issued by the Refund Guarantor in respect of the obligations of the Builder under the Building Contract and any further guarantee to be issued by the Refund Guarantor in respect of such obligations.
Refund Guarantor means, in relation to the Borrower’s Ship only, the refund guarantor specified as such in Schedule 2 (Ship information) .
Registry means, in relation to the Collateral Ship only, such registrar, commissioner or representative of the relevant Flag State who is duly authorised and empowered to register the Collateral Ship, the Astarte Guarantor’s title to the Collateral Ship and the Mortgage under the laws of its Flag State.
Related Fund in relation to a fund (the first fund ),   means a fund which is managed or advised by the same investment manager or investment adviser as the first fund or, if it is managed by a different investment manager or investment adviser, a fund whose investment manager or investment adviser is an Affiliate of the investment manager or investment adviser of the first fund.
Relevant Jurisdiction means, in relation to an Obligor:

(a)
its Original Jurisdiction;

(b)
any jurisdiction where any Charged Property owned by it is situated;

(c)
any jurisdiction where it conducts its business; and

(d)
any jurisdiction whose laws govern the perfection of any of the Security Documents entered into by it.
16


Repayment Date means, subject to clause 39.8 (Business Days), the earlier of:

(a)
31 May 2019; and

(b)
the Delivery Date.
Repeating Representations means each of the representations set out in clauses 19.1 (Status) to clause 19.10 (Centre of main interests and establishments) .
Representative means any delegate, agent, manager, administrator, nominee, attorney, trustee or custodian.
Requisition Compensation means, in relation to the Collateral Ship only, any compensation paid or payable by a government entity for the requisition for title, confiscation or compulsory acquisition of the Collateral Ship.
Resolution Authority means any body which has authority to exercise any Write-down and Conversion Powers.
Restricted Person means a person that:

(a)
is listed on any Sanctions List (whether designated by name or by reason of being included in a class of person) or otherwise a target of Sanctions;

(b)
is domiciled, registered as located or having its main place of business in, or is incorporated under the laws of or, such country or territory which is, or whose government is, subject to Sanctions broadly prohibiting dealings with such government, country or territory;

(c)
is directly or indirectly owned by or controlled by a person referred to in (a) and/or (b) above; or

(d)
owns or controls a person referred to in (a) and/or (b) above.
Sanctions means any economic sanctions laws, sanctions regulations, embargoes or restrictive measures administered enacted or enforced by:

(a)
the United States of America;

(b)
the United Nations Security Council;

(c)
the United Kingdom;

(d)
the European Union or any of its member states;

(e)
Monaco;

(f)
any country to which any Obligor or any Affiliate of any of them is bound; or

(g)
the respective governmental institutions and agencies of any of the foregoing, including without limitation, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of Treasury (OFAC), the United States Department of State, Her Majesty’s Treasury (HMT) and Service d’ Information et de Contrale sur les Circuits Financiers (together Sanctions Authorities ).
Sanctions List means the “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” list issued by OFAC, the “Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets and Investment Ban List” issued by HMT, the “Consolidated Sanctions List” (including the “Sectoral Sanctions Identifications” list) both issued by OFAC, or any similar list issued or maintained or made public by any of the Sanctions Authorities.
17


Screen Rate means the London interbank offered rate administered by ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (or any other person which takes over the administration of that rate) for dollars and the relevant period displayed (before any correction, recalculation or republication by the administrator) on pages LIBOR01   or LIBOR02 of the Thomson Reuters screen (or any replacement Thomson Reuters page which displays that rate), or on the appropriate page of such other information service which publishes that rate from time to time in place of Thomson Reuters.  If such page or service ceases to be available, the Agent may specify another page or service displaying the relevant rate with the agreement of the Borrower and the Lenders.
Secured Liabilities means all indebtedness and obligations at any time of any Obligor to any Finance Party (whether for its own account or as agent or trustee for itself and/or other Finance Parties) under, or related to, the Finance Documents.
Secured Obligations means all the Secured Liabilities and all other indebtedness and obligations at any time due, owing or incurred by each Obligor to any Finance Party under the Finance Documents.
Security Agent includes any person as may be appointed as such under the Finance Documents and includes any separate trustee or co-trustee appointed under clause 34.8 (Additional trustees) ).
Security Documents means:

(a)
the Original Security Documents; and

(b)
any other document as may be executed to guarantee and/or secure any amounts owing to the Finance Parties under this Agreement or any other Finance Document.
Security Interest means a mortgage, charge, pledge, lien, assignment, trust, hypothecation or other security interest of any kind securing any obligation of any person or any other agreement or arrangement having a similar effect.
Security Property means:

(a)
the Transaction Security expressed to be granted in favour of the Security Agent as trustee for the Finance Parties and all proceeds of that Transaction Security;

(b)
all obligations expressed to be undertaken by any Obligor to pay amounts in respect of the Secured Liabilities to the Security Agent as trustee for the Finance Parties and secured by the Transaction Security together with all representations and warranties expressed to be given by an Obligor in favour of the Security Agent as trustee for the Finance Parties; and

(c)
any other amounts or property, whether rights, entitlements, choses in action or otherwise, actual or contingent, which the Security Agent is required by the terms of the Finance Documents to hold as trustee on trust for the Finance Parties.
Share Security means each one of the following:

(a)
the document constituting a first Security Interest executed by the Top Ships Guarantor in favour of the Security Agent in the agreed form in respect of all of the shares in the Borrower; and

(b)
the document constituting a second Security Interest executed by the Top Ships Guarantor in favour of the Security Agent in the agreed form in respect of all of the shares in the Astarte Guarantor.
Ship Representations means each of the representations and warranties set out in clauses 19.36 (Collateral Ship status) and 19.37 (Collateral Ship’s employment) .
18


Ships means each of the ships described in Schedule 2 (Ship information), being each of the Borrower’s Ship and the Collateral Ship, and in relation to an Owner, it means the ship owned or (as the context may require) to be owned by that Owner as set out in Schedule 2 (Ship information) and Ship means either of them.
Spill means any actual or threatened spill, release or discharge of a Pollutant into the environment.
Sub-Charterer means, in relation to the Collateral Ship only and a Charter of that Ship, the entity details of which are provided in Schedule 2 (Ship information) as Sub-Charterer of that Ship.
Subsidiary of a person means any other person:

(a)
directly or indirectly controlled by such person; or

(b)
of whose dividends or distributions on ordinary voting share capital such person is beneficially entitled to receive more than 50 per cent,
and a person is a “wholly-owned Subsidiary” of another person if it has no members except that other person and that other person’s wholly-owned Subsidiaries or persons acting on behalf of that other person or its wholly-owned Subsidiaries.
Tax means any tax, levy, impost, duty or other charge or withholding of a similar nature (including any penalty or interest payable in connection with any failure to pay or any delay in paying any of the same).
Total Commitments means the aggregate of the Commitments, being the lesser of (i) $10,140,000 and (ii) the aggregate amount of the Pre-delivery Instalments, at the date of this Agreement.
Total Loss means:

(a)
in relation to the Borrower’s Ship, its actual, constructive, compromised or arranged total loss; and

(b)
in relation to the Collateral Ship, its:

(i)
actual, constructive, compromised or arranged total loss; or

(ii)
requisition for title, confiscation or other compulsory acquisition by a government entity; or

(iii)
hijacking, theft, condemnation, capture, seizure, arrest or detention for more than 90 days or in the case of piracy for more than 180 days.
Total Loss Date means, in relation to the Collateral Ship only and the Total Loss of such Ship:

(a)
in the case of an actual total loss, the date it happened or, if such date is not known, the date on which the Collateral Ship was last reported;

(b)
in the case of a constructive, compromised, agreed or arranged total loss, the earliest of:

(i)
the date notice of abandonment of the Collateral Ship is given to its insurers; or

(ii)
if the insurers do not admit such a claim, the date later determined by a competent court of law to have been the date on which the total loss happened; or
19



(iii)
the date upon which a binding agreement as to such compromised or arranged total loss has been entered into by the Collateral Ship’s insurers;

(c)
in the case of a requisition for title, confiscation or compulsory acquisition, the date it happened; and

(d)
in the case of hijacking, theft, condemnation, capture, seizure, arrest or detention, the date 90 days after the date upon which it happened or in the case of piracy, the date falling 180 days after the date it happened.
Total Loss Repayment Date means, in relation to the Collateral Ship only, where the Collateral Ship has become a Total Loss, the earlier of:

(a)
the date 180 days after its Total Loss Date; and

(b)
the date upon which insurance proceeds or Requisition Compensation for such Total Loss are paid by insurers or the relevant government entity.
Transaction Document means:

(a)
each of the Finance Documents;

(b)
each Building Contract Document; and

(c)
each Charter Document.
Transaction Security means the Security Interests created or evidenced or expressed to be created or evidenced under or pursuant to the Security Documents.
Transfer Certificate means a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule 5 (Form of Transfer Certificate) or any other form agreed between the Agent and the Borrower.
Transfer Date means, in relation to an assignment pursuant to a Transfer Certificate, the later of:

(a)
the proposed Transfer Date specified in the Transfer Certificate; and

(b)
the date on which the Agent executes the Transfer Certificate.
Treasury Transaction means any derivative transaction entered into in connection with protection against or benefit from fluctuation in any rate or price.
Unpaid Sum means any sum due and payable but unpaid by an Obligor under the Finance Documents.
US means the United States of America.
US Tax Obligor means:

(a)
the Borrower if it is resident for tax purposes in the US; or

(b)
an Obligor some or all of whose payments under the Finance Documents are from sources within the US for US federal income tax purposes.
Utilisation means the making of an Advance.
Utilisation Date means the date on which a Utilisation is to be made.
20


Utilisation Request means a notice substantially in the form set out in Schedule 4 (Utilisation Request) .
VAT means:

(a)
any tax imposed in compliance with the Council Directive of 28 November 2006 on the common system of value added tax (EC Directive 2006/112); and

(b)
any other tax of a similar nature, whether imposed in a member state of the European Union or Monaco in substitution for, or levied in addition to, such tax referred to in paragraph (a) above, or imposed elsewhere.
Write-down and Conversion Powers means:

(a)
in relation to any Bail-In Legislation described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule from time to time, the powers described as such in relation to that Bail-In Legislation in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule; and

(b)
in relation to any other applicable Bail-In Legislation:

(i)
any powers under that Bail-In Legislation to cancel, transfer or dilute shares issued by a person that is a bank or investment firm or other financial institution or affiliate of a bank, investment firm or other financial institution, to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of such a person or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers; and

(ii)
any similar or analogous powers under that Bail-In Legislation.
1.2
Construction

(a)
Unless a contrary indication appears, a reference in any of the Finance Documents to:

(i)
Sections, clauses and Schedules are to be construed as references to the Sections and clauses of, and the Schedules to, the relevant Finance Document and references to a Finance Document include its Schedules;

(ii)
a Finance Document or any other agreement or instrument is a reference to that Finance Document or other agreement or instrument as it may from time to time be amended, restated, novated or replaced, however fundamentally;

(iii)
words importing the plural shall include the singular and vice versa;

(iv)
a time of day is to London time;

(v)
any person includes its successors in title, permitted assignees or transferees;

(vi)
a document in agreed form means:

(A)
where a Finance Document has already been executed by all of the relevant parties, such Finance Document in its executed form;

(B)
prior to the execution of a Finance Document, the form of such Finance Document separately agreed in writing between the Agent and the Borrower as the form in which that Finance Document is to be executed or another form approved at the request of the Borrower or, if not so agreed or approved, is in the form specified by the Agent;
21



(vii)
approved by the Majority Lenders or approved by the Lenders means approved in writing by the Agent acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders or, as the case may be, all of the Lenders (on such conditions as they may respectively impose) and otherwise approved means approved in writing by the Agent (on such conditions as the Agent may impose) and approval and approve shall be construed accordingly;

(viii)
assets includes present and future properties, revenues and rights of every description;

(ix)
charter commitment means, in relation to a vessel, any charter or contract for the use, employment or operation of that vessel or the carriage of people and/or cargo or the provision of services by or from it and includes any agreement for pooling or sharing income derived from any such charter or contract;

(x)
control of an entity means:

(A)
the power (whether by way of ownership of shares, proxy, contract, agency or otherwise) to:

(1)
cast, or control the casting of, more than 50 per cent of the maximum number of votes that might be cast at a general meeting of that entity; or

(2)
appoint or remove all, or the majority, of the directors or other equivalent officers of that entity; or

(3)
give directions with respect to the operating and financial policies of that entity with which the directors or other equivalent officers of that entity are obliged to comply; or

(B)
the holding beneficially of more than 50 per cent of the issued share capital of that entity (excluding any part of that issued share capital that carries no right to participate beyond a specified amount in a distribution of either profits or capital) (and, for this purpose, any Security Interest over share capital shall be disregarded in determining the beneficial ownership of such share capital);
and controlled shall be construed accordingly;

(xi)
the term disposal or dispose means a sale, transfer or other disposal (including by way of lease or loan but not including by way of loan of money) by a person of all or part of its assets, whether by one transaction or a series of transactions and whether at the same time or over a period of time, but not the creation of a Security Interest;

(xii)
the equivalent of an amount specified in a particular currency (the specified currency amount ) shall be construed as a reference to the amount of the other relevant currency which can be purchased with the specified currency amount in the London foreign exchange market at or about 11 a.m. on the date the calculation falls to be made for spot delivery, as conclusively determined by the Agent (with the relevant exchange rate of any such purchase being the Agent’s spot rate of exchange );

(xiii)
a government entity means any government, state or agency of a state;

(xiv)
a group of Lenders or a group of Finance Parties includes all the Lenders or (as the case may be) all the Finance Parties;
22



(xv)
a guarantee means (other than in clause 18 (Guarantee and indemnity) )   any guarantee, letter of credit, bond, indemnity or similar assurance against loss, or any obligation, direct or indirect, actual or contingent, to purchase or assume any indebtedness of any person or to make an investment in or loan to any person or to purchase assets of any person where, in each case, such obligation is assumed in order to maintain or assist the ability of such person to meet its indebtedness;

(xvi)
indebtedness includes any obligation (whether incurred as principal or as surety) for the payment or repayment of money, whether present or future, actual or contingent;

(xvii)
an obligation means any duty, obligation or liability of any kind;

(xviii)
something being in the ordinary course of business of a person means something that is in the ordinary course of that person’s current day-to-day operational business (and not merely anything which that person is entitled to do under its Constitutional Documents);

(xix)
pay or repay in clause 29 (Business restrictions) includes by way of set-off, combination of accounts or otherwise;

(xx)
a person includes any individual, firm, company, corporation, government entity or any association, trust, joint venture, consortium, partnership or other entity (whether or not having separate legal personality);

(xxi)
a regulation includes any regulation, rule, official directive, request or guideline (whether or not having the force of law but if not having the force of law, one with which a person habitually complies) of any governmental, intergovernmental or supranational body, agency, department or regulatory, self-regulatory or other authority or organisation and, in relation to any Lender, includes (without limitation) any Basel II Regulation or Basel ill Regulation or any law or regulation which implements Reformed Basel III,   in each case which is applicable to that Lender;

(xxii)
right means any right, privilege, power or remedy, any proprietary interest in any asset and any other interest or remedy of any kind, whether actual or contingent, present or future, arising under contract or law, or in equity;

(xxiii)
trustee, fiduciary and fiduciary duty has in each case the meaning given to such term under applicable law;

(xxiv)
(i) the liquidation, winding up, dissolution, or administration of person or (ii) a receiver or administrative receiver or administrator in the context of insolvency proceedings or security enforcement actions in respect of a person shall be construed so as to include any equivalent or analogous proceedings or any equivalent and analogous person or appointee (respectively) under the law of the jurisdiction in which such person is established or incorporated or any jurisdiction in which such person carries on business including (in respect of proceedings) the seeking or occurrences of liquidation, winding-up, reorganisation, dissolution, administration, arrangement, adjustment, protection or relief of debtors; and

(xxv)
a provision of law is a reference to that provision as amended or re-enacted.

(b)
The determination of the extent to which a rate is “for a period equal in length” to an Interest Period shall disregard any inconsistency arising from the last day of that Interest Period being determined pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

(c)
Where in this Agreement a provision includes a monetary reference level in one currency, unless a contrary indication appears, such reference level is intended to apply equally to its equivalent in other currencies as of the relevant time for the purposes of applying such reference level to any other currencies.
23



(d)
Section, clause and Schedule headings are for ease of reference only.

(e)
Unless a contrary indication appears, a term used in any other Finance Document or in any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document has the same meaning in that Finance Document or notice as in this Agreement.

(f)
A Default is continuing if it has not been remedied or waived.
1.3
Currency symbols and definitions
$, USD and dollars denote the lawful currency of the United States of America.
1.4
Third party rights

(a)
Unless expressly provided to the contrary in a Finance Document for the benefit of a Finance Party or another Indemnified Person, a person who is not a party to a Finance Document has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 (the Third Parties Act )   to enforce or enjoy the benefit of any term of the relevant Finance Document.

(b)
Any Finance Document may be rescinded or varied by the parties to it without the consent of any person who is not a party to it (unless otherwise provided by this Agreement).

(c)
An Indemnified Person who is not a party to a Finance Document may only enforce its rights under that Finance Document through a Finance Party and if and to the extent and in such manner as the Finance Party may determine.
1.5
Finance Documents
Where any other Finance Document provides that this clause 1.5 shall apply to that Finance Document, any other provision of this Agreement which, by its terms, purports to apply to all or any of the Finance Documents and/or any Obligor shall apply to that Finance Document as if set out in it but with all necessary changes.
1.6
Conflict of documents
The terms of the Finance Documents (other than as relates to the creation and/or perfection of security) are subject to the terms of this Agreement and, in the event of any conflict between any provision of this Agreement and any provision of any Finance Document (other than in relation to the creation and/or perfection of security) the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail.
24


Section 2 - The Facility
2
The Facility
2.1
The Facility
Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Lenders make available to the Borrower a term loan facility in an aggregate amount equal to the Total Commitments.
2.2
Finance Parties’ rights and obligations

(a)
The obligations of each Finance Party under the Finance Documents are several.  Failure by a Finance Party to perform its obligations under the Finance Documents does not affect the obligations of any other Party under the Finance Documents.  No Finance Party is responsible for the obligations of any other Finance Party under the Finance Documents.

(b)
The rights of each Finance Party under or in connection with the Finance Documents are separate and independent rights and any debt arising under the Finance Documents to a Finance Party from an Obligor shall be a separate and independent debt in respect of which a Finance Party shall be entitled to enforce its rights in accordance with paragraph (c) below.  The rights of each Finance Party include any debt owing to that Finance Party under the Finance Documents and, for the avoidance of doubt, any part of a Loan or any other amount owed by an Obligor which relates to a Finance Party’s participation in a Facility or its role under a Finance Document (including any such amount payable to the Agent on its behalf) is a debt owing to that Finance Party by that Obligor.

(c)
A Finance Party may, except as otherwise stated in the Finance Documents, separately enforce its rights under the Finance Documents.
2.3
Commitment
The Commitment shall only be available for borrowing under the Facility in up to five Advances, each of which is for the purpose of financing the payment by the Borrower of one Pre-Delivery Instalment under the Building Contract.
3
Purpose
3.1
Purpose
The Borrower shall apply all amounts borrowed under the Facility in accordance with this clause 3.
3.2
Use of Commitment
The Commitment shall be made available solely for the purpose of assisting the Borrower to finance payment of the amounts described in clause 2.3 (Commitment) to the Builder or (as the context may require) if and to the extent that the Borrower has already paid any such amount to the Builder when the same was due, to reimburse the Borrower for such payment.
In particular the Lenders shall finance or, as the case may be, refinance the payment by the Borrower to the Builder of:

(a)
the third instalment of the Contract Price in the amount of the lesser of (i) $1,690,000 and (ii) the amount in dollars of the third instalment, payable under the Building Contract;

(b)
the fourth instalment of the Contract Price in the amount of the lesser of (i) $1,690,000 and (ii) the amount in dollars of the fourth instalment, payable under the Building Contract;
25



(c)
the fifth instalment of the Contract Price in the amount of the lesser of (i) $1,690,000 and (ii) the amount in dollars of the fifth instalment, payable by under the Building Contract;

(d)
the sixth instalment of the Contract Price in the amount of the lesser of (i) $1,690,000 and (ii) the amount in dollars of the sixth instalment, payable under the Building Contract; and

(e)
the seventh instalment of the Contract Price in the amount of the lesser of (i) $3,380,000 and (ii) the amount in dollars of the seventh instalment, payable under the Building Contract.
3.3
Monitoring
No Finance Party is bound to monitor or verify the application of any amount borrowed pursuant to this Agreement.
4
Conditions of Utilisation
4.1
Initial conditions precedent
The Lenders will only be obliged to comply with clause 5.4 (Lenders’ participation) in relation to any Utilisation if on or before the Utilisation Date for that Utilisation, the Agent, or its duly authorised representative, has received all of the documents and other evidence listed in Part 1 of Schedule 3 (Conditions precedent to any Utilisation) in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.
4.2
Conditions precedent before Delivery
An Advance may only be borrowed under this Agreement if the Agent, or its duly authorised representative, has received all of the documents and evidence listed in Part 2 of Schedule 3 (Conditions precedent before Delivery) in relation to such Advance in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.
4.3
Notice of satisfaction of conditions
The Agent shall notify the Lenders and the Borrower promptly after receipt by it of the documents and evidence referred to in this clause 4 in form and substance satisfactory to it.  Other than to the extent that the Majority Lenders notify the Agent in writing to the contrary before the Agent gives any such notification, the Lenders authorise (but do not require) the Agent to give that notification.  The Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses whatsoever as a result of giving any such notification.
4.4
Further conditions precedent
The Lenders will only be obliged to comply with clause 5.4 (Lenders’ participation) if:

(a)
on the date of the Utilisation Request and on the proposed Utilisation Date, no Default is continuing or would result from the proposed Utilisation; and

(b)
in relation to each Utilisation, on the date of the Utilisation Request and on the proposed Utilisation Date, all of the representations set out in clause 19 (Representations) (except the Ship Representations) are true.
4.5
Waiver of conditions precedent
The conditions in this clause 4 are inserted solely for the benefit of the Finance Parties and may be waived on their behalf in whole or in part and with or without conditions by the Agent acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders.
26


Section 3 - Utilisation
5
Utilisation
5.1
Delivery of a Utilisation Request
The Borrower may utilise the Facility by delivery to the Agent of a duly completed Utilisation Request not later than 11:00 a.m. five Business Days before the proposed Utilisation Date.
5.2
Completion of a Utilisation Request

(a)
A Utilisation Request is irrevocable and will not be regarded as having been duly completed unless:

(i)
the proposed Utilisation Date is a Business Day falling on or before the Last Availability Date;

(ii)
the currency and amount of the Utilisation comply with clause 5.3 (Currency and amount) ;

(iii)
the proposed Interest Period complies with clause 10 (Interest Periods) ;   and

(iv)
it identifies the purpose for the Utilisation and that purpose complies with clause 3 (Purpose) .

(b)
Only one Advance may be requested in each Utilisation Request.  Up to five Utilisation Requests may be made.

(c)
The Commitment may be borrowed in up to five Advances.
5.3
Currency and amount

(a)
The currency specified in a Utilisation Request must be dollars.

(b)
The amount of the proposed Advance must be a minimum of $1,000,000 or, if less, the amount of the Active Facility less the amount of the outstanding Loan and must not exceed (when aggregated with the outstanding Loan) the Active Facility.

(c)
The amount of a proposed Advance specified in a Utilisation Request to be advanced under the Pre-Delivery Commitment shall not exceed the lower of:

(i)
the amount in dollars equal to 100% of the Pre-Delivery Instalment which that Advance intended to finance;

(ii)
the undrawn portion of the Commitment; and

(iii)
the amount of the Active Facility less the outstanding amount of the Loan.
5.4
Lenders’ participation

(a)
If the conditions set out in this Agreement have been met, each Lender shall make its participation in each Advance available by the Utilisation Date through its Facility Office.

(b)
The amount of each Lender’s participation in each Advance will be equal to the proportion borne by its Available Commitment to the Available Facility immediately prior to making the Advance.
27



(c)
The Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the amount of the Advance and the amount of its participation in the Advance, in each case by 11:00 a.m. on the relevant Quotation Day.

(d)
The Agent shall pay all amounts received by it in respect of each Advance (and its own participation in it, if any) to the Borrower or for its account or the Builder, in each case in accordance with the instructions contained in the Utilisation Request.
28


Section 4 - Repayment, Prepayment and Cancellation
6
Repayment
6.1
Repayment
The Borrower shall on the Repayment Date repay the Loan in full.
7
Illegality, prepayment and cancellation
7.1
Illegality
If, in any applicable jurisdiction, it becomes unlawful for a Lender to perform any of its obligations as contemplated by this Agreement or to fund or maintain its participation in the Loan or it becomes unlawful for any Affiliate of a Lender for that Lender to do so:

(a)
that Lender shall promptly notify the Agent upon becoming aware of that event;

(b)
upon the Agent notifying the Borrower, the Available Commitment of that Lender will be immediately cancelled; and

(c)
to the extent that the Lender’s participation has not been assigned pursuant to clause 7.6 (Replacement of Lender), the Borrower shall repay that Lender’s participation in the Loan on the last day of the Interest Period occurring after the Agent has notified the Borrower or, if earlier, the date specified by the Lender in the notice delivered to the Agent (being no earlier than the last day of any applicable grace period permitted by law) and that Lender’s corresponding Commitment shall be cancelled in the amount of the participation repaid.
7.2
Voluntary cancellation
The Borrower may, if it gives the Agent not less than 15 Business Days’ (or such shorter period as the Majority Lenders may agree) prior notice, cancel the whole or any part (being a minimum amount of $500,000 or a multiple of $500,000) of the Available Facility.  Any cancellation under this clause 7.2 shall reduce the Commitments of the Lenders rateably.  If such a cancellation (and consequent reduction in the Commitments) results in the Active Facility exceeding the Total Commitments as reduced by such cancellation, the Active Facility shall be reduced to correspond to the Total Commitments as so reduced.
7.3
Voluntary prepayment
The Borrower may, if it gives the Agent not less than 15 Business Days’ (or such shorter period as the Majority Lenders may agree) prior notice, prepay the whole or any part of the Loan (but if in part, being an amount that reduces the amount of the Loan by a minimum amount of $500,000 or a multiple of $500,000), on the last day of an Interest Period in respect of the amount to be prepaid.
7.4
Right of cancellation and prepayment in relation to a single Lender

(a)
If:

(i)
any sum payable to any Lender by an Obligor is required to be increased under clause 13.2 (Tax gross-up) ;   or

(ii)
any Lender claims indemnification from the Borrower under clause 13.3 (Tax indemnity) or clause 14.1 (Increased costs) ,
the Borrower may, whilst the circumstance giving rise to the requirement for that increase or indemnification continues, give the Agent notice of cancellation of the Commitment of
29


that Lender and its intention to procure the repayment of that Lender’s participation in the Loan.

(b)
On receipt of a notice referred to in paragraph (a) above, the Commitment of that Lender shall immediately be reduced to zero.

(c)
On the last day of each Interest Period which ends after the Borrower has given notice under paragraph (a) above in relation to a Lender (or, if earlier, the date specified by the Borrower in that notice), the Borrower shall repay that Lender’s participation in the Loan together with all interest and other amounts accrued under the Finance Documents which is then owing to it.
7.5
Right of cancellation in relation to a Defaulting Lender

(a)
If any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, the Borrower may, at any time whilst the Lender continues to be a Defaulting Lender give the Agent 15 Business Days’ notice of cancellation of the Available Commitment of that Lender.

(b)
On such notice becoming effective, the Available Commitment of the Defaulting Lender shall immediately be reduced to zero and the Agent shall as soon as practicable after receipt of such notice, notify all the Lenders.
7.6
Replacement of Lender

(a)
If:

(i)
the Borrower becomes obliged to repay any amount in accordance with clause 7.1 (Illegality) to any Lender; or

(ii)
any of the circumstances set out in paragraph (a) of clause 7.4 (Right of cancellation and prepayment in relation to a single Lender) apply to a Lender,
the Borrower may, on 15 Business Days’ prior notice to the Agent and such Lender, replace that Lender by requiring such Lender to assign (and, to the extent permitted by law, such Lender shall assign) pursuant to clause 31 (Changes to the Lenders) all (and not part only) of its rights under this Agreement (and any Security Document to which such Lender is a party in its capacity as a Lender) to an Eligible Institution (a Replacement Lender ) which confirms its willingness to undertake and does undertake all the obligations of the assigning Lender in accordance with clause 31 (Changes to the Lenders) for a purchase price in cash payable at the time of the assignment in an amount equal to the aggregate of:

(A)
the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s participation in the Loan;

(B)
all accrued interest owing to such Lender;

(C)
the Break Costs which would have been payable to such Lender pursuant to clause 11.5 (Break Costs) had the Borrower prepaid in full that Lender’s participation in the Loan on the date of the assignment; and

(D)
all other amounts payable to that Lender under the Finance Documents on the date of the assignment.

(b)
The replacement of a Lender pursuant to this clause 7.6 shall be subject to the following conditions:

(i)
the Borrower shall have no right to replace the Agent or the Security Agent;

(ii)
neither the Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to find a Replacement Lender;
30



(iii)
in no event shall the Lender replaced under this clause 7.6 be required to pay or surrender any of the fees received by such Lender pursuant to the Finance Documents; and

(iv)
the Lender shall only be obliged to assign its rights pursuant to paragraph (a) above once it is satisfied that it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to that assignment.

(c)
A Lender shall perform the checks described in paragraph (b)(iv) above as soon as reasonably practicable following delivery of a notice referred to in paragraph (a) above and shall notify the Agent and the Borrower when it is satisfied that it has complied with those checks.
7.7
Mandatory Pre-Delivery cancellation

(a)
If, prior to Delivery:

(i)
the Borrower’s Ship is sold whilst under construction (irrespective of whether its delivery will be performed at a later date and not at the time of signing the relevant sale contract);

(ii)
the Building Contract is novated or its assigned by the Borrower;

(iii)
the Building Contract is for any reason and by any method cancelled, terminated or rescinded or is not, or ceases to be, legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Builder or the Borrower or it is or it becomes unlawful for the Builder or the Borrower to perform its respective obligations under it; or


(iv)
a competent court or arbitration panel decides that the Building Contract has been validly cancelled, terminated or rescinded; or

(v)
the Building Contract is varied in a way prohibited by any Finance Document; or

(vi)
any of the following events or circumstances occurs:

(A)
it is or becomes unlawful for the Refund Guarantor to perform any of its obligations under the Refund Guarantee; or

(B)
the Refund Guarantor or the Builder becomes subject to any of the events or circumstances described in clause 30.7 (Insolvency) or clause 30.8 (Insolvency proceedings) ;   or


(vii) Delivery has not occurred by the Last Availability Date,
then the Agent may, and shall if so directed by the Majority Lenders, by notice to the Borrower with effect from the date 15 days after the giving of such notice (or such later date as may be approved in advance by the Majority Lenders) cancel the Total Commitments.


(b)
The Borrower shall on the date such cancellation takes effect prepay the Loan in full.
7.8
Total Loss
On the Disposal Repayment Date, the Borrower shall prepay an amount which is equal to the net sale or insurance proceeds of the sale or Total Loss of the Collateral Ship, remaining after deducting any part of such proceeds which are to be used by the Astarte Guarantor to make prepayments and other payments under the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement because of such sale or Total Loss.
31


Any such prepayment under this clause 7.8 shall be applied in prepayment of the Loan.
7.9
Automatic cancellation
Any part of the Total Commitments which has not become available by the Last Availability Date shall be automatically cancelled at close of business in London on the Last Availability Date.
8
Restrictions
8.1
Notices of cancellation and prepayment
Any notice of cancellation or prepayment given by any Party under clause 7 shall be irrevocable and, unless a contrary indication appears in this Agreement, shall specify the date or dates upon which the relevant cancellation or prepayment is to be made and the amount of that cancellation or prepayment.
8.2
Interest and other amounts
Any prepayment under this Agreement shall be made together with accrued interest on the amount prepaid and, subject to any Break Costs (if payment is not made on the last day of an Interest Period), without premium or penalty.
8.3
No reborrowing
The Borrower may not re-borrow any part of the Facility which is prepaid or repaid.
8.4
Prepayment in accordance with Agreement
The Borrower shall not repay or prepay all or any part of the Loan or cancel all or any part of the Commitments except at the times and in the manner expressly provided for in this Agreement.
8.5
No reinstatement of Commitments
No amount of the Total Commitments cancelled under this Agreement may be subsequently reinstated.
8.6
Agent’s receipt of notices
If the Agent receives a notice under clause 7 it shall promptly forward a copy of that notice to either the Borrower or the affected Lender, as appropriate.
8.7
Effect of repayment and prepayment on Commitments
If all or part of any Lender’s participation in the Loan is repaid or prepaid, an amount of that Lender’s Commitment equal to the amount of the participation which is repaid or prepaid will be deemed to be cancelled on the date of repayment or prepayment.
8.8
Application of cancellations
If the Total Commitments are partially reduced and/or the Loan partially prepaid under this Agreement (other than under clause 7.1 (Illegality) and clause 7.4 (Right of cancellation and prepayment in relation to a single Lender) ),   the Commitments of the Lenders shall be reduced rateably.
8.9
Application of prepayments

(a)
Any prepayment required as a result of a cancellation in full of an individual Lender’s Commitment under clause 7.1 (Illegality) or clause 7.4 (Right of cancellation and
32


prepayment in relation to a single Lender) shall be applied in prepaying the relevant Lender’s participation in the Loan.

(b)
Any other prepayment shall be applied pro rata to each Lender’s participation in the Loan.
8.10
Removal of Lender from security
Upon cancellation and prepayment in full of an individual Lender’s Commitment under clause 7.1 (Illegality) or clause 7.4 (Right of cancellation and prepayment in relation to a single Lender), that Lender and the other Parties must promptly take (and the Borrower shall ensure that any other relevant Obligor promptly takes) whatever action the Agent may, in its reasonable opinion, deem necessary for the purpose of removing that Lender as a party to and beneficiary of any Security Documents granted in favour of (among others) the Lenders.
33


Section 5 - Costs of Utilisation
9
Interest
9.1
Calculation of interest
The rate of interest on the Loan (or any relevant part of it for which there is a separate Interest Period) for each Interest Period is the percentage rate per annum which is the aggregate of the applicable:

(a)
Margin; and

(b)
LIBOR for the relevant Interest Period.
9.2
Payment of interest
The Borrower shall pay accrued interest on the Loan (or any relevant part of it) on the last day of each Interest Period.
9.3
Default interest

(a)
If an Obligor fails to pay any amount payable by it under a Finance Document to a Finance Party on its due date, interest shall accrue on the overdue amount from the due date up to the date of actual payment (both before and after judgment) at a rate which, subject to paragraph (c) below, is 2 per cent per annum higher than the rate which would have been payable if the overdue amount had, during the period of non-payment, constituted the Loan for successive Interest Periods, each of a duration selected by the Agent (acting reasonably).

(b)
Any interest accruing under this clause 9.3 shall be immediately payable by the Obligor on demand by the Agent.

(c)
If any overdue amount consists of all or part of the Loan (or any relevant part of it) which became due on a day which was not the last day of an Interest Period relating to the Loan or the relevant part of it:

(i)
the first Interest Period for that overdue amount shall have a duration equal to the unexpired portion of the current Interest Period relating to the Loan or the relevant part of it; and

(ii)
the rate of interest applying to the overdue amount during that first Interest Period shall be 2 per cent per annum higher than the rate which would have applied if the overdue amount had not become due.

(d)
Default interest payable under this clause 9.3 (if unpaid) arising on an overdue amount will be compounded with the overdue amount at the end of each Interest Period applicable to that overdue amount but will remain immediately due and payable.
9.4
Notification of rates of interest

(a)
The Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders and the Borrower of the determination of a rate of interest under this Agreement.

(b)
The Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower of each Funding Rate relating to the Loan (or any relevant part of it).
34


10
Interest Periods
10.1
Interest Periods

(a)
The first Interest Period for the first Advance shall have a duration equal to the period commencing on the Utilisation Date for such Advance and ending on the date three months after the date of this Agreement.  Each subsequent Interest Period for the Loan shall have a duration of three months.

(b)
The first Interest Period for the Loan shall start on the first Utilisation Date, the first Interest Period for the second or any later Advance shall start on the relevant Utilisation Date and end on the last day of the then current Interest Period for the balance of the Loan and each subsequent Interest Period for the Loan shall start on the last day of its preceding Interest Period.

(c)
No Interest Period shall extend beyond the Repayment Date.
10.2
Non-Business Days
If an Interest Period would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day, that Interest Period will instead end on the next Business Day in that calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not).
11
Changes to the calculation of interest
11.1
Unavailability of Screen Rate

(a)
If no Screen Rate is available for LIBOR for an Interest Period, LIBOR shall be the Interpolated Screen Rate for a period equal in length to that Interest Period.

(b)
If no Screen Rate is available for LIBOR for:

(i)
dollars; or

(ii)
the relevant Interest Period and it is not possible to calculate the Interpolated Screen Rate,
there shall be no LIBOR for that Interest Period and clause 11.3 (Cost of funds) shall apply for that Interest Period.
11.2
Market disruption
If before close of business in London on the Quotation Day for an Interest Period the Agent receives notifications from a Lender or Lenders (whose participations in the Loan exceed 30 per cent. of the Loan) that the cost to it of funding its participation in the Loan or relevant part of it from whatever source it may reasonably select would be in excess of LIBOR then clause 11.3 (Cost of funds) shall apply to the Loan or relevant part of it for the relevant Interest Period.
11.3
Cost of funds

(a)
If this clause 11.3 applies, the rate of interest on each Lender’s share of the Loan or relevant part of it for the Interest Period shall be the percentage rate per annum which is the sum of:

(i)
the Margin;

(ii)
the rate notified to the Agent by that Lender as soon as practicable and in any event within ten Business Days of the first day of that Interest Period (or, if earlier, on the date falling ten Business Days before the date on which interest is due to be
35


paid in respect of that Interest Period), to be that which expresses as a percentage rate per annum the cost to the relevant Lender of funding its participation in the Loan or relevant part of it from whatever source it may reasonably select.

(b)
If this clause 11.3 applies and the Agent or the Borrower so require, the Agent and the Borrower shall enter into negotiations (for a period of not more than thirty days) with a view to agreeing a substitute basis for determining the rate of interest.

(c)
Any alternative basis agreed pursuant to paragraph (b) above shall, with the prior consent of all the Lenders and the Borrower, be binding on all Parties.

(d)
If this clause 11.3 applies pursuant to clause 11.2 (Market disruption) and:

(i)
a Lender’s Funding Rate is less than LIBOR; or

(ii)
a Lender does not supply a quotation by the time specified in paragraph (a)(ii) above,
the cost to that Lender of funding its participation in the Loan or relevant part of it for that Interest Period shall be deemed, for the purposes of paragraph (a) above, to be LIBOR.
11.4
Notification to Borrower
If clause 11.3 (Cost of funds) applies, the Agent shall, as soon as is practicable, notify the Borrower and provide to the Borrower evidence of the cost in relation to a Lender of funding its participation in the Loan or relevant part of it for the purpose of determining the rate of interest under clause 11.3(d) (such evidence to not be contested by the Borrower).
11.5
Break Costs

(a)
The Borrower shall, within five Business Days of demand by a Finance Party, pay to that Finance Party its Break Costs attributable to all or any part of the Loan or any relevant part of it or Unpaid Sum being paid by the Borrower on a day other than the last day of an Interest Period for the Loan or that relevant part of it or Unpaid Sum.

(b)
Each Lender shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after a demand by the Agent, provide a certificate confirming the amount and basis of calculation of its Break Costs for any Interest Period in which they accrue.
12
Fees
12.1
Commitment commission

(a)
The Borrower shall pay to the Agent (for the account of each Lender) a fee in dollars computed at the rate of 2.25 per cent per annum on that Lenders Available Commitment calculated from the date of this Agreement.

(b)
The Borrower shall pay the accrued commitment commission on 5 June 2018 (the start date ),   on the date falling three Months after the start date, on the last day of each successive period of three Months thereafter, on the Last Availability Date and, if cancelled in full, on the cancelled amount of the relevant Lender’s Available Commitment at the time the cancellation is effective.

(c)
No commitment fee is payable to the Agent (for the account of a Lender) on any Available Commitment of that Lender for any day on which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender.
36


12.2
Arrangement fee
The Borrower shall pay to the Agent (for the account of the Lenders) an arrangement fee in the amount and at the times agreed in a Fee Letter.
12.3
Termination fee
The Borrower shall pay to the Agent (for the account of the Lenders) a termination fee in the amount and at the times agreed in a Fee Letter.
37


Section 6 - Additional Payment Obligations
13
Tax gross-up and indemnities
13.1
Definitions

(a)
In this Agreement:
Protected Party means a Finance Party or, in relation to clause 15.4 (Indemnity concerning security) and clause 15.7 (Interest) insofar as it relates to interest on any amount demanded by that Indemnified Person under clause 15.4 (Indemnity concerning security), any Indemnified Person, which is or will be subject to any liability, or required to make any payment, for or on account of Tax in relation to a sum received or receivable (or any sum deemed for the purposes of Tax to be received or receivable) under a Finance Document.
Tax Deduction means a deduction or withholding for or on account of Tax from a payment under a Finance Document other than a FATCA Deduction.

(b)
Unless a contrary indication appears, in this clause 13 a reference to “determines” or “determined” means a determination made in the absolute discretion of the person making the determination.
13.2
Tax gross-up

(a)
Each Obligor shall make all payments to be made by it under any Finance Document without any Tax Deduction, unless a Tax Deduction is required by law.

(b)
The Borrower shall, promptly upon becoming aware that an Obligor must make a Tax Deduction (or that there is any change in the rate or the basis of a Tax Deduction), notify the Agent accordingly.  Similarly, a Lender shall notify the Agent on becoming so aware in respect of a payment payable to that Lender.  If the Agent receives such notification from a Lender it shall notify the Borrower and that Obligor.

(c)
If a Tax Deduction is required by law to be made by an Obligor, the amount of the payment due from that Obligor under the relevant Finance Document shall be increased to an amount which (after making any Tax Deduction) leaves an amount equal to the payment which would have been due if no Tax Deduction had been required.

(d)
If an Obligor is required to make a Tax Deduction, that Obligor shall make that Tax Deduction and any payment required in connection with that Tax Deduction within the time allowed and in the minimum amount required by law.

(e)
Within 30 days of making either a Tax Deduction or any payment required in connection with that Tax Deduction, the Obligor making that Tax Deduction shall deliver to the Agent for the Finance Party entitled to the payment evidence reasonably satisfactory to that Finance Party that the Tax Deduction has been made or (as applicable) any appropriate payment paid to the relevant taxing authority.
13.3
Tax indemnity

(a)
Each Obligor who is a Party shall (within five Business Days of demand by the Agent) pay to a Protected Party an amount equal to the loss, liability or cost which that Protected Party determines will be or has been (directly or indirectly) suffered for or on account of Tax by that Protected Party in respect of a Finance Document.

(b)
Paragraph (a) above shall not apply:

(i)
with respect to any Tax assessed on a Finance Party:
38



(A)
under the law of the jurisdiction in which that Finance Party is incorporated or, if different, the jurisdiction (or jurisdictions) in which that Finance Party is treated as resident for tax purposes; or

(B)
under the law of the jurisdiction in which that Finance Party’s Facility Office is located in respect of amounts received or receivable in that jurisdiction,
if that Tax is imposed on or calculated by reference to the net income received or receivable (but not any sum deemed to be received or receivable) by that Finance Party; or

(ii)
to the extent a loss, liability or cost:

(A)
is compensated for by an increased payment under clause 13.2 (Tax gross-up) ;   or

(B)
relates to a FATCA Deduction required to be made by a Party or any Obligor which is not a Party.

(c)
A Protected Party making, or intending to make a claim under paragraph (a) above shall promptly notify the Agent of the event which will give, or has given, rise to the claim, following which the Agent shall notify the Borrower.

(d)
A Protected Party shall, on receiving a payment from an Obligor under this clause 13.3, notify the Agent.
13.4
indemnities on after Tax basis

(a)
If and to the extent that any sum payable to any Protected Party by the Borrower under any Finance Document by way of indemnity or reimbursement proves to be insufficient, by reason of any Tax suffered thereon, for that Protected Party to discharge the corresponding liability to a third party, or to reimburse that Protected Party for the cost incurred by it in discharging the corresponding liability to a third party, the Borrower shall pay that Protected Party such additional sum as (after taking into account any Tax suffered by that Protected Party on such additional sum) shall be required to make up the relevant deficit.

(b)
If and to the extent that any sum (the Indemnity Sum )   constituting (directly or indirectly) an indemnity to any Protected Party but paid by the Borrower to any person other than that Protected Party, shall be treated as taxable in the hands of the Protected Party, the Borrower shall pay to that Protected Party such sum (the Compensating Sum )   as (after taking into account any Tax suffered by that Protected Party on the Compensating Sum) shall reimburse that Protected Party for any Tax suffered by it in respect of the Indemnity Sum.

(c)
For the purposes of paragraphs (a) and (b) above, a sum shall be deemed to be taxable in the hands of a Protected Party if it falls to be taken into account in computing the profits or gains of that Protected Party for the purposes of Tax and, if so, that Protected Party shall be deemed to have suffered Tax on the relevant sum at the rate of Tax applicable to that Protected Party’s profits or gains for the period in which the payment of the relevant sum falls to be taken into account for the purposes of such Tax.
13.5
Stamp taxes
The Borrower shall pay and, within five Business Days of demand, indemnify each Finance Party against any cost, loss or liability that Finance Party incurs in relation to all stamp duty, registration and other similar Taxes payable in respect of any Finance Document.
39


13.6
Value added tax

(a)
All amounts expressed in a Finance Document to be payable by any party to a Finance Party which (in whole or in part) constitute the consideration for any supply for VAT purposes are deemed to be exclusive of any VAT which is chargeable on that supply, and accordingly, subject to paragraph (b) below, if VAT is or becomes chargeable on any supply made by any Finance Party to any party under a Finance Document, and such Finance Party is required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT, that party must pay to such Finance Party (in addition to and at the same time as paying any other consideration for such supply) an amount equal to the amount of the VAT (and such Finance Party must promptly provide an appropriate VAT invoice to that party).

(b)
If VAT is or becomes chargeable on any supply made by any Finance Party (the Supplier )   to any other Finance Party (the Recipient )   under a Finance Document, and any party to a Finance Document other than the Recipient (the Subject Party )   is required by the terms of any Finance Document to pay an amount equal to the consideration for that supply to the Supplier (rather than being required to reimburse or indemnify the Recipient in respect of that consideration):

(i)
(where the Supplier is the person required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT) the Subject Party must also pay to the Supplier (at the same time as paying that amount) an additional amount equal to the amount of the VAT.  The Recipient must (where this paragraph (i) applies) promptly pay to the Subject Party an amount equal to any credit or repayment the Recipient receives from the relevant tax authority which the Recipient reasonably determines relates to the VAT chargeable on that supply; and

(ii)
(where the Recipient is the person required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT) the Subject Party must promptly, following demand from the Recipient, pay to the Recipient an amount equal to the VAT chargeable on that supply but only to the extent that the Recipient reasonably determines that it is not entitled to credit or repayment from the relevant tax authority in respect of that VAT.

(c)
Where a Finance Document requires any party to it to reimburse or indemnify a Finance Party for any cost or expense, that party shall reimburse or indemnify (as the case may be) such Finance Party for the full amount of such cost or expense, including such part thereof as represents VAT save to the extent that such Finance Party reasonably determines that it is entitled to credit or repayment in respect of such VAT from the relevant tax authority.

(d)
Any reference in this clause 13.6 to any party shall, at any time when such party is treated as a member of a group for VAT purposes, include (where appropriate and unless the context otherwise requires) a reference to the representative member of such group at such time (the term “representative member” to have the same meaning as in the Value Added Tax Act 1994).

(e)
In relation to any supply made by a Finance Party to any party under a Finance Document, if reasonably requested by such Finance Party, that party must promptly provide such Finance Party with details of that party’s VAT registration and such other information as is reasonably requested in connection with such Finance Party’s VAT reporting requirements in relation to such supply.
13.7
FATCA Information

(a)
Subject to paragraph (c) below, each Party shall, within ten Business Days of a reasonable request by another Party:

(i)
confirm to that other Party whether it is:
40



(A)
a FATCA Exempt Party; or

(B)
not a FATCA Exempt Party;

(ii)
supply to that other Party such forms, documentation and other information relating to its status under FATCA as that other Party reasonably requests for the purposes of that other Party’s compliance with FATCA; and

(iii)
supply to that other Party such forms, documentation and other information relating to its status as that other Party reasonably requests for the purposes of that other Party’s compliance with any other law, regulation, or exchange of information regime.

(b)
If a Party confirms to another Party pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) above that it is a FATCA Exempt Party and it subsequently becomes aware that it is not or has ceased to be a FATCA Exempt Party, that Party shall notify that other Party reasonably promptly.

(c)
Paragraph (a) above shall not oblige any Finance Party to do anything, and paragraph (a)(iii) above shall not oblige any other Party to do anything, which would or might in its reasonable opinion constitute a breach of:

(i)
any law or regulation;

(ii)
any fiduciary duty; or

(iii)
any duty of confidentiality.

(d)
If a Party fails to confirm whether or not it is a FATCA Exempt Party or to supply forms, documentation or other information requested in accordance with paragraphs (a)(i) or (a)(ii) above (including, for the avoidance of doubt, where paragraph (c) above applies), then such Party shall be treated for the purposes of the Finance Documents (and payments under them) as if it is not a FATCA Exempt Party until such time as the Party in question provides the requested confirmation, forms, documentation or other information.

(e)
If the Borrower is a US Tax Obligor or the Agent reasonably believes that its obligations under FATCA or any other applicable law or regulation require it, each Lender shall, within ten Business Days of:

(i)
where the Borrower is a US Tax Obligor and the relevant Lender is an Original Lender, the date of this Agreement;

(ii)
where the Borrower is a US Tax Obligor on a date on which any other Lender becomes a Party as a Lender, that date; or

(iii)
where the Borrower is not a US Tax Obligor, the date of a request from the Agent,
supply to the Agent:

(A)
a withholding certificate on Form W-8, Form W-9 or any other relevant form; or

(B)
any withholding statement or other document, authorisation or waiver as the Agent may require to certify or establish the status of such Lender under FATCA or that other law or regulation.

(f)
The Agent shall provide any withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver it receives from a Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) above to the Borrower.
41



(g)
If any withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver provided to the Agent by a Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) above is or becomes materially inaccurate or incomplete, that Lender shall promptly update it and provide such updated withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver to the Agent unless it is unlawful for the Lender to do so (in which case the Lender shall promptly notify the Agent).  The Agent shall provide any such updated withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver to the Borrower.

(h)
The Agent may rely on any withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver it receives from a Lender pursuant to paragraphs (e) or (g) above without further verification.  The Agent shall not be liable for any action taken by it under or in connection with paragraphs (e), (f) or (g) above.
13.8
FATCA Deduction

(a)
Each Party may make any FATCA Deduction it is required to make by FATCA, and any payment required in connection with that FATCA Deduction, and no Party shall be required to increase any payment in respect of which it makes such a FATCA Deduction or otherwise compensate the recipient of the payment for that FATCA Deduction.

(b)
Each Party shall promptly, upon becoming aware that it must make a FATCA Deduction (or that there is any change in the rate or the basis of such FATCA Deduction), notify the Party to whom it is making the payment and, in addition, shall notify the Borrower and the Agent and the Agent shall notify the other Finance Parties.
14
Increased Costs
14.1
Increased costs

(a)
Subject to clause 14.3 (Exceptions), the Borrower shall, within five Business Days of a demand by the Agent, pay for the account of a Finance Party the amount of any Increased Cost incurred by that Finance Party or any of its Affiliates which: arises as a result of

(i)
arirses as a result of (i) the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any law or regulation or (ii) compliance with any law or regulation made after the date of this Agreement; and/or

(ii)
is a Basel III Increased Cost; and/or

(iii)
is a Reformed Basel III Increased Cost.

(b)
In this Agreement Increased Costs means:

(i)
a reduction in the rate of return from the Facility or on a Finance Party’s (or its Affiliate’s) overall capital;

(ii)
an additional or increased cost; or

(iii)
a reduction of any amount due and payable under any Finance Document,
which is incurred or suffered by a Finance Party or any of its Affiliates to the extent that it is attributable to that Finance Party having entered into its Commitment or funding or performing its obligations under any Finance Document.
14.2
Increased cost claims

(a)
A Finance Party intending to make a claim pursuant to clause 14.1 (Increased costs) shall notify the Agent of the event giving rise to the claim, following which the Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower.
42



(b)
Each Finance Party shall, as soon as practicable after a demand by the Agent and/or the Borrower through the Agent, provide a certificate confirming the amount of its Increased Costs and the basis of calculation of such amount.
14.3
Exceptions

(a)
Clause 14.1 (Increased costs) does not apply to the extent any Increased Cost is:

(i)
attributable to a Tax Deduction required by law to be made by an Obligor;

(ii)
attributable to a FATCA Deduction required to be made by a Party;

(iii)
compensated for by clause 13.3 (Tax indemnity) (or would have been compensated for under clause 13.3 (Tax indemnity) but was not so compensated solely because any of the exclusions in paragraph (b) of clause 13.3 (Tax indemnity) applied);

(iv)
compensated for by the payment to a Lender under clause 15.10 (Mandatory Cost) ;   and

(v)
attributable to the wilful breach by the relevant Finance Party or its Affiliates of any law or regulation.

(b)
In paragraph (a) above, a reference to a Tax Deduction has the same meaning given to the term in clause 13.1 (Definitions) .
15
Other indemnities
15.1
Currency indemnity

(a)
If any sum due from an Obligor under the Finance Documents (a Sum ), or any order, judgment or award given or made in relation to a Sum, has to be converted from the currency (the First Currency )   in which that Sum is payable into another currency (the Second Currency )   for the purpose of:

(i)
making or filing a claim or proof against that Obligor; and/or

(ii)
obtaining or enforcing an order, judgment or award in relation to any litigation or arbitration proceedings,
that Obligor shall, as an independent obligation, within three Business Days of demand by a Finance Party, indemnify each Finance Party to whom that Sum is due against any Losses arising out of or as a result of the conversion including any discrepancy between (i) the rate of exchange used to convert that Sum from the First Currency into the Second Currency and (ii) the rate or rates of exchange available to that person at the time of its receipt of that Sum.

(b)
Each Obligor waives any right it may have in any jurisdiction to pay any amount under the Finance Documents in a currency or currency unit other than that in which it is expressed to be payable.
15.2
Other indemnities
The Borrower shall, within five Business Days of demand by a Finance Party, indemnify each Finance Party against any and all Losses incurred by that Finance Party as a result of:

(a)
the occurrence of any Event of Default;
43



(b)
a failure by an Obligor to pay any amount due under a Finance Document on its due date, including without limitation, any and all Losses arising as a result of clause 38 (Sharing among the Finance Parties) ;

(c)
funding, or making arrangements to fund, its participation in a Utilisation requested by the Borrower in a Utilisation Request but not made by reason of the operation of any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement (other than by reason of default or negligence by that Finance Party alone); or

(d)
the Loan (or part of the Loan) not being prepaid in accordance with a notice of prepayment given by the Borrower.
15.3
Indemnity to the Agent and the Security Agent
The Borrower shall promptly indemnify the Agent and the Security Agent against:

(a)
any and all Losses (together with any applicable VAT) incurred by the Agent or the Security Agent (acting reasonably) as a result of:

(i)
investigating any event which it reasonably believes is a Default;

(ii)
acting or relying on any notice, request or instruction which it reasonably believes to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised;

(iii)
instructing lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, insurance consultants, ship managers, valuers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts as permitted under the Finance Documents; or

(iv)
any action taken by the Agent or the Security Agent or any of its or their representatives, agents or contractors in connection with any powers conferred by any Security Document to remedy any breach of any Obligor’s obligations under the Finance Documents, and

(b)
any and all Losses (including, without limitation, in respect of liability for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever) (together with any applicable VAT) incurred by the Agent or the Security Agent (otherwise than by reason of the Agent’s or the Security Agent’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct) (or, in the case of any cost, loss or liability pursuant to clause 39.11 (Disruption to payment systems etc.) notwithstanding the Agent’s or the Security Agent’s negligence, gross negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Agent in acting as Agent or the Security Agent under the Finance Documents.
15.4
Indemnity concerning security

(a)
The Borrower shall (or shall procure that another Obligor will) promptly indemnify each Indemnified Person against any and all Losses (together with any applicable VAT) incurred by it as a result of:

(i)
any failure by the Borrower to comply with its obligations under clause 17 (Costs and expenses) or any similar provision in any other Finance Document;

(ii)
acting or relying on any notice, request or instruction which it reasonably believes to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised;

(iii)
the taking, holding, protection or enforcement of the Transaction Security;

(iv)
the exercise or purported exercise of any of the rights, powers, discretions, authorities and remedies vested in the Security Agent and/or any other Finance Party and each Receiver and each Delegate by the Finance Documents or by law (otherwise, in each case, than by reason of the relevant Security Agent’s and/or
44


other Finance Party’s, Receiver’s or Delegate’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct);

(v)
any default by any Obligor in the performance of any of the obligations expressed to be assumed by it in the Finance Documents;

(vi)
any claim (whether relating to the environment or otherwise) made or asserted against the Indemnified Person which would not have arisen but for the execution or enforcement of one or more Finance Documents (unless and to the extent it is caused by the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of that Indemnified Person);

(vii)
instructing lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, insurance consultants, ship managers, valuers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts as permitted under the Finance Documents; or

(viii)
(in the case of the Security Agent and/or any other Finance Party, any Receiver and any Delegate) acting as Security Agent and/or as holder of any of the Transaction Security, Receiver or Delegate under the Finance Documents or which otherwise relates to the Charged Property (otherwise, in each case, than by reason of the relevant Security Agent’s and/or other Finance Party’s, Receiver’s or Delegate’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct).

(b)
The Security Agent may, in priority to any payment to the other Finance Parties, indemnify itself out of the Charged Property in respect of, and pay and retain, all sums necessary to give effect to the indemnity in this clause 15.4 and shall have a lien on the Transaction Security and the proceeds of the enforcement of the Transaction Security for all moneys payable to it.
15.5
Continuation of indemnities
The indemnities by the Borrower in favour of any Indemnified Persons contained in this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any breach by any Finance Party or the Borrower of the terms of this Agreement, the repayment or prepayment of the Loan, the cancellation of the Total Commitments or the repudiation by any Finance Party or the Borrower of this Agreement.
15.6
Third Parties Act

(a)
Each Indemnified Person may rely on the terms of clause 15.4 (Indemnity concerning security) and clauses 13 (Tax gross-up and indemnities) and 15.7 (Interest) insofar as it relates to interest on, or the calculation of, any amount demanded by that Indemnified Person under clause 15.4 (Indemnity concerning security), subject to clause 1.4 (Third party rights) and the provisions of the Third Parties Act.

(b)
Where an Indemnified Person (other than a Finance Party) (the Relevant Beneficiary )   who is:

(i)
appointed by a Finance Party under the Finance Documents;

(ii)
an Affiliate of any such person or that Finance Party; or

(iii)
an officer, director, employee, adviser, representative or agent of any of the above persons or that Finance Party,
is entitled to receive any amount (a Third Party Claim )   under any of the provisions referred to in paragraph (a) above:

(A)
the Borrower shall at the same time as the relevant Third Party Claim is due to the Relevant Beneficiary pay to that Finance Party a sum in the amount of that Third Party Claim;
45



(B)
payment of such sum to that Finance Party shall, to the extent of that payment, satisfy the corresponding obligations of the Borrower to pay the Third Party Claim to the Relevant Beneficiary; and

(C)
if the Borrower pays the Third Party Claim direct to the Relevant Beneficiary, such payment shall, to the extent of that payment, satisfy the corresponding obligations of the Borrower to that Finance Party under sub-paragraph (A) above.
15.7
Interest
Moneys becoming due by the Borrower to any Indemnified Person under the indemnities contained in this clause 15 (Other indemnities) or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be paid on demand made by such Indemnified Person and shall be paid together with interest on the sum demanded from the date of demand therefor to the date of reimbursement by the Borrower to such Indemnified Person (both before and after judgment) at the rate referred to in clause 9.3 (Default interest) .
15.8
Exclusion of liability
Without prejudice to any other provision of the Finance Documents excluding or limiting the liability of any Indemnified Person, no Indemnified Person will be in any way liable or responsible to any Obligor (whether as mortgagee in possession or otherwise) who is a Party or is a party to a Finance Document to which this clause applies for any loss or liability arising from any act, default, omission or misconduct of that Indemnified Person, except to the extent caused by its own gross negligence or wilful misconduct.  Any Indemnified Person may rely on this clause 15.8 subject to clause 1.4 (Third party rights) and the provisions of the Third Parties Act.
15.9
Sanctions

(a)
Each Obligor shall, within five Business Days of demand by a Finance Party, indemnify such Finance Party against any cost, loss or liability incurred by it as a result of any civil penalty or fine against, and all costs and expenses (including counsel fees and disbursements) incurred in connection with the defence thereof by, the Agent or the relevant Finance Party as a result of conduct of any Obligor or any of its partners, directors, officers, employees, agents or advisors, that violates any applicable Sanctions.

(b)
The indemnity in clause 15.9(a) shall cover any Losses incurred by each Finance Party in any jurisdiction arising or asserted under or in connection with any law relating to any applicable Sanctions.
15.10
Mandatory Cost
The Borrower shall, within five Business Days of demand by the Agent, pay to the Agent for the account of the relevant Lender, such amount which such Lender certifies in a notice to the Agent to be its good faith determination of the amount necessary to compensate it for complying with:

(a)
in the case of a Lender lending from a Facility Office in a Participating Member State, the minimum reserve requirements (or other requirements having the same or similar purpose) of the European Central Bank or any other authority or agency which replaces all or any of its functions) in respect of loans made from that Facility Office; and

(b)
in the case of any Lender lending from a Facility Office in the United Kingdom, any reserve asset, special deposit or liquidity requirements (or other requirements having the same or similar purpose) of the Bank of England (or any other governmental authority or agency) and/or paying any fees to the Financial Conduct Authority and/or the Prudential Regulation Authority (or any other governmental authority or agency which replaces all or any of their functions),
46


which, in each case, is referable to that Lender’s participation in the Loan.
16
Mitigation by the Lenders
16.1
Mitigation

(a)
Each Finance Party shall, in consultation with the Borrower, take all reasonable steps to mitigate any circumstances which arise and which would result in the Facility ceasing to be available or any amount becoming payable under or pursuant to, or cancelled pursuant to, any of clause 7.1 (Illegality), clause 13 (Tax gross-up and indemnities), clause 14 (Increased costs) or clause 15.10 (Mandatory Cost) including (but not limited to) assigning its rights under the Finance Documents to another Affiliate or Facility Office.

(b)
Paragraph (a) above does not in any way limit the obligations of any Obligor under the Finance Documents.
16.2
Limitation of liability

(a)
The Borrower shall promptly indemnify each Finance Party for all costs and expenses incurred by that Finance Party as a result of steps taken by it under clause 16.1 (Mitigation) .

(b)
A Finance Party is not obliged to take any steps under clause 16.1 (Mitigation) if, in the opinion of that Finance Party (acting reasonably), to do so might be prejudicial to it.
17
Costs and expenses
17.1
Transaction expenses
The Borrower shall, promptly on demand, pay the Agent, the Security Agent and the Arranger the amount of all reasonable and documented costs and expenses (including fees, costs and expenses of lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, insurance consultants, ship managers, valuers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts) (together with any applicable VAT) reasonably incurred by any of them (and, in the case of the Security Agent, by any Receiver or Delegate) in connection with the negotiation, preparation, printing, execution, registration and perfection and any release, discharge or reassignment of:

(a)
this Agreement and any other documents referred to in this Agreement and the Security Documents;

(b)
any other Finance Documents executed or proposed to be executed after the date of this Agreement; or

(c)
any Security Interest expressed or intended to be granted by a Finance Document.

17.2
Amendment costs
If:

(a)
an Obligor requests an amendment, waiver or consent; or

(b)
an amendment is required pursuant to clause 39.10 (Change of currency) ,
the Borrower shall, within five days of demand, reimburse each of the Agent and the Security Agent for the amount of all reasonable and documented costs and expenses (including all reasonable and documented fees, costs and expenses of lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, insurance consultants, ship managers, valuers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts) (together with any applicable VAT) reasonably incurred by the Agent and the Security
47


Agent (and in the case of the Security Agent by any Receiver or Delegate) in responding to, evaluating, negotiating or complying with that request or requirement.
17.3
Enforcement, preservation and other costs
The Borrower shall, on demand by a Finance Party, pay to each Finance Party the amount of all documented costs and expenses (including fees, costs and expenses of lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, insurance consultants, ship managers, valuers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts) (together with any applicable VAT) incurred by that Finance Party in connection with:

(a)
the enforcement of, or the preservation of any rights under, any Finance Document and the Transaction Security and any proceedings instituted by or against any Indemnified Person as a consequence of taking or holding the Security Documents or enforcing those rights; or

(b)
any inspection carried out under clause 24.6 (Inspection) or any survey carried out under clause 24.8 (Survey report) at the times provided under that clause that the relevant costs must be borne by the Borrower.
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Section 7 - Guarantee
18
Guarantee and indemnity
18.1
Guarantee and   indemnity
Each Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally, and jointly and severally with the other Guarantor:

(a)
guarantees to the Security Agent (as trustee for the Finance Parties) and the other Finance Parties punctual performance by each other Obligor of all such Obligor’s obligations under the Finance Documents;

(b)
undertakes with the Security Agent (as trustee for the Finance Parties) and the other Finance Parties that whenever another Obligor (other than any Charterer, the Sub-charterer or CSM) does not pay any amount when due under or in connection with any Finance Document, it shall immediately on demand pay that amount as if it was the principal obligor; and

(c)
agrees with the Security Agent (as trustee for the Finance Parties) and the other Finance Parties that if any obligation guaranteed by it is or becomes unenforceable, invalid or illegal, it will, as an independent and primary obligation indemnify that Finance Party immediately on demand against any cost, loss or liability it incurs as a result of another Obligor (other than any Charterer, the Sub-charterer or CSM) not paying any amount which would, but for such unenforceability, invalidity or illegality, have been payable by such Obligor under any Finance Document on the date when it would have been due.  The amount payable by a Guarantor under this indemnity will not exceed the amount that Guarantor would have had to pay under this clause 18.1 if the amount claimed had been recoverable on the basis of a guarantee.
18.2
Continuing guarantee
This guarantee is a continuing guarantee and will extend to the ultimate balance of sums payable by any Obligor (other than any Charterer, the Sub-charterer or CSM) under the Finance Documents, regardless of any intermediate payment or discharge in whole or in part.
18.3
Reinstatement
If any discharge, release or arrangement (whether in respect of the obligations of any Obligor or any security for those obligations or otherwise) is made by a Finance Party in whole or in part on the basis of any payment, security or other disposition which is avoided or must be restored in insolvency, liquidation, administration or otherwise, without limitation, then the liability of each Guarantor under this clause 18 will continue or be reinstated as if the discharge, release or arrangement had not occurred.
18.4
Waiver of defences
The obligations of each Guarantor under this clause 18 will not be affected by an act, omission, matter or thing (whether or not known to it or any Finance Party) which, but for this clause 18, would reduce, release or prejudice any of its obligations under this clause 18 including (without limitation):

(a)
any time, waiver or consent granted to, or composition with, any Obligor or other person;

(b)
the release of any other Obligor or any other person under the terms of any composition or arrangement with any creditor of any other Obligor;

(c)
the taking, variation, compromise, exchange, renewal or release of, or refusal or neglect to perfect, take up or enforce, any rights against, or security over assets of, any Obligor
49


or other person or any non-presentation or non-observance of any formality or other requirement in respect of any instrument or any failure to realise the full value of any security;

(d)
any incapacity or lack of power, authority or legal personality of or dissolution or change in the members or status of an Obligor or any other person;

(e)
any amendment, novation, supplement, extension, restatement (however fundamental and whether or not more onerous) or replacement of any Finance Document or any other document or security including without limitation any change in the purpose of, any extension of or any increase in any facility or the addition of any new facility under any Finance Document or other document or security;

(f)
any unenforceability, illegality or invalidity of any obligation of any person under any Finance Document or any other document or security; or

(g)
any insolvency or similar proceedings.
18.5
Guarantors intent
Without prejudice to the generality of clause 18.4 (Waiver of defences), each Guarantor expressly confirms that it intends that this guarantee shall extend from time to time to any (however fundamental) variation, increase, extension or addition of or to any of the Finance Documents and/or any facility or amount made available under any of the Finance Documents.
18.6
Immediate recourse
Each Guarantor waives any right it may have of first requiring any Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) to proceed against or enforce any other rights or security or claim payment from any person before claiming from that Guarantor under this clause 18.  This waiver applies irrespective of any law or any provision of a Finance Document to the contrary.
18.7
Appropriations
Until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Obligors (other than any Charterer, the Sub-charterer or CSM) under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full, each Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) may:

(a)
refrain from applying or enforcing any other moneys, security or rights held or received by that Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) in respect of those amounts, or apply and enforce the same in such manner and order as it sees fit (whether against those amounts or otherwise) and neither Guarantor shall be entitled to the benefit of the same; and

(b)
hold in an interest-bearing suspense account any moneys received from a Guarantor or on account of either Guarantor’s liability under this clause 18.
18.8
Deferral of Guarantors’ rights

(a)
Until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Obligors (other than any Charterer, the Sub-charterer or CSM) under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full and unless the Agent otherwise directs, neither of the Guarantors will exercise any rights which it may have by reason of performance by it of its obligations under the Finance Documents or by reason of any amount being payable, or liability arising, under this clause 18:

(i)
to be indemnified by another Obligor;

(ii)
to claim any contribution from any other guarantor of any Obligor’s obligations under the Finance Documents;
50



(iii)
to take the benefit (in whole or in part and whether by way of subrogation or otherwise) of any rights of the Finance Parties under the Finance Documents or of any other guarantee or security taken pursuant to, or in connection with, the Finance Documents by any Finance Party;

(iv)
to bring legal or other proceedings for an order requiring any Obligor to make any payment, or perform any obligation, in respect of which that Guarantor has given a guarantee, undertaking or indemnity under this clause 18;

(v)
to exercise any right of set-off against any other Obligor; and/or

(vi)
to claim or prove as a creditor of any other Obligor in competition with any Finance Party.

(b)
If a Guarantor receives any benefit, payment or distribution in relation to such rights it will promptly pay an equal amount to the Agent for application in accordance with clause 39 (Payment mechanics) .   This only applies until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full.
18.9
Additional security
This guarantee is in addition to and is not in any way prejudiced by any other guarantee or security now or subsequently held by any Finance Party.
18.10
Guarantors’ rights and obligations

(a)
The obligations of each Guarantor under this guarantee and under this Agreement are joint and several.  Failure by a Guarantor to perform its obligations under this guarantee and/or this Agreement shall constitute a failure by both of the Guarantors.

(b)
Each Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally jointly and severally with the other Guarantor:

(i)
agrees that it is responsible for the performance of the obligations of the other Guarantor under this guarantee and this Agreement;

(ii)
acknowledges and agrees that it is a principal and original debtor in respect of all amounts due from both of the Guarantors under this guarantee and under this Agreement; and

(iii)
agrees with the Finance Parties that, if any obligation of the other Guarantor under this guarantee and this Agreement is or becomes unenforceable, invalid or illegal for any reason it will, as an independent and primary obligation, indemnify the Finance Parties or any of them immediately on demand against any and all Losses a Finance Party incurs as a result of the other Guarantor not paying any amount which would, but for such unenforceability, invalidity or illegality, have been payable by that other Guarantor under this guarantee and/or this Agreement.  The amount payable under this indemnity shall be equal to the amount which a Finance Party would otherwise have been entitled to recover.
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Section 8 - Representations, Undertakings and Events of Default
19
Representations
Each Obligor who is a Party makes and repeats the representations and warranties set out in this clause 19 to each Finance Party at the times specified in clause 19.34 (Times when representations are made) .
19.1
Status

(a)
Each Obligor is a corporation, duly incorporated and validly existing under the law of its Original Jurisdiction.

(b)
Each Obligor has power and authority to own its assets and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted within the scope of its purpose.

(c)
More specifically, CSM has remained at all times in compliance with the terms of the Monaco Law No. 767 of July 8, 1964 concerning the cancellation of authorisations to incorporate limited liability companies, which entails it has not:

(i)
without legitimate cause, remained with no true activity, in conformity with its “statuts” for more than two years;

(ii)
remained without due installation and personnel enabling the normal conduct of its business as authorised by the government of the Principality of Monaco;

(iii)
conducted an activity not in conformity with its “statuts”; or

(iv)
in any manner or for any reason, allowed non declared or non authorised activities to be undertaken or domiciled in its premises knowingly tolerated such,
and has received no notice, whether formal or informal, of possible steps towards such cancellation.
19.2
Binding obligations
Subject to the Legal Reservations:

(a)
the obligations expressed to be assumed by each Obligor in each Transaction Document to which it is, or is to be, a party are or, when entered into by it, will be legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations; and

(b)
(without limiting the generality of paragraph (a) above) each Security Document to which an Obligor is, or will be, a party, creates or will create the Security Interests which that Security Document purports to create and those Security Interests are or will be valid and effective.
19.3
Non-conflict
The entry into and performance by each Obligor of, and the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and the granting of the Transaction Security do not and will not conflict with:

(a)
any law or regulation applicable to any Obligor;

(b)
the Constitutional Documents of any Obligor; or

(c)
any agreement or other instrument binding upon any Obligor or its assets,
52


or constitute a default or termination event (however described) under any such agreement or instrument or result in the creation of any Security Interest (save for a Permitted Security Interest or under a Security Document) on any Obligor’s assets, rights or revenues.
19.4
Power and authority

(a)
Each Obligor has the power to enter into, perform and deliver and comply with its obligations under, and has taken all necessary actions to authorise its entry into, performance and delivery of, and compliance with, each Transaction Document to which it is, or is to be, a party and each of the transactions contemplated by those documents.

(b)
No limitation on any Obligor’s powers to borrow, create security or give guarantees will be exceeded as a result of any transaction under, or the entry into of, any Transaction Document to which such Obligor is, or is to be, a party.
19.5
Validity and admissibility in evidence

(a)
All Authorisations required:

(i)
to enable each Obligor lawfully to enter into, exercise its rights and comply with its obligations under each Transaction Document to which it is a party;

(ii)
to make each Transaction Document to which it is a party admissible in evidence in its Relevant Jurisdictions; and

(iii)
to ensure that the Transaction Security has the priority and ranking contemplated in the Security Documents,
have been obtained or effected or (as the case may be) will be obtained or effected when required and are or (as the case may be) will be when required in full force and effect except any Authorisation or filing referred to in clause 19.13 (No filing or stamp taxes), which Authorisation or filing will be promptly obtained or effected within any applicable period.

(b)
All Authorisations necessary for the conduct of the business, trade and ordinary activities of each Obligor have been obtained or effected and are in full force and effect, if failure to obtain or effect those Authorisations is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.
19.6
Governing law and enforcement

(a)
The choice of governing law of any Transaction Document will be recognised and enforced in each Obligor’s Relevant Jurisdictions.

(b)
Any judgment obtained in relation to any Transaction Document in the jurisdiction of the governing law of that Transaction Document will be recognised and enforced in the relevant Obligor’s Relevant Jurisdictions.
19.7
No misleading information

(a)
Any factual information contained in the Information Package is true and accurate in all material respects as at the date of the relevant report or document containing the information or (as the case may be) as at the date the information is expressed to be given.

(b)
Any financial projection or forecast contained in the Information Package has been prepared on the basis of recent historical information and on the basis of reasonable assumptions and was fair (as at the date of the relevant report or document containing the projection or forecast) and arrived at after careful consideration.
53



(c)
The expressions of opinion or intention provided by or on behalf of an Obligor for the purposes of the Information Package were made after careful consideration and (as at the date of the relevant report or document containing the expression of opinion or intention) were fair and based on reasonable grounds.

(d)
No event or circumstance has occurred or arisen and no information has been omitted from the Information Package and no information has been given or withheld that results in the information, opinions, intentions, forecasts or projections contained in the Information Package being untrue or misleading in any material respect.

(e)
For the purposes of this clause 19.7, Information Package means any information provided by any Obligor to any of the Finance Parties in connection with the Transaction Documents or the transactions referred to in them.
19.8
Pari passu ranking
Each Obligor’s payment obligations under the Finance Documents to which it is, or is to be, a party rank at least pari passu with all its other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated payment obligations, except for obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally.
19.9
Ranking and effectiveness of security
Subject to the Legal Reservations and any filing, registration or notice requirements which is referred to in any legal opinion delivered to the Agent under clause 4.1 (Initial conditions precedent) :

(a)
the Transaction Security has (or will have when the relevant Security Documents have been executed) the priority which it is expressed to have in the Security Documents;

(b)
the Charged Property is not subject to any Security Interest other than Permitted Security Interests; and

(c)
the Transaction Security will constitute perfected security on the assets described in the Security Documents.
19.10
Centre of main interests and establishments
For the purposes of The Council of the European Union Regulation No. 1346/2000 on Insolvency Proceedings (the Regulation ),   its centre of main interest (as that term is used in Article 3(1) of the Regulation) is situated in Greece or (in the case of CSM only) Monaco and it has no “establishment” (as that term is used in Article 2(h) of the Regulation) in any other jurisdiction.
19.11
Ownership of Charged Property
Each Obligor is the sole legal and beneficial owner of the Charged Property over which it purports to grant a Security Interest under the Security Documents.
19.12
No insolvency
No corporate action, legal proceeding or other procedure or step described in clause 30.8 (Insolvency proceedings) or creditors’ process described in clause 30.9 (Creditors’ process) has been taken or, to the knowledge of any Obligor, threatened in relation to a Group Member and none of the circumstances described in clause 30.7 (Insolvency) applies to any Obligor.
19.13
No filing or stamp taxes
Under the laws of each Obligor’s Relevant Jurisdictions it is not necessary that any Finance Document to which it is, or is to be, party be filed, recorded or enrolled with any court or other
54


authority in that jurisdiction or that any stamp, registration, notarial or similar Taxes or fees be paid on or in relation to any such Finance Document or the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents except registration of the Mortgage with the relevant Registry and any filing, recording or enrolling or any tax or fee payable in relation to any Finance Document which is referred to in any Legal Opinion and which will be made or paid promptly after the date of the relevant Finance Document.
19.14
Deduction of Tax
No Obligor (other than any Charterer, the Sub-charterer and CSM) is required to make any Tax Deduction (as defined in clause 13.1 (Definitions) )   from any payment it may make under any Finance Document to which it is, or is to be, a party and no other party is   required to make any such deduction from any payment it may make under any other Transaction Document.
19.15
Tax compliance

(a)
No Obligor (other than any Charterer, the Sub-charterer and CSM) is materially overdue in the filing of any Tax returns or overdue in the payment of any amount in respect of Tax exceeding $500,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency).

(b)
No claims or investigations are being, or are reasonably likely to be, made or conducted against any Obligor (other than any Charterer, the Sub-charterer or CSM) with respect to Taxes such that a liability of, or claim against, any Obligor (other than any Charterer, the Sub-charterer and CSM) is reasonably likely to arise for an amount for which adequate reserves have not been provided and which are reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(c)
Each Obligor is resident for Tax purposes only in its Original Jurisdiction.
19.16
Other Tax matters
The execution or delivery or performance by any Party of the Finance Documents will not result in any Finance Party having or being deemed to have a place of business in any Relevant Jurisdiction of any Obligor.
19.17
Pension exposure
No Obligor (other than CSM) is, or may be, liable to contribute funds to any form of pension scheme or similar arrangement except as required under applicable law or regulation (other than a scheme or arrangement where the benefits conferred by it on its members are calculated solely by reference to a payment or payments made by the relevant member or by any other person in respect of that member).
19.18
No Default

(a)
No Default is continuing or is reasonably expected to result from the making of any Utilisation or the entry into, the performance of, or any transaction contemplated by, any Transaction Document.

(b)
No other event or circumstance is outstanding which constitutes (or, with the expiry of a grace period, the giving of notice, the making of any determination or any combination of any of the foregoing, would constitute) a default or termination event (however described) under any other agreement or instrument which is binding on any Obligor or to which any Obligor’s assets are subject which is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.
19.19
No proceedings

(a)
Except as advised in writing to the Agent prior to the date of this Agreement, no litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings or investigations of, or before, any court, arbitral body or agency which, if adversely determined, might reasonably be expected to have a
55


Material Adverse Effect has or have (to the best of any Obligor’s knowledge and belief (having made due and careful enquiry)) been started or threatened against any Obligor.

(b)
No judgment or order of a court, arbitral tribunal or other tribunal or any order or sanction of any governmental or other regulatory body which is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect has (to the best of any Obligor’s knowledge and belief (having made due and careful enquiry)) been made against any Obligor or any other Group Member.
19.20
No breach of laws

(a)
No Obligor or other Group Member has breached any law or regulation.

(b)
No labour dispute is current or, to the best of any Obligor’s knowledge and belief (having made due and careful enquiry), threatened against any Obligor or other Group Member which is reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
19.21
Anti-corruption law
Each Obligor has conducted its businesses in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws and has instituted and maintained policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.
19.22
Security and Financial Indebtedness

(a)
No Security Interest exists over all or any of the present or future assets of any Obligor in breach of this Agreement.

(b)
No Obligor has any Financial Indebtedness outstanding in breach of this Agreement.
19.23
Shares

(a)
The shares of the Borrower are fully paid and not subject to any option to purchase or similar rights.

(b)
The Constitutional Documents of the Borrower do not and could not restrict or inhibit any transfer of those shares on creation or enforcement of the Security Documents.

(c)
There are no agreements in force which provide for the issue or allotment of, or grant any person the right to call for the issue or allotment of, any share or loan capital of the Borrower (including any option or right of pre-emption or conversion).
19.24
Ownership of Obligors
Each of the Borrower and the Astarte Guarantor is a wholly owned direct Subsidiary of the Top Ships Guarantor.
19.25
Listing
The shares of the Top Ships Guarantor are listed and trading on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange.
19.26
Accounting Reference Date
The Financial Year-end of each Obligor (other than any Charterer, the Sub-charterer and CSM) is the Accounting Reference Date.
19.27
No adverse consequences

(a)
It is not necessary under the laws of the Relevant Jurisdictions of any Obligor:
56



(i)
in order to enable any Finance Party to enforce its rights under any Finance Document to which it is, or is to be, a party; or

(ii)
by reason of the execution of any Finance Document or the performance by any Obligor of its obligations under any Finance Document,
that any Finance Party should be licensed, qualified or otherwise entitled to carry on business in any of such Relevant Jurisdictions.

(b)
No Finance Party is or will be deemed to be resident, domiciled or carrying on business in any Relevant Jurisdiction of any Obligor by reason only of the execution, performance and/or enforcement of any Finance Document.
19.28
Copies of documents
The copies of the Constitutional Documents of the Obligors (other than any Charterer and the Sub-charterer) delivered to the Agent under clause 4 (Conditions of Utilisation) will be true, complete and accurate copies of such documents and include all amendments and supplements to them as at the time of such delivery and no other agreements or arrangements exist between any of the parties to those Transaction Documents which would materially affect the transactions or arrangements contemplated by them or modify or release the obligations of any party under them.
19.29
No breach, etc of any Building Contract Document

(a)
No Obligor nor (so far as the Obligors are aware) any other person is in breach of any Building Contract Document to which it is a party nor has anything occurred which entitles or may entitle any party to rescind or terminate it or decline to perform their obligations under it or which would render it illegal, invalid or unenforceable.

(b)
None of the events set out in clause 7.7 (Mandatory Pre-delivery Cancellation) has occurred.

(c)
No dispute has occurred under:

(i)
any of the Building Contract Documents; or

(ii)
any other shipbuilding contract relating to the construction of any other vessel of any Group Member or any Obligor’s Affiliate by the Builder or under any refund guarantee issued in respect of the obligations of the Builder under that shipbuilding contract.
19.30
No immunity
No Obligor or any of its assets is immune to any legal action or proceeding.
19.31
Address commission
There are no rebates, commissions or other payments in connection with the Building Contract or any Charter other than those referred to in it.
19.32
Sanctions

(a)
No Obligor, nor any of its Affiliates nor any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives:

(i)
has breached any Sanctions;

(ii)
is a Restricted Person; or
57



(iii)
has received notice of or is aware of any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation against it with respect to Sanctions.

(b)
No proceeds of the Loan:

(i)
shall be made available, directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of a Restricted Person nor shall they be otherwise directly or indirectly, applied in a manner or for a purpose prohibited by applicable Sanctions; or

(ii)
will be used by any Obligor:

(A)
to finance equipment or sectors under embargo decisions of the United Nations or the World Bank; or

(B)
in breach of the provisions of any Sanctions.
19.33
No Money Laundering
In relation to the borrowing by the Borrower of the Loan or any part of it, the performance and discharge of the Obligors’ obligations and liabilities under the Finance Documents, and the transactions and other arrangements effected or contemplated by this Agreement and the other Finance Documents, the Obligors are acting for their own account and the foregoing will not involve or lead to a contravention of any law, official requirement or other regulatory measure or procedure which has been implemented by any relevant regulatory authority or otherwise to combat Money Laundering (as defined in clause 22.6 (Bribery and corruption) ).
19.34
Environmental matters

(a)
No Environmental Law applicable to any Fleet Vessel and/or any Obligor or other Group Member has been violated.

(b)
All consents, licences and approvals required under such Environmental Laws have been obtained and are currently in force.

(c)
No Environmental Claim has been made or, to the best of any Obligor’s knowledge and belief (having made due and careful enquiry), is threatened or pending against any Obligor or other Group Member or any Fleet Vessel where that claim might have a Material Adverse Effect and there has been no Environmental Incident which has given, or is reasonably expected to give, rise to such a claim.
19.35
No breach of any Charter Document
No Obligor nor (so far as the Obligors are aware) any other person is in breach of any Charter Document to which it is a party nor has anything occurred which entitles or may entitle any party to rescind or terminate it or decline to perform its obligations under it.
19.36
Collateral Ship status
The Collateral Ship will on the first day of the Mortgage Period be:

(a)
registered in the name of the Astarte Guarantor through the relevant Registry as a ship under the laws and flag of the relevant Flag State;

(b)
operationally seaworthy and in every way fit for service;

(c)
classed with the relevant Classification free of all requirements and recommendations of the relevant Classification Society; and

(d)
insured in the manner required by the Finance Documents.
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19.37
Collateral Ship’s employment
The Collateral Ship shall within five days of the Mortgage Period:

(a)
have been delivered, and accepted for service, under the relevant Charter; and

(b)
save for the relevant Charter, be free of any other charter commitment which, if entered into after that date, would require approval under the Finance Documents.
19.38
Times when representations are made

(a)
All of the representations and warranties set out in this clause 19 are deemed to be made on the dates of:

(i)
this Agreement;

(ii)
the first Utilisation Request; and

(iii)
the first Utilisation.

(b)
The Repeating Representations are deemed to be made on the dates of each subsequent Utilisation Request and each subsequent Utilisation Date and the first day of each Interest Period.

(c)
Each representation or warranty deemed to be made after the date of this Agreement shall be deemed to be made by reference to the facts and circumstances existing at the date the representation or warranty is deemed to be made.
20
Information undertakings
20.1
Undertaking to comply
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this clause 20 will be complied with throughout the Facility Period except as approved by the Majority Lenders (or where specified, all the Lenders).
20.2
Definitions
In this clause 20:
Annual Financial Statements means the financial statements for a Financial Year of the Top Ships Guarantor delivered pursuant to paragraph (a) of clause 20.3 (Financial statements) .
Semi-annual Financial Statements means the financial statements for the first financial half-year of each Financial Year of the Borrower or, as the case may be, the Top Ships Guarantor delivered pursuant to paragraph (b) of clause 20.3 (Financial statements) .
20.3
Financial statements

(a)
The Borrower shall supply to the Agent (in sufficient copies for all the Lenders, if the Agent so requests) as soon as the same become available, but in any event within 120 days after the end of each Financial Year (but commencing with the Financial Year ending 31 December 2018) the audited consolidated financial statements of the Top Ships Guarantor for that Financial Year.

(b)
The Borrower shall supply to the Agent as soon as the same become available, but in any event within 90 days after the end of the first financial half-year of each of its or, as the case may be, the Top Ships Guarantor’s Financial Years (but commencing with the financial half-year ending 31 December 2018):
59



(i)
the unaudited (or audited if available) financial statements of the Borrower for that financial half-year; and

(ii)
the unaudited (or audited if available) consolidated financial statements of the Top Ships Guarantor for that financial half-year.
204
Provision and contents of Compliance Certificate

(a)
The Borrower shall supply a Compliance Certificate to the Agent with each set of Annual Financial Statements and each set of Semi-Annual Financial Statements, in each case, delivered pursuant to clause 20.3 (Financial statements) .

(b)
Each Compliance Certificate shall set out (in reasonable detail) computations as to compliance with clause 21 (Financial covenants) .

(c)
Each Compliance Certificate shall be signed by a duly authorised signatory of the Top Ships Guarantor.
20.5
Requirements as to financial statements

(a)
The Borrower shall procure that each set of Annual Financial Statements and Semi-annual Financial Statements includes a profit and loss account, a balance sheet and a cashflow statement and that, in addition, each set of Annual Financial Statements shall be audited by the Auditors.

(b)
Each set of financial statements delivered pursuant to clause 20.3 (Financial statements) shall:

(i)
be prepared in accordance with GAAP; and

(ii)
fairly present, and be certified by a director of the relevant company as fairly presenting, its financial condition and operations as at the date as at which those financial statements were drawn up and, in the case of the Annual Financial Statements, shall be accompanied by any letter addressed to the management of the relevant company by the Auditors and accompanying those Annual Financial Statements; and

(iii)
in the case of Annual Financial Statements, not be the subject of any qualification in the Auditors’ opinion.
20.6
Year-end
The Borrower shall procure that each Financial Year-end of each Obligor (other than any Charterer and the Sub-charterer) and each Group Member falls on the Accounting Reference Date.
20.7
Information: miscellaneous
The Borrower shall supply to the Agent (in sufficient copies for all the Lenders, if the Agent so requests):

(a)
whilst an Event of Default is continuing and as soon as practicable after the time when they are dispatched, copies of all documents dispatched by any Obligor to its creditors generally (or any class of them);

(b)
promptly upon becoming aware of them, the details of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings which are current, threatened or pending against any Obligor or other Group Member, and which, if adversely determined, might have a Material Adverse Effect;
60



(c)
promptly upon becoming aware of them, the details of any judgment or order of a court, arbitral tribunal or other tribunal or any order or sanction of any governmental or other regulatory body which is made against any Obligor or other Group Member and which is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(d)
promptly upon becoming aware of them, the details of any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation with respect to Sanctions against any Obligor or any of its Affiliates or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives;

(e)
promptly, such information as the Agent or the Security Agent may reasonably require about the Charged Property and compliance of the Obligors with the terms of any Security Documents; and

(f)
promptly on request, such further information regarding the financial condition, assets and operations of any Obligor as any Finance Party through the Agent may reasonably request,
Provided always that the supply of such information would not result in a breach of any confidentiality undertaking of an Obligor.
20.8
Notification of Default

(a)
The Borrower shall notify the Agent of any Default (and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it) promptly upon any Obligor becoming aware of its occurrence (unless that Obligor is aware that a notification has already been provided by another Obligor).

(b)
Promptly upon a request by the Agent, the Borrower shall supply to the Agent a certificate signed by two of its directors certifying that no Default is continuing (or if a Default is continuing, specifying the Default and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it).
20.9
Sufficient copies
The Borrower, if so requested by the Agent, shall deliver sufficient copies of each document to be supplied under the Finance Documents to the Agent to distribute to each of the Lenders.
20.10
“Know your customer” checks

(a)
If:

(i)
the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any law or regulation made after the date of this Agreement;

(ii)
any change in the status of an Obligor or the composition of the shareholders of an Obligor after the date of this Agreement; or

(iii)
a proposed assignment by a Lender of any of its rights under this Agreement to a party that is not already a Lender prior to such assignment,
obliges the Agent or any Lender (or, in the case of paragraph (iii) above, any prospective new Lender) to comply with “know your customer” or similar identification procedures in circumstances where the necessary information is not already available to it, each Obligor shall within 7 Business Days after the request of the Agent or any Lender supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent (for itself or on behalf of any Lender) or any Lender (for itself or, in the case of the event described in paragraph (iii) above, on behalf of any prospective new Lender) in order for the Agent, such Lender or, in the case of the event described in paragraph (iii) above, any prospective new Lender to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents.
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(b)
Each Finance Party shall, promptly upon the request of the Agent or the Security Agent, supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent or the Security Agent (for itself) in order for it to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents.
21
Financial covenants
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this clause 21 will be complied with throughout the Facility Period.
21.1
Financial definitions
In clauses 21.2 (Financial condition) and 21.3 (Financial testing):
Cash and Cash Equivalents means, at any relevant time, the aggregate of:

(a)
cash in hand or on deposit with any bank; and

(b)
any other instrument, security or investment approved by the Majority Lenders,
which are free from any Security Interest and/or restrictions (other than any restriction arising exclusively from any covenant to maintain a minimum level of free liquidity and/or for the purposes of any debt service reserve account) and to which any Group Member is beneficially entitled at that time and which are readily available to Group Members and capable of being applied against Financial Indebtedness, as demonstrated by the then most recent Financial Statements.
Chartered Vessel means, at any relevant time, any vessel chartered in (the “charter-in commitment” )   by a Group Member for a period of six months or longer and which vessel at that time has not been chartered out by such Group Member to a third party on terms at least equal to the terms of the charter-in commitment for such vessel.
Financial Statements means any of the Annual Financial Statements or the Semi-annual Financial Statements of the Top Ships Guarantor referred to and defined as such in clause 20.2 (Definitions) .
Fleet Market Value means, as of the date of calculation, the aggregate market value of all:

(a)
Fleet Vessels; and

(b)
JV Vessels, as adjusted to reflect the relevant ownership percentage in such JV Vessels of the relevant Group Member,
in each case as most recently determined pursuant to valuations of such vessels provided to the Agent and made in accordance with the provisions of clause 27 (Minimum security value) of the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement which shall apply for the purposes of this definition mutatis mutandis to each Fleet Vessel and JV Vessel as if each such vessel were the Ship (as defined in the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement).
Fleet Vessels means each vessel owned or leased under a capital lease by a Group Member from time to time.
JV Vessel means each vessel owned by a Joint Venture into which a Group Member participates from time to time and Joint Vessels means all or any of them.
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Measurement Period means each financial year of the Top Ships Guarantor and the first financial half-year of each Financial Year of the Top Ships Guarantor for which Financial Statements are to be delivered to the Agent under clause 20.3 (Financial statements) .
Total Debt means, at any time, the sum (without duplication) of:

(a)
the Group’s liabilities in respect of principal under any Financial Indebtedness (provided however that any principal under any Financial Indebtedness incurred only by the Top Ships Guarantor which is not secured by security provided over an asset of the Group, shall not be taken into account); and

(b)
all liabilities of all Joint Ventures in respect of principal under any Financial Indebtedness secured by security provided over a JV Vessel, each such liability adjusted to reflect the relevant Group Member’s ownership percentage in such JV Vessel.
Total Net Debt means, at any time and in relation to any Measurement Period, Total Debt in relation to that Measurement Period minus Cash and Cash Equivalents, each as demonstrated by the then most recent Financial Statements.
21.2
Financial condition
Each Obligor who is a Party shall ensure that:

(a)
Leverage ratio: the ratio of Total Net Debt to Fleet Market Value shall, at all times during and in respect of each Measurement Period, be not higher than 0.75:1.00.

(b)
Minimum liquidity: at all times the Cash and Cash Equivalents shall not be less than the aggregate of:

(i)
$750,000 multiplied by the number of the Fleet Vessels; and

(ii)
$500,000 multiplied by the number of the Chartered Vessels.
21.3
Financial testing
The financial covenants set out in clause 21.2 (Financial condition) shall be calculated in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis and tested by reference to each of the Financial Statements delivered pursuant to, and defined as such in, clause 20.3 (Financial statements) .
22
General undertakings
22.1
Undertaking to comply
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this clause 21 will be complied with by and in respect of each Obligor throughout the Facility Period except as approved by the Majority Lenders (or where specified, all the Lenders).
22.2
Use of proceeds
The proceeds of Utilisations shall be used exclusively for the purposes specified in clause 3 (Purpose) .
22.3
Authorisations
Each Obligor shall promptly:

(a)
obtain, comply with and do all that is necessary to maintain in full force and effect; and

(b)
supply certified copies to the Agent of,
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any Authorisation required under any law or regulation of a Relevant Jurisdiction to:

(i)
enable it to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents;

(ii)
ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of any Transaction Document; and

(iii)
carry on its business where failure to do so has, or is reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect.
22.4
Compliance with laws
Each Obligor shall (and shall ensure that each other Group Member will), comply in all respects with all laws and regulations (including Environmental Laws) to which it may be subject.  Each Obligor shall (and shall ensure that each other Group Member will), comply in all respects with all Sanctions to the extent applicable to them.
22.5
Anti-corruption law

(a)
No Obligor shall (and shall ensure that no other Group Member will) directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the Facility for any purpose which would breach the Bribery Act 2010, the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the Monaco Law no. 1.362 of August 3 rd , 2009 as amended and supplemented or other similar legislation in other jurisdictions.

(b)
Each Obligor shall:

(i)
conduct its businesses in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws; and

(ii)
maintain policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.
22.6
Bribery and corruption

(a)
No Obligor nor any of its agents, employees, directors or officers has engaged or shall engage (and shall ensure that none of its Affiliates nor any of its agents, employees, directors or officers has engaged or will engage) in any Relevant Jurisdiction in:

(i)
Corrupt Practices, Fraudulent Practices, Collusive Practices or Coercive Practices, including the procurement or the execution of any contract for goods or works relating to its functions;

(ii)
Money Laundering or acted in breach of any applicable law relating to Money Laundering; or

(iii)
the Financing of Terrorism.

(b)
Without prejudice to the generality of clause 22.6(a):

(i)
No Obligor nor any of its agents, employees, directors or officers will (and shall ensure that none of its Affiliates nor any of its agents, employees, directors or officers will) directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the Facility for any purpose which would breach the Bribery Act 2010, the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or the Monaco Law no. 1.362 of August 3 rd , 2009 as amended and supplemented;

(ii)
each Obligor shall (and shall ensure that each of its Affiliates) and any of their agents, employees, directors or officers:
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(A)
conducts its businesses in compliance with the Bribery Act 2010, the United States Foregn Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or the Monaco Law no. 1.362 of August 3 rd , 2009 as amended and supplemented; and

(B)
maintains policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.

(c)
For the purposes of this clause 22.6 and clause 19.33 (No Money Laundering), the following definitions shall apply:
Collusive Practice means an arrangement between two or more parties without the knowledge, but designed to improperly influence the actions, of another party.
Corrupt Practice means the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting, directly or indirectly, anything of value to improperly influence the actions of another party.
Coercive Practice means impairing or harming or threatening to impair or harm, directly or indirectly, any party or its property or to improperly influence the actions of that party.
Financing of Terrorism means the act of providing or collecting funds with the intention that they be used, or in the knowledge that they are to be used, in order to carry out terrorist acts.
Fraudulent Practice means any action, including misrepresentation, to obtain a financial or other benefit or avoid an obligation, by deception.
Money Laundering means:

(i)
the conversion or transfer of property, knowing it is derived from a criminal offence, for the purpose of concealing or disguising its illegal origin or of assisting any person who is involved in the commission of the crime to evade the legal consequences of its actions;

(ii)
the concealment or disguise of the true nature, source, location, disposition, movement, rights with respect to, or ownership of, property knowing that it is derived from a criminal offence; or

(iii)
the acquisition, possession or use of property knowing at the time of its receipt that it is derived from a criminal offence.
22.7
Tax compliance

(a)
Each Obligor (other than any Charterer, the Sub-charterer and CSM) shall (and shall ensure that each other Group Member will) pay and discharge all Taxes imposed upon it or its assets within the time period allowed without incurring penalties in excess of $500,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) in aggregate, unless and only to the extent that:

(i)
such payment is being contested in good faith;

(ii)
adequate reserves are being maintained for those Taxes and the costs required to contest them which have been disclosed in its latest financial statements delivered to the Agent under clause 20.3 (Financial statements) ;   and

(iii)
such payment can be lawfully withheld.

(b)
Except as approved by the Majority Lenders, each Obligor (other than any Charterer, the Sub-charterer and CSM) shall maintain its residence for Tax purposes in its Original Jurisdiction and ensure that it is not resident for Tax purposes in any other jurisdiction.
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22.8
Change of business
Except as approved by the Majority Lenders, no substantial change will be made to the general nature of the business of any Obligor from that carried on at the date of this Agreement.
22.9
Merger
Except as approved by the Majority Lenders, no Obligor shall enter into any amalgamation, demerger, merger, consolidation, redomiciliation, legal migration or corporate reconstruction.
22.10
Pension exposure
No Obligor (other than CSM) is liable to contribute funds to any form of pension scheme or similar arrangement except as required by applicable law (other than a scheme or arrangement where the benefits conferred by it on its members are calculated solely by reference to a payment or payments made by the relevant member or by any other person in respect of that member).
22.11
Further assurance

(a)
Each Obligor shall promptly do all such acts or execute all such documents (including assignments, transfers, mortgages, charges, notices and instructions) as the Agent may reasonably specify (and in such form as the Agent or the Security Agent may reasonably require in favour of the Security Agent or its nominee(s)):

(i)
to perfect the Security Interests created or intended to be created by that Obligor under, or evidenced by, the Security Documents (which may include the execution of a mortgage, charge, assignment or other security over all or any of the assets which are, or are intended to be, the subject of the Security Documents) or for the exercise of any rights, powers and remedies of the Security Agent and/or any other Finance Parties provided by or pursuant to the Finance Documents or by law;

(ii)
to confer on the Security Agent and/or any other Finance Parties Security Interests over any property and assets of that Obligor located in any jurisdiction equivalent or similar to the Security Interest intended to be conferred by or pursuant to the Security Documents;

(iii)
to facilitate the realisation of the assets which are, or are intended to be, the subject of the Security Documents; and/or

(iv)
to facilitate the accession by a New Lender to any Security Document following an assignment in accordance with clause 31.1 (Assignments by the Lenders) .

(b)
Each Obligor shall take all such action as is available to it (including making all filings and registrations) as may be necessary for the purpose of the creation, perfection, protection or maintenance of any Security Interest conferred or intended to be conferred on the Security Agent and/or any other Finance Parties by or pursuant to the Finance Documents.
22.12
Negative pledge in respect of Charged Property and Obligor shares
Except as approved by the Majority Lenders and except for Permitted Security Interests, no Obligor will grant or allow to exist any Security Interest over any Charged Property or (except for the Transaction Security) the shares in any of the Obligors (other than any Charterer, the Sub-charterer or CSM) or any rights deriving from, or related to, such shares.
22.13
Sanctions

(a)
Each Obligor shall, and shall procure that any Affiliate of each Obligor shall, ensure that none of their respective directors, officers, agents, employees or persons acting on behalf
66


of the foregoing, is a Restricted Person or acts directly or indirectly on behalf of a Restricted Person.

(b)
No Obligor shall, and shall procure that none of its Affiliates shall, use any revenue or benefit derived from any activity or dealing with a Restricted Person in discharging any obligation due or owing to the Finance Parties.

(c)
Each Obligor shall not, and shall procure that each of its Affiliates will not, credit proceeds from any activity or dealing with a Restricted Person to any bank account held with any Finance Party in its name or in the name of any other person.

(d)
Each Obligor shall, and shall ensure that each of its Affiliates take measures to ensure compliance with Sanctions.

(e)
Each Obligor shall, and shall procure that each of its Affiliates shall, to the extent permitted by law, promptly upon becoming aware of them, supply to the Agent details of any claim, action, suit, proceedings or investigation against it with respect to Sanctions by any Sanctions Authority.
22.14
Environmental matters

(a)
The Agent will be notified as soon as reasonably practicable of any Environmental Claim being made against any Obligor or other Group Member or any Fleet Vessel which, if successful to any extent, is reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and of any Environmental Incident which may give rise to such a claim and will be kept regularly and promptly informed in reasonable detail of the nature of, and response to, any such Environmental Incident and the defence to any such claim.

(b)
Environmental Laws (and any consents, licences or approvals obtained under them) applicable to Fleet Vessels will not be violated.
22.15
Collateral Ship
On the Utilisation Date (as such term is defined in the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement) under the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement, the Astarte Guarantor shall:

(a)
execute the Collateral Documents; and

(b)
deliver to the Agent:

(i)
evidence that any Account required to be opened and established by the Astarte Guarantor under clause 28 (Bank accounts) has been opened and established, that any Account Security in respect of each such Account has been executed and delivered by the Astarte Guarantor and that any notice required to be given to an Account Bank under that Account Security has been given to it and acknowledged by it in the manner required by that Account Security and that an amount has been credited to it; and

(ii)
such corporate authorisations or other evidence of the authority of the parties to the Collateral Documents (other than the Finance Parties) in relation to their execution, and such other documents and evidence in respect of the Collateral Ship and the Collateral Documents of the type referred to in Part 2 of Schedule 3 (Conditions precedent) of the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement as shall be required by the Agent in its absolute discretion, in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.
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23
Construction period
23.1
Undertaking to comply
The Borrower undertakes that this clause 23 will be complied with throughout the period from the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Delivery and the end of the Facility Period.
23.2
Document of title
The Borrower shall give irrevocable instructions to the Builder to hold the Borrower’s Ship and any document of title to the Borrower’s Ship to the order and at the disposal of the Security Agent and ensure that the Builder complies with such instructions.
23.3
Performance of Building Contract
The Borrower shall duly and punctually observe and perform all the conditions and obligations imposed on it by the Building Contract.
23.4
Performance by Builder and Refund Guarantor
The Borrower shall use its best endeavours to ensure that the Builder performs its obligations under the Building Contract and builds the Borrower’s Ship diligently and that the Refund Guarantor performs its obligations under the Refund Guarantee.
23.5
Progress and information
Upon the Agent’s request, the Borrower shall advise the Agent of the progress of construction of the Borrower’s Ship and supply the Agent with such other information as the Agent may require about the construction of the Borrower’s Ship or the Building Contract or the Refund Guarantee.  In addition the Borrower shall promptly send to the Agent copies of any construction progress reports and updates send by the Builder to the Borrower in connection with the Borrower’s Ship as well as in connection with other vessels which have been ordered by Affiliates of the Borrower and which are under construction at the Builder during the Facility Period.
23.6
Arbitration under Building Contract
The Borrower shall promptly notify the Agent:

(a)
if either party to the Building Contract begins an arbitration under the Building Contract;

(b)
of the identity of the arbitrators; and

(c)
of the conclusion of the arbitration and the terms of any arbitration award.
23.7
Notification of certain events
The Borrower shall notify the Agent immediately if either party to the Building Contract cancels, rescinds, repudiates or otherwise terminates the Building Contract (or purports to do so) or rejects the Borrower’s Ship (or purports to do so) or if the Borrower’s Ship becomes a Total Loss or partial loss or is materially damaged or if a dispute arises under the Building Contract.
23.8
Conveyance on default
Where the Borrower’s Ship is (or is to be) sold in exercise of any power contained in the Pre-Delivery Security Assignment or otherwise conferred on the Security Agent, the Borrower shall execute, immediately upon the Agent’s request, such form of conveyance of the Borrower’s Ship as the Agent may require.
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23.9
Enforcement of rights
The Borrower shall do everything which the Agent requires for the purpose of enforcing the rights of the Borrower under the Building Contract and/or the Refund Guarantee and allow its name to be used by the Security Agent for that purpose.
23.10
Sale or other disposal
Except with approval of the Lenders, the Borrower will not dispose the Borrower’s Ship or any share or interest in it or its rights under the Building Contract or the Refund Guarantee or agree to do so.
23.11
Variations
Except with approval:

(a)
the Refund Guarantee will not be varied; and

(b)
the Building Contract shall not be varied and the specification of the Borrower’s Ship will not be changed:

(i)
in a way which might reasonably be expected to delay the delivery of the Borrower’s Ship beyond the Last Availability Date or be likely in the opinion of the Agent to put at risk the delivery of the Borrower’s Ship to the relevant Charterer;

(ii)
without the Refund Guarantor’s prior written approval; and

(iii)
in the case of the specification of the Borrower’s Ship, in a substantial way (as set out in paragraph (c) below)).

(c)
For this purpose, ordering any extras, additions or alterations will be deemed as being in a substantial way if their cost (or if the aggregate cost of the proposed work together with the cost of any additional work already ordered or change of specification already agreed) will alter the Contract Price by a cumulative amount greater than 2 per cent of the original Contract Price.  The Borrower shall agree in writing with the Builder the terms and specification of any such work before the work is put in hand irrespective of whether approval of that work is required under the Finance Documents.
23.12
Releases and waivers
Except with approval, there shall be no release of the Builder or the Refund Guarantor from any of its obligations under the Building Contract or the Refund Guarantee, no waiver of any breach of such obligations and no consent to anything which would otherwise be such a breach.
23.13
Rejection and cancellation
Except with approval, the Borrower shall not exercise any right which it may have to reject the Borrower’s Ship or cancel or rescind or otherwise terminate the Building Contract.
24
Dealings with Ships
24.1
Undertaking to comply
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this clause 24 will be complied with in relation to (a) the Borrower’s Ship throughout the Facility Period and (b) in relation to the Collateral Ship throughout the Mortgage Period except, in each case, as otherwise approved by the Majority Lenders (or where specified, all the Lenders).
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24.2
Sale or other disposal of Ships

(a)
Except with approval, the Borrower will not sell, or agree to, transfer, abandon or otherwise dispose of the Borrower’s Ship or any share or interest in it.

(b)
Except with approval, the Astarte Guarantor will not sell, or agree to, transfer, abandon or otherwise dispose of the Collateral Ship or any share or interest in unless it is so permitted under the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement and the relevant Post-Delivery Finance Documents and then only in accordance with the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement and the relevant Post-Delivery Finance Documents.
24.3
Chartering
Except with approval, neither Owner shall enter into any charter commitment for its Ship (except for the relevant Charter), which is:

(a)
a bareboat or demise charter or passes possession and operational control of such Ship to another person;

(b)
of a fixed duration exceeding 13 calendar months;

(c)
on terms as to payment or amount of hire which are materially less beneficial to it than the terms which at that time could reasonably be expected to be obtained on the open market for vessels of the same age and type as such Ship under charter commitments of a similar type and period; or

(d)
to another Obligor or Group Member.

(e)
Further, without prejudice to the rights of the Finance Parties under the provisions of this clause 24.3 and any other provisions of the Finance Documents, the Astarte Guarantor shall advise the Agent promptly of any proposed charter commitment in respect of the Collateral Ship of a fixed duration exceeding 13 calendar months, and:

(i)
deliver a copy of each such charter commitment to the Agent forthwith after it has been entered into;

(ii)
forthwith following a demand made by the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders):

(A)
execute a charter assignment in the form similar to the relevant Charter Assignment of any such charter commitment in favour of the Security Agent and any notice of assignment required in connection therewith; and

(B)
procure the service of any such notice of assignment on the relevant charterer and, unless expressly freely assignable, the acknowledgement of such notice by the relevant charterer;

(iii)
deliver to the Agent such documents and evidence of the type referred to in Schedule 3 (Conditions precedent) of the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement, in relation to any such charter assignment or any other related matter referred to in this clause 24.3(e) as the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders in their sole discretion) shall require; an

(iv)
pay on the Agent’s demand all documented legal costs and other costs incurred by the Agent and/or any other Finance Party in connection with or in relation to any such charter assignment or any other related matter referred to in this clause 24.3(b).
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24.4
Sharing of Earnings
Except with approval (which approval shall not be required regarding the Charter in relation to the Borrower’s Ship), neither Owner shall enter into any arrangement under which its Earnings may be shared with anyone else.
24.5
Payment of Earnings

(a)
The Borrower’s Earnings shall be paid in its Operating Account.  The Astarte Guarantor’s Earnings from the Collateral Ship shall be   paid in the way required by the General Assignment.

(b)
If any Earnings in respect of the Collateral Ship are held by brokers or other agents, they shall be paid to the Security Agent, if it requires this after the Earnings have become payable to it under the General Assignment.
24.6
Inspection
The Borrower shall procure that the Agent and/or surveyors or other persons appointed by it for such purpose shall be allowed by the Builder to board the Borrower’s Ship at all reasonable times to inspect it without interfering with the Borrower’s Ship’s operation or trading and after giving reasonable advance notice to the Borrower in writing and given all proper facilities needed for that purpose.  The Agent shall be given reasonable advance notice of any intended dry-docking of the Borrower’s Ship (whatever the purpose of that dry-docking).  The Borrower shall bear the cost of only one such inspection per calendar year so long as there is no Event of Default which is continuing in which case, the cost of all such inspections shall be borne by the Borrower.
24.7
Evidence of payments
The Agent shall be allowed proper and reasonable access to those accounting records when it reasonably requests it and, when it reasonably requires it, shall be given satisfactory evidence of the payments made by the Borrower during the Facility Period.
24.8
Survey report
As soon as reasonably practicable after the Agent requests it, the Agent shall be given a survey report on the construction of the Borrower’s Ship, from approved surveyors or inspectors.  If any recommendations are made in such a report they shall be complied with in the way and by the time recommended in the report if failure to do so could result in breach of any Finance Document.  The Borrower shall bear the costs of only one such report of the Borrower’s Ship per calendar year unless there is an Event of Default.
24.9
Collateral Ship’s name and registration

(a)
The Collateral Ship’s name shall only be changed with the prior written consent of the Agent.

(b)
The Collateral Ship shall be registered with the relevant Registry under the laws of its Flag State.  Except with approval, the Collateral Ship shall not be registered under any other flag or at any other port or fly any other flag (other than that of its Flag State).  If that registration is for a limited period, it shall be renewed at least 45 days before the date it is due to expire and the Agent shall be notified of that renewal at least 30 days before that date.

(c)
Nothing will be done and no action will be omitted if that might result in such registration being forfeited or imperilled or the Collateral Ship being required to be registered under the laws of another state of registry.
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24.10
Lay up
Except with approval, the Collaterals Ship shall not be laid up or deactivated.
24.11
Manager
A manager of the Collateral Ship shall not be appointed unless that manager and the terms of its appointment are approved (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld) (which approval of such manager shall not be required for as long as such manager is CSM) by the Lenders and that manager has delivered a duly executed Manager’s Undertaking to the Security Agent.  There shall be no material change to the terms of appointment of a manager whose appointment has been approved unless such change is also approved.
24.12
Copy of Mortgage on board
A properly certified copy of the Mortgage shall be kept on board the Collateral Ship with its papers and shown to anyone having business with the Collateral Ship which might create or imply any commitment or Security Interest over or in respect of the Collateral Ship (other than a lien for crew’s wages and salvage) and to any representative of the Agent or the Security Agent.
24.13
Notice of Mortgage
Subject to the terms of the Mortgage, a framed printed notice of the Mortgage shall be prominently displayed in the navigation room and in the Master’s cabin of the Collateral Ship.  Subject to the terms of the Mortgage, the notice must be in plain type and read as follows:
“NOTICE OF MORTGAGE
This Ship is subject to a second mortgage in favour of [here insert name of mortgagee] of [here insert address of mortgagee] .   Under the said mortgage and related documents, neither the owner nor any charterer nor the Master of this Ship has any right, power or authority to create, incur or permit to be imposed upon this Ship any commitments or encumbrances whatsoever other than for crew’s wages and salvage”.
No-one will have any right, power or authority to create, incur or permit to be imposed upon the Collateral Ship any lien whatsoever other than for crew’s wages and salvage.
24.14
Conveyance on default
Where the Collateral Ship is (or is to be) sold in exercise of any power conferred by the Security Documents, the Astarte Guarantor shall, upon the Agent’s request, immediately execute such form of transfer of title to the Collateral Ship as the Agent may require.
25
Condition and operation of Collateral Ship
25.1
Undertaking to comply
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this clause 25 will be complied with in relation to the Collateral Ship throughout the Mortgage Period except as approved by the Majority Lenders (or, where specified, all the Lenders).
25.2
Defined terms
In this clause 25:
applicable code means any code or prescribed procedures required to be observed by the Collateral Ship or the persons responsible for its operation under any applicable law (including but not limited to those currently known as the ISM Code and the ISPS Code).
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applicable law means all laws and regulations applicable to vessels registered in the Flag State or which for any other reason apply to the Collateral Ship or to its condition or operation at any relevant time.
applicable operating certificate means any certificates, vessel response plans, or other document relating to the Collateral Ship or its condition or operation required to be in force under any applicable law or any applicable code.
25.3
Repair
The Collateral Ship shall be kept in a good, safe and efficient state of repair.  The quality of workmanship and materials used to repair the Collateral Ship or replace any damaged, worn or lost parts or equipment shall be sufficient to ensure that the Collateral Ship’s value is not reduced.
25.4
Modification
Except with approval, the structure, type or performance characteristics of the Collateral Ship shall not be modified in a way which materially alters the Collateral Ship or materially reduces its value.
25.5
Removal of parts
Except with approval, no material part of the Collateral Ship or any equipment shall be removed from the Collateral Ship if to do so would materially reduce its value (unless at the same time it is replaced with equivalent parts or equipment owned by the Astarte Guarantor free of any Security Interests except under the Security Documents).
25.6
Third party owned equipment
Except with approval, equipment owned by a third party shall not be installed on the Collateral Ship if it cannot be removed without risk of causing damage to the structure or fabric of the Collateral Ship or incurring significant expense.
25.7
Maintenance of class; compliance with laws and codes
The Collateral Ship’s class shall be the relevant Classification.  The Collateral Ship and every person who owns, operates or manages the Collateral Ship shall comply with all applicable laws and the requirements of all applicable codes.  There shall be kept in force and on board the Collateral Ship or in such person’s custody any applicable operating certificates which are required by applicable laws or applicable codes to be carried on board the Collateral Ship or to be in such person’s custody.
25.8
Surveys
The Collateral Ship shall be submitted to any surveys which are required for it to maintain the Classification as its class.  Copies of reports of those surveys shall be provided promptly to the Agent if it so requests.
25.9
Inspection and notice of dry-docking
The Agent and/or surveyors or other persons appointed by it for such purpose shall be allowed to board the Collateral Ship at all reasonable times to inspect it without interfering with the Collateral Ship’s operation or trading and after giving reasonable advance notice to the Astarte Guarantor in writing and given all proper facilities needed for that purpose.  The Agent shall be given reasonable advance notice of any intended dry-docking of the Collateral Ship (whatever the purpose of that dry-docking).  The Astarte Guarantor shall bear the cost of only one such inspection per calendar year so long as there is no Event of Default which is continuing in which case, the cost of all such inspections shall be borne by the Astarte Guarantor.
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25.10
Prevention of arrest
All debts, damages, liabilities and outgoings (due and payable and not contested by the Astarte Guarantor in good faith) which have given, or are reasonably expected to give, rise to maritime, statutory or possessory liens on, or claims enforceable against, the Collateral Ship, its Earnings or Insurances shall be paid as soon as reasonably practicable and, in any event, discharged by their respective due dates.
25.11
Release from arrest
The Collateral Ship, its Earnings and Insurances shall be released from any arrest, detention, attachment or levy, and any legal process against the Collateral Ship shall be discharged, by whatever action is required to achieve that release or discharge in each case within 5 Business Days of the occurrence of any such event.
25.12
Information about Collateral Ship
The Agent shall promptly be given any information which it may reasonably require about the Collateral Ship or its employment, position, use or operation, including details of towages and salvages, and copies of all its charter commitments entered into by or on behalf of any Obligor whose duration exceeds 3 months and copies of any applicable operating certificates.
25.13
Notification of certain events
The Agent shall promptly be notified of:

(a)
any damage to the Collateral Ship where the cost of the resulting repairs is reasonably likely to exceed the relevant Major Casualty Amount;

(b)
any occurrence which is reasonably likely to result in the Collateral Ship becoming a Total Loss;

(c)
any requisition of the Collateral Ship for hire;

(d)
any Environmental Incident involving the Collateral Ship and Environmental Claim being made in relation to such an incident;

(e)
any withdrawal of any applicable operating certificate;

(f)
the receipt of notification that any application for such a certificate has been refused;

(g)
any requirement or recommendation made in relation to the Collateral Ship by any insurer or the relevant Classification Society or by any competent authority which is not, or cannot be, complied with in the manner or time required or recommended; and

(h)
any arrest or detention of the Collateral Ship or any exercise or purported exercise of a lien or other claim on the Collateral Ship or its Earnings or Insurances.
25.14
Payment of outgoings
All tolls, dues and other outgoings whatsoever in respect of the Collateral Ship and its Earnings and Insurances shall be paid promptly.  Proper accounting records shall be kept of the Collateral Ship and its Earnings.
25.15
Evidence of payments
The Agent shall be allowed proper and reasonable access to those accounting records when it reasonably requests it and, when it reasonably requires it, shall be given satisfactory evidence that:
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(a)
the wages and allotments and the insurance and pension contributions of the Collateral Ship’s crew are being timely and regularly paid;

(b)
all deductions from its crew’s wages in respect of any applicable Tax liability are being properly accounted for; and

(c)
the Collateral Ship’s master has no claim for disbursements other than those incurred by him or her in the ordinary course of trading on the voyage then in progress.
25.16
Repairers’ liens
The Collateral Ship shall not be put into any other person’s possession for work to be done on the Collateral Ship if the cost of that work will exceed or is likely to exceed the Major Casualty Amount for the Collateral Ship unless the Astarte Guarantor has established to the reasonable satisfaction of the Agent that it has sufficient reserves with the Account Bank to pay for such works or that person gives the Security Agent a written undertaking in approved terms not to exercise any lien on the Collateral Ship or its Earnings for any of the cost of such work.
25.17
Survey report
As soon as reasonably practicable after the Agent requests it, the Agent shall be given a report on the seaworthiness condition and/or safe operation of the Collateral Ship, from approved surveyors or inspectors appointed by the Agent.  If any recommendations are made in such a report they shall be complied with in the way and by the time recommended in the report if failure to do so could result in breach of any Finance Document.  The Astarte Guarantor shall bear the costs of only one such report of the Collateral Ship per calendar year unless there is an Event of Default.
25.18
Lawful use
The Collateral Ship shall not be employed:

(a)
in any way or in any activity which is unlawful under international law or the domestic laws of any relevant country;

(b)
in carrying illicit or prohibited goods;

(c)
in a way which may make it liable to be condemned by a prize court or destroyed, seized or confiscated; or

(d)
if there are hostilities in any part of the world (whether war has been declared or not), in carrying contraband goods,
and the persons responsible for the operation of the Collateral Ship shall take all necessary and proper precautions to ensure that this does not happen, including participation in industry or other voluntary schemes available to the Collateral Ship and in which leading operators of ships operating under the same flag or engaged in similar trades generally participate at the relevant time.
25.19
War zones
The Collateral Ship shall not enter or remain in any zone which has been declared a war zone by any government entity or the Collateral Ship’s war risk insurers unless the Astarte Guarantor has satisfied any requirements of the Collateral Ship’s insurers necessary to ensure that the Collateral Ship remains properly insured in accordance with the Finance Documents (including any requirement for the payment of extra insurance premiums) and has provided to the Agent in advance a report prepared by BankServe Insurance Services Ltd. confirming that the Collateral Ship is properly insured as set out in this clause 25.19.  The cost of such report shall be borne by the Astarte Guarantor.
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26
Insurance
26.1
Undertaking to comply
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this clause 26 shall be complied with in relation to the Collateral Ship and its Insurances throughout the Mortgage Period except as approved by the Majority Lenders (or, where specified, all the Lenders).
26.2
Insurance terms
In this clause 26:
excess risks means the proportion (if any) of claims for general average, salvage and salvage charges not recoverable under the hull and machinery insurances of the Collateral Ship in consequence of the value at which the Collateral Ship is assessed for the purpose of such claims exceeding its insured value.
excess war risk P&I cover means cover for claims only in excess of amounts recoverable under the usual war risk cover including (but not limited to) hull and machinery, crew and protection and indemnity risks.
hull cover means insurance cover against the risks identified in paragraph (a) of clause 26.3 (Coverage required) .
minimum hull cover means, in relation to the Collateral Ship, an amount equal at the relevant time to 120 per cent of the Collateral Loan at the relevant time.
P&I risks means the usual risks (including liability for oil pollution, excess war risk P&I cover) covered by a protection and indemnity association which is a member of the International Group of protection and indemnity associations (or, if the International Group ceases to exist, any other leading protection and indemnity association or other leading provider of protection and indemnity insurance) (including, without limitation, the proportion (if any) of any collision liability not covered under the terms of the hull cover).
26.3
Coverage required
The Collateral Ship shall at all times be insured:

(a)
against fire and usual marine risks (including excess risks) and war risks (including war protection and indemnity risks and terrorism risks) on an agreed value basis, for at least its minimum hull cover and no less than its market value;

(b)
against P&I risks for the highest amount then available in the insurance market for vessels of similar age, size and type as the Collateral Ship (but, in relation to liability for oil pollution, for an amount of not less than $1,000,000,000);

(c)
against such other risks (excluding loss of hire) and matters which the Agent notifies it that it considers reasonable for a prudent shipowner or operator to insure against at the time of that notice (having regard to general insurance market practice and law at the time but always excluding any loss of earnings cover); and

(d)
on terms which comply with the other provisions of this clause 26.
26.4
Placing of cover
The insurance coverage required by clause 26.3 (Coverage required) shall be:

(a)
in the name of the Astarte Guarantor and no other person (other than the Security Agent (and any other Finance Party required by the Agent) if required by the Agent) (unless
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such other person is approved and, if so required by the Agent, has duly executed and delivered a second priority assignment of its interest in the Collateral Ship’s Insurances to the Security Agent (and any other Finance Party required by the Agent) in an approved form and provided such supporting documents and opinions in relation to that assignment as the Agent requires);

(b)
if the Agent so requests, in the joint names of the Astarte Guarantor and the Security Agent (and any other Finance Party required by the Agent) (and, to the extent reasonably practicable in the insurance market, without liability on the part of the Security Agent or such Finance Party for premiums or calls);

(c)
in dollars or another approved currency;

(d)
arranged through approved brokers or direct with approved insurers or protection and indemnity or war risks associations;

(e)
in full force and effect; and

(f)
on approved terms and with approved insurers or associations.
26.5
Deductibles
The aggregate amount of any excess or deductible under the Collateral Ship’s hull cover shall not exceed the Major Casualty Amount.
26.6
Mortgagee’s insurance
The Astarte Guarantor shall within 5 Business Days reimburse to the Agent the cost (as conclusively certified by the Agent) of taking out and keeping in force in respect of the Collateral Ship on approved terms, or in considering or making claims under:

(a)
a mortgagee’s interest insurance and a mortgagee’s additional perils (all P&I risks) cover for the benefit of the Finance Parties for an amount up to 120 per cent of the Collateral Loan; and

(b)
any other insurance cover which the Agent reasonably requires (having regard to general insurance market practice and law at the time) in respect of any Finance Party’s interests and potential liabilities (whether as mortgagee of the Collateral Ship or beneficiary of the Security Documents).
26.7
Fleet liens, set off and cancellations
If the Collateral Ship’s hull cover also insures other vessels, the Security Agent shall either be given an undertaking in approved terms by the brokers or (if such cover is not placed through brokers or the brokers do not, under any applicable laws or insurance terms, have such rights of set off and cancellation) the relevant insurers that the brokers or (if relevant) the insurers will not:

(a)
set off against any claims in respect of the Collateral Ship any premiums due in respect of any of such other vessels insured; or

(b)
cancel that cover because of non-payment of premiums in respect of such other vessels,
or the Astarte Guarantor shall ensure that hull cover for the Collateral Ship is provided under a separate policy from any other vessels.
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26.8
Payment of premiums
All premiums, calls, contributions or other sums payable in respect of the Insurances shall be paid punctually and the Agent shall be provided with all relevant receipts or other evidence of payment upon request.
26.9
Details of proposed renewal of Insurances
At least 14 days (or such shorter period acceptable to the Agent) before any of the Insurances are due to expire, the Agent shall be notified of the names of the brokers, insurers and associations proposed to be used for the renewal of such Insurances and the amounts, risks and terms in, against and on which the Insurances are proposed to be renewed.
26.10
Instructions for renewal
At least seven days (or such shorter period acceptable to the Agent) before any of the Insurances are due to expire, instructions shall be given to brokers, insurers and associations for them to be renewed or replaced on or before their expiry.
26.11
Confirmation of renewal
The Insurances shall be renewed upon their expiry in a manner and on terms which comply with this clause 26 and confirmation of such renewal given by approved brokers or insurers to the Agent at least five days (or such shorter period as may be approved) before such expiry.
26.12
P&I guarantees
Any guarantee or undertaking required by any protection and indemnity or war risks association in relation to the Collateral Ship shall be provided when required by the association.
26.13
Insurance documents
The Agent shall be provided with pro forma copies of all insurance policies and other documentation issued by brokers, insurers and associations in connection with the Insurances as soon as they are available after they have been placed or renewed and all insurance policies and other documents relating to the Insurances shall be deposited with any approved brokers or (if not deposited with approved brokers) the Agent or some other approved person.
26.14
Letters of undertaking
Unless otherwise approved where the Agent is satisfied that equivalent protection is afforded by the terms of the relevant Insurances and/or any applicable law and/or a letter of undertaking provided by another person, on each placing or renewal of the Insurances, the Agent shall be provided promptly with letters of undertaking in an approved form (having regard to general insurance market practice and law at the time of issue of such letter of undertaking) from the relevant brokers, insurers and associations.
26.15
Insurance Notices and Loss Payable Clauses
The interest of the Security Agent as assignee of the Insurances shall be endorsed on all insurance policies and other documents by the incorporation of a Loss Payable Clause and an Insurance Notice in respect of the Collateral Ship and its Insurances signed by the Astarte Guarantor and, unless otherwise approved, each other person assured under the relevant cover (other than the Security Agent if it is itself an assured).
26.16
Insurance correspondence
If so required by the Agent, the Agent shall promptly be provided with copies of all written communications between the assureds and brokers, insurers and associations relating to any of the Insurances as soon as they are available.
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26.17
Qualifications and exclusions
All requirements applicable to the Insurances shall be complied with and the Insurances shall only be subject to approved exclusions or qualifications.
26.18
Independent report
If the Agent asks the Astarte Guarantor for a detailed report from an approved independent firm of marine insurance brokers giving their opinion on the adequacy of the Insurances then the Agent shall be provided promptly with such a report at no cost to the Agent or (if the Agent obtains such a report itself) the Astarte Guarantor shall reimburse the Agent for the cost of obtaining that report.  The Astarte Guarantor shall not bear the cost of more than one such report per calendar year, unless there is an Event of Default.
26.19
Collection of claims
All documents and other information and all assistance required by the Agent to assist it and/or the Security Agent in trying to collect or recover any claims under the Insurances shall be provided promptly (having regard to general market practice and law at the time).
26.20
Employment of Collateral Ship
The Collateral Ship shall only be employed or operated in conformity with the terms of the Insurances (including any express or implied warranties) and not in any other way (unless the insurers have consented and any additional requirements of the insurers have been satisfied).
26.21
Declarations and returns
If any of the Insurances are on terms that require a declaration, certificate or other document to be made or filed before the Collateral Ship sails to, or operates within, an area, those terms shall be complied with within the time and in the manner required by those Insurances.
26.22
Application of recoveries
All sums paid under the Insurances to anyone other than the Security Agent shall be applied in repairing the damage and/or in discharging the liability in respect of which they have been paid except to the extent that the repairs have already been paid for and/or the liability already discharged.
26.23
Settlement of claims
Any claim under the Insurances for a Total Loss or Major Casualty shall only be settled, compromised or abandoned with prior approval.
26.24
Change in insurance requirements
If the Agent gives notice to the Astarte Guarantor to change the terms and requirements of this clause 26 (which the Agent may only do, in such manner as it reasonably considers appropriate, as a result of changes of circumstances or practice after the date of this Agreement), this clause 26 shall be modified in the manner so notified by the Agent on the date 14 days after such notice from the Agent is received.
27
Chartering undertakings
27.1
Undertaking to comply
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this clause 27 will be complied with in relation to (a) the Borrower’s Ship and its Charter throughout the Facility Period and (b) the Collateral Ship
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and its Charter Documents throughout the Mortgage Period except as approved by the Majority Lenders (or where specified, all the Lenders).
27.2
Variations

(a)
Except with approval, the Charter in relation to the Borrower’s Ship shall not be materially varied.

(b)
Except with approval, the Charter Documents in relation to the Astarte Guarantor shall not be materially varied.
27.3
Releases and waivers

(a)
Except with approval, there shall be no release by the Borrower of any obligation of any other person under the Charter in relation to the Borrower’s Ship (including by way of novation or assignment), no waiver of any breach of any such obligation and no consent to anything which would otherwise be such a breach.

(b)
Except with approval, there shall be no release by the Astarte Guarantor (and the Astarte Guarantor shall procure that there will be no release by its Charterer) of any obligation of any other person under the Charter Documents in relation to the Collateral Ship (including by way of novation or assignment), no waiver of any breach of any such obligation and no consent to anything which would otherwise be such a breach.
27.4
Termination by the Borrower

(a)
Except with approval, the Borrower shall not terminate or rescind the Charter in relation to the Borrower’s Ship or withdraw the Borrower’s Ship from service under that Charter or take any similar action.

(b)
Except with approval, the Astarte Guarantor shall not (and it shall procure that the Charterer will not) terminate or rescind any Charter Document in relation to the Collateral Ship or withdraw such Ship from service under the Charter in relation to the Collateral Ship or take any similar action.
27.5
Charter performance

(a)
The Borrower shall perform its obligations under the Charter in relation to the Borrower’s Ship and use its best endeavours to ensure that each other party to it performs its obligations under the Charter in relation to the Borrower’s Ship.

(b)
The Astarte Guarantor shall (and it shall procure that the Charterer will) perform its obligations under the Charter Documents in relation to the Collateral Ship and it shall (and it shall procure that the Charterer will) use its best endeavours to ensure that each other party to them performs its obligations under the Charter Documents in relation to the Collateral Ship.
27.6
Payment of Charter Earnings

(a)
All Earnings which the Borrower is entitled to receive under the Charter in relation to the Borrower’s Ship shall be paid to its Operating Account (without any set-off or counter-claim and free and clear of any deductions or withholdings).

(b)
All Earnings which the Astarte Guarantor or (as the case may be) the relevant Charterer is entitled to receive under the Charter Documents shall be paid in the manner required by the relevant Security Documents in relation to the Collateral Ship.
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27.7
Notice of assignment
The Astarte Guarantor shall (and it shall procure that the Charterer will) give notice of assignment of the Charter Documents in relation to the Collateral Ship to the other parties to them in the form specified by the relevant Charter Assignment in relation to such Ship and:

(a)
subject to paragraph (b) below, shall ensure that the Agent receives a copy of that notice acknowledged by each addressee; or

(b)
if such Charter Documents are freely assignable, the Astarte Guarantor shall (and it shall procure that the Charterer will) use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the Agent receives a copy of that notice acknowledged by each addressee,
in each case, in the form specified therein as soon as practically possible after the relevant Charter Assignment in relation to the Collateral Ship has been executed.
28
Bank accounts
28.1
Undertaking to comply
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this clause 28 will be complied with throughout the Facility Period except as approved by the Majority Lenders (or where specified, all the Lenders).
28.2
Operating Account

(a)
Each Owner shall be the holder of one Account with an Account Bank which is designated as the “Operating Account” for the purposes of the Finance Documents.

(b)
The Earnings and all moneys payable to the relevant Owner shall be paid by the persons from whom they are due to the relevant Operating Account unless required to be paid to the Security Agent under the relevant Finance Documents.

(c)
The relevant Owner shall not withdraw amounts standing to the credit of an Operating Account except as permitted by paragraphs (d) or (as the case may be) (e) below.

(d)
If there is no continuing Event of Default, the Borrower may withdraw the following amounts from the relevant Operating Account for:

(i)
payments then due to Finance Parties under the Finance Documents (other than payments due in respect of a prepayment); and

(ii)
payments then due in respect of the price of goods or services purchased by the Borrower for the purpose of operating under the Building Contract and any other related agreement.

(e)
If there is no continuing Event of Default, the Astarte Guarantor may withdraw any amounts from the relevant Operating Account for any purpose which is permitted (or not prohibited) by this Agreement and the relevant Post-Delivery Finance Documents.
28.3
Other provisions

(a)
An Account may only be designated for the purposes described in this clause 28 if:

(i)
such designation is made in writing by the Agent and acknowledged by the relevant Account Holder(s) and specifies the name and address of the Account Bank and the number and any designation or other reference attributed to the Account;
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(ii)
an Account Security has been duly executed and delivered by the relevant Account Holder(s) in favour of the Security Agent (and any other Finance Party required by the Agent);

(iii)
any notice required by the Account Security to be given to an Account Bank has been given to, and acknowledged by, the Account Bank in the form required by the relevant Account Security; and

(iv)
the Agent, or its duly authorised representative, has received such documents and evidence it may require in relation to the Account and the relevant Account Security including documents and evidence of the type referred to in Schedule 3 (Conditions precedent) in relation to the Account and the relevant Account Security.

(b)
The rates of payment of interest and other terms regulating any Account will be a matter of separate agreement between the relevant Account Holder(s) and an Account Bank.

(c)
If an Account is a fixed term deposit account, the relevant Account Holder(s) may select the terms of deposits until the relevant Account Security has become enforceable and the Security Agent directs otherwise.

(d)
The relevant Account Holder(s) shall not close any Account or alter the terms of any Account from those in force at the time it is designated for the purposes of this clause 28 or waive any of its rights in relation to an Account except with approval.

(e)
The relevant Account Holder(s) shall deposit with the Security Agent all certificates of deposit, receipts or other instruments or securities relating to any Account, notify the Security Agent of any claim or notice relating to an Account from any other party and provide the Agent with any other information it may reasonably request concerning any Account.

(f)
Each of the Agent and the Security Agent agrees that if it is an Account Bank in respect of an Account then there will be no restrictions on creating a Security Interest over that Account as contemplated by this Agreement and it shall not (except with the approval of the Majority Lenders) exercise any right of combination, consolidation or set-off which it may have in respect of that Account in a manner adverse to the rights of the other Finance Parties.
29
Business restrictions
29.1
Undertaking to comply
Except as otherwise approved by the Majority Lenders each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this clause 29 will be complied with by and in respect of each person to which each relevant provision of this clause is expressed to apply throughout the Facility Period.
29.2
General negative pledge

(a)
In this clause 29.2, Quasi-Security means an arrangement or transaction described in paragraph (c) below.

(b)
The Borrower shall not create or permit to subsist any Security Interest over any of its assets except for Permitted Security Interests.

(c)
(Without prejudice to clauses 29.3 (Financial Indebtedness) and 29.7 (Disposals) ),   the Borrower shall not:

(i)
sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its assets on terms whereby they are or may be leased to, or re-acquired by, an Obligor or any other Group Member;
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(ii)
sell, transfer, factor or otherwise dispose of any of its receivables on recourse terms;

(iii)
enter into any arrangement under which money or the benefit of a bank or other account may be applied, set-off or made subject to a combination of accounts; or

(iv)
enter into any other preferential arrangement having a similar effect,
in circumstances where the arrangement or transaction is entered into primarily as a method of raising Financial Indebtedness or of financing the acquisition of an asset.

(d)
Paragraphs (b) and (c) above do not apply to any Security Interest or (as the case may be) Quasi-Security, those granted or expressed to be granted by any of the Security Documents;
29.3
Financial Indebtedness
The Borrower shall not incur or permit to exist, any Financial Indebtedness owed by it to anyone else except:

(a)
Financial Indebtedness incurred under the Finance Documents;

(b)
Financial Indebtedness permitted under clause 29.4 (Guarantees) ;   and

(c)
Financial Indebtedness permitted under clause 29.5 (Loans and credit) .
29.4
Guarantees
The Borrower shall not give or permit to exist, any guarantee by it in respect of indebtedness of any person or allow any of its indebtedness to be guaranteed by anyone other than in the normal course of chartering the Borrower’s Ship.
29.5
Loans and credit
The Borrower shall not be a creditor in respect of Financial Indebtedness other than in respect of trade credit on normal commercial terms in the ordinary course of its trading activities.
29.6
Bank accounts, operating leases and other financial transactions
The Borrower shall not:

(a)
maintain any current or deposit account with a bank or financial institution except for the relevant Operating Account and the deposit of money, operation of current accounts and the conduct of electronic banking operations through the relevant Operating Account;

(b)
hold cash in any account (other than the relevant Operating Account) over or in respect of which any set-off, combination of accounts, netting or Security Interest exists;

(c)
enter into any obligations under operating leases relating to assets; or

(d)
be party to any transaction, whether on or off balance sheet, that is not expressly permitted under this Agreement.
29.7
Disposals
The Borrower shall not enter into a single transaction or a series of transactions, whether related or not and whether voluntarily or involuntarily, to sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any asset.
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29.8
Contracts and arrangements with Affiliates
The Borrower shall not be party to any arrangement or contract with any of its Affiliates unless such arrangement or contract is on an arm’s length basis.
29.9
Subsidiaries
The Borrower shall not establish or acquire a company or other entity.
29.10
Acquisitions and investments
The Borrower shall not acquire any person, business, assets or liabilities or make any investment in any person or business or undertaking or enter into any joint-venture arrangement except:

(a)
the incurrence of liabilities in the ordinary course of its business; and

(b)
pursuant to any Finance Document or the Charter in respect of the Borrower’s Ship or the Building Contract Documents to which it is party.
29.11
Reduction of capital
The Borrower shall not redeem or purchase or otherwise reduce any of its equity or any other share capital or any warrants or any uncalled or unpaid liability in respect of any of them or reduce the amount (if any) for the time being standing to the credit of its share premium account or capital redemption or other undistributable reserve in any manner.
29.12
Increase in capital
The Borrower shall not issue shares or other equity interests to anyone who is not the Top Ships Guarantor.
29.13
Distributions and other payments
The Borrower shall not:

(a)
declare or pay (including by way of set-off, combination of accounts or otherwise) any dividend, charge, fee or other distribution (or interest on any unpaid dividend, charge, fee or other distribution) (whether in cash or in kind) on or in respect of its share capital (or any class of its share capital) or any warrants for the time being in issue;

(b)
repay or distribute any dividend or share premium reserve;

(c)
pay any management, advisory or other fee to or to the order of any of the shareholders of the Top Ships Guarantor;

(d)
redeem, repurchase, defease, retire or repay any of its share capital or resolve to do so; or

(e)
make any payment (including by way of set-off, combination of accounts or otherwise) by way of interest, or repayment, redemption, purchase or other payment, in respect of any shareholder loan, loan stock or similar instrument;
to any other person.
30
Events of Default
30.1
Each of the events or circumstances set out in this clause 30 (except clause 30.24 (Acceleration) )   is an Event of Default.
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30.2
Non-payment
An Obligor does not pay on the due date any amount payable pursuant to a Finance Document at the place at and in the currency in which it is expressed to be payable unless:

(a)
its failure to pay is caused by administrative or technical error or by a Disruption Event; and

(b)
payment is made within three (3) Business Days of its due date.
30.3
Financial covenants
The Obligors do not comply with clause 21 (Financial covenants) .
30.4
Other obligations

(a)
An Obligor does not comply with any provision of the Finance Documents (other than those referred to in clause 30.2 (Non-payment), clause 28.3 (Financial covenants) and the other provisions of this clause 28).

(b)
No Event of Default under paragraph (a) above will occur if the Agent considers that the failure to comply is capable of remedy and the failure is remedied within five Business Days of the earlier of (A) the Agent giving notice to the Borrower and (B) the Borrower or any other Obligor becoming aware of the failure to comply.
30.5
Misrepresentation
Any representation or statement made or deemed to be made by an Obligor in the Finance Documents or any other document delivered by or on behalf of any Obligor under or in connection with any Finance Document is or proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed to be made.
30.6
Cross default

(a)
Any Financial Indebtedness of any Obligor (other than any Charterer, the Sub-charterer or CSM) is not paid when due nor within any originally applicable grace period.

(b)
Any Financial Indebtedness of any Obligor (other than any Charterer, the Sub-charterer or CSM) is declared to be or otherwise becomes due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (however described).

(c)
Any commitment for any Financial Indebtedness of any Obligor (other than any Charterer, the Sub-charterer or CSM) is cancelled or suspended by a creditor of that Obligor as a result of an event of default (however described).

(d)
The counterparty to a Treasury Transaction entered into by the Top Ships Guarantor becomes entitled to terminate that Treasury Transaction early by reason of an event of default (however described).

(e)
An Event of Default will only occur under this clause 30.6 if the aggregate amount of Financial Indebtedness or commitment for Financial Indebtedness falling within this clause 30.6 is more than $500,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) in the case of the Borrower and $5,000,000 in the case of the Top Ships Guarantor (or its equivalent in any other currency).

(f)
Any creditor of any Obligor (other than any Charterer, the Sub-charterer or CSM) becomes entitled to declare any Financial Indebtedness of that Obligor due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (however described).
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30.7
Insolvency

(a)
An Obligor (other than CSM):

(i)
is unable or admits inability to pay its debts as they fall due;

(ii)
is deemed to, or is declared to, be unable to pay its debts under applicable law;

(iii)
suspends without the consent of the affected creditor(s) or threatens to suspend making payments on any of its debts; or

(iv)
by reason of actual or anticipated financial difficulties, commences negotiations with one or more of its creditors (excluding any Finance Party in its capacity as such) with a view to rescheduling all or substantially all of its Financial Indebtedness.

(b)
The value of the assets of any Obligor (other than any Charterer, the Sub-charterer or CSM) is less than its Total Debt.

(c)
A moratorium is declared in respect of any indebtedness of any Obligor exceeding in the case of the Top Ships Guarantor $1,500,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) in aggregate.
30.8
Insolvency proceedings

(a)
Any corporate action, legal proceedings or other procedure or step is taken in relation to:

(i)
the suspension of payments, a moratorium of any indebtedness, winding-up, dissolution, administration or reorganisation (by way of voluntary arrangement, scheme of arrangement or otherwise) of any Obligor (other than CSM);

(ii)
a composition, compromise, assignment or arrangement with any creditor of any Obligor (other than CSM);

(iii)
the appointment of a liquidator, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator, compulsory manager or other similar officer in respect of any Obligor (other than CSM) or any of its assets (including the directors of any Obligor (other than CSM) requesting a person to appoint any such officer in relation to it or any of its assets); or

(iv)
enforcement of any Security Interest over any assets of any Obligor (other than the Top Ships Guarantor and CSM) or over any assets of the Top Ships Guarantor having a value in excess of $1,500,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) in aggregate,
or any analogous procedure or step is taken in any jurisdiction.

(b)
Paragraph (a) above shall not apply to any winding-up petition (or analogous procedure or step) which is frivolous or vexatious and is discharged, stayed or dismissed within seven days of commencement or, if earlier, the date on which it is advertised.
30.9
Creditors’ process

(a)
Any expropriation, attachment, sequestration, distress, execution or any other analogous process or enforcement action (including enforcement by a landlord) affects any asset or assets of any Obligor (other than CSM) (having in the case of the Top Ships Guarantor a value in excess of $1,500,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) in aggregate) and is not discharged within seven days.
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(b)
Any judgment or order is made against any Obligor (other than CSM) or any other Group Member and is not stayed or complied with within fifteen days.
30.10
Unlawfulness and invalidity

(a)
It is or becomes unlawful for an Obligor to perform any of its obligations under the Finance Documents or any Transaction Security ceases to be effective.

(b)
Any obligation or obligations of any Obligor under any Finance Documents are not (subject to the Legal Reservations) or cease to be legal, valid, binding or enforceable and the cessation individually or cumulatively materially and adversely affects the interests of the Lenders under the Finance Documents.

(c)
Any Finance Document or any Transaction Security ceases to be in full force and effect or ceases to be legal, valid, binding, enforceable or effective or is alleged by a party to it (other than a Finance Party) to be ineffective for any reason.

(d)
Any Security Document does not create legal, valid, binding and enforceable security over the assets charged under that Security Document or the ranking or priority of such security is adversely affected.
30.11
Cessation of business
Any Obligor suspends or ceases to carry on (or threatens to suspend or cease to carry on) all or a material part of its business unless, in the case of CSM, CSM is substituted by another manager approved in accordance with clause 24.11 (Manager) .
30.12
Ownership of the Borrower
The Borrower is not or ceases to be a wholly-owned direct Subsidiary of the Top Ships Guarantor.
30.13
Expropriation
The authority or ability of any Obligor or any other Group Member to conduct its business is limited or wholly or substantially curtailed by any seizure, expropriation, nationalisation, intervention, restriction or other action by or on behalf of any governmental, regulatory or other authority or other person in relation to any Obligor or any other Group Member or any assets of any Obligor or any other Group Member unless, in the case of CSM, CSM is substituted by another manager approved in accordance with clause 24.11 (Manager) .
30.14
Repudiation and rescission of Finance Documents
An Obligor rescinds or purports to rescind or repudiates or purports to repudiate a Finance Document or any of the Transaction Security or evidences an intention to rescind or repudiate a Finance Document or any Transaction Security.
30.15
Litigation
Either:

(a)
any litigation, alternative dispute resolution, arbitration or administrative, governmental, regulatory or other investigations, proceedings or disputes are commenced or threatened; or

(b)
any judgment or order of a court, arbitral tribunal or other tribunal or any order or sanction of any governmental or other regulatory body is made,
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in relation to any Transaction Document or the transactions contemplated in the Transaction Documents or against any Obligor or any of its assets, rights or revenues which has or might have a Material Adverse Effect.
30.16
Material Adverse Effect
Any event or circumstance (including any change of law) occurs which the Majority Lenders reasonably believe has, or is reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect.
30.17
Security enforceable
Any Security Interest (other than a Permitted Maritime Lien) in respect of Charged Property becomes enforceable.
30.18
Political risk

(a)
Either (1) any Relevant Jurisdiction of an Obligor becomes involved in hostilities or civil war or (2) there is a seizure of power in any such Relevant Jurisdiction by unconstitutional means and (in either such case) in the opinion of the Agent such event or circumstance, has or is reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

(b)
No Event of Default under paragraph (a) above will occur if:

(i)
in the opinion of the Agent it is practicable for action to be taken by the Borrower to prevent the relevant event or circumstance having a Material Adverse Effect; and

(ii)
the Borrower takes such action to the Agent’s satisfaction within 14 days of notice from the Agent (specifying the relevant action to be taken) to do so.
30.19
Post-Delivery Events
A Post-Delivery Event occurs.
30.20
Sanctions

(a)
Any of the Obligors or any Affiliate of any of them or any of their respective directors, officers, agents, employees or other persons acting on behalf of the foregoing, becomes a Restricted Person or becomes owned or controlled by, or acts directly or indirectly on behalf of, a Restricted Person or any of such persons becomes the owner or controller of a Prohibited Person; or

(b)
Any proceeds of the Loan are made available, directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of a Restricted Person or otherwise is, directly or indirectly, applied in a manner or for a purpose prohibited by applicable Sanctions; or

(c)
Any Obligor or any of their respective Affiliates or any of their respective directors, officers, agents, employees or other persons acting on behalf of the foregoing, is not in compliance with all applicable Sanctions.
30.21
Insurance

(a)
The Insurances of the Collateral Ship are not placed and kept in force in the manner required by clause 26 (Insurance).

(b)
Any insurer either:

(i)
cancels any such Insurances; or

(ii)
disclaims liability under them or asserts that its liability under them is or should be reduced by reason of any m is-statement or failure or default by any person.
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30.22
Collateral Ship
The Astarte Guarantor does not comply with clause 22.15 (Collateral Ship) .
30.23
De-listing or suspension of trading
The shares of the Top Ships Guarantor are de-listed from, or suspended from trading (whether permanently or temporarily for a period of at least five (5) consecutive days) on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange.
30.24
Acceleration
On and at any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing the Agent may, and shall if so directed by the Majority Lenders:

(a)
by notice to the Borrower:

(i)
declare that no withdrawals be made from any Account;

(ii)
cancel the Total Commitments at which time they shall immediately be cancelled;

(iii)
declare that all or part of the Loan, together with accrued interest, and all other amounts accrued or outstanding under the Finance Documents be immediately due and payable, at which time they shall become immediately due and payable; and/or

(iv)
declare that all or part of the Loan be payable on demand, at which time it shall immediately become payable on demand by the Agent on the instructions of the Majority Lenders; and/or

(b)
exercise or direct the Security Agent and/or any other beneficiary of the Security Documents to exercise any or all of its rights, remedies, powers or discretions under the Finance Documents.
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Section 9 - Changes to Parties
31
Changes to the Lenders
31.1
Assignments by the Lenders
Subject to this clause 31, a Lender (the Existing Lender )   may assign any of its rights under any Finance Document to another bank or financial institution or to a trust, fund or other entity which is regularly engaged in or established for the purpose of making, purchasing or investing in loans, securities or other financial assets (the New Lender )   always at the cost of the Existing Lender (including any assignment taking place in the context of any syndication).
31.2
Other conditions of assignment

(a)
An assignment will only be effective:

(i)
on receipt by the Agent of written confirmation from the New Lender (in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent) that the New Lender will assume the same obligations to the Borrower and the other Finance Parties as it would have been under if it was an Original Lender;

(ii)
on the New Lender entering into any documentation required for it to accede as a party to any Security Document to which the Existing Lender is a party in its capacity as a Lender and, in relation to such Security Documents, completing any filing, registration or notice requirements;

(iii)
on the performance by the Agent of all necessary “know your customer” or similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations relating to any person that it is required to carry out in relation to such assignment to a New Lender, the completion of which the Agent shall promptly notify to the Existing Lender and the New Lender; and

(iv)
if that Existing Lender assigns equal fractions of its Commitment and participation in the Loan and each Utilisation (if any) under the Facility.

(b)
Each New Lender, by executing the relevant Transfer Certificate, confirms, for the avoidance of doubt, that the Agent has authority to execute on its behalf any amendment or waiver that has been approved by or on behalf of the requisite Lender or Lenders in accordance with the Finance Documents on or prior to the date on which the assignment becomes effective in accordance with the Finance Documents and that it is bound by that decision to the same extent as the Existing Lender would have been had it remained a Lender.
31.3
Fee and expenses
The New Lender shall, on the date upon which an assignment takes effect, promptly on demand, pay the Agent and the Security Agent the amount of:

(a)
all costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by the Agent or the Security Agent in connection with any such assignment; and

(b)
any cost, loss or liability the Agent or the Security Agent incurs in relation to all stamp duty, registration and other similar Taxes payable in respect of any such assignment.
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31.4
Transfer costs and expenses relating to security
The New Lender shall, promptly on demand, pay the Agent and the Security Agent the amount of:

(a)
all costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by the Agent or the Security Agent to facilitate the accession by the New Lender to, or assignment or transfer to the New Lender of, any Security Document and/or the benefit of any Security Document and any appropriate registration of any such accession or assignment or transfer; and

(b)
any cost, loss or liability the Agent or the Security Agent incurs in relation to all stamp duty, registration and other similar Taxes payable in respect of any such accession, assignment or transfer.
31.5
Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders

(a)
Unless expressly agreed to the contrary, an Existing Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility to a New Lender for:

(i)
the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of the Finance Documents, the Transaction Security or any other documents;

(ii)
the financial condition of any Obligor;

(iii)
the performance and observance by any Obligor or any other person of its obligations under the Finance Documents or any other documents;

(iv)
the application of any Basel II Regulation or Basel III Regulation to the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents; or

(v)
the accuracy of any statements (whether written or oral) made in or in connection with any Finance Document or any other document,
and any representations or warranties implied by law are excluded.

(b)
Each New Lender confirms to the Existing Lender and the other Finance Parties that it:

(i)
has made (and shall continue to make) its own independent investigation and assessment of:

(A)
the financial condition and affairs of the Obligors and their related entities in connection with its participation in this Agreement; and

(B)
the application of any Basel II Regulation or Basel III Regulation to the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents;
and has not relied exclusively on any information provided to it by the Existing Lender or any other Finance Party in connection with any Transaction Document or the Transaction Security;

(ii)
will continue to make its own independent appraisal of the application of any Basel II Regulation or Basel III Regulation to the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents; and

(iii)
will continue to make its own independent appraisal of the creditworthiness of each Obligor and its related entities whilst any amount is or may be outstanding under the Finance Documents or any Commitment is in force.
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(c)
Nothing in any Finance Document obliges an Existing Lender to:

(i)
accept a re-assignment from a New Lender of any of the rights assigned under this clause 31; or

(ii)
support any losses directly or indirectly incurred by the New Lender by reason of the non-performance by any Obligor of its obligations under any Transaction Document or by reason of the application of any Basel II Regulation to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents or otherwise.
31.6
Procedure available for assignment

(a)
Subject to the conditions set out in clause 31.2 (Other conditions of assignment) an assignment may be effected in accordance with paragraph (d) below when (a) the Agent executes an otherwise duly completed Transfer Certificate and (b) the Agent executes any document required under paragraph (a) of clause 31.2 (Other conditions of assignment) which it may be necessary for it to execute in each case delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender duly executed by them and, in the case of any such other document, any other relevant person.  The Agent shall, subject to paragraph (b) below, as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt by it of a Transfer Certificate and any such other document each duly completed, appearing on its face to comply with the terms of this Agreement and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, execute that Transfer Certificate and such other document.

(b)
The Agent shall only be obliged to execute a Transfer Certificate delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender once it is satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to the assignment to such New Lender.

(c)
The Obligors who are Parties and the other Finance Parties irrevocably authorise the Agent to execute any Transfer Certificate on their behalf without any consultation with them.

(d)
On the Transfer Date:

(i)
the Existing Lender will assign absolutely to the New Lender the rights under the Finance Documents expressed to be the subject of the assignment in the Transfer Certificate;

(ii)
the Existing Lender will be released by each Obligor and the other Finance Parties from the obligations owed by it (the Relevant Obligations )   and expressed to be the subject of the release in the Transfer Certificate (but the obligations owed by the Obligors under the Finance Documents shall not be released); and

(iii)
the New Lender shall become a Party as a “Lender” and will be bound by obligations equivalent to the Relevant Obligations.

(e)
Lenders may utilise procedures other than those set out in this clause 31.6 to assign their rights under the Finance Documents (but not, without the consent of the relevant Obligor or unless in accordance with this clause 31.6 to obtain a release by that Obligor from the obligations owed to that Obligor by the Lenders nor the assumption of equivalent obligations by a New Lender) provided that they comply with the conditions set out in clause 31.2 (Other conditions of assignment) .
31.7
Copy of Transfer Certificate to Borrower
The Agent shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after it has executed a Transfer Certificate and any other document required under paragraph (a) of clause 31.2 (Other conditions of
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assignment), send a copy of that Transfer Certificate and such other documents to the Borrower.
31.8
Security over Lenders’ rights
In addition to the other rights provided to Lenders under this clause 31, each Lender may without consulting with or obtaining consent from any Obligor, at any time charge, assign or otherwise create a Security Interest in or over (whether by way of collateral or otherwise) all or any of its rights under any Finance Document to secure obligations of that Lender including, without limitation:

(a)
any charge, assignment or other Security Interest to secure obligations to a federal reserve or central bank; and

(b)
any charge, assignment or other Security Interest granted to any holders (or trustee or representatives of holders) of obligations owed, or securities issued, by that Lender as security for those obligations or securities,
except that no such charge, assignment or other Security Interest shall:

(i)
release a Lender from any of its obligations under the Finance Documents or substitute the beneficiary of the relevant charge, assignment or other Security Interest for the Lender as a party to any of the Finance Documents; or

(ii)
require any payments to be made by an Obligor other than or in excess of, or grant to any person any more extensive rights than, those required to be made or granted to the relevant Lender under the Finance Documents.
32
Changes to the Obligors
No Obligor may assign any of its rights or transfer any of its rights or obligations under the Finance Documents.
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Section 10 - The Finance Parties
33
Roles of Agent, Security Agent and Arranger
33.1
Appointment of the Agent and Security Agent
Each other Finance Party (other than the Security Agent) appoints:

(a)
the Agent to act as its agent under and in connection with the Finance Documents; and

(b)
the Security Agent to act as its agent and as trustee under the Security Documents.
33.2
Security Agent as trustee
The Security Agent declares that it holds the Security Property on trust for itself and the other Finance Parties on the terms contained in this Agreement.
33.3
Authorisation of Agent and Security Agent
Each of the Finance Parties authorises the Agent and the Security Agent:

(a)
to perform the duties, obligations and responsibilities and to exercise the rights, powers, authorities and discretions specifically given to the Agent or (as the case may be) the Security Agent under or in connection with the Finance Documents together with any other incidental rights, powers, authorities and discretions; and

(b)
to execute each of the Security Documents and all other documents that may be approved by the Majority Lenders for execution by it.
33.4
Instructions to Agent and the Security Agent

(a)
The Agent and the Security Agent shall:

(i)
subject to paragraphs (d) and (e) below, exercise or refrain from exercising any right, power, authority or discretion vested in it as Agent or (as the case may be) the Security Agent in accordance with any instructions given to it by:

(A)
all Lenders if the relevant Finance Document stipulates the matter is an all Lender decision; and

(B)
in all other cases, the Majority Lenders; and

(ii)
not be liable for any act (or omission) if it acts (or refrains from acting) in accordance with paragraph (i) above (or, if the relevant Finance Document stipulates the matter is a decision for any other Finance Party or group of Finance Parties, in accordance with instructions given to it by that Finance Party or group of Finance Parties).

(b)
The Agent and the Security Agent shall be entitled to request instructions, or clarification of any instruction, from the Majority Lenders (or, if the relevant Finance Document stipulates the matter is a decision for any other Finance Party or group of Finance Parties, from that Finance Party or group of Finance Parties) as to whether, and in what manner, it should exercise or refrain from exercising any right, power, authority or discretion and the Agent or (as the case may be) the Security Agent may refrain from acting unless and until it receives those instructions or that clarification.
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(c)
Save in the case of decisions stipulated to be a matter for any other Finance Party or group of Finance Parties under the relevant Finance Document and, unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document, any instructions given to the Agent or (as the case may be) the Security Agent by the Majority Lenders shall override any conflicting instructions given by any other Parties and will be binding on all Finance Parties.

(d)
Paragraph (a) above shall not apply:

(i)
where a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document;

(ii)
where a Finance Document requires the Agent or the Security Agent to act in a specified manner or to take a specified action; and

(iii)
in respect of any provision which protects the Agent’s or the Security Agent’s own position in its personal capacity as opposed to its role of the Agent or the Security Agent for the Finance Parties including, without limitation, clause 33.9 (No duty to account) to clause 33.14 (Exclusion of liability), clause 33.19 (Confidentiality) to clause 34.6 (Custodians and nominees) and clauses 34.9 (Acceptance of title) to 34.12 (Disapplication of Trustee Acts) .

(e)
If giving effect to instructions given by any other Finance Party or group of Finance Parties would (in the Agent’s or (as the case may be) the Security Agent’s opinion) have an effect equivalent to an amendment or waiver which is subject to clause 45 (Amendments and waivers), the Agent or (as the case may be) the Security Agent shall not act in accordance with those instructions unless consent to it so acting is obtained from each Party (other than itself) whose consent would have been required in respect of that amendment or waiver.

(f)
The Agent or the Security Agent may refrain from acting in accordance with any instructions of any other Finance Party or group of Finance Parties until it has received any indemnification and/or security that it may in its discretion require (which may be greater in extent than that contained in the Finance Documents and which may include payment in advance) for any cost, loss or liability (together with any applicable VAT) which it may incur in complying with those instructions.

(g)
Without prejudice to the provisions of clause 35 (Enforcement of Transaction Security) and the remainder of this clause 33, in the absence of instructions, the Agent and the Security Agent may act (or refrain from acting) as it considers to be in the best interest of the Lenders.
33.5
Legal or arbitration proceedings
Neither the Agent nor the Security Agent is authorised to act on behalf of another Finance Party (without first obtaining that Finance Party’s consent) in any legal or arbitration proceedings relating to any Finance Document.  This clause 33.5 shall not apply to any legal or arbitration proceeding relating to the perfection, preservation or protection of rights under the Security Documents or enforcement of the Transaction Security.
33.6
Duties of the Agent and the Security Agent

(a)
The Agent’s and the Security Agent’s duties under the Finance Documents are solely mechanical and administrative in nature.

(b)
Subject to paragraph (c) below, the Agent or (as the case may be) the Security Agent shall promptly:
95



(i)
(in the case of the Security Agent) forward to the Agent a copy of any document received by the Security Agent from any Obligor under any Finance Document; and

(ii)
forward to a Party the original or a copy of any document which is delivered to the Agent or (as the case may be) the Security Agent for that Party by any other Party.

(c)
Without prejudice to clause 31.7 (Copy of Transfer Certificate to Borrower), paragraph (b) above shall not apply to any Transfer Certificate.

(d)
Except where a Finance Document specifically provides otherwise, neither the Agent nor the Security Agent is obliged to review or check the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any document it forwards to another Party.

(e)
Without prejudice to clause 36.10 (Notification of prescribed events), if the Agent or the Security Agent receives notice from a Party referring to this Agreement, describing a Default and stating that the circumstance described is a Default, it shall promptly notify the other Finance Parties.

(f)
If the Agent is aware of the non-payment of any principal, interest, commitment fee or other fee payable to a Finance Party (other than the Agent or the Arranger or the Security Agent for their own account) under this Agreement, it shall promptly notify the other Finance Parties.

(g)
The Agent shall provide to the Borrower within five Business Days of a request by the Borrower (but no more frequently than once per calendar month), a list (which may be in electronic form) setting out the names of the Lenders as at the date of that request, their respective Commitments and the address (and the department or officer, if any, for whose attention any communication is to be made) of each Lender for any communication to be made or document to be delivered under or in connection with the Finance Documents, the electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the sending and receipt of information by electronic mail or other electronic means to and by each Lender to whom any communication under or in connection with the Finance Documents may be made by that means and the account details of each Lender for any payment to be distributed by the Agent to that Lender under the Finance Documents.

(h)
The Agent and the Security Agent shall have only those duties, obligations and responsibilities expressly specified in the Finance Documents to which it is expressed to be a party (and no others shall be implied).
33.7
Role of the Arranger
Except as specifically provided in the Finance Documents, the Arranger has no obligations of any kind to any other Party under or in connection with any Finance Document or the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents.
33.8
No fiduciary duties
Nothing in any Finance Document constitutes the Agent, the Security Agent or the Arranger as a trustee or fiduciary of any other person except to the extent that the Security Agent acts as trustee for the other Finance Parties pursuant to clause 33.2 (Security Agent as trustee) .
33.9
No duty to account
None of the Agent, the Security Agent or the Arranger shall be bound to account to any other Finance Party for any sum or the profit element of any sum received by it for its own account.
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33.10
Business with the Group
The Agent, the Security Agent and the Arranger may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of banking or other business with any Obligor or other Group Member or their Affiliates.
33.11
Rights and discretions of the Agent and the Security Agent

(a)
The Agent and the Security Agent may:

(i)
rely on any representation, communication, notice or document believed by it to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised;

(ii)
assume that:

(A)
any instructions received by it from the Majority Lenders, any Lenders or other Finance Parties or any group of Lenders or other Finance Parties are duly given in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents;

(B)
unless it has received notice of revocation, that those instructions have not been revoked; and

(C)
in the case of the Security Agent, if it receives any instructions to act in relation to the Transaction Security, that all applicable conditions under the Finance Documents for so acting have been satisfied; and

(iii)
rely on a certificate from any person:

(A)
as to any matter of fact or circumstance which might reasonably be expected to be within the knowledge of that person; or

(B)
to the effect that such person approves of any particular dealing, transaction, step, action or thing,
as sufficient evidence that that is the case and, in the case of paragraph (A) above, may assume the truth and accuracy of that certificate.

(b)
The Agent and the Security Agent may assume (unless it has received notice to the contrary in its capacity as agent or (as the case may be) security trustee for the other Finance Parties) that:

(i)
no Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction:

(A)
has been entered into;

(B)
has been terminated; or

(C)
has ceased to be with a Borrower Affiliate;

(ii)
no Default has occurred (unless (in the case of the Agent) it has actual knowledge of a Default arising under clause 30.2 (Non-payment) );

(iii)
any right, power, authority or discretion vested in any Party or any group of Finance Parties has not been exercised; an

(iv)
any notice or request made by the Borrower (other than (in the case of the Agent) a Utilisation Request) is made on behalf of and with the consent and knowledge of all the Obligors.
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(c)
Each of the Agent and the Security Agent may engage and pay for the advice or services of any lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, insurance consultants, ship managers, valuers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts.

(d)
Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (c) above or paragraph (e) below, each of the Agent and the Security Agent may at any time engage and pay for the services of any lawyers to act as independent counsel to it (and so separate from any lawyers instructed by the Lenders or any other Finance Party) if it, in its reasonable opinion, deems this to be necessary.

(e)
Each of the Agent and the Security Agent may rely on the advice or services of any lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, insurance consultants, ship managers, valuers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts (whether obtained by it or by any other Party) and shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of its so relying.

(f)
The Agent, the Security Agent, any Receiver and any Delegate may act in relation to the Finance Documents, the Transaction Security and the Security Property through its officers, employees and agents and shall not:

(i)
be liable for any error of judgment made by any such person; or

(ii)
be bound to supervise, or be in any way responsible for any loss incurred by reason of misconduct, omission or default on the part, of any such person,
unless such error or such loss was directly caused by the Agent’s, the Security Agent’s, Receiver’s or Delegate’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

(g)
Unless any Finance Document expressly specifies otherwise, the Agent or the Security Agent may disclose to any other Party any information it reasonably believes it has received as agent or security trustee under this Agreement.

(h)
Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (g) above, the Agent:

(i)
may disclose; and

(ii)
on the written request of the Borrower or the Majority Lenders shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, disclose,
the identity of a Defaulting Lender to the other Finance Parties and the Borrower.

(i)
Notwithstanding any other provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, none of the Agent, the Security Agent nor the Arranger is obliged to do or omit to do anything if it would or might in its reasonable opinion constitute a breach of any law or regulation or a breach of a fiduciary duty or duty of confidentiality.

(j)
Notwithstanding any provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, neither the Agent nor the Security Agent is obliged to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of its duties, obligations or responsibilities or the exercise of any right, power, authority or discretion if it has grounds for believing the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against, or security for, such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

(k)
Neither the Agent nor the Arranger shall be obliged to request any certificate, opinion or other information under clause 20 (Information undertakings) unless so required in writing by a Lender, in which case the Agent shall promptly make the appropriate request of the Borrower if such request would be in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
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33.12
Responsibility for documentation and other matters
None of the Agent, the Security Agent, the Arranger, any Receiver or any Delegate is responsible or liable for:

(a)
the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any information (whether oral or written) supplied by the Agent, the Security Agent, the Arranger, an Obligor or any other person in or in connection with any Finance Document or the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document;

(b)
the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any Transaction Document, the Transaction Security or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Transaction Document, the Transaction Security or the Security Property;

(c)
the application of any Basel II Regulation or Basel III Regulation to the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents;

(d)
(in the case of the Security Agent) any loss to the Security Property arising in consequence of the failure, depreciation or loss of any Charged Property or any investments made or retained in good faith or by reason of any other matter or thing;

(e)
the failure of any Obligor or any other party to perform its obligations under any Transaction Document or the financial condition of any such person;

(f)
(save as otherwise provided in this clause 33) taking or omitting to take any other action under or in relation to the Security Documents;

(g)
any other beneficiary of a Security Document failing to perform or discharge any of its duties or obligations under any Finance Document; or

(h)
any determination as to whether any information provided or to be provided to any Finance Party is non-public information the use of which may be regulated or prohibited by any applicable law or regulation relating to insider dealing or otherwise.
33.13
No duty to monitor
Neither the Agent nor the Security Agent shall be bound to enquire:

(a)
whether or not any Default has occurred;

(b)
as to the performance, default or any breach by any Party or any Obligor of its obligations under any Finance Document; or

(c)
whether any other event specified in any Finance Document has occurred.
33.14
Exclusion of liability

(a)
Without limiting paragraph (b) below (and without prejudice to any other provision of any Finance Document excluding or limiting the liability of the Agent, the Security Agent, any Receiver or Delegate), none of the Agent, the Security Agent, any Receiver nor any Delegate will be liable (including, without limitation, for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever) for:

(i)
any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value, or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of taking or not taking any action under or in
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connection with any Finance Document or the Security Property, unless directly caused by its gross negligence or wilful misconduct;

(ii)
exercising, or not exercising, any right, power, authority or discretion given to it by, or in connection with, any Finance Document, the Security Property or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with, any Finance Document or the Security Property;

(iii)
any shortfall which arises on the enforcement or realisation of the Security Property; or

(iv)
without prejudice to the generality of paragraphs (i) to (iii) above, any damages, costs, losses, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of:

(A)
any act, event or circumstance not reasonably within its control; or

(B)
the general risks of investment in, or the holding of assets in, any jurisdiction,
including (in each case and without limitation) such damages, costs, losses, diminution in value or liability arising as a result of: nationalisation, expropriation or other governmental actions; any regulation, currency restriction, devaluation or fluctuation; market conditions affecting the execution or settlement of transactions or the value of assets (including any Disruption Event), breakdown, failure or malfunction of any third party transport, telecommunications, computer services or systems; natural disasters or acts of God; war, terrorism, insurrection or revolution; or strikes or industrial action.

(b)
No Party (other than the Agent, the Security Agent, that Receiver or that Delegate (as applicable)) may take any proceedings against any officer, employee or agent of the Agent, the Security Agent, a Receiver or a Delegate in respect of any claim it might have against the Agent, the Security Agent, a Receiver or a Delegate or in respect of any act or omission of any kind by that officer, employee or agent in relation to any Transaction Document or any Security Property and any officer, employee or agent of the Agent, the Security Agent, a Receiver or a Delegate may rely on this clause subject to clause 1.4 (Third party rights) and the provisions of the Third Parties Act.

(c)
Neither of the Agent or the Security Agent will be liable for any delay (or any related consequences) in crediting an account with an amount required under the Finance Documents to be paid by it if it has taken all necessary steps as soon as reasonably practicable to comply with the regulations or operating procedures of any recognised clearing or settlement system used by it for that purpose.

(d)
Nothing in any Finance Document shall oblige the Agent, the Security Agent or the Arranger to carry out:

(i)
any “know your customer” or other checks in relation to any person; or

(ii)
any check on the extent to which any transaction contemplated by any of the Finance Documents might be unlawful for any Finance Party or for any Affiliate of any Finance Party,
on behalf of any other Finance Party and each other Finance Party confirms to the Agent, the Security Agent and the Arranger that it is solely responsible for any such checks it is required to carry out and that it may not rely on any statement in relation to such checks made by the Agent, the Security Agent or the Arranger.
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(e)
Without prejudice to any provision of any Finance Document excluding or limiting the liability of the Agent, the Security Agent, any Receiver or any Delegate, any liability of the Agent, the Security Agent, any Receiver or any Delegate arising under or in connection with any Finance Document or the Security Property shall be limited to the amount of actual loss which has been finally judicially determined to have been suffered (as determined by reference to the date of default of the Agent, the Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate (as the case may be) or, if later, the date on which the loss arises as a result of such default) but without reference to any special conditions or circumstances known to the Agent, the Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate (as the case may be) at any time which increase the amount of that loss.  In no event shall the Agent, the Security Agent, any Receiver or any Delegate be liable for any loss of profits, goodwill, reputation, business opportunity or anticipated saving, or for special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages, whether or not the Agent, the Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate (as the case may be) has been advised of the possibility of such loss or damages.
33.15
Lenders’ indemnity to the Agent and others

(a)
Each Lender shall (in proportion to its share of the Total Commitments or, if the Total Commitments are then zero, to its share of the Total Commitments immediately prior to their being reduced to zero) indemnify the Agent, the Security Agent, every Receiver and every Delegate, within three Business Days of demand, against any Losses (including, without limitation, for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever) incurred by any of them (otherwise than by reason of the relevant Agent’s, Security Agent’s, Receiver’s or Delegate’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct) (or, in the circumstances contemplated pursuant to clause 39.11 (Disruption to payment systems etc, notwithstanding the Agent’s negligence, gross negligence, or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Agent) in acting as Agent, Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate under, or exercising any authority conferred under, the Finance Documents (unless the relevant Agent, Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate has been reimbursed by an Obligor pursuant to a Finance Document).

(b)
Subject to paragraph (c) below, the Borrower shall immediately on demand reimburse any Lender for any payment that Lender makes to the Agent or the Security Agent or any Receiver or Delegate pursuant to paragraph (a) above.

(c)
Paragraph (b) above shall not apply to the extent that the indemnity payment in respect of which the Lender claims reimbursement relates to a liability of the Agent or the Security Agent to an Obligor.
33.16
Resignation of the Agent or the Security Agent

(a)
The Agent or the Security Agent may resign and appoint one of its Affiliates as successor by giving notice to the other Finance Parties and the Borrower.

(b)
Alternatively the Agent or the Security Agent may resign by giving 30 days’ notice to the other Finance Parties and the Borrower, in which case the Majority Lenders may appoint a successor Agent or Security Agent.

(c)
If the Majority Lenders have not appointed a successor Agent or Security Agent in accordance with paragraph (b) above within 20 days after notice of resignation was given, the retiring Agent or Security Agent (after consultation with (in the case of the Agent) the Borrower or (in the case of the Security Agent) the Agent) may appoint a successor Agent or Security Agent.

(d)
If the Agent or Security Agent wishes to resign because (acting reasonably) it has concluded that it is no longer appropriate for it to remain as agent or trustee and the
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Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent is entitled to appoint a successor Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent under paragraph (c) above, the Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent may (if it concludes (acting reasonably) that it is necessary to do so in order to persuade the proposed successor Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent to become a party to this Agreement as Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent) agree with the proposed successor Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent amendments to this clause 33 and any other term of this Agreement dealing with the rights or obligations of the Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent consistent with then current market practice for the appointment and protection of corporate trustees together with any reasonable amendments to the fee payable to it in its capacity as Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent under this Agreement which are consistent with the successor Agent’s or (as the case may be) Security Agent’s normal fee rates and those amendments will bind the Parties.

(e)
The retiring Agent or Security Agent shall make available to the successor Agent or Security Agent such documents and records and provide such assistance as the successor Agent or Security Agent may reasonably request for the purposes of performing its functions as Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent under the Finance Documents.  The Borrower shall, within three Business Days of demand, reimburse the retiring Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent for the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) (together with any applicable VAT) properly incurred by it in making available such documents and records and providing such assistance.

(f)
The Agent’s or Security Agent’s resignation notice shall only take effect upon:

(i)
the appointment of a successor; and

(ii)
(in the case of the Security Agent) the transfer or assignment of all the Transaction Security and the other Security Property to that successor and any appropriate filings or registrations, any notices of transfer or assignment and the payment of any fees or duties related to such transfer or assignment which the Security Agent considers necessary or advisable have been duly completed.

(g)
Upon the appointment of a successor, the retiring Agent or Security Agent shall be discharged from any further obligation in respect of the Finance Documents (other than its obligations under paragraph (b) of clause 34.10 (Winding up of trust) and paragraph (e) above) but shall remain entitled to the benefit of clauses 15.3 ((Indemnity to the Agent and the Security Agent) and 15.4 (Indemnify concerning security) and this clause 33 (and any agency or other fees for the account of the retiring Agent or Security Agent in its capacity as such shall cease to accrue from (and shall be payable on) that date).  Any successor and each of the other Parties shall have the same rights and obligations amongst themselves as they would have had if that successor had been an original Party.

(h)
The Agent shall resign in accordance with paragraph (b) above (and, to the extent applicable, shall use reasonable endeavours to appoint a successor Agent pursuant to paragraph (c) above) if on or after the date which is three months before the earliest FATCA Application Date relating to any payment to the Agent under the Finance Documents, either:

(i)
the Agent fails to respond to a request under clause 13.7 (FATCA Information) and the Borrower or a Lender reasonably believes that the Agent will not be (or will have ceased to be) a FATCA Exempt Party on or after that FATCA Application Date;
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(ii)
the information supplied by the Agent pursuant to clause 13.7 (FATCA Information) indicates that the Agent will not be (or will have ceased to be) a FATCA Exempt Party on or after that FATCA Application Date; or

(iii)
the Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the Agent will not be (or will have ceased to be) a FATCA Exempt Party on or after that FATCA Application Date,
and (in each case) the Borrower or a Lender reasonably believes that a Party will be required to make a FATCA Deduction that would not be required if the Agent were a FATCA Exempt Party, and the Borrower or that Lender, by notice to the Agent, requires it to resign.
33.17
Replacement of the Agent

(a)
After consultation with the Borrower, the Majority Lenders may, by giving 30 days’ notice to the Agent (or, at any time the Agent is an Impaired Agent, by giving any shorter notice determined by the Majority Lenders) replace the Agent by appointing a successor Agent.

(b)
The retiring Agent shall (at its own cost if it is an Impaired Agent and otherwise at the expense of the Lenders) make available to the successor Agent such documents and records and provide such assistance as the successor Agent may reasonably request for the purposes of performing its functions as Agent under the Finance Documents.

(c)
The appointment of the successor Agent shall take effect on the date specified in the notice from the Majority Lenders to the retiring Agent.  As from this date, the retiring Agent shall be discharged from any further obligation in respect of the Finance Documents (other than its obligations under paragraph (b) above) but shall remain entitled to the benefit of clauses 15.3 ((Indemnity to the Agent and the Security Agent) and 15.4 (Indemnity concerning security) and this clause 33 (and any agency fees for the account of the retiring Agent shall cease to accrue from (and shall be payable on) that date).

(d)
Any successor Agent and each of the other Parties shall have the same rights and obligations amongst themselves as they would have had if such successor had been an original Party.
33.18
Replacement of the Security Agent
The Majority Lenders may, by notice to the Security Agent, require it to resign in accordance with paragraph (b) of clause 33.16 (Resignation of the Agent or the Security Agent) .   In this event, the Security Agent shall resign in accordance with that paragraph.
33.19
Confidentiality

(a)
In acting as agent or trustee for the Finance Parties, the Agent or (as the case may be) the Security Agent shall be regarded as acting through its agency, trustee or other division or department directly responsible for the management of the Finance Documents which shall be treated as a separate entity from any other of its divisions or departments.

(b)
If information is received by another division or department of the Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent, it may be treated as confidential to that division or department and the Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent shall not be deemed to have notice of it.

(c)
Notwithstanding any other provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, none of the Agent, the Security Agent nor the Arranger is obliged to disclose to any other person
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(i) any confidential information or (ii) any other information if the disclosure would, or might in its reasonable opinion, constitute a breach of any law or regulation or a breach of a fiduciary duty.
33.20
Agent’s relationship with the Lenders

(a)
The Agent may treat the person shown in its records as Lender at the opening of business (in the place of the Agent’s principal office as notified to the Finance Parties from time to time) as the Lender acting through its Facility Office:

(i)
entitled to or liable for any payment due under any Finance Document on that day; and

(ii)
entitled to receive and act upon any notice, request, document or communication or make any decision or determination under any Finance Document made or delivered on that day,
unless it has received not less than five Business Days prior notice from that Lender to the contrary in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(b)
Any Lender may by notice to the Agent appoint a person to receive on its behalf all notices, communications, information and documents to be made or despatched to that Lender under the Finance Documents.  Such notice shall contain the address and (where communication by electronic mail or other electronic means is permitted under clause 41.6 (Electronic communication) )   electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the sending and receipt of information by that means (and, in each case, the department or officer, if any, for whose attention communication is to be made) and be treated as a notification of a substitute address, electronic mail address, department and officer (or such other information) by that Lender for the purposes of clause 41.2 (Addresses) and clause 41.6 (Electronic communication) and the Agent shall be entitled to treat such person as the person entitled to receive all such notices, communications, information and documents as though that person were that Lender or (as the case may be).
33.21
Information from the Finance Parties
Each Finance Party shall supply the Agent or the Security Agent with any information that the Agent or (as the case may be) the Security Agent may reasonably specify as being necessary or desirable to enable the Agent or (as the case may be) the Security Agent to perform its functions as Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent.
33.22
Credit appraisal by the Finance Parties
Without affecting the responsibility of any Obligor for information supplied by it or on its behalf in connection with any Finance Document, each other Finance Party confirms to the Agent, the Security Agent and the Arranger that it has been, and will continue to be, solely responsible for making its own independent appraisal and investigation of all risks arising under or in connection with any Finance Document including but not limited to:

(a)
the financial condition, status and nature of each Obligor and other Group Member;

(b)
the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any Transaction Document, the Transaction Security, the Security Property and any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Transaction Document, the Transaction Security or the Security Property;
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(c)
the application of any Basel II Regulation or Basel III Regulation to the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents;

(d)
whether that Finance Party has recourse, and the nature and extent of that recourse, against any Party or any of its respective assets under or in connection with any Finance Document, the Transaction Security, the Security Property, the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document, the Transaction Security or the Security Property;

(e)
the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any information provided by the Agent, the Security Agent, the Arranger or any other Party or by any other person under or in connection with any Transaction Document, the transactions contemplated by any Transaction Document or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Transaction Document; and

(f)
the right or title of any person in or to, or the value or sufficiency of, any part of the Charged Property, the priority of any of the Transaction Security or the existence of any Security Interest affecting the Charged Property.
33.23
Deduction from amounts payable by the Agent
If any Party owes an amount to the Agent under the Finance Documents the Agent may, after giving notice to that Party, deduct an amount not exceeding that amount from any payment to that Party which the Agent would otherwise be obliged to make under the Finance Documents and apply the amount deducted in or towards satisfaction of the amount owed.  For the purposes of the Finance Documents that Party shall be regarded as having received any amount so deducted.
33.24
Reliance and engagement letters
Each of the Agent, the Security Agent and the Arranger may enter into any reliance letter or engagement letter relating to any valuations, reports, opinions or letters or advice or assistance provided by lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, insurance consultants, ship managers, valuers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts in connection with the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents on such terms as it may consider appropriate (including, without limitation, restrictions on the lawyer’s, accountant’s, tax adviser’s, insurance consultant’s, ship manager’s, valuer’s, surveyor’s or other professional adviser’s or expert’s liability and the extent to which their valuations, reports, opinions or letters may be relied on or disclosed).
34
Trust and security matters
34.1
Undertaking to pay

(a)
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes with the Security Agent as trustee for the Finance Parties that it will, on demand by the Security Agent, pay to the Security Agent as trustee for the Finance Parties all money from time to time owing to the other Finance Parties (in addition to paying any money owing under the Finance Documents to the Security Agent for its own account), and discharge all other obligations from time to time incurred, by it under or in connection with the Finance Documents.

(b)
Each payment which such an Obligor makes to another Finance Party in accordance with any Finance Document shall, to the extent of the amount of that payment, satisfy that Obligor’s corresponding obligation under paragraph (a) above to make that payment to the Security Agent.
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342
Parallel debt

(a)
Additional definitions
In this clause 34.2:
Corresponding Debt means any amount, other than any Parallel Debt, which an Obligor owes to a Finance Party under or in connection with the Finance Documents.
Parallel Debt means any amount which an Obligor owes to the Security Agent under clause 34.2(b) or under that clause as incorporated by reference or in full in any other Finance Document.

(b)
Each Obligor irrevocably and unconditionally undertakes to pay to the Security Agent its Parallel Debt which shall be amounts equal to, and in the currency or currencies of, its Corresponding Debt.

(c)
The Parallel Debt of an Obligor:

(i)
shall become due and payable at the same time as its Corresponding Debt; and

(ii)
is independent and separate from, and without prejudice to, its Corresponding Debt.

(d)
For purposes of this clause 34.2, the Security Agent:

(i)
is the independent and separate creditor of each Parallel Debt;

(ii)
acts in its own name and not as agent, representative or trustee of the Finance Parties and its claims in respect of each Parallel Debt shall not be held on trust; and

(iii)
shall have the independent and separate right to demand payment of each Parallel Debt in its own name (including, without limitation, through any suit, execution, enforcement of security, recovery of guarantees and applications for and voting in any kind of insolvency proceeding).

(e)
The Parallel Debt of an Obligor shall be:

(i)
decreased to the extent that its Corresponding Debt has been irrevocably and unconditionally paid or discharged; and

(ii)
increased to the extent that its Corresponding Debt has increased,
and the Corresponding Debt of an Obligor shall be:

(A)
decreased to the extent that its Parallel Debt has been irrevocably and unconditionally paid or discharged; and

(B)
increased to the extent that its Parallel Debt has increased,
in each case provided that the Parallel Debt of an Obligor shall never exceed its Corresponding Debt.

(f)
All amounts received or recovered by the Security Agent in connection with this clause 34.2 to the extent permitted by applicable law, shall be applied in accordance with clause 36.1 (Order of application) .
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(g)
This clause 34.2 shall apply, with any necessary modifications, to each Finance Document.
34.3
No responsibility to perfect Transaction Security
The Security Agent shall not be liable for any failure to:

(a)
ascertain whether all deeds and documents which should have been deposited with it under or pursuant to any of the Security Documents have been so deposited;

(b)
require the deposit with it of any deed or document certifying, representing or constituting the title of any Obligor to any of the Charged Property;

(c)
obtain any licence, consent or other authority for the execution, delivery, legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of any Finance Document or the Transaction Security;

(d)
register, file or record or otherwise protect any of the Transaction Security (or the priority of any of the Transaction Security) under any law or regulation or to give notice to any person of the execution of any Finance Document or of the Transaction Security;

(e)
take, or to require any Obligor to take, any step to perfect its title to any of the Charged Property or to render the Transaction Security effective or to secure the creation of any ancillary Security Interest under any law or regulation; or

(f)
require any further assurance in relation to any Security Document.
34.4
Insurance by Security Agent

(a)
The Security Agent shall not be obliged:

(i)
to insure any of the Charged Property;

(ii)
to require any other person to maintain any insurance; or

(iii)
to verify any obligation to arrange or maintain insurance contained in any Finance Document,
and the Security Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses to any person as a result of the lack of, or inadequacy of, any such insurance.

(b)
Where the Security Agent is named on any insurance policy as an insured party, it shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses to any person as a result of its failure to notify the insurers of any material fact relating to the risk assumed by such insurers or any other information of any kind, unless the Agent requests it to do so in writing and the Security Agent fails to do so within fourteen days after receipt of that request.
34.5
Common parties
Although the Agent and the Security Agent may from time to time be the same entity, that entity will have entered into the Finance Documents (to which it is party) in its separate capacities as agent for the other Finance Parties and (as appropriate) security agent and trustee for all of the other Finance Parties.  Where any Finance Document provides for an Agent or Security Agent to communicate with or provide instructions to the other, while they are the same entity, such communication or instructions will not be necessary.
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34.6
Custodians and nominees
The Security Agent may appoint and pay any person to act as a custodian or nominee on any terms in relation to any asset of the trust as the Security Agent may determine, including for the purpose of depositing with a custodian this Agreement or any document relating to the trust created under this Agreement and the Security Agent shall not be responsible for any loss, liability, expense, demand, cost, claim or proceedings incurred by reason of the misconduct, omission or default on the part of any person appointed by it under this Agreement or be bound to supervise the proceedings or acts of any person.
34.7
Delegation by the Security Agent

(a)
Each of the Security Agent, any Receiver and any Delegate may, at any time, delegate by power of attorney or otherwise to any person for any period, all or any right, power, authority or discretion vested in it in its capacity as such.

(b)
That delegation may be made upon any terms and conditions (including the power to sub-delegate) and subject to any restrictions that the Security Agent, that Receiver or that Delegate (as the case may be) may, in its discretion, think fit in the interests of the Finance Parties.

(c)
No Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate shall be bound to supervise, or be in any way responsible for any damages, costs or losses incurred by reason of any misconduct, omission or default on the part of, any such delegate or sub-delegate.
34.8
Additional trustees

(a)
The Security Agent may at any time appoint (and subsequently remove) any person to act as a separate trustee or as a co-trustee jointly with it:

(i)
if it considers that appointment to be in the interests of the Finance Parties;

(ii)
for the purposes of conforming to any legal requirement, restriction or condition which the Security Agent deems to be relevant; or

(iii)
for obtaining or enforcing any judgment in any jurisdiction,
and the Security Agent shall give prior notice to the Borrower and the Finance Parties of that appointment.

(b)
Any person so appointed shall have the rights, powers, authorities and discretions (not exceeding those given to the Security Agent under or in connection with the Finance Documents) and the duties, obligations and responsibilities that are given or imposed by the instrument of appointment.

(c)
The remuneration that the Security Agent may pay to that person, and any costs and expenses (together with any applicable VAT) incurred by that person in performing its functions pursuant to that appointment shall, for the purposes of this Agreement, be treated as costs and expenses incurred by the Security Agent.

(d)
At the request of the Security Agent, the other Parties shall forthwith execute all such documents and do all such things as may be required to perfect such appointment or removal and each such Party irrevocably authorises the Security Agent in its name and on its behalf to do the same.

(e)
Such a person shall accede to this Agreement as a Security Agent to the extent necessary to carry out their role on terms satisfactory to the Security Agent.
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(f)
The Security Agent shall not be bound to supervise, or be responsible for any loss incurred by reason of any act or omission of, any such person if the Security Agent shall have exercised reasonable care in the selection of such person.
34.9
Acceptance of title
The Security Agent shall be entitled to accept without enquiry, and shall not be obliged to investigate, any right and title that any Obligor may have to any of the Charged Property and shall not be liable for, or bound to require any Obligor to remedy, any defect in its right or title.
34.10
Winding up of trust
If the Security Agent, with the approval of the Agent, determines that:

(a)
all of the Secured Obligations and all other obligations secured by the Security Documents have been fully and finally discharged; and

(b)
no Finance Party is under any commitment, obligation or liability (actual or contingent) to make advances or provide other financial accommodation to any Obligor pursuant to the Finance Documents,
then:

(i)
the trusts set out in this Agreement shall be wound up and the Security Agent shall release, without recourse or warranty, all of the Transaction Security and the rights of the Security Agent under each of the Security Documents; and

(ii)
any Security Agent which has resigned pursuant to clause 33.16 (Resignation of the Agent or the Security Agent) shall release, without recourse or warranty, all of its rights under each Security Document.
34.11
Powers supplemental to Trustee Acts
The rights, powers, authorities and discretions given to the Security Agent under or in connection with the Finance Documents shall be supplemental to the Trustee Act 1925 and the Trustee Act 2000 and in addition to any which may be vested in the Security Agent by law or regulation or otherwise.
34.12
Disapplication of Trustee Acts
Section 1 of the Trustee Act 2000 shall not apply to the duties of the Security Agent in relation to the trusts constituted by this Agreement.  Where there are any inconsistencies between the Trustee Act 1925 or the Trustee Act 2000 and the provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall, to the extent permitted by law and regulation, prevail and, in the case of any inconsistency with the Trustee Act 2000, the provisions of this Agreement shall constitute a restriction or exclusion for the purposes of that Act.
35
Enforcement of Transaction Security
35.1
Enforcement Instructions

(a)
The Security Agent may refrain from enforcing the Transaction Security unless instructed otherwise by Majority Lenders.

(b)
Subject to the Transaction Security having become enforceable in accordance with its terms, the Majority Lenders may give or refrain from giving instructions to the Security Agent to enforce or refrain from enforcing the Transaction Security as they see fit.
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(c)
The Security Agent is entitled to rely on and comply with instructions given in accordance with this clause 35.1.
35.2
Manner of enforcement
If the Transaction Security is being enforced pursuant to clause 35.1 (Enforcement Instructions), the Security Agent shall enforce the Transaction Security in such manner as the Majority Lenders shall instruct or, in the absence of any such instructions, as the Security Agent considers in its discretion to be appropriate.
35.3
Waiver of rights
To the extent permitted under applicable law and subject to clause 35.1 (Enforcement Instructions), clause 35.2 (Manner of enforcement) and clause 36 (Application of Proceeds), each of the Finance Parties and the Obligors waives all rights it may otherwise have to require that the Transaction Security be enforced in any particular order or manner or at any particular time or that any amount received or recovered from any person, or by virtue of the enforcement of any of the Transaction Security or of any other security interest, which is capable of being applied in or towards discharge of any of the Secured Obligations is so applied.
35.4
Enforcement through Security Agent only

(a)
The other Finance Parties shall not have any independent power to enforce, or have recourse to, any of the Transaction Security or to exercise any right, power, authority or discretion arising or to grant any consents or releases under the Security Documents except through the Security Agent.

(b)
Each Finance Party (other than the Security Agent) shall, promptly upon being requested by the Agent to do so, grant a power of attorney or other sufficient authority to the Security Agent to enable the Security Agent to enforce or have recourse to the relevant Transaction Security or to exercise any such right, power, authority or discretion or to grant any such consent or release.
36
Application of proceeds
36.1
Order of application
All amounts from time to time received or recovered by the Security Agent pursuant to the terms of any Finance Document or in connection with the realisation or enforcement of all or any part of the Transaction Security (for the purposes of this clause 36, the Recoveries )   shall be held by the Security Agent on trust to apply them at any time as the Security Agent (in its discretion) sees fit, to the extent permitted by applicable law (and subject to the provisions of this clause 36), in the following order of priority:

(a)
in discharging any sums owing to the Security Agent (other than pursuant to clause 34.1 (Undertaking to pay) or 34.2 (Parallel debt) ),   any Receiver or any Delegate;

(b)
in discharging all costs and expenses incurred by any Finance Party in connection with any realisation or enforcement of the Transaction Security taken in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

(c)
in payment or distribution to the Agent on its own behalf and on behalf of the other Finance Parties for application in accordance with clause 39.6 (Partial payments) ;

(d)
if none of the Obligors is under any further actual or contingent liability under any Finance Document, in payment or distribution to any person to whom the Security Agent is obliged to pay or distribute in priority to any Obligor; and
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(e)
the balance, if any, in payment or distribution to the relevant Obligor.
36.2
Investment of cash proceeds
Prior to the application of any Recoveries in accordance with clause 36.1 (Order of Application) the Security Agent may, in its discretion, hold:

(a)
all or part of any Recoveries which are in the form of cash; and

(b)
any cash which is generated by holding, managing, exploiting, collecting, realising or disposing of any proceeds of the Security Property which are not in the form of cash,
in one or more interest bearing suspense or impersonal accounts in the name of the Security Agent with such financial institution (including itself) and for so long as the Security Agent shall think fit (the interest being credited to the relevant account) pending the application from time to time of those moneys in the Security Agent’s discretion in accordance with the provisions of this clause 36.
36.3
Currency conversion

(a)
For the purpose of, or pending the discharge of, any of the Secured Obligations the Security Agent may:

(i)
convert any moneys received or recovered by the Security Agent from one currency to another; and

(ii)
notionally convert the valuation provided in any opinion or valuation from one currency to another,
in each case at the Security Agent’s spot rate of exchange for the purchase of that other currency with the currency in which the relevant moneys are received or recovered or the valuation is provided in the London foreign exchange market at or about 11:00 am (London time) on a particular day.

(b)
The obligations of any Obligor to pay in the due currency shall only be satisfied:

(i)
in the case of paragraph (a)(i) above, to the extent of the amount of the due currency purchased after deducting the costs of conversion; and

(ii)
in the case of paragraph (a)(ii) above, to the extent of the amount of the due currency which results from the notional conversion referred to in that paragraph.
36.4
Permitted Deductions
The Security Agent shall be entitled, in its discretion, (a) to set aside by way of reserve amounts required to meet and (b) to make and pay, any deductions and withholdings (on account of Taxes or otherwise) which it is or may be required (pursuant to advice received by its advisers (if any appointed at the time)) by any law or regulation to make from any distribution or payment made by it under this Agreement, and to pay all Taxes which may be assessed against it in respect of any of the Charged Property, or as a consequence of performing its duties or exercising its rights, powers, authorities and discretions, or by virtue of its capacity as Security Agent under any of the Finance Documents or otherwise (other than in connection with its remuneration for performing its duties under this Agreement).
36.5
Good discharge

(a)
Any distribution or payment to be made in respect of the Secured Obligations by the Security Agent may be made to the Agent on behalf of the Finance Parties.
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(b)
Any distribution or payment made as described in paragraph (a) above shall be a good discharge, to the extent of that payment or distribution, by the Security Agent to the extent of that payment.

(c)
The Security Agent is under no obligation to make the payments to the Agent under paragraph (a) above in the same currency as that in which the Secured Liabilities owing to the relevant Finance Party are denominated pursuant to the relevant Finance Document.
36.6
Calculation of amounts
For the purpose of calculating any person’s share of any amount payable to or by it, the Security Agent shall be entitled to:

(a)
notionally convert the Secured Liabilities owed to any person into a common base currency (decided in its discretion by the Security Agent), that notional conversion to be made at the spot rate at which the Security Agent is able to purchase the notional base currency with the actual currency of the Secured Liabilities owed to that person at the time at which that calculation is to be made; and

(b)
assume that all amounts received or recovered as a result of the enforcement or realisation of the Security Property are applied in discharge of the Secured Liabilities in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents under which those Secured Liabilities have arisen.
36.7
Release to facilitate enforcement and realisation

(a)
Each Finance Party acknowledges that, for the purpose of any enforcement action by the Security Agent or a Receiver and/or maximising or facilitating the realisation of the Charged Property, it may be desirable that certain rights or claims against an Obligor and/or under certain of the Transaction Security, be released.

(b)
Each other Finance Party hereby irrevocably authorises the Security Agent (acting on the instructions of the Agent) to grant any such releases to the extent necessary to effect such enforcement action and/or realisation including, to the extent necessary for such purpose, to execute release documents in the name of and on behalf of the other Finance Parties.

(c)
Where the relevant enforcement is by way of disposal of shares in the Borrower, the requisite release may include releases of all claims (including under guarantees) of the Finance Parties and/or the Security Agent against the Borrower and of all Security Interests over the assets of the Borrower.
36.8
Dealings with Security Agent
Subject to clause 41.5 (Communication when Agent is Impaired Agent), each Finance Party shall deal with the Security Agent exclusively through the Agent.
36.9
Disclosure between Finance Parties and Security Agent
Notwithstanding any agreement to the contrary, each of the Obligors consents, until the end of the Facility Period, to the disclosure by any Finance Party to each other (whether or not through the Agent or the Security Agent) of such information concerning the Obligors as any Finance Party shall see fit.
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36.10
Notification of prescribed events

(a)
If an Event of Default or Default either occurs or ceases to be continuing, the Agent shall, upon becoming aware of that occurrence or cessation, notify the Security Agent.

(b)
If the Security Agent enforces, or takes formal steps to enforce, any of the Transaction Security it shall notify each other Finance Party of that action.

(c)
If any Finance Party exercises any right it may have to enforce, or to take formal steps to enforce, any of the Transaction Security it shall notify the Security Agent and the Security Agent shall, upon receiving that notification, notify each other Finance Party of that action.
37
Conduct of business by the Finance Parties
37.1
Finance Parties tax affairs
No provision of this Agreement will:

(a)
interfere with the right of any Finance Party to arrange its affairs (tax or otherwise) in whatever manner it thinks fit;

(b)
oblige any Finance Party to investigate or claim any credit, relief, remission or repayment available to it or the extent, order and manner of any claim; or

(c)
oblige any Finance Party to disclose any information relating to its affairs (tax or otherwise) or any computations in respect of Tax.
38
Sharing among the Finance Parties
38.1
Payments to Finance Parties
If a Finance Party (a Recovering Finance Party )   receives or recovers any amount from an Obligor other than in accordance with clause 39 (Payment mechanics) (a Recovered Amount )   and applies that amount to a payment due under the Finance Documents then:

(a)
the Recovering Finance Party shall, within three Business Days, notify details of the receipt or recovery, to the Agent;

(b)
the Agent shall determine whether the receipt or recovery is in excess of the amount the Recovering Finance Party would have been paid had the receipt or recovery been received or made by the Agent and distributed in accordance with clause 39 (Payment mechanics), without taking account of any Tax which would be imposed on the Agent in relation to the receipt, recovery or distribution; and

(c)
the Recovering Finance Party shall, within three Business Days of demand by the Agent, pay to the Agent an amount (the Sharing Payment )   equal to such receipt or recovery less any amount which the Agent determines may be retained by the Recovering Finance Party as its share of any payment to be made, in accordance with clause 39.6 (Partial payments) .
38.2
Redistribution of payments
The Agent shall treat the Sharing Payment as if it had been paid by the relevant Obligor and distribute it between the Finance Parties (other than the Recovering Finance Party) (the Sharing Finance Parties )   in accordance with clause 39.6 (Partial payments) towards the obligations of that Obligor to the Sharing Finance Parties.
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38.3
Recovering Finance Party’s rights
On a distribution by the Agent under clause 38.2 (Redistribution of payments) of a payment received by a Recovering Finance Party from an Obligor, as between the relevant Obligor and the Recovering Finance Party, an amount of the Recovered Amount equal to the Sharing Payment will be treated as not having been paid by that Obligor.
38.4
Reversal of redistribution
If any part of the Sharing Payment received or recovered by a Recovering Finance Party becomes repayable and is repaid by that Recovering Finance Party, then:

(a)
each Sharing Finance Party shall, upon request of the Agent, pay to the Agent for the account of that Recovering Finance Party an amount equal to the appropriate part of its share of the Sharing Payment (together with an amount as is necessary to reimburse that Recovering Finance Party for its proportion of any interest on the Sharing Payment which that Recovering Finance Party is required to pay) (the Redistributed Amount );   and

(b)
as between the relevant Obligor and each relevant Sharing Finance Party, an amount equal to the relevant Redistributed Amount will be treated as not having been paid by that Obligor.
38.5
Exceptions

(a)
This clause 38 shall not apply to the extent that the Recovering Finance Party would not, after making any payment pursuant to this clause, have a valid and enforceable claim against the relevant Obligor.

(b)
A Recovering Finance Party is not obliged to share with any other Finance Party any amount which the Recovering Finance Party has received or recovered as a result of taking legal or arbitration proceedings, if:

(i)
it notified that other Finance Party of the legal or arbitration proceedings;

(ii)
the taking legal or arbitration proceedings was in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; and

(iii)
that other Finance Party had an opportunity to participate in those legal or arbitration proceedings but did not do so as soon as reasonably practicable having received notice and did not take separate legal or arbitration proceedings.
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Section 11 - Administration
39
Payment mechanics
39.1
Payments to the Agent

(a)
On each date on which an Obligor or a Lender is required to make a payment under a Finance Document, that Obligor or Lender shall make the same available to the Agent (unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document) for value on the due date at the time and in such funds specified by the Agent as being customary at the time for settlement of transactions in the relevant currency in the place of payment.

(b)
Payment shall be made to such account in the principal financial centre of the country of that currency (or, in relation to euro, in a principal financial centre in such Participating Member State or London, as specified by the Agent) and with such bank as the Agent, in each case, specifies.
39.2
Distributions by the Agent
Each payment received by the Agent under the Finance Documents for another Party shall, subject to clause 39.3 (Distributions to an Obligor) and clause 39.4 (Clawback and pre-funding) be made available by the Agent as soon as practicable after receipt to the Party entitled to receive payment in accordance with this Agreement (in the case of a Lender, for the account of its Facility Office), to such account as that Party may notify to the Agent by not less than five Business Days’ notice with a bank specified by that Party in the principal financial centre of the country of that currency (or, in relation to euro, in the principal financial centre of a Participating Member State or London, as specified by that Party).
39.3
Distributions to an Obligor
The Agent may (with the consent of the Obligor or in accordance with clause 40 (Set-off) )   apply any amount received by it for that Obligor in or towards payment (on the date and in the currency and funds of receipt) of any amount due from that Obligor under the Finance Documents or in or towards purchase of any amount of any currency to be so applied.
39.4
Clawback and pre-funding

(a)
Where a sum is to be paid to the Agent under the Finance Documents for another Party, the Agent is not obliged to pay that sum to that other Party (or to enter into or perform any related exchange contract) until it has been able to establish to its satisfaction that it has actually received that sum.

(b)
Unless paragraph (c) below applies, if the Agent pays an amount to another Party and it proves to be the case that the Agent had not actually received that amount, then the Party to whom that amount (or the proceeds of any related exchange contract) was paid by the Agent shall on demand refund the same to the Agent together with interest on that amount from the date of payment to the date of receipt by the Agent, calculated by the Agent to reflect its cost of funds.

(c)
If the Agent has notified the Lenders that it is willing to make available amounts for the account of the Borrower before receiving funds from the Lenders then if and to the extent that the Agent does so but it proves to be the case that it does not then receive funds from a Lender in respect of a sum which it paid to a Borrower:

(i)
the Agent shall notify the Borrower of that Lender’s identity and the Borrower shall on demand refund it to the Agent; and
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(ii)
the Lender by whom those funds should have been made available or, if that Lender fails to do so, the Borrower, shall on demand pay to the Agent the amount (as certified by the Agent) which will indemnify the Agent against any funding cost incurred by it as a result of paying out that sum before receiving those funds from that Lender.
39.5
Impaired Agent

(a)
If, at any time, the Agent becomes an Impaired Agent, the Borrower or a Lender which is required to make a payment under the Finance Documents to the Agent in accordance with clause 39.1 (Payments to the Agent) may instead either:

(i)
pay that amount direct to the required recipient(s); or

(ii)
if in its absolute discretion it considers that it is not reasonably practicable to pay that amount direct to the required recipient(s), pay that amount or the relevant part of that amount to an interest-bearing account held with an Acceptable Bank within the meaning of paragraph (a) of the definition of “Acceptable Bank” and in relation to which no Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing, in the name of the Borrower or the Lender making the payment (the Paying Party ) and designated as a trust account for the benefit of the Party or Parties beneficially entitled to that payment under the Finance Documents (the Recipient Party or Recipient Parties ).
In each case such payments must be made on the due date for payment under the Finance Documents.

(b)
All interest accrued on the amount standing to the credit of the trust account shall be for the benefit of the Recipient Party or the Recipient Parties pro rata to their respective entitlements.

(c)
A Party which has made a payment in accordance with this clause 39.5 shall be discharged of the relevant payment obligation under the Finance Documents and shall not take any credit risk with respect to the amounts standing to the credit of the trust account.

(d)
Promptly upon the appointment of a successor Agent in accordance with this Agreement, each Paying Party shall (other than to the extent that that Party has given an instruction pursuant to paragraph (e) below) give all requisite instructions to the bank with whom the trust account is held to transfer the amount (together with any accrued interest) to the successor Agent for distribution to the relevant Recipient Party or Recipient Parties in accordance with clause 39.2 (Distributions by the Agent) .

(e)
A Paying Party shall, promptly upon request by a Recipient Party and to the extent:

(i)
that it has not given an instruction pursuant to paragraph (d) above; and

(ii)
that it has been provided with the necessary information by that Recipient Party,
give all requisite instructions to the bank with whom the trust account is held to transfer the relevant amount (together with any accrued interest) to that Recipient Party.
39.6
Partial payments

(a)
If the Agent receives a payment for application against amounts due in respect of any Finance Documents that is insufficient to discharge all the amounts then due and payable by an Obligor under those Finance Documents, the Agent shall apply that payment
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towards the obligations of that Obligor under the Finance Documents in the following order:

(i)
first, in or towards payment pro rata of any unpaid amount owing to the Agent, the Security Agent or the Arranger for their own account under those Finance Documents;

(ii)
secondly, in or towards payment to the Lenders pro rata of   any amount owing to the Lenders under clause 33.15 (Lenders’ indemnity to the Agent and others) ;

(iii)
thirdly, in or towards payment to the Lenders pro rata of all other amounts due to them but unpaid under the Finance Documents; and

(iv)
fourthly, in or towards payment pro rata of any other sum due but unpaid under the Finance Documents.

(b)
The Agent shall, if so directed by all the Lenders and with prior written notice to the Obligors, vary the order set out in paragraphs (ii) to (iv) of paragraph (a) above.

(c)
Paragraphs (a) and (b) above will override any appropriation made by an Obligor.
39.7
No set-off by Obligors
All payments to be made by an Obligor under the Finance Documents shall be calculated and be made without (and free and clear of any deduction for) set-off or counterclaim.
39.8
Business Days

(a)
Any payment under the Finance Documents which is due to be made on a day that is not a Business Day shall be made on the next Business Day in the same calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not).

(b)
During any extension of the due date for payment of any principal or Unpaid Sum under this Agreement interest is payable on the principal or Unpaid Sum at the rate payable on the original due date.
39.9
Currency of account

(a)
Subject to paragraphs (b) and (c) below, dollars is the currency of account and payment for any sum due from an Obligor under any Finance Document.

(b)
A repayment of all or part of the Loan or an Unpaid Sum and each payment of interest shall be made in dollars on its due date.

(c)
Each payment in respect of the amount of any costs, expenses or Taxes or other fosses shall be made in dollars and, if they were incurred in a currency other than dollars, the amount payable under the Finance Documents shall be the equivalent in dollars of the relevant amount in such other currency on the date on which it was incurred.

(d)
All moneys received or held by the Security Agent or by a Receiver under a Security Document in a currency other than dollars may be sold for dollars and the Obligor which executed that Security Document shall indemnify the Security Agent against the full cost in relation to the sale.  Neither the Security Agent nor such Receiver will have any liability to that Obligor in respect of any loss resulting from any fluctuation in exchange rates after the sale.
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39.10
Change of currency

(a)
Unless otherwise prohibited by law, if more than one currency or currency unit are at the same time recognised by the central bank of any country as the lawful currency of that country, then:

(i)
any reference in the Finance Documents to, and any obligations arising under the Finance Documents in, the currency of that country shall be translated into, or paid in, the currency or currency unit of that country designated by the Agent (after consultation with the Borrower ); and

(ii)
any translation from one currency or currency unit to another shall be at the official rate of exchange recognised by the central bank for the conversion of that currency or currency unit into the other, rounded up or down by the Agent (acting reasonably).

(b)
If a change in any currency of a country occurs, this Agreement will, to the extent the Agent (acting reasonably and after consultation with the Borrower) specifies to be necessary, be amended to comply with any generally accepted conventions and market practice in the Interbank Market and otherwise to reflect the change in currency.
39.11
Disruption to payment systems etc.
If either the Agent determines (acting reasonably) that a Disruption Event has occurred or the Agent is notified by the Borrower that a Disruption Event has occurred:

(a)
the Agent may, and shall if requested to do so by the Borrower, consult with the Borrower with a view to agreeing with the Borrower such changes to the operation or administration of the Facility as the Agent may deem necessary in the circumstances;

(b)
the Agent shall not be obliged to consult with the Borrower in relation to any changes mentioned in paragraph (a) above if, in its reasonable opinion, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances and, in any event, shall have no obligation to agree to such changes;

(c)
the Agent may consult with the Finance Parties in relation to any changes mentioned in paragraph (a) above but shall not be obliged to do so if, in its opinion, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances;

(d)
any such changes agreed upon by the Agent and the Borrower shall (whether or not it is finally determined that a Disruption Event has occurred) be binding upon the Parties as an amendment to (or, as the case may be, waiver of) the terms of the Finance Documents notwithstanding the provisions of clause 45 (Amendments and waivers) ;

(e)
the Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever (including, without limitation for negligence, gross negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Agent) arising as a result of its taking, or failing to take, any actions pursuant to or in connection with this clause 39.11; and

(f)
the Agent shall notify the Finance Parties of all changes agreed pursuant to paragraph (d) above.
40
Set-off
A Finance Party may whilst an Event of Default is continuing set off any matured obligation due from an Obligor under the Finance Documents (to the extent beneficially owned by that Finance Party) against any matured obligation owed by that Finance Party to that Obligor, regardless of
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the place of payment, booking branch or currency of either obligation.  If the obligations are in different currencies, the Finance Party may convert either obligation at a market rate of exchange in its usual course of business for the purpose of the set-off.
41
Notices
41.1
Communications in writing
Any communication to be made under or in connection with the Finance Documents shall be made in writing and, unless otherwise stated, may be made by letter.
41.2
Addresses
The address (and the department or officer, if any, for whose attention the   communication is to be made) of each Obligor or Finance Party for any communication or document to be made or delivered under or in connection with the Finance Documents is:

(a)
in the case of any Obligor who is a Party, that identified with its name in Schedule 1 (The original parties) ;

(b)
in the case of any Obligor which is not a Party, that identified in any Finance Document to which it is a party;

(c)
in the case of the Security Agent, the Agent and any other original Finance Party, that identified with its name in Schedule 1 (The original parties) ;   and

(d)
in the case of each Lender or other Finance Party, that notified in writing to the Agent on or prior to the date on which it becomes a Party in the relevant capacity,
or, in each case, any substitute address, or department or officer as an Obligor or Finance Party may notify to the Agent (or the Agent may notify to the other Finance Parties and the Obligors who are Parties, if a change is made by the Agent) by not less than five Business Days’ notice.
41.3
Delivery

(a)
Any communication or document made or delivered by one person to another under or in connection with the Finance Documents will only be effective when it has been left at the relevant address or five Business Days after being deposited in the post postage prepaid in an envelope addressed to it at that address and, if a particular department or officer is specified as part of its address details provided under clause 41.2 (Addresses), if addressed to that department or officer.

(b)
Any communication or document to be made or delivered to the Agent or the Security Agent will be effective only when actually received by the Agent or the Security Agent and then only if it is expressly marked for the attention of the department or officer identified in Schedule 1 (The original parties) (or any substitute department or officer as the Agent or the Security Agent shall specify for this purpose).

(c)
All notices from or to an Obligor shall be sent through the Agent.

(d)
Any communication or document made or delivered to the Borrower in accordance with this clause 41.3 will be deemed to have been made or delivered to each of the Obligors.

(e)
Any communication or document which becomes effective, in accordance with paragraphs (a) to (d) above, after 5:00 p.m. in the place of receipt shall be deemed only to become effective on the following day.
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41.4
Notification of address
Promptly upon changing its’ address, the Agent shall notify the other Parties.
41.5
Communication when Agent is Impaired Agent
If the Agent is an Impaired Agent the Parties may, instead of communicating with each other through the Agent, communicate with each other directly and (while the Agent is an Impaired Agent) all the provisions of the Finance Documents which require communications to be made or notices to be given to or by the Agent shall be varied so that communications may be made and notices given to or by the relevant Parties directly.  This provision shall not operate after a replacement Agent has been appointed.
41.6
Electronic communication

(a)
Any communication to be made between any two Parties under or in connection with the Finance Documents may be made by electronic mail or other electronic means (including, without limitation, by way of posting to a secure website) if those two Parties:

(i)
notify each other in writing of their electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the transmission of information by that means; and

(ii)
notify each other of any change to their address or any other such information supplied by them by not less than five Business Days’ notice.

(b)
Any such electronic communication as specified in paragraph (a) above to be made between an Obligor and a Finance Party may only be made in that way to the extent that those two Parties agree that, unless and until notified to the contrary, this is to be an accepted form of communication.

(c)
Any such electronic communication as specified in paragraph (a) above made between any two Parties will be effective only when actually received (or made available) in readable form and, in the case of any electronic communication made by a Party to the Agent or the Security Agent, only if it is addressed in such a manner as the Agent or the Security Agent shall specify for this purpose.

(d)
Any electronic communication which becomes effective, in accordance with paragraph (c) above, after 5:00 p.m. in the place in which the Party to whom the relevant communication is sent or made available has its address for the purpose of this Agreement or any other Finance Document shall be deemed only to become effective on the following day.

(e)
Any reference in a Finance Document to a communication being sent or received shall be construed to include that communication being made available in accordance with this clause 41.6.
41.7
English language

(a)
Any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document must be in English.

(b)
All other documents provided under or in connection with any Finance Document must be:

(i)
in English; or

(ii)
if not in English, and if so required by the Agent, accompanied by a certified English translation and, in this case, the English translation will prevail unless the document is a constitutional, statutory or other official document.
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42
Calculations and certificates
42.1
Accounts
In any litigation or arbitration proceedings arising out of or in connection with a Finance Document, the entries made in the accounts maintained by a Finance Party are prima facie evidence of the matters to which they relate.
42.2
Certificates and determinations
Any certification or determination by a Finance Party of a rate or amount under any Finance Document is, in the absence of manifest error, conclusive evidence of the matters to which it relates.
42.3
Day count convention
Any interest, commission or fee accruing under a Finance Document will accrue from day to day and is calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and a year of 360 days or, in any case where the practice in the Interbank Market differs, in accordance with that market practice.
43
Partial invalidity
If, at any time, any provision of a Finance Document is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect under any law of any jurisdiction, neither the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions nor the legality, validity or enforceability of such provision under the law of any other jurisdiction will in any way be affected or impaired.
44
Remedies and waivers
No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of any Finance Party, any right or remedy under a Finance Document shall operate as a waiver of any such right or remedy or constitute an election to affirm any Finance Document.  No election to affirm any Finance Document on the part of any Finance Party shall be effective unless it is in writing.  No single or partial exercise of any right or remedy shall prevent any further or other exercise or the exercise of any other right or remedy.  The rights and remedies provided in each Finance Document are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
45
Amendments and waivers
45.1
Required consents

(a)
Subject to clause 45.2 (All Lender matters) and clause 45.3 (Other exceptions), any term of the Finance Documents may be amended or waived only with the consent of the Majority Lenders and the Borrower and any such amendment or waiver will be binding on all the Finance Parties and other Obligors.

(b)
The Agent may (or, in the case of the Security Documents, instruct the Security Agent to) effect, on behalf of any Finance Party, any amendment or waiver permitted by this clause 45.

(c)
Without prejudice to the generality of paragraphs (c), (d) and (e) of clause 33.11 (Rights and discretions of the Agent), the Agent may engage, pay for and rely on the services of lawyers in determining the consent level required for and effecting any amendment, waiver or consent under this Agreement.
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(d)
Each Obligor agrees to any such amendment or waiver permitted by this clause 45 which is agreed to by the Borrower.  This includes any amendment or waiver which would, but for this paragraph (d), require the consent of a Guarantor.
45.2
All Lender matters
An amendment, waiver or discharge or release or a consent of, or in relation to, any term of any Finance Document that has the effect of changing or which relates to:

(a)
the definition of “Majority Lenders” in clause 1.1 (Definitions) ;

(b)
the definition of “Last Availability Date” in clause 1.1 (Definitions) ;

(c)
an extension to the date of payment of any amount under the Finance Documents;

(d)
a reduction in the Margin or a reduction in the amount of any payment of principal, interest, fees or commission payable or the rate at which they are calculated;

(e)
an increase in, or an extension of, any Commitment or any requirement that a cancellation of Commitments reduces the Commitments of the Lenders rateably under the Facility;

(f)
a change to the Borrower or any other Obligor;

(g)
any provision which expressly requires the consent or approval of all the Lenders;

(h)
clause 38 (Sharing among the Finance Parties) ;

(i)
clause 2.2 (Finance Parties’ rights and obligations), clause 7.1 (Illegality), clause 31 (Changes to the Lenders), clause 8.9 (Application of prepayments), this clause 45, clause 50 (Governing law) or clause 51.1 (Jurisdiction of English courts) ;

(j)
the order of distribution under clause 36.1 (Order of application) ;

(k)
the order of distribution under clause 39.6 (Partial payments) ;

(l)
the currency in which any amount is payable under any Finance Document;

(m)
an increase in any Commitment or the Total Commitments, an extension of any period within which the Facility is available for Utilisation or any requirement that a cancellation of Commitments reduces the Commitments rateably;

(n)
(other than as expressly permitted by the provisions of any Finance Document) the nature or scope of:

(i)
any guarantee and indemnity granted under any Finance Document (including under clause 18 (Guarantee and indemnity) );

(ii)
the Charged Property; or

(iii)
the manner in which the proceeds of enforcement of the Transaction Security are distributed;

(o)
the circumstances in which any of the Transaction Security is permitted or required to be released under any of the Finance Documents,
shall not be made, or given, without the prior consent of all the Lenders.
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45.3
Other exceptions

(a)
An amendment or waiver which relates to the rights or obligations of the Agent, the Security Agent or the Arranger in their respective capacities as such (and not just as a Lender) may not be effected without the consent of the Agent, the Security Agent or the Arranger (as the case may be).

(b)
Notwithstanding clauses 45.1 and 45.2 and paragraph (a) above, the Agent may make technical amendments to the Finance Documents arising out of manifest errors on the face of the Finance Documents, where such amendments would not prejudice or otherwise be adverse to the interests of any Finance Party without any reference or consent of the Finance Parties.
45.4
Replacement of Screen Rate
Subject to clause 45.3 (Other exceptions), if the Screen Rate is not available, any amendment or waiver which relates to providing for another benchmark rate to apply in place of that Screen Rate (or which relates to aligning any provision of a Finance Document to the use of that other benchmark rate) may be made with the consent of the Majority Lenders and the Borrower.
45.5
Releases
Except with the approval of the Lenders or for a release which is expressly permitted or required by the Finance Documents, the Agent shall not have authority to authorise the Security Agent to release:

(a)
any Charged Property from the Transaction Security; or

(b)
any Obligor from any of its guarantee or other obligations under any Finance Document.
45.6
Disenfranchisement of Defaulting Lenders

(a)
For so long as a Defaulting Lender has any Available Commitment, in ascertaining:

(i)
the Majority Lenders; or

(ii)
whether:

(A)
any given percentage (including, for the avoidance of doubt, unanimity) of the Total Commitments under the Facility; or

(B)
the agreement of any specified group of Lenders,
has been obtained to approve any request for a consent, waiver, amendment or other vote of Lenders under the Finance Documents,
that Defaulting Lender’s Commitment will be reduced by the amount of its Available Commitment and, to the extent that such reduction results in that Defaulting Lender’s Commitment being zero, that Defaulting Lender shall be deemed not to be a Lender for the purposes of paragraphs (i) and (ii) above.

(b)
For the purposes of this clause 45.6, the Agent may assume that the following Lenders are Defaulting Lenders:

(i)
any Lender which has notified the Agent that it has become a Defaulting Lender; and
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(ii)
any Lender in relation to which it is aware that any of the events or circumstances referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) of the definition of “Defaulting Lender” has occurred,
unless it has received notice to the contrary from the Lender concerned (together with any supporting evidence reasonably requested by the Agent) or the Agent is otherwise aware that the Lender has ceased to be a Defaulting Lender.
45.7
Excluded Commitments
If:

(a)
any Defaulting Lender fails to respond to a request for a consent, waiver, amendment of or in relation to any term of any Finance Document or any other vote of Lenders under the terms of this Agreement within 10 Business Days of that request being made; or

(b)
any Lender which is not a Defaulting Lender fails to respond to such a request (other than an amendment, waiver or consent referred to in paragraphs (b), (c), (d) and (m) of clause 45.2 (All Lender matters) )   or such a vote within 10 Business Days of that request being made,
(unless (in either such case) the Borrower and the Agent agree to a longer time period in relation to any request):

(i)
its Commitment or its participation in the Loan shall not be included for the purpose of calculating the Total Commitments or the amount of the Loan when ascertaining whether any relevant percentage (including, for the avoidance of doubt, unanimity) of Total Commitments or the amount of the Loan has been obtained to approve that request; and

(ii)
its status as a Lender shall be disregarded for the purpose of ascertaining whether the agreement of any specified group of Lenders has been obtained to approve that request.
45.8
Replacement of a Defaulting Lender

(a)
The Borrower may, at any time a Lender has become and continues to be a Defaulting Lender, by giving 10 Business Days’ prior notice to the Agent and such Lender replace such Lender by requiring such Lender to (and to the extent permitted by law such Lender shall) assign pursuant to clause 31 (Changes to the Lenders) all (and not part only) of its rights under this Agreement (and any Security Document to which that Lender is a party in its capacity as a Lender) to an Eligible Institution (a Replacement Lender )   which confirms its willingness to undertake and does undertake all the obligations or all the relevant obligations of the assigning Lender in accordance with clause 31 (Changes to the Lenders) for a purchase price in cash payable at the time of transfer which is either:

(i)
in an amount equal to:

(A)
the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s participation in the Loan;

(B)
all accrued interest owing to such Lender;

(C)
the Break Costs which would have been payable to such Lender pursuant to clause 11.5 (Break Costs) had the Borrower prepaid in full that Lender’s participation in the Loan on the date of the assignment; and

(D)
all other amounts payable to that Lender under the Finance Documents on the date of the assignment; or
124



(ii)
in an amount agreed between that Defaulting Lender, the Replacement Lender and the Borrower and which does not exceed the amount described in paragraph (i) above.

(b)
Any assignment by a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause 45.8 shall be subject to the following conditions:

(i)
the Borrower shall have no right to replace the Agent or the Security Agent;

(ii)
neither the Agent nor the Defaulting Lender shall have any obligation to the Borrower to find a Replacement Lender;

(iii)
the assignment must take place no later than five Business Days after the notice referred to in paragraph (a) above;

(iv)
in no event shall the Defaulting Lender be required to pay or surrender to the Replacement Lender any of the fees received by the Defaulting Lender pursuant to the Finance Documents; and

(v)
the Defaulting Lender shall only be obliged to assign its rights pursuant to paragraph (a) above once it is satisfied that it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to that assignment to the Replacement Lender.

(c)
The Defaulting Lender shall perform the checks described in paragraph (b) (v) above as soon as reasonably practicable following delivery of a notice referred to in paragraph (a) above and shall notify the Agent and the Borrower when it is satisfied that it has complied with those checks.
45.9
Disenfranchisement of Borrower Affiliates

(a)
For so long as a Borrower Affiliate:

(i)
beneficially owns a Commitment; or

(ii)
has entered into a sub-participation agreement relating to a Commitment or other agreement or arrangement having a substantially similar economic effect and such agreement or arrangement has not been terminated,
in ascertaining:

(A)
the Majority Lenders; or

(B)
whether:

(1)
any given percentage (including, for the avoidance of doubt, unanimity) of the Total Commitments; or

(2)
the agreement of any specified group of Lenders,
has been obtained to approve any request for a consent, waiver, amendment or other vote under the Finance Documents,
such Commitment shall be deemed to be zero and such Borrower Affiliate or the person with whom it has entered into such sub-participation, other agreement or arrangement shall be deemed not to be a Lender for the purposes of paragraphs (A) and (B) above (unless in the case of a person not being a Borrower Affiliate it is a Lender by virtue otherwise than by beneficially owning the relevant Commitment).
125



(b)
Each Lender shall, unless such Debt Purchase Transaction is an assignment or transfer, promptly notify the Agent in writing if it knowingly enters into a Debt Purchase Transaction with a Borrower Affiliate (a Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction), such notification to be substantially in the form set out in Part I of Schedule 6 (Forms of Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction Notice) .

(c)
A Lender shall promptly notify the Agent if a Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction to which it is a party:

(i)
is terminated; or

(ii)
ceases to be with a Borrower Affiliate,
such notification to be substantially in the form set out in Part II of Schedule 6 (Forms of Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction Notice) .

(d)
Each Borrower Affiliate that is a Lender agrees that:

(i)
in relation to any meeting or conference call to which all the Lenders are invited to attend or participate, it shall not attend or participate in the same if so requested by the Agent or, unless the Agent otherwise agrees, be entitled to receive the agenda or any minutes of the same; and

(ii)
in its capacity as Lender, unless the Agent otherwise agrees, it shall not be entitled to receive any report or other document prepared at the behest of, or on the instructions of, the Agent or one or more of the Lenders.
46
Confidential Information
46.1
Confidential Information
Each Finance Party agrees to keep all Confidential Information confidential and not to disclose it to anyone, save to the extent permitted by clause 46.2 (Disclosure of Confidential Information), or as required by SEC or NASDAQ regulations and to ensure that all Confidential Information is protected with security measures and a degree of care that would apply to its own confidential information.
46.2
Disclosure of Confidential Information
Any Finance Party may disclose:

(a)
to any of its Affiliates and Related Funds and any of its or their officers, directors, employees, professional advisers, auditors, partners and Representatives such Confidential Information as that Finance Party shall consider appropriate if any person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given pursuant to this paragraph (a) is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no such requirement to so inform if the recipient is subject to professional obligations to maintain the confidentiality of the information or is otherwise bound by requirements of confidentiality in relation to the Confidential Information;

(b)
to any person:

(i)
to (or through) whom it assigns (or may potentially assign) all or any of its rights and/or obligations under one or more Finance Documents or which succeeds (or which may potentially succeed) it as Agent or Security Agent and, in each case, to any of that person’s Affiliates, Related Funds, Representatives, professional advisers and partners;
126



(ii)
with (or through) whom it enters into (or may potentially enter into), whether directly or indirectly, any sub-participation in relation to, or any other transaction under which payments are to be made or may be made by reference to, one or more Finance Documents and/or one or more Obligors and to any of that person’s Affiliates, Related Funds, Representatives, professional advisers and partners;

(iii)
appointed by any Finance Party or by a person to whom paragraphs (b)(i) or (b)(ii) above applies to receive communications, notices, information or documents delivered pursuant to the Finance Documents on its behalf (including, without limitation, any person appointed under paragraph (b) of clause 33.20 (Relationship with the Lenders) );

(iv)
who invests in or otherwise finances (or may potentially invest in or otherwise finance), directly or indirectly, any transaction referred to in paragraphs (b)(i) or (b)(ii) above;

(v)
to whom information is required or requested to be disclosed by any court of competent jurisdiction or any governmental, banking, taxation or other regulatory authority or similar body, the rules of any relevant stock exchange or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation;

(vi)
to whom information is required to be disclosed in connection with, and for the purposes of, any litigation, arbitration, administrative or other investigations, proceedings or disputes;

(vii)
to whom or for whose benefit that Finance Party charges, assigns or otherwise creates Security (or may do so) pursuant to clause 31.8 (Security over Lenders’ rights) ;

(viii)
who is a Party; or

(ix)
with the consent of the Borrower;
in each case, such Confidential Information as that Finance Party shall consider appropriate;

(c)
to any person appointed by that Finance Party or by a person to whom paragraphs (b)(i) or (b)(ii) above applies to provide administration or settlement services in respect of one or more of the Finance Documents including without limitation, in relation to the trading of participations in respect of the Finance Documents, such Confidential Information as may be required to be disclosed to enable such service provider to provide any of the services referred to in this paragraph (c) if the service provider to whom the Confidential Information is to be given has entered into a confidentiality agreement substantially in the form of the LMA Master Confidentiality Undertaking for Use With Administration/Settlement Service Providers or such other form of confidentiality undertaking agreed between the Borrower and the relevant Finance Party; and

(d)
to any rating agency (including its professional advisers) such Confidential Information as may be required to be disclosed to enable such rating agency to carry out its normal rating activities in relation to the Finance Documents and/or the Obligors.
46.3
Entire agreement
This clause 46 constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties in relation to the obligations of the Finance Parties under the Finance Documents regarding Confidential Information and supersedes any previous agreement, whether express or implied, regarding Confidential Information.
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46.4
Inside information
Each of the Finance Parties acknowledges that some or all of the Confidential Information is or may be price-sensitive information and that the use of such information may be regulated or prohibited by applicable legislation including securities law relating to insider dealing and market abuse and each of the Finance Parties undertakes not to use any Confidential Information for any unlawful purpose.
46.5
Notification of disclosure
Each of the Finance Parties agrees (to the extent permitted by law and regulation) to inform the Borrower:

(a)
of the circumstances of any disclosure of Confidential Information made to any person to whom information is required or requested to be disclosed by any court of competent jurisdiction or any governmental, banking, taxation or other regulatory authority or similar body or the rules of any relevant stock exchange or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation pursuant to clause 46.2 (Disclosure of Confidential Information) except where such disclosure is made to any such person during the ordinary course of its supervisory or regulatory function; and

(b)
upon becoming aware that Confidential Information has been disclosed in breach of this clause 46.
46.6
Continuing obligations
The obligations in this clause 46 are continuing and, in particular, shall survive and remain binding on each Finance Party for a period of twenty four months from the earlier of:

(a)
the date on which all amounts payable by the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been paid in full and all Commitments have been cancelled or otherwise cease to be available; and

(b)
the date on which such Finance Party otherwise ceases to be a Finance Party.
47
Confidentiality of Funding Rates
47.1
Confidentiality and disclosure

(a)
The Agent and each Obligor who is a Party agree to keep each Funding Rate confidential and not to disclose it to anyone, save to the extent permitted by paragraphs (b) and (c) below.

(b)
The Agent may disclose:

(i)
any Funding Rate to the Borrower pursuant to clause 9.4 (Notification of rates of interest) ;   and

(ii)
any Funding Rate to any person appointed by it to provide administration services in respect of one or more of the Finance Documents to the extent necessary to enable such service provider to provide those services if the service provider to whom that information is to be given has entered into a confidentiality agreement substantially in the form of the LMA   Master Confidentiality Undertaking for Use With Administration/Settlement Service Providers or such other form of confidentiality undertaking agreed between the Agent and the relevant Lender.
128



(c)
The Agent may disclose any Funding Rate to:

(i)
any of its Affiliates and any of its or their officers, directors, employees, professional advisers, auditors, partners and Representatives if any person to whom that Funding Rate is to be given pursuant to this paragraph (i) is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that it may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no such requirement to so inform if the recipient is subject to professional obligations to maintain the confidentiality of that Funding Rate or is otherwise bound by requirements of confidentiality in relation to it;

(ii)
any person to whom information is required or requested to be disclosed by any court of competent jurisdiction or any governmental, banking, taxation or other regulatory authority or similar body, the rules of any relevant stock exchange or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation if the person to whom that Funding Rate is to be given is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that it may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no requirement to so inform if, in the opinion of the Agent or the relevant Obligor, as the case may be, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances;

(iii)
any person to whom information is required to be disclosed in connection with, and for the purposes of, any litigation, arbitration, administrative or other investigations, proceedings or disputes if the person to whom that Funding Rate is to be given is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that it may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no requirement to so inform if, in the opinion of the Agent or the relevant Obligor, as the case may be, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances; and

(iv)
any person with the consent of the relevant Lender.
47.2
Related obligations

(a)
The Agent and each Obligor acknowledge that each Funding Rate is or may be price-sensitive information and that its use may be regulated or prohibited by applicable legislation including securities law relating to insider dealing and market abuse and the Agent and each Obligor undertake not to use any Funding Rate for any unlawful purpose.

(b)
The Agent and each Obligor agree (to the extent permitted by law and regulation) to inform the relevant Lender:

(i)
of the circumstances of any disclosure made pursuant to clause 47.1(c)(ii) (Confidentiality and disclosure) except where such disclosure is made to any of the persons referred to in that paragraph during the ordinary course of its supervisory or regulatory function; and

(ii)
upon becoming aware that any information has been disclosed in breach of this clause 47.
47.3
No Event of Default
No Event of Default will occur under clause 30.3 (Other obligations) by reason only of an Obligor’s failure to comply with this clause 47.
48
Counterparts
Each Finance Document may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of the Finance Document.
129


49
Contractual recognition of bail-in
Notwithstanding any other term of any Finance Document or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding between the Parties, each Party and each Obligor acknowledges and accepts that any liability of any Party to any other Party under or in connection with the Finance Documents may be subject to Bail-In Action by the relevant Resolution Authority and acknowledges and accepts to be bound by the effect of:

(a)
any Bail-In Action in relation to any such liability, including (without limitation):

(i)
a reduction, in full or in part, in the principal amount, or outstanding amount due (including any accrued but unpaid interest) in respect of any such liability;

(ii)
a conversion of all, or part of, any such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership that may be issued to, or conferred on, it; and

(iii)
a cancellation of any such liability; and

(b)
a variation of any term of any Finance Document to the extent necessary to give effect to any Bail-In Action in relation to any such liability.
130


Section 12 - Governing Law and Enforcement
50
Governing law
This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations connected with it are governed by English law.
51
Enforcement
51.1
Jurisdiction of English courts

(a)
The courts of England have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any non-contractual obligations connected with it (including a dispute regarding the existence, validity or termination of this Agreement) (a Dispute ).

(b)
The Parties agree that the courts of England are the most appropriate and convenient courts to settle Disputes and accordingly no Party will argue to the contrary.

(c)
Notwithstanding paragraph (a) above, no Finance Party shall be prevented from taking proceedings relating to a Dispute in any other courts with jurisdiction.  To the extent allowed by law, the Finance Parties may take concurrent proceedings in any number of jurisdictions.
51.2
Service of process
Without prejudice to any other mode of service allowed under any relevant law, any Obligor who is a Party:

(a)
irrevocably appoints the person named in Schedule 1 (The original parties) as that Obligor’s English process agent as its agent for service of process in relation to any proceedings before the English courts in connection with any Finance Document;

(b)
agrees that failure by an agent for service of process to notify the relevant Obligor of the process will not invalidate the proceedings concerned; and

(c)
if any person appointed as process agent for an Obligor is unable for any reason to act as agent for service of process, that Obligor must immediately (and in any event within ten days of such event taking place) appoint another agent on terms acceptable to the Agent.  Failing this, the Agent may appoint another agent for this purpose.
This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.
131


Schedule 1
The original parties
Borrower
Name:
PCH77 Shipping Company Limited
Original Jurisdiction
The Republic of the Marshall Islands
Registration number
(or equivalent, if any)
92923
Registered office
Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960
Address for service of notices
c/o Central Mare Inc.
1, Vas. Sofias Street & Meg. Alexandrou, 151 24 Maroussi,
Greece
Attn:     Andreas Louka
Email:    louka@loukapartners.com
Tel:       +30 210 812 8320
English process agent (if not incorporated in England)
Top Properties (London) Limited
247 Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1X 8QZ, United Kingdom

Top Ships Guarantor
Name:
Top Ships Inc.
Original Jurisdiction
The Republic of the Marshall Islands
Registration number
(or equivalent, if any)
3571
Registered office
Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960
Address for service of notices
c/o Central Mare Inc.
1, Vas. Sofias Street & Meg. Alexandrou, 151 24 Maroussi,
Greece
Attn:     Andreas Louka
Email:    louka@loukapartners.com
Tel:       +30 210 812 8320
English process agent (if not incorporated in England)
Top Properties (London) Limited
247 Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1X 8QZ, United Kingdom

132


Astarte Guarantor
Name:
Astarte International Inc.
Original Jurisdiction
The Republic of the Marshall Islands
Registration number
(or equivalent, if any)
89977
Registered office
Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960
Address for service of notices
c/o Central Mare Inc.
1, Vas. Sofias Street & Meg. Alexandrou, 151 24 Maroussi, Greece
Attn:     Andreas Louka
Email:   louka@loukapartners.com
Tel:       +30 210 812 8320
English process agent (if not incorporated in England)
Top Properties (London) Limited
247 Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1X 80Z, United Kingdom

The Original Lenders
Name
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V.
Commitment $
10,140,000
TOTAL $
10,140,000
Total Commitments $
10,140,000
TOTAL $
10,140,000

The Agent
Name
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V.
Facility Office, address and attention details for notices
Non-administrative matters:
World Trade Center
Tower I, Level 6
Strawinskylaan 1939
1077 XX Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Attn:     Iraklis Tsirigotis / Vassilis Kolovos
Email:   i.tsirigotis@atbank.nl / v.kolovos@atbank.nl
Cc:        shipping.finance@atbank.n1
Telephone No.: +31 (0) 205 209 404 / +31 (0) 205 209 204
 
Administrative matters:
World Trade Center
Tower I, Level 6

133



 
Strawinskylaan 1939
1077 XX Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Attn: Ruben Paniry
Email:   shipping.finance@atbank.n1
Cc:        i.tsirigotis@atbank.nl / v.kolovos@atbank.nl
Telephone No.: +31 (0) 205 209 247 / +31 (0) 205 209 404 / +31 (0) 205 209 204

The Security Agent
Name
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V.
Facility Office, address and attention details for notices
Non-administrative matters :
World Trade Center
Tower I, Level 6
Strawinskylaan 1939
1077 XX Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Attn:     Iraklis Tsirigotis / Vassilis Kolovos
Email:   i.tsirigotis@atbank.nl / v.kolovos@atbank.nl
Cc:        shipping.finance@atbank.n1
Telephone No.: +31 (0) 205 209 404 / +31 (0) 205 209 204
 
Administrative matters:
World Trade Center
Tower I, Level 6
Strawinskylaan 1939
1077 XX Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Attn:     Ruben Paniry
Email:   shipping.finance@atbank.n1
Cc:        i.tsirigotis@atbank.nl / v.kolovos@atbank.nl
Telephone No.: +31 (0) 205 209 247 / +31 (0) 205 209 404 / +31 (0) 205 209 204

The Security Agent
Name
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V.
Address and attention details for notices
World Trade Center
Tower I, Level 6
Strawinskylaan 1939

134



 
1077 XX Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Attn:     Iraklis Tsirigotis / Vassilis Kolovos
Email:   i.tsirigotis@atbank.nl / v.kolovos@atbank.nl


135


Schedule 2
Ship information
Borrower’s Ship
Owner:
PCH77 Shipping Company Limited
Builder:
Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co., Ltd.
Builder’s registered office:
100 Bangeojinsunhwan-Doro, Dung-Gu, Ulsan 44113, Korea
Hull Number:
8218
Scheduled Delivery Date:
31 January 2019
Date and description of Building Contract:
shipbuilding contract dated 31 October 2017 as amended and supplemented by Amendment No.1 thereto dated 14 May 2018
Contract Price:
$35,800,000
Date and number of Refund Guarantee:
20 December 2017 as amended and supplemented by Amendment No. 1 thereto dated 22 May 2018 with number 40997
Name and address of Refund Guarantor:
Swiss Re International SE Singapore Branch
12 Marina View, #16-01 Asia Square Tower 2, Singapore 018961
Charter description:
time charter dated 16 October 2017
Charterer:
Shell Tankers Singapore Private Limited
Classification:
(a)     +1A, Tanker for Oil & Chemicals, ESP, CSR, Ship Type 2 & 3, EO, BIS, TMON, CMON, ERS, LCS, SPM, COAT-PSPC(B), Inert, BWM(E(s),T), VCS(2B), CLEAN,   Recyclable, ECA(SOx-A), ETC;
(b)     +KRS1 — Oil/Chemical Tanker(Double Hull) ‘ESP’ (FBC)(CSR) Crude/Product/II&III 2G/1.025SG (IBC) SeaTrust(HCM) IWS IHM CLEAN1 PSPC LI EQ-SPM +KRM1 — UMA STCM BWT IGS VECL COW
Classification Society:
(a)     DNV.GL   (main Classification Society); and
(b)     Korean Register of Shipping (secondary Classification Society)
Major Casualty Amount:
$500,000
136



Collateral Ship
Owner:
Astarte International Inc.
Name of Ship:
Eco Palm Desert
Scheduled Delivery Date:
30 September 2018
Flag State:
The Republic of the Marshall Islands
Charter description:
together (a) the time charter dated 20 September 2017 between the Astarte Guarantor as owner and the Charterer as time charterer and (b) the time charter dated 28 September 2017 between the Charterer as disponent owner and the Sub-charterer as time charterer
Charterer:
Central Tankers Chartering Inc.
Sub-charterer:
Shell Tankers Singapore Private Limited
Classification:
+100A1, Double Hull Oil and Chemical Tanker, Ship Type 2 and Ship Type 3, ESP, CSR, +LMC, UMS, *IWS, LI, SRM4, ECO (IHM, P), NAV1, IGS, ShipRight (CM, ACS(B)) with descriptive notes COW(LR), ETA, ShipRight (BWMP(S)), SERS, SCM, VECS)
Classification Society:
Lloyds Register of Shipping
Major Casualty Amount:
$500,000

137


Schedule 3
Conditions precedent
Part 1
Conditions precedent to any Utilisation
1
Original Obligors’ corporate documents

(a)
A copy of the Constitutional Documents of each Original Obligor (other than any Charterer, the Sub-charterer and CSM).

(b)
A copy of a resolution of the board of directors of each Original Obligor other than any Charterer, the Sub-charterer and CSM (or, if applicable, any committee of such board empowered to approve and authorise the following matters):

(i)
approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Transaction Documents to which it is a party (its Relevant Documents )   and resolving that it execute, deliver and perform the Relevant Documents to which it is a party;

(ii)
authorising a specified person or persons to execute its Relevant Documents on its behalf; and

(iii)
authorising a specified person or persons, on its behalf, to sign and/or despatch all documents and notices (including, if relevant, any Utilisation Request) to be signed and/or despatched by it under or in connection with its Relevant Documents.

(c)
If applicable, a copy of a resolution of the board of directors of the relevant company, establishing any committee referred to in paragraph (b) above and conferring authority on that committee.

(d)
A specimen of the signature of each person authorised by the resolution referred to in paragraph (b) above in relation to its Relevant Documents and related documents.

(e)
A copy of a resolution signed by all the holders of the issued shares in each Original Obligor (other than any Charterer, the Sub-charterer and CSM), approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, its Relevant Documents.

(f)
A copy of a resolution of the board of directors of each corporate shareholder of each Original Obligor (other than any Charterer, the Sub-charterer and CSM) approving the terms of the resolution referred to in paragraph (e) above.

(g)
A certificate of each Guarantor (signed by a director) confirming that borrowing or guaranteeing or securing, as appropriate, the Total Commitments would not cause any borrowing, guarantee, security or similar limit binding on any Original Obligor (other than any Charterer and the Sub-charterer) to be exceeded.

(h)
A copy of any power of attorney under which any person is appointed by any Original Obligor (other than any Charterer, the Sub-charterer and CSM) to execute any of its Relevant Documents on its behalf.

(i)
A certificate of an authorised signatory of each relevant Original Obligor (other than any Charterer, the Sub-charterer and CSM) certifying that each copy document relating to it specified in this Part of this Schedule is correct, complete and in full force and effect and has not been amended or superseded as at a date no earlier than the date of this Agreement and that any such resolutions or power of attorney have not been revoked.
138



(j)
A goodstanding certificate from the Marshall Islands competent authority in respect of the Borrower and each Guarantor (not more than 14 days before the proposed first Utilisation Date).
2
Legal opinions
The following legal opinions, each addressed to the Agent, the Security Agent and the Original Lenders and capable of being relied upon by any persons who become Lenders pursuant to the primary syndication of the Facility:

(a)
A legal opinion of Norton Rose Fulbright Greece addressed to the Arranger, the Security Agent and the Agent on matters of English law, substantially in the form approved by the Agent prior to signing this Agreement.

(b)
A legal opinion of the legal advisers to the Arranger, the Security Agent and the Agent in England and also each jurisdiction in which an Obligor is incorporated and/or which is or is to be the Flag State of the Borrower’s Ship, or in which an Account opened at the relevant time is established substantially in the form approved by the Agent prior to signing this Agreement.
3
Other documents and evidence

(a)
Evidence that any process agent referred to in clause 51.2 ( Service of process )   or any equivalent provision of any other Finance Document entered into on or before the first Utilisation Date, if not an Original Obligor, has accepted its appointment.

(b)
A copy of any other Authorisation or other document, opinion or assurance which the Agent considers to be necessary (if it has notified the Borrower accordingly) in connection with the entry into and performance of the transactions contemplated by any Finance Document or for the validity and enforceability of any Finance Document.

(c)
The Fee Letters duly executed and evidence that the fees, commissions, costs and expenses then due from the Borrower pursuant to clause 12 ( Fees ) and clause 17 ( Costs and expenses )   have been paid or will be paid by the first Utilisation Date.
4
Bank Account
Evidence that any Account required to be established under clause 28 ( Bank accounts ) has been opened and established by the Borrower, that any Account Security in respect of each such Account has been executed and delivered by the Borrower and that any notice required to be given to an Account Bank under that Account Security has been given to it and acknowledged by it in the manner required by that Account Security and that an amount has been credited to it.
5
Construction matters

(a)
The   original and a copy, certified by an approved person to be a true and complete copy, of the Building Contract and the Refund Guarantee.

(b)
A Pre-Delivery Security Assignment duly executed by the Borrower.

(c)
Duly executed notices of assignment and acknowledgement of those notices as required by the Pre-Delivery Security Assignment.

(d)
A legal opinion addressed to the Agent, the Security Agent and the Original Lenders (and capable of being relied upon by any persons who become Lenders pursuant to the primary syndication of the Facility) of legal advisers to the Arranger, the Security Agent
139


and the Agent in Korea substantially in the form approved by the Agent prior to signing this Agreement.
6
Charter

(a)
The Charter in respect of the Borrower’s Ship, duly executed, on such terms (including as to the identity of the relevant Charterer, the charter rates and their tenors) and otherwise approved by the Majority Lenders.

(b)
Such evidence as the Agent may require as to the due incorporation of the Charterer in respect of the Borrower’s Ship and any other party to the Charter Documents in respect of the Borrower’s Ship (other than an Obligor), their power and authority to enter into and perform those documents and the authorisation of their entry into them.
7
Share Security
The Share Security in respect of the shares in the Borrower duly executed by the Top Ships Guarantor together with all letters, transfers, certificates and other documents required to be delivered under that Share Security.
8
“Know your customer” information
Such documentation and information as any Finance Party may reasonably request through the Agent to comply with “know your customer” or similar identification procedures under all laws and regulations applicable to that Finance Party.
9
Disclosed Persons
Evidence in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) of who are the persons controlling the Top Ships Guarantor as at the date of this Agreement, including written evidence of their identity.
10
Provisional Schedule
A copy, certified by an approved person to be a true and complete copy of the latest provisional schedule for the construction of the Borrower’s Ship provided to the Borrower by the Builder.
140


Part 2
Conditions precedent before Delivery
In relation to each Advance under the Commitment (the Relevant Advance ):
1
Confirmation
A written confirmation from the Borrower that:

(a)
neither the Builder nor any other party who may have a claim pursuant to the Building Contract Documents has any claims against the Borrower’s Ship or the Borrower and that there have been no breaches of the terms of such Building Contract Documents or any default thereunder;

(b)
there have been no:

(i)
amendments or variations to the Building Contract Documents;

(ii)
release of the Builder or the Refund Guarantor from any of its obligations under the Building Contract or the Refund Guarantee;

(iii)
waiver of any breach of such obligations; or

(iv)
any consent to anything which would otherwise be such a breach,
except as may be stated in such confirmation and which have already been advised by the Borrower to the Agent in writing and, if approval of the same was required under the Finance Documents, so approved; and

(c)
no action has been taken by the Builder or the Refund Guarantor which might in any way render any of the Building Contract Documents wholly or partly inoperative or unenforceable.
2
Construction matters

(a)
An invoice or notification from the Builder demanding the payment of the Pre-Delivery Instalment which is to be financed by the Relevant Advance or, in the event that the Borrower has already paid such Pre-Delivery Instalment, evidence from the Builder of receipt of such payment.

(b)
In the event that, under the terms of the Building Contract, such Pre-Delivery Instalment is payable upon completion of a stage of construction of the Borrower’s Ship relating to the Relevant Advance, such evidence in all respects satisfactory to the Agent that such stage of construction has been completed as is required by the Builder under the Building Contract and the provisional schedule provided to the Agent under paragraph 10 of Part 1 of this Schedule 3 (including as to the time of the relevant stage construction completion) (including, if required thereunder, stage certificate from the relevant classification society).

(c)
Evidence from the Builder that any Pre-Delivery Instalments which had been due and payable prior to the Pre-Delivery Instalment which is to be financed by the Relevant Advance, have been paid in full.

(d)
Evidence that any part of such Pre-Delivery Instalment which is not to be financed by the Relevant Advance has been paid or will be paid simultaneously with the Relevant Advance, to the Builder.
141


3
Corporate documents

(a)
A certificate of an authorised signatory of the Borrower certifying that each copy document relating to it specified in Part 1 of this Schedule remains correct, complete and in full force and effect as at a date no earlier than a date approved for this purpose and that any resolutions or power of attorney referred to in Part 1 of this Schedule in relation to it have not been revoked or amended.

(b)
A certificate of an authorised signatory of each other Obligor which is party to any of the Original Security Documents required to be executed at or before Delivery of the Borrower’s Ship certifying that each copy document relating to it specified in Part 1 of this Schedule remains correct, complete and in full force and effect as at a date no earlier than a date approved for this purpose and that any resolutions or power of attorney referred to in Part 1 of this Schedule in relation to it have not been revoked or amended.

(c)
A goodstanding certificate from the Marshall Islands competent authority in respect of the Borrower and each Guarantor (not more than 14 days before the proposed Utilisation Date relating to the Relevant Advance).
4
Fees and expenses
Evidence that the fees, commissions, costs and expenses then due from the Borrower pursuant to clause 12 ( Fees )   and clause 17 ( Costs and expenses )   or any Fee Letter have been paid or will be paid by the relevant Utilisation Date.
5
Survey report
A survey report from approved surveyors obtained not more than 10 days before the relevant Utilisation Date evidencing that the construction of the Borrower’s Ship   has progressed in a satisfactory manner.
142


Schedule 4
Utilisation Request

From:
PCH77 Shipping Company Limited
 

To:
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V.
 

Date:
[●]
 


Dear Sirs
$10,140,000
Facility Agreement dated [•] (the Facility Agreement)
1
We refer to the Facility Agreement.  This is a Utilisation Request.  Terms defined in the Facility Agreement have the same meaning in this Utilisation Request unless given a different meaning in this Utilisation Request.
2
We wish to borrow an Advance on the following terms:
 
Proposed Utilisation Date:
[ ] (or, if that is not a Business Day, the next Business Day)

 
Amount:
$[ ]

3
We confirm that each condition specified in clause 4.4 ( Further conditions precedent )   is satisfied on the date of this Utilisation Request.
4
The purpose of this Advance is [specify purpose complying with clause 3 of the Facility Agreement] and its proceeds should be credited to [ ] [specify account]].
5
This Utilisation Request is irrevocable.
Yours faithfully
 


   
authorised signatory for
 
PCH77 SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED
 



143


Schedule 5
Form of Transfer Certificate

To:
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V. as Agent

From:
[The Existing Lender] (the Existing Lender) and [The New Lender] (the New Lender )

Dated:
 


$10,140,000 Facility Agreement dated [s] (the Facility Agreement)
1
We refer to the Facility Agreement.  This agreement (the Agreement )   shall take effect as a Transfer Certificate for the purposes of the Facility Agreement.  Terms defined in the Facility Agreement have the same meaning in this Agreement unless given a different meaning in this Agreement.
2
We refer to clause 31.6 ( Procedure for assignment )   of the Facility Agreement:

(a)
The Existing Lender assigns absolutely to the New Lender all the rights of the Existing Lender under the Facility Agreement and the other Finance Documents which correspond to that portion of the Existing Lender’s Commitment and participation in the Loan under the Facility Agreement as specified in the Schedule.

(b)
The Existing Lender is released from the obligations owed by it which correspond to that portion of the Existing Lender’s Commitment and participation in the Loan under the Facility Agreement specified in the Schedule (but the obligations owed by the Obligors under the Finance Documents shall not be released).

(c)
On the Transfer Date the New Lender becomes a Party as a Lender and is bound by obligations equivalent to those from which the Existing Lender is released under paragraph (b) above.

(d)
The proposed Transfer Date is [ ].

(e)
The Facility Office and address and attention details for notices of the New Lender for the purposes of clause 41.2 ( Addresses ) of the Facility Agreement are set out in the Schedule.
3
The New Lender expressly acknowledges the limitations on the Existing Lender’s obligations set out in clause 31.5 ( Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders )   of the Facility Agreement.
4
The New Lender confirms that it [is] / [is not] a Borrower Affiliate.
5
This Agreement acts as notice to the Agent (on behalf of each Finance Party) and, upon delivery in accordance with clause 31.7 ( Copy of Transfer Certificate to Borrower ) , to the Borrower (on behalf of each Obligor) of the assignment referred to in this Agreement.
6
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Agreement.
7
This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations connected with it are governed by English law.
8
This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.
Note:  The execution of this Transfer Certificate may not assign a proportionate share of the Existing Lender’s interest in the Security Documents in all jurisdictions.  It is the responsibility
144


of the New Lender to ascertain whether any other documents or other formalities are required to perfect an assignment of such a share in the Security Documents in any jurisdiction and, if so, to arrange for execution of those documents and completion of those formalities.
145


The Schedule
Rights to be assigned and obligations to be released and undertaken
[insert relevant details]
[Facility Office address and attention details for notices and account details for payments.]
[Existing Lender] [New Lender]
By:
   
By:
   

This Agreement is accepted by the Agent as a Transfer Certificate for the purposes of the Facility Agreement and the Transfer Date is confirmed as [ ] .
Signature of this Agreement by the Agent constitutes confirmation by the Agent of receipt of notice of the assignment referred to herein, which notice the Agent receives on behalf of each Finance Party.
[Agent]
         

By:
         

146


Schedule 6
Forms of Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction Notice
Form of Notice on Entering into Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction
To:
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V. as Agent

From:
[The Lender]

Dated:
 


$10,140,000
Facility Agreement dated [ ] (the Facility Agreement)
1
We refer to clause 45.9 ( Disenfranchisement of Borrower Affiliates )   of the Facility Agreement.  Terms defined in the Facility Agreement have the same meaning in this notice unless given a different meaning in this notice.
2
We have entered into a Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction.
3
The Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction referred to in paragraph 2 above relates to the amount of our Commitment as set out below.
Amount of our Commitment to [insert amount (of that Commitment) to which the which Notifiable Debt Purchase relevant Debt Purchase Transaction applies] Transaction relates:
[Lender]
         

By:
         

147


Form of Notice on Termination of Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction/Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction ceasing to be with Borrower Affiliate
To:
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V. as Agent

From:
[The Lender]

Dated:
 


$10,140,000
Facility Agreement dated [ ] (the Facility Agreement)
1
We refer to clause 45.9 ( Disenfranchisement of Borrower Affiliates ) of the   Facility Agreement.  Terms defined in the Facility Agreement have the same meaning in this notice unless given a different meaning in this notice.
2
A Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction which we entered into and which we notified you of in a notice dated [ ] has [terminated] / [ceased to be with a Borrower Affiliate]. *
3
The Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction referred to in paragraph 2 above relates to the amount of our Commitment as set out below.
Amount of our Commitment to [insert amount (of that Commitment) to which the which Notifiable Debt Purchase relevant Debt Purchase Transaction applies] Transaction relates:
[Lender]
         

By:
         



*
Delete as applicable
148


Schedule 7
Form of Compliance Certificate
To:
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V. as Agent

From:
PCH77 Shipping Company Limited as Borrower

Dated:
[ ]


Dear Sirs
$10,140,000
Facility Agreement dated [ ] (the Facility Agreement)
1
We refer to the Facility Agreement.  This is a Compliance Certificate.  Terms defined in the Facility Agreement have the same meaning when used in this Compliance Certificate unless given a different meaning in this Compliance Certificate.
2
We confirm that:

(a)
Leverage :  the ratio of Total Net Debt to Fleet Market Value in respect of the Group was [ ]:1.00, calculated as shown in [Appendix A] versus a maximum required ratio of 0.75:1.00 [attach relevant evidence] ; and

(b)
Minimum liquidity :  the Group’s Cash and Cash Equivalents were [ ] calculated as shown in [Appendix B] versus a minimum required aggregate amount of (i) $750,000 per Fleet Vessel and (ii) $500,000 per Chartered Vessel [attach relevant evidence] .
3
[We confirm that no Default is continuing.]  [If this statement cannot be made, the certificate should identify any Default that is continuing and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it.]
Signed by:
 


   
PCH77 SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED
 



[
 
Auditors of PCH77 SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED ]
 

[N.B.: Required only in respect of the audited annual financial statements of PCH77 Shipping Company Limited]
149


SIGNATURES
THE BORROWER
 
   
PCH77 SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED
 

By:
/s/ Papastratis Nikos
   
 
Nikos Papastratis
   



THE GUARANTORS
 
   
TOP SHIPS INC.
 

By:
/s/ Papastratis Nikos
   
 
Nikos Papastratis
   



ASTARTE INTERNATIONAL INC.
 

By:
/s/ Papastratis Nikos
   
 
Nikos Papastratis
   



THE ARRANGER
 
   
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V.
 

By:
 /s/ A. Skindilias    
    Angeliki Skindilias    



THE AGENT
 
   
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V.
 

By:
 /s/ A. Skindilias    
    Angeliki Skindilias    



THE SECURITY AGENT
 
   
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V.
 

By:
 /s/ A. Skindilias    
    Angeliki Skindilias    



THE LENDERS
 
   
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V.
 

By:
 /s/ A. Skindilias    
    Angeliki Skindilias    



150
Exhibit 4.102
Dated   21 December 2018
TOP SHIPS INC.
(as Guarantor)
- and -
XIANG T88 HK INTERNATIONAL SHIP LEASE CO., LIMITED
(as Owner)
 

GUARANTEE

 

Hong Kong


CONTENTS
Clause
 
Page

1
DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION
1
     
2
GUARANTEE AND INDEMNITY
3
     
3
GUARANTEE PERIOD
7
     
4
PAYMENTS AND TAXES
7
     
5
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
8
     
6
UNDERTAKINGS
11
     
7
SET-OFF
13
     
8
BENEFIT OF THIS GUARANTEE
13
     
9
NOTICES AND OTHER MATTERS
13
     
10
GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION
15
     
EXECUTION PAGE
17



THIS GUARANTEE (this “ Guarantee ”) is dated     21 December 2018       and made
BETWEEN:
1.
TOP SHIPS INC. , a company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Marshall Islands with its registered address at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Majuro, Marshall Islands NH96960 (the “ Guarantor ”); and
2.
XIANG T88 HK INTERNATIONAL SHIP LEASE CO., LIMITED , a company incorporated under the laws of Hong Kong with its registered address at 1/F., Far East Consortium Building, 121 Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong (the “ Owner ”) which expression includes its successors in title, permitted assigns and permitted transferees.
WHEREAS:
(A)
By a bareboat charterparty dated 21 December 2018 (the “ Bareboat Charterparty ”) and made between the Owner and PCH77 SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED (the “ Charterer ”), the Owner has agreed to let and the Charterer has agreed to take one Class Product/Chemical Tanker currently under construction at the shipyard of Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co., Ltd. with Hull No. 8218 to be named m.t. “ECO CALIFORNIA” on demise charter upon the terms and conditions therein mentioned.
(B)
As a condition precedent to the Bareboat Charterparty, the Guarantor has granted this Guarantee in favour of the Owner.
IT IS AGREED as follows:
1
DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION
1.1
Defined expressions
Words and expressions whose meanings are defined in the Bareboat Charterparty shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the same meanings where used in this Guarantee.
1.2
Definitions
In this Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires:
Collateral Instruments ” means notes, bills of exchange, certificates of deposit and other negotiable and non-negotiable instruments and guarantees relating to any indebtedness or liabilities of the Charterer or any other person liable and includes any documents or instruments creating or evidencing a mortgage, charge (whether fixed or floating), pledge, lien, hypothecation, assignment, trust arrangement or security interest of any kind.
GAAP ” means general accepted accounting principles as effective from time to time in the United States of America.
Guarantee ” includes each separate or independent stipulation or agreement by the Guarantor contained in this Guarantee.
Guaranteed Liabilities ” means any and all indebtedness, obligations and liabilities (whether actual or contingent, whether as principal, surety or otherwise, whether now existing or hereafter arising, whether or not for the payment of money, and including, without limitation, any obligation or liability to pay
1


damages) of the Security Parties owing and/or payable to the Owner under the Transaction Documents.
Guarantee Period ” means the period beginning on the date of this Guarantee and ending on the date on which all the Guaranteed Liabilities and all obligations (whether actual or contingent) under or in connection with this Guarantee have been unconditionally and irrevocably paid and discharged in full.
Indebtedness ” means any obligation howsoever arising (whether present or future, actual or contingent, secured or unsecured as principal, surety or otherwise) for the payment or repayment of money.
Pertinent Jurisdiction ” means the Republic of Marshall Islands or any jurisdiction in which or where the Guarantor is resident, is domiciled, established, incorporated, organized, have a permanent establishment, carries on, or has a place of business or is otherwise howsoever effectively connected.
Required Authorisation ” means any authorisation, consent, declaration, licence, permit, exemption, approval or other document, whether imposed by or arising in connection with any law, regulation, custom, contract, security or otherwise howsoever which must be obtained at any time from any person, government entity or central bank or other self-regulating or supra-national authority in order to enable the Guarantor to lawfully and continuously continue its corporate existence and/or perform all its obligations whatsoever whensoever arising and/or grant security under the relevant Transaction Documents and/or to ensure the continuous validity and enforceability thereof.
Restricted Party ” means a person or entity that is (i) listed on any Sanctions List; (ii) a national of, located in, incorporated under the laws of, or owned or (directly or indirectly) controlled by, or acting on behalf of, a person located in or organised under Iran; or (iii) otherwise a target of Sanctions (“target of Sanctions” signifying a person with whom a US person or other national of Sanctions Authority would be prohibited or restricted by law from engaging in trade, business or other activities).
Sanctions ” means the economic sanction laws, regulations, embargoes or restrictive measures administered, enacted or enforced by: (i) the United States; (ii) the United Nations; (iii) the European Union or its Member States, including, without limitation, the United Kingdom; (iv) the People’s Republic of China, or (v) the respective governmental institutions and agencies of any of the foregoing, including, without limitation, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of Treasury (“ OFAC ”), the United States Department of state and Her Majesty’s Treasury (“ HMT ”); (together, the “ Sanctions Authorities ”).
Sanctions List ” means the “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” list maintained by the OFAC, or any similar list maintained by, or public announcement of Sanctions designation made by, any of the Sanctions Authorities.
1.3
Construction
In this Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires:
1.3.1
clause headings and the index are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall be ignored in the construction of this Guarantee;
2


1.3.2
the rules of interpretation contained in the Bareboat Charterparty shall apply mutatis mutandis to the construction of this Guarantee;
1.3.3
references to a “ regulation ” include any present or future regulation, rule, directive, requirement, request or guideline (whether or not having the force of law) of any government entity, central bank or any self-regulatory or other supra-national authority;
1.3.4
references to any person in or party to this Guarantee shall include reference to such person’s lawful successors and assigns and references to the Owner shall also include a transferee;
1.3.5
references to a “ guarantee ” include references to an indemnity or any other kind of assurance whatsoever (including, without limitation, any kind of negotiable instrument, bill or note) against financial loss or other liability including, without limitation, an obligation to purchase assets or services as a consequence of a default by any other person to pay any Indebtedness and “ guaranteed ” shall be construed accordingly;
1.3.6
a certificate by the Owner as to any amount due or calculation made or any matter whatsoever determined in connection with this Guarantee shall be conclusive and binding on the Guarantor except for manifest error;
1.3.7
if any document, term or other matter or thing is required to be approved, agreed or consented to by the Owner such approval, agreement or consent must be obtained in writing unless the contrary is stated; and
1.3.8
time shall be of the essence in respect of all obligations whatsoever of the Guarantor under this Guarantee, howsoever and whensoever arising.
1.4
Third party rights
A person who is not a party to this Guarantee shall have no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce or enjoy the benefit of any term of this Guarantee.
2
GUARANTEE AND INDEMNITY
2.1
Guarantor as principal debtor; indemnity
2.1.1
The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally:

(a)
guarantees to the Owner the due and punctual observance and performance of all the obligations of the Security Parties under the Transaction Documents and the due and punctual payment of all the Guaranteed Liabilities; and

(b)
undertakes with the Owner that whenever any Security Party does not pay any amount of the Guaranteed Obligations when due, the Guarantor shall immediately on demand pay that amount as if it were the principal obligor; and

(c)
indemnifies the Owner immediately on demand against any cost, loss or liability suffered by the Owner if any obligation guaranteed by it (or anything which would have been an obligation if not unenforceable, invalid or illegal) is or becomes unenforceable, invalid or illegal.  The
3


amount of the cost, loss or liability shall be equal to the amount which the Owner would otherwise have been entitled to recover.
2.2
No security taken by Guarantor
The Guarantor warrants to the Owner that it has not taken or received, and undertakes, for so long as this Guarantee remains in force, not to take or receive the benefit of any security from the Charterer or any other person in respect of or extending to the Guaranteed Liabilities.
2.3
Interest
Any amount due to the Owner under this Guarantee shall bear interest from the date of demand until actual payment (both before and after judgment) at the rate of 2% per annum.  Any interest payable under this Guarantee shall accrue from day to day and shall be calculated on the actual number of days on the basis of a year of three hundred and sixty (360) days and shall be compounded at such intervals as the Owner shall determine and shall be payable upon demand.
2.4
Continuing security and other matters
This Guarantee is a continuing security and shall:
2.4.1
secure the ultimate balance of the Guaranteed Liabilities from time to time owing to the Owner by any Security Party notwithstanding any settlement of account or other matter whatsoever;
2.4.2
be in addition to and shall not merge with or otherwise prejudice or affect any present or future Collateral Instrument, right or remedy now or hereafter held by or available to the Owner; and
2.4.3
not be in any way prejudiced or affected by the existence of any such Collateral Instrument, rights or remedies or by the same becoming wholly or in part void, voidable or unenforceable on any ground whatsoever or by the Owner dealing with, exchanging, varying or failing to perfect or enforce any of the same or giving time for payment or indulgence or compounding with any other person liable.
2.5
Waiver of Defences
2.5.1
The Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that none of the Guaranteed Liabilities shall be reduced, released or otherwise howsoever adversely affected by any circumstances, event, action, matter or thing whatsoever, howsoever arising, including, without limitation:

(a)
any renewal, variation, determination or increase in any accommodation or credit given by the Owner to any Security Party;

(b)
any time or waiver granted to or composition with any Security Party or any other person;

(c)
any variation, extension, release, discharge, compromise, dealing with, exchange or renewal of any right or remedy which the Owner may now or hereafter have from or against any Security Party and any other person in respect of any of the obligations and liabilities of any Security Party and any other person;
4



(d)
any act or omission by the Owner or any other person in taking up, perfecting or enforcing any security or guarantee from or against any Security Party and any other person;

(e)
the administration, insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation, winding-up, incapacity, limitation, disability or the discharge by operation of law of any Security Party or any change in the constitution, name and style of any Security Party or any other person; or

(f)
any invalidity, irregularity, unenforceability, act or omission which might have discharged or affected the liability of the Guarantor had it been a mere surety in respect of the Guaranteed Liabilities or by anything done or omitted by any person which but for this provision might operate to exonerate or discharge the Guarantor or otherwise reduce or extinguish its liability under this Guarantee.
2.5.2
Without prejudice to the generality of Clause 2.5.1, the Guarantor expressly confirms that it intends that its obligations under this Guarantee and the guarantee and indemnity contained in it shall extend from time to time any variation, increase, extension or addition (in each case, however fundamentally) of or to any Transaction Document.
2.6
Additional Security
This Guarantee is in addition to and is not in any way prejudiced by any other guarantee or security now or subsequently held by the Owner.
2.7
Collateral Instruments
It shall not be obliged to make any claim or demand on any Security Party or to resort to any Collateral Instrument or other means of payment now or hereafter held by or available to it before enforcing this Guarantee and no action taken or omitted by the Owner in connection with any such Collateral Instrument or other means of payment shall discharge, reduce, prejudice or affect the liability of the Guarantor under this Guarantee nor shall the Owner be obliged to apply any money or other property received or recovered in consequence of any enforcement or realisation of any such Collateral Instrument or other means of payment in reduction of the Guaranteed Liabilities.
2.8
Non-Competition
Until all the Guaranteed Liabilities have been irrevocably paid, discharged or satisfied in full (and notwithstanding payment of a dividend in any liquidation or under any compromise or arrangement) the Guarantor shall not by virtue of any payment made, security realised, or monies received for or on account of the Guarantor’s liability hereunder:
2.8.1
be subrogated to any rights, security or monies held, received or receivable by the Owner or be entitled to any right of contribution;
2.8.2
be entitled and shall not claim to rank as creditor against the assets or in the bankruptcy or liquidation of any Security Party in competition with the Owner or from any other person liable or demand or accept any Collateral Instrument in respect of the same or dispose of the same;
2.8.3
take any step to enforce any right against any Security Party or any other person liable in respect of any Guaranteed Liabilities; or
5


2.8.4
claim any set off or counterclaim against any Security Party or any other person liable or claim or prove in competition with the Owner in the liquidation of any Security Parties or any other person liable or have the benefit of, or share in, any payment from or composition with, any Security Party or any other person liable or any other Collateral Instrument now or hereafter held by the Owner for any Guaranteed Liabilities or for the obligations or liabilities of any other person liable but so that, if so directed by the Owner, it will prove for the whole or any part of its claim in the liquidation of any Security Party or any other person liable on terms that the benefit of such proof and of all money received by it in respect thereof shall be held on trust for the Owner and applied in or towards discharge of the Guaranteed Liabilities in such manner as the Owner shall deem appropriate.
2.9
Suspense accounts
Any money received in connection with this Guarantee may be placed and kept to the credit of a suspense account for so long as the Owner thinks fit, without any obligation to apply any part towards the discharge of any Guaranteed Liabilities.  Notwithstanding any such payment in any proceedings in (or analogous to) bankruptcy, liquidation, administration, composition or arrangement the Owner may prove for and agree to accept any dividend or composition in respect of the whole or any part of the Guaranteed Liabilities as if this Guarantee had not been given.
2.10
New accounts
If for any reason this Guarantee ceases to be a continuing guarantee for the Owner, the Owner may either continue any then existing account(s) with the Guarantor or open one or more new accounts for the Guarantor, but in any such case the Guarantor’s obligations under this Guarantee shall remain unaffected by, and be calculated without regard to, any payment into and out of any such account after this Guarantee has ceased to be a continuing guarantee.
2.11
Settlements conditional
Any release, discharge or settlement between any of the Guarantor and the Owner shall be conditional upon no security, disposition or payment to the Owner by any Security Party or any other person liable being void, set aside or ordered to be refunded pursuant to any enactment or law relating to bankruptcy, liquidation, administration or insolvency or administration or for any other reason whatsoever and if such condition shall not be fulfilled the Owner shall be entitled to enforce this Guarantee subsequently as if such release, discharge or settlement had not occurred and any such payment had not been made.
2.12
Guarantor to pay and deliver up certain property
If, contrary to clauses 2.2, 2.8 or otherwise, the Guarantor takes or receives the benefit of any Security Interest or receives or recovers any money or other property, from any Security Party such Security Interest, money or other property shall be held on trust for the Owner and shall be delivered or paid, as appropriate to the Owner on demand.
2.13
Retention of this Guarantee
Any discharge, releases or reassignment by the Owner of any of the security constituted by, or any of the obligation of the Charterer contained in, any of the Transaction Documents shall be (and be deemed always to have been) void if any act (including, without limitation, any payment) as a result of which such
6


discharge, release or reassignment was given or made is subsequently wholly or partially rescinded or avoided by operation by any law.  GUARANTEE PERIOD
This Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect as a continuing guarantee for the duration of the Guarantee Period.
3
PAYMENTS AND TAXES
3.1
Time for payment
All amounts payable by the Guarantor under or pursuant to this Guarantee shall be paid to such accounts at such banks as the Owner may from time to time direct to the Guarantor in US$ in same day funds for immediate value.  Payment shall be deemed to have been received by the Owner on the date on which the Owner receives authenticated advice of receipt, unless that advice is received by the Owner on a day other than a Banking Day or at a time of day (whether on a Banking Day or not) when the Owner in its discretion considers that it is impossible or impracticable for the Owner to utilise the amount received for value that same day, in which event the payment in question shall be deemed to have been received by the Owner on the Banking Day next following the date of receipt of advice by the Owner.
3.2
No set-off or counter claim
All payments to be made by the Guarantor pursuant to this Guarantee shall, subject only to Clause 3.3, be made free and clear of and without deduction for or on account of any taxes or other deductions, withholdings, restrictions, conditions or counterclaims of any nature.
3.3
Grossing up for Taxes
If at any time any law requires (or is interpreted to require) the Guarantor to make any deduction or withholding from any payment, or to change the rate or manner in which any required deduction or withholding is made, the Guarantor will promptly notify the Owner and, simultaneously with making that payment, will pay to the Owner whatever additional amount (after taking into account any additional taxes on, or deductions or withholdings from, or restrictions or conditions on, that additional amount) is necessary to ensure that, after making the deduction or withholding, the Owner receives a net sum equal to the sum which it would have received had no deduction or withholding been made.  If at any time the Guarantor is required by law to make any deduction or withholding from any payment to be made by it, the Guarantor will pay the amount required to be deducted or withheld to the relevant authority within the time allowed under the applicable law and will, no later than thirty days after making that payment, deliver to the Owner an original receipt issued by the relevant authority, or other evidence acceptable to the Owner, evidencing the payment to that authority of all amounts required to be deducted or withheld.
3.4
Currency Indemnity
If, under any applicable law or regulation, and whether pursuant to a judgment being made or registered against the Guarantor or the liquidation of the Guarantor or for any other reason whatsoever, any payment under or in connection with this Guarantee is made or falls to be made in a currency (the “ payment currency ”) other than the currency in which such payment is due under or in connection with this Guarantee (the “ contractual currency ”) then to the extent that the amount of such payment actually received by the Owner,
7


when converted into the contractual currency at the rate of exchange, falls short of the amount due under or in connection with this Guarantee, the Guarantor, as a separate and independent obligation, shall indemnify and hold harmless the Owner against the amount of such shortfall.  For the purpose of this Clause “rate of exchange” means the rate at which the Owner is able on or about the date of such payment to purchase the contractual currency with the payment currency and shall take into account any premium and other costs of exchange with respect thereto.
4
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
4.1
Continuing Representations and Warranties
The Guarantor represents and warrants on the date of this Guarantee that:
4.1.1
Due incorporation
the Guarantor is duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction and incorporation, has the power to own its assets and carry on its business as it is being conducted;
4.1.2
Insolvency
the Guarantor is not insolvent or in bankruptcy or subject to any other insolvency procedure, and no receiver, trustee or analogous officer has been appointed in respect of the Guarantor or all or any part of its assets;
4.1.3
Power to guarantee
the Guarantor has the power to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under, and has taken all necessary action (corporate or otherwise) to authorise its execution, delivery and performance of, this Guarantee; no limit on the powers of the Guarantor will be exceeded as a result of the borrowing, grant of security, or giving of guarantees or indemnities contemplated by this Guarantee;
4.1.4
Binding obligations
this Guarantee has been duly executed and delivered by the Guarantor and the obligations expressed to be assumed by the Guarantor in this Guarantee are valid, legal, binding and enforceable obligations;
4.1.5
No conflict with other obligations
the execution and delivery of, the performance of its obligations under, and compliance with the terms of this Guarantee by the Guarantor will not:

(a)
contravene any existing applicable law, statute, rule or regulation or any judgment, decree or permit to which the Guarantor is subject; or

(b)
conflict with, or result in any breach of any of the terms of, or constitute a default under, any agreement or other instrument to which the Guarantor is a party or is subject or by which it or any of its assets is bound; or

(c)
contravene or conflict with any provision of any articles of association, articles of incorporation, by-laws, statutes or other constitutional documents of the Guarantor; or
8



(d)
result in the creation or imposition of or oblige the Guarantor to create any Security Interest, other than as permitted by the Owner on any of the undertakings, assets, rights or revenues of the Guarantor;
4.1.6
Validity and admissibility in evidence
all consents and authorisations required or desirable:

(a)
to enable it lawfully to enter into, exercise its rights and comply with its obligations under this Guarantee;

(b)
to ensure that the obligations expressed to be assumed by it in this Guarantee are valid, legally binding and enforceable; and

(c)
to make this Guarantee admissible in evidence in the jurisdiction of its incorporation,
have been obtained or effected and are in full force and effect;
4.1.7
No litigation
no proceedings are current, pending or threatened against the Guarantor or its assets which could have a material adverse effect on the business, assets or financial condition of the Guarantor;
4.1.8
Financial statements correct and complete
the latest financial statements of the Guarantor, and the consolidated financial statements of the Guarantor in respect of the relevant financial year shall be delivered to the Owner in accordance with Clause 5.1.7.  Such statement represents and will represent that as at the end of such financial period to which the relevant financial statements relate, the Guarantor will not have had any significant liabilities (contingent or otherwise) or any unrealised or anticipated losses which are not disclosed by, or reserved against or provided for in, such financial statements and, further, each set of financial statements delivered to the Owner pursuant to the terms of this Guarantee shall fairly represent its financial condition as at the date as at which those financial statements were drawn up and that each set of financial statements delivered is prepared using GAAP;
4.1.9
Sanctions
no Security Party is a Restricted Party nor has any Security Party or any of their respective directors, officers or employees or any person acting on their behalf received notice or are aware of any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation against any of them with respect to Sanctions by a Sanctions Authority;
4.1.10
Registration Requirements
it is not necessary to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of this Guarantee that it or any other instrument be notarised, filed, recorded, registered or enrolled in any court, public office or elsewhere in any Pertinent Jurisdiction or that any stamp, registration or similar tax or charge be paid in any Pertinent Jurisdiction on or in relation to this Guarantee and this Guarantee is in proper form for its enforcement in the courts of each Pertinent Jurisdiction;
9


4.1.11
Choice of law
the choice of English law to govern this Guarantee and the submission herein by the Guarantor to the English arbitration and performance of associated obligations are valid and binding;
4.1.12
No immunity
neither the Guarantor nor any of its assets is entitled to immunity on the grounds of sovereignty or otherwise from any legal action or proceeding;
4.1.13
Consents obtained
all Required Authorisations have been obtained and remain in full force and effect and the Guarantor is not aware of any event or circumstance which could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the right of the Guarantor to hold and/or obtain renewal of any such Required Authorisations;
4.1.14
Pari passu
the obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee are its direct, general and unconditional obligations ranking at least pari passu with all other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated Indebtedness of the Guarantor; and
4.1.15
Default lists
the Guarantor is not on any caution list or list of defaulters of any credit information company or under investigation by any investigation/ enforcement agency or regulatory body.
4.2
Initial Representations and Warranties
The Guarantor further represents and warrants that:
4.2.1
No default under other Indebtedness
the Guarantor is not (nor would with the giving of notice or lapse of time or the satisfaction of any other condition or any combination thereof be) in breach of or in default under any agreement relating to Indebtedness to which it is a party or by which it may be bound;
4.2.2
Information
all information whatsoever provided by the Guarantor to the Owner in connection with the negotiation and preparation of this Guarantee is true and accurate in all material respects and not misleading, does not omit material facts and all reasonable enquiries have been made to verify the facts and statements contained therein; there are no other facts the omission of which would make any fact or statement therein misleading;
4.2.3
No withholding Taxes
no Taxes anywhere are imposed howsoever by withholding or otherwise on any payment to be made by the Guarantor under this Guarantee or are imposed on or by virtue of the execution or delivery by the Guarantor of this Guarantee or any other document or instrument to be executed or delivered under this Guarantee; and
10


4.2.4
No Default
no Default has occurred.
4.3
Repetition of Representations and Warranties
On each day from the date of this Guarantee until all monies due or owing by any Security Party under the Transaction Documents and/or by the Guarantor under this Guarantee have been paid in full, the Guarantor shall be deemed to repeat the representations and warranties in Clause 4.1 as if made with reference to the facts and circumstances existing on each such day.
5
UNDERTAKINGS
5.1
General
The Guarantor undertakes that, from the date of this Guarantee and so long as any monies are owing under this Guarantee, it will:
5.1.1
Compliance with laws
comply in all respects with all laws to which it may be subject, if failure so to comply would have a Material Adverse Effect;
5.1.2
Sanctions
guarantee and undertake from the date of this Guarantee, neither it nor any company that is directly or indirectly owned and controlled by the Guarantor is a Restricted Party;
5.1.3
Notice of Termination Event
promptly notify the Owner as soon as the Guarantor becomes aware of a Termination Event in the Bareboat Charterparty or any occurrence which might adversely affect its ability to perform its obligations under this Guarantee and will from time to time, if so requested by the Owner, confirm to the Owner in writing that, save as otherwise stated in such confirmation, no Termination Event in the Bareboat Charterparty has occurred and is continuing;
5.1.4
Consents and licences
without prejudice to Clause 4.1, obtain or cause to be obtained, maintain in full force and effect and comply in all material respects with the conditions and restrictions (if any) imposed in, or in connection with, every Required Authorisation and do, or cause to be done, all other acts and things which may from time to time be necessary or desirable under applicable law for the continued due performance of all of its obligations under this Guarantee;
5.1.5
Perfection and protection of Guarantee
as soon as reasonably practicable, execute all such documents (including notices), effect all such registrations and filings, deposit all such documents and do all such things as the Owner may reasonably require in order to facilitate the enforcement of this Guarantee or the exercise of any rights held by the Owner under this Guarantee;
5.1.6
Other information
11


deliver to the Owner all other information financial or otherwise concerning the Guarantor and its affairs which the Owner may reasonably require from time to time including but not limited to the following:

(a)
all documents dispatched by it to its shareholders generally at the same time as they are dispatched;

(b)
as soon as reasonably practicable upon becoming aware of them, the details of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings which are current, threatened or pending against it; and

(c)
as soon as reasonably practicable, such further information including the financial condition, business and operations of the Guarantor or the Charterer,
as the Owner may request;
5.1.7
Financial Statements
supply to the Owner in sufficient copies as soon as they become available:

(a)
the unaudited semi annual financial statements of the Charterer and the Guarantor (each prepared in accordance with GAAP and, in the case of the Guarantor, on a consolidated basis) as soon as available and in no event later than 90 days after each such date;

(b)
the annual financial statement of the Charterer, as referred to in the Guarantor’s audited consolidated annual financial statements, and the audited financial statements of the Guarantor (each prepared in accordance with GAAP and, in the case of the Guarantor, on a consolidated basis) as soon as available and in no event later than one hundred and twenty (120) days after the end of their respective financial year;
5.1.8
Requirements as to Financial Statements

(a)
ensure that each set of financial statements delivered pursuant to Clause 5.1.7 shall fairly represent the financial condition of the Charterer and the Guarantor (as the case may be) as at the date as at which those financial statements were drawn up; and

(b)
ensure that its financial statements delivered pursuant to Clause 5.1.7 is prepared using GAAP; and
5.1.9
Notification of Default shall, and shall procure that the Charterer shall, notify the Owner of any default (and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it) promptly upon becoming aware of its occurrence; and promptly upon a request by the Owner, the Guarantor shall and shall procure that the Charterer shall, supply to the Owner a certificate signed by the relevant sole director or a senior officer on its behalf certifying that no default is continuing (or if a default is continuing, specifying the default and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it).
5.2
Negative undertakings
12


The Guarantor undertakes that, from the date of this Guarantee and so long as any moneys are owing under this Guarantee, it will not, without the prior written consent of the Owner:
5.2.1
No merger
merge or consolidate with any other company or person which would result in a Change of Control.
6
SET-OFF
6.1
Set-off
The Guarantor irrevocably authorises the Owner at any time to set off without notice any liability of the Guarantor to the Owner (whether present or future, actual or contingent, and irrespective of the branch or office, currency or place of payment) against any money held by the Owner for account of the Guarantor (whether current or otherwise and whether or not subject to notice) with any branch of the Owner in or towards satisfaction of the Secured Obligations and, in the name of the Owner or the Guarantor, to do all acts (including, without limitation, converting or exchanging any currency) and execute all documents which may be required to effect such application.
7
BENEFIT OF THIS GUARANTEE
7.1
Benefit and burden
This Guarantee shall be binding upon, and shall enure to the benefit of the Guarantor and the Owner and their respective successors and permitted assigns.  The Guarantor may not assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other party to this Guarantee.  The Owner may assign or transfer its rights under this Guarantee without the consent of the Guarantor.  The Owner shall notify the Guarantor after the Owner transfers its rights under this Guarantee to any third party.
7.2
Changes in constitution of the Owner
This Guarantee shall remain binding on the Guarantor notwithstanding any change in the constitution of the Owner or the Owner’s absorption in, or amalgamation with, or the acquisition of all or part of its undertaking or assets by, any other person, or any reconstruction or reorganisation of any kind, to the intent that this Guarantee shall remain valid and effective in all respects.
7.3
Disclosure of information
The Owner may disclose to a potential assignee or sub-participant any information which the Owner has received in relation to a Guarantor or its affairs under or in connection with this Guarantee, the Bareboat Charterparty and the Transaction Documents to which the Guarantor is a party.
8
NOTICES AND OTHER MATTERS
8.1
Notices
8.1.1
Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, every Notice under or in connection with this Guarantee shall be given in English by letter delivered personally and/or sent by post and/or transmitted by fax.
13


8.1.2
In this Clause 8, “ Notice ” and or “ Notices ” includes any demand, consent, authorisation, approval, instruction, request, waiver or other communication.
8.2
Address for Notices, effective date of Notices
8.2.1
Subject to Clause 8.2.4, notices to the Guarantor shall be deemed to have been given and shall take effect when received in full legible form by the Guarantor at the address and/or the fax number and/or email address appearing below (or at such other address, fax number or email address as the Guarantor may hereafter specify for such purpose to the Owner by notice in writing):

Address:
1, Vass Sofias 151 24 Marousi c/o Top Ships

Fax:
0030 210 6141272

Email:
atsirikos@topships.org

Attention:
Alexandros Tsirikos
8.2.2
Notwithstanding the provisions of Clause 8.2.1 or 8.2.4, a Notice given pursuant to this Guarantee shall be deemed to have been given and shall take effect when delivered, sent or transmitted by the Owner to a Guarantor to the address or fax number referred to in clause 8.2.1.
8.2.3
Subject to clause 8.2.4, Notices to the Owner shall be deemed to be given, and shall take effect, when received in full legible form by the Owner at the address and/or the fax number appearing below (or at such other address or fax number as the Owner may hereafter specify for such purpose to the Guarantor by notice in writing):

Address:
c/o Bank of Communications Financial Leasing Co., Ltd
28/F., 333 Lujiazui Ring Road, Shanghai, China

Fax:
+86 -21-6278 8317

Email:
fang xz@bankcomm.com / xux_31@bankcomm.com

Attention:
Mr. Fang Xiuzhi / Mr. Xu Xin
8.2.4
If under clause 8.2.1 or 8.2.3 any Notice would be deemed to have been given and effective on a day which is not a Banking Day in the place of receipt or is outside normal business hours in the place of receipt, the Notice shall be deemed to have been given and to have taken effect at the opening of business on the next Banking Day.
8.3
No implied waivers, remedies cumulative
No failure or delay on the part of the Owner in exercising any right, power, discretion or remedy under or pursuant to this Guarantee nor any actual or alleged course of dealing between the Owner and the Guarantor shall operate as a waiver of, or acquiescence in, any default on the part of the Guarantor, unless expressly agreed to in writing by the Owner nor shall any single or partial exercise by the Owner of any right, power, discretion or remedy or the exercise by the Owner of any other right, power, discretion or remedy.  The remedies provided in this Guarantee are cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.
8.4
Acknowledgment
The Guarantor acknowledges and confirms that the Owner has an unrestricted right to give to any of the Lenders any information (and copies of such information) in connection with any of the Transaction Documents (and the transactions contemplated therein) and/or any Security Party.
14


8.5
Language
This Guarantee has been prepared and executed in the English language only.
8.6
Expenses
The Guarantor agrees to reimburse the Owner on demand on a full indemnity basis for all legal and other costs, charges and expenses incurred by the Owner in relation to the enforcement of this Guarantee.
8.7
Partial Invalidity
If, at any time, any provision of this Guarantee is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, that provision shall be severed from the remainder and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not be affected or impaired in any way.
8.8
Counterparts
This Guarantee may be executed in counterparts and by the different parties on separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original but all counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
9
GOVERNING LAW AND ARBITRATION
9.1
Governing Law
9.1.1
This Guarantee and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law in accordance with the Arbitration Act in accordance with English law in London in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996 or any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof save to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Clause.
9.2
Arbitration
The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) Terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.  The reference shall be to three arbitrators.  A party wishing to refer a dispute to arbitration shall appoint its arbitrator and send notice of such appointment in writing to the other party requiring the other party to appoint its own arbitrator within fourteen (14) calendar days of that notice and stating that it will appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator unless the other party appoints its own arbitrator and gives notice that it has done so within the fourteen (14) days specified.  If the other party does not appoint its own arbitrator and give notice that it has done so within the fourteen (14) days specified, the party referring a dispute to arbitration may, without the requirement of any further prior notice to the other party, appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator and shall advise the other party accordingly.  The award of a sole arbitrator shall be binding on the parties as if the sole arbitrator had been appointed by agreement.
In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of US$100,000 the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the LMAA Small
15


Claims Procedure current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
IN WITNESS whereof the parties to this Guarantee have caused this Guarantee to be duly executed as a deed on the date first above written.
16


EXECUTION PAGE
THE GUARANTOR
EXECUTED as a DEED
For and on behalf of
TOP SHIPS INC.
by Alexandros Tsirikos
Witnessed / Verified by
)
)
)
)
)
)
 
 
 
/s/ Alexandros Tsirikos

   
/s/ Andreas Louka
 
Name:  Andreas Louka
 
Title:   Advocate
 



THE OWNER
SIGNED by Lu Zhendong
for and on behalf of
XIANG T88 HK INTERNATIONAL SHIP LEASE CO., LIMITED
 
Witnessed / Verified by
)
)
)
)
)
)
/s/ Lu Zhendong

   
/s/ Wang Ying
 
Name:  Wang Ying
 
Title:
 



17
Exhibit 4.103
1. Date of Agreement
 
1 st January 2019
 
M/T STENAWECO ENERGY

 
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
CODE NAME: "SHIPMAN 98"
Part I
2. Owners (name, place of registered office and law of registry) ( Cl. 1 )
 
3. Managers (name, place of registered office and law of registry) ( Cl. 1 )
         
 
MONTE CARLO 71 SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED
   
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.
 
Name
   
Name
         
 
The Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands
   
The Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands
 
Place of registered office
   
Place of registered office
         
 
Marshall Islands
   
Marshall Islands
 
Law of Registry
   
Law of Registry
         
4. Day and year of commencement of Agreement ( Cl. 2 )
 
1 st January 2019
 
5. Crew Management (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.1 )
 
YES
 
 
6. Technical Management (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.2 )
 
YES
 
7. Insurance (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.3 )
 
YES
 
 
8. Insurance Arrangements (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.4 )
 
YES
 
9. Accounting (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.5 )
 
YES
 
 
10. Sale or purchase of the Vessel (state “yes” or “no” as agreed ( Cl. 3.6 )
 
YES
 
11. Provisions (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.7 )
 
YES
 
 
12. Bunkering (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.8 )
 
YES
 
13. Chartering Services (only to be filled in if “yes” in box 7) ( Cl. 3.3(i) )
 
FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION OF THIS AGREEMENT
 
 
14. Managers’ Insurance (state alternative (i), (ii) or (iii) of Cl. 6.3 )
 
(i)
 
15. Annual Management Fee (state annual amount) ( Cl. 8.1 )
 
AS PER ANNEX “E”
 
 
16. Severance Costs (state maximum amount) ( Cl. 8.4(ii) )
 
AT COST AS PER SEAMEN COLLECTIVE
AGREEMENT
 
17. Day and year of termination of Agreement (Cl. 17)
 
Duration 5 years, automatically renewed.
 
 
18. Law and Arbitration (state alternative 19.1 , 19.2 or 19.3 place of arbitration must be stated) ( Cl. 19 )
 
AT COST AS PER CLAUSE 19.1
 
19. Notices (state postal and cable address, telex and telefax number for serving notice and communication to the Owners ) ( Cl. 25 )
TOP SHIPS INC.
1, Vas.Sofias & Meg. Alexandrou Str.,
15124, Maroussi, Athens, Greece
E-mail : vi@topships.org
Fax      : +30 210 6141 276
 
20. Notices (state postal and cable address, telex and telefax number for serving notice and communication to the Managers ) ( Cl. 20 )
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.
c/o CENTRAL MARE INC.
1, Vas. Sofias & Meg. Alexandrou Str.,
15124, Maroussi, Athens, Greece
E-mail: ops@centralmare.com
Fax     : +30 210 8020 364

It is mutually agreed between the party stated in Box 2 and the party stated in Box 3 that this Agreement consisting of PART I and PART II as well as Annexes "A" (Details of Vessel), "B" (Details of Crew), “C” (Budget), and “D” (Associated Vessels) attached hereto, shall be performed subject to the conditions contained herein.  In the event of a conflict of conditions, the provisions of PART I and Annexes “A” , “B” , “C” and “D” shall prevail over those of PART II to the extent of such conflict but no father.
     
Signature(s) (Owners)
 
/s/ Vangelis Ikonomou
Vangelis Ikonomou
 
 
MONTE CARLO 71 SHIPPING COMPANY LTD
 
 
 
Signature(s) (Managers)
 
/s/ Andreas M. Louka
Andreas M. Louka
Attorney-in-fact
 
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.


This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “A” (DETAILS OF VESSEL OR VESSELS) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
   
   
Name of Vessel(s):
M/T STENAWECO ENERGY
   
   
 
Particulars of Vessel:
   
   


TYPE OF VESSEL
Oil and Chemicals
Ship Type IMO 2
HULL TYPE
Double Hull
IMO NUMBER
9683984
FLAG
Marshall Islands
YEAR & PLACE BUILT
2014 at Khanh Hoa, Vietnam
CLASS SOCIETY
DNV-GL
CALL SIGN
V7CJ5
LOA, BREADTH, DEPTH
183.06 M / 32,20 M / 19,10 M
SDWT - DRAFT
49,737 MT @ 13.32 M

This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “B” (DETAILS OF CREW) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Details of Crew:
Rank
Number
Nationality
Master
1
Filipino
Chief Officer
1
Filipino
Second Officer
1
Filipino
Third Officer
1
Filipino
Chief Engineer
1
Filipino
Second Engineer
1
Filipino
Third Engineer
1
Filipino
Electrician
1
Filipino
Pumpman
1
Filipino
Bosun
1
Filipino
Able Seaman
3
Filipino
Ordinary Seaman
2
Filipino
Deck Cadet
1
Filipino
Oiler
1
Filipino
Wiper
1
Filipino
Engine Cadet
1
Filipino
Cook
1
Filipino
Mess Boy
2
Filipino
CREW TOTAL
22
 

This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “C” (ANNUAL MANAGEMENT BUDGET)
TO THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Managers Budget in USD effective from the first year of operations.
Hyundai Vinashin Shipyard MR Oil and Chemical Tanker 50,000 DWT
Proposed Budget for first year of operations
Accounts
Code
Crew
Daily Amount
Annual Amount
Annual Summary
68002
CREW AGENTS/SUBMANAGERS EXPENSES
9,86
$3.600
 
68003
CREW AGENTS/SUBMANAGERS FEES
82,19
$30.000
68004
CREW BONUS (TANK CLEANING, VETTING BONUS, ETC)
41,10
$15.000
68014
CREW INDEMNITIES
0,00
$0
68005
CREW COMPULSORY INSURANCE & CREW INSURANCE FOR P&I DEDUCTIBLE
23,29
$8.500
68006
CREW PRE-JOINING MEDICAL EXPS
9,59
$3.500
68021
CREW MISC CLAIMABLE MATTERS
0,00
$0
68007
ADDITIONAL CREW OVERTIME
0,00
$0
08008
CREW SALARIES & FIXED OVERTIME & OWNERS’ CREW BONUS INCLUDING ADDITIONAL OVERLAPPING USD 20,000
2.608,22
$952.000
68009
CREW TRANSPORTATION EXPS
232,88
$85.000
68010
CREW UNIFORMS/WORKING CLOTHES
8,22
$3.000
68011
CREW PRE-JOINING TRAININGS & CREW VARIOUS EXPENSES
296,58
$90.000
$1.271.600
68019
GREEK CREW MEDICAL EXPS
0,00
$0
68018
GREEK CREW MISC EXPS
0,00
$0
68017
GREEK CREW TRANSPORTATION EXPS
0,00
$0
68016
GREEK CREW WAGES
0,00
$0
68012
PROVISIONS
221,92
$81.000
68020
SHIPOWNERS’ CONTRIBUTIONS
0,00
$0
68022
CREW LEAVE PAY
0,00
$0
 
Crew Subtotal
3.483,84
$1.271.600
Accounts
Code
Insurance
 
64001
HULL & MACHINERY
164,38
$60.000
 
64002
INSURANCE LOSS OF HIRE
0,00
$0
69003
WAR RISKS ANNUAL PREMIUM
15,75
$5.750
64004
P&I
136,99
$50.000
65005
FD D
27,40
$10.000
64006
MARINE INTEREST
0,00
$0
64007
PURCHASERS INTEREST INSURANCE
0,00
$0
$125.750
64008
BACK CALLS-(INSURANCE) SUPPLEMENTARY
0,00
$0
 
Insurance Subtotal
344,52
$125.750
Accounts
Code
Repairs and Maintenance
67001
AUX.MACITINERY REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
27,40
$10.000
 
67003
BOILER REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67005
CHEMICALS & GASES
41,10
$15.000
67013
DECK SPARE PARTS - REPAIR/MAINTENANCE
27,40
$10.000
67006
DIESEL GENERATORS - REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67017
MAIN ENGINE REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67008
PAINTS AT SEA
27,40
$10.000
67010
RADIO ROOM NAVIGATION MAINTENANCE
13,70
$5.000
67011
REPAIRS - MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67012
SLOPS & GARBAGE REMOVAL
0,00
$0
67016
SUPER,ENGIN/PORT CPTN OTHER FEES&EXPS
54,79
$20.000
$135.000
67019
VESSELS IT HARDWARE EQUIPMENT
13,70
$5.000
 
Repairs and Maintenance Subtotal
369,86
$135.000
Accounts
Code
Other Vessel Operating Expenses
66010
SAFETY ITEMS
27,40
$10.000
 
68001
CABIN STORES - ACCOMODATION
27,40
$10.000
68015
GALLEY-KITCHEN EQUIPMENT
13,70
$5.000
68013
WATER SUPPLY
13,70
$5.000
66002
ACCRUALS-OPERATING EXPS
0,00
$0
66001
APPROVAL-SUITABILITY INSPECTIONS
54,79
$20.000
66004
CHARTS/N.PUBLICATIONS
27,40
$10.000
66023
CLASS AND STATUT CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
41,10
$15.000
66005
CLEARING/FORWARDING EXPS
109,59
$40.000
66006
DECK STORES
95,89
$35.000
66007
ELECTR. DEPT-STORES
27,40
$10.000
$348.000
66008
ENGINE STORES
68,49
$25.000
66022
FLAG CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
10,96
$4.000
66026
OTHER CONSULTANCY DOCUMENTATION SERVICES
13,70
$5.000
66021
PORT DUES RELATED TO PROTECTING AGENTS
13,70
$5.000
66018
PROTECTING AGENTS FEES/EXPENSES
13,70
$5.000
66027
QUALITY DPT CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
68,49
$25.000
66024
SAFETY EQUIP MAR CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
27,40
$10.000
66025
SAFETY EQUIP TEC CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
27,40
$10.000
66011
STATIONERY EXPS
27,40
$10.000
66019
SUBSCRIPTIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
13,70
$5.000
66020
TECHNICAL CONSULTANCY DOCUMENTATION SERV
13,70
$5.000
66012
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
134,25
$49.000
66013
TONNAGE TAX
54,79
$20.000
66014
VARIOUS EXPS
27,40
$10.000
 
Other Vessel Operating Expenses Subtotal
953,42
$348.000
66009
Lubricants
438,36
$160.000
$160.000
Accounts
Code
Spares
67002
AUX.MACHINERY SPARE PARTS
41,10
$15.000
 
67004
BOILER SPARES
27,40
$10.000
67014
DECK SPARE PARTS
41,10
$15.000
67007
DIESEL GENERATORS SPARE PARTS
27,40
$10.000
67015
MAIN ENGINE SPARE PARTS
41,10
$15.000
$70.000
67009
RADIO ROOM NAVIGATION-EQUIPMENT SPARES
13,70
$5.000
 
Spares Subtotal
191,78
$70.000
 
Extraordinary Expenses
0,00
   
 
Less corresponding claims
0,00
 
 
TOTAL OPEX WITHOUT DD EXPENSES
 
$2.135.350



 
DAILY OPEX WITHOUT DD EXPENSES
 
$5.850
 
 
DO Adjustments (5y / 2.5y amortization)
0,00
 
$5. 850
 
TOTAL OPEX WITH DD EXPENSE
5.850,27
$2.135,350
 
DAILY OPEX WITH DD EXPENSES
 
$5.850






























This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “D” (ASSOCIATED VESSELS) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

NOTE: PARTIES SHOULD BE AWARE THAT BY COMPLETING THIS ANNEX “D” THEY WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SUB-CLAUSE 18.1(i) OF THIS AGREEMENT.
Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Details of Associated Vessels:
M/T STENAWECO ENERGY
 
 
 
 
 
 










This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX E (Management Fees)
Duration of Contract Five
(5) years, automatically renewed.
   
Services and Relevant Fees:
Accounting, Reporting, Legal and Administrative Services at cost.
 
USD 550 per day per vessel for Technical and Commercial, Crew Management, Insurance, Provisions and Bunkering.  Applicable 3 months prior delivery from the yard.
     
Fee Annual Increase:
Based on total percentage increase in the U.S. Consumer Price Index over the previous year, but not less than 2% and not more than 5%.
   
Commission on all hires / gross freight / demurrage:
1.25%
   
Sales and Purchase Commission:
1% of the Sale or the Purchase Price or the Contract Price of the Newbuilding Contract.
   
N/B Construction – Supervision Fee:
7% of actual cost.
   
Managers’ Superintendent’s Fee beyond 10 days per annum:
USD 500 per day, plus actual expenses.
   
Notice of Termination:
18 months
   
Termination Fees:
Fees for 12 months.

1.
Manager shall be entitled to receive additional remuneration for any increase in administrative costs and expenses resulting from the introduction of a new, or a change in the interpretation of applicable laws and regulations, or concerning ship management services.
2.
Owners to pay the deductible of any insurance claim relating to the vessels, or for any claim that is within such deductible range.  All insurance related rebates to be for the benefit of the Manager.
3.
Owners to pay any tax, dues, or ransom in a case of piracy, or fines imposed on vessel or Manager, due to the operation of the vessel.
4.
The above management fees are agreed on the basis of the number of the associated vessels as per ANNEX D of this agreement.


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
1.  Definitions
In this Agreement save where the context otherwise requires, the following words and expressions shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them.
" Owners " mean the party identified in Box. 2 .
" Managers " mean the party identified in Box 3 .
" Vessel " means the vessel or vessels details of which are set out in Annex "A" attached hereto.
" Crew " means the Master, officers and ratings of the   numbers, rank and nationality specified in Annex “B” attached hereto.
" Crew Support Costs " means all expenses of a general nature which are not particularly referable to any individual vessel for the time being managed by the Managers and which are incurred by the Managers for the purpose of providing an efficient and economic management service and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, shall include the cost of crew standby pay, training schemes for officers and ratings, cadet training schemes, sick pay, recruitment and interviews.
" Severance Costs " means the costs which the employers are legally obliged to pay to or in respect of the Crew as a result of the early termination of any employment contract for service on the Vessel.
" Crew Insurances " means insurances against crew risks which shall include but not limited to death, sickness, repatriation, injury, shipwreck unemployment indemnity and loss of personal effects.
" Management Services " means the services specified in sub-clauses 3.1 to 3.8 as indicated affirmatively in Boxes 5 to 12.
" ISM Code " means the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention as adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) by resolution A.741(18) or any subsequent amendment thereto.
" STCW 95 " means the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended in 1995 or any subsequent amendment thereto.
2.  Appointment of Mangers
With effect from the day and year stated in Box 4 and continuing unless and until terminated as provided herein, the Owners hereby appoint the Managers and the Managers hereby agree to act as the Managers of the Vessel.
3.  Basis of Agreement
Subject to terms and conditions herein provided, during the period of this Agreement, the Managers shall carry out Management Services in respect of the Vessel as agents for and on behalf of the Owners.  The Managers shall have authority to take such actions as they may from time to time in their absolute discretion consider to be necessary to enable them to perform this Agreement in accordance with sound ship management practice.
3.1  Crew Management
( only applicable if agreed according to   Box 5 )
The Managers shall provide suitably qualified Crew for the Vessel as required by the Owners in accordance with the STCW 95 requirements, provision of which includes but it is not limited to the following functions:
(i)  selecting and engaging the Vessel's Crew, including payroll arrangements, pension administration, and insurances for the Crew other than those mentioned in Clause 6 ;
(ii)  ensuring that the applicable requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied in respect of manning levels, rank, qualification and certification of the Crew and employment regulations including Crew's tax, social insurance, discipline and other requirements;
(iii)  ensuring that all members of the Crew have passed a medical examination with a qualified doctor certifying that they are fit for the duties for which they are engaged and are in possession of valid medical certificates issued in accordance with appropriate flag State requirements.  In the absence of applicable flag State requirements the medical certificate shall be dated not more than three months prior to the respective Crew members leaving their country of domicile and maintained for the duration of their service on board the Vessel;
(iv)  ensuring that the Crew shall have a command of the English language of a sufficient standard to enable them to perform their duties safely;
(v)  arranging transportation of the Crew, including repatriation;
(vi)  training the Crew and supervising their efficiency;
(vii)  conducting union negotiations;
(viii)   operating the Managers' drug and alcohol policy unless otherwise agreed.
3.2  Technical Management
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 6 )
The Managers shall provide technical management which includes, but is not limited to, the following functions:
(i)  provision of competent personnel to supervise the maintenance and general efficiency of the Vessel;
(ii)  arrangement and supervision of dry dockings, repairs, alterations and the upkeep of the Vessel to the standards required by the Owners provided that the Managers shall be entitled to incur the necessary expenditure to ensure that the Vessel will comply with the law of the flag of the Vessel and of the places where she trades, and all requirements and recommendations of the classification society;
(iii)  arrangement of the supply of necessary stores, spares and lubricating oil;
(iv)  appointment of surveyors and technical consultants as the Managers may consider from time to time to be necessary;
(v)  development, implementation and maintenance of a Safety Management System (SMS) in accordance with the ISM Code (see sub-clauses 4,2 and 5;3).
3.3  Commercial Management
( only applicable if agreed according to   Box 7 )
The Managers shall provide the commercial operation of the Vessel, as required by the Owners, which includes, but is not limited to, the following functions:
(i)  providing chartering services in accordance with the Owners’ instructions which include, but are not limited to, seeking and negotiating employment for the Vessel and the conclusion (including the execution thereof) of charter parties or other contracts relating to the employment of the Vessel.  If such a contract exceeds twelve months in duration the period stated in Box 13 . consent thereto in writing shall first be obtained from the Owners.
(ii)  arranging of the proper payment to Owners or their nominees of all hire and/or freight revenues or other moneys of whatsoever mature to which Owners may be entitled arising out of the employment of or otherwise in connection with the Vessel.
(iii)  providing voyage estimates and accounts and calculating of hire, freights, demurrage and/or despatch moneys due from or due to the charterers of the Vessel;
(iv)  issuing of voyage instructions;
(v)  appointing agents;
(vi)  appointing stevedores;
(vii)  arranging surveys associated with the commercial operation of the Vessel.
3.4  Insurance Arrangements
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 8 )
The Managers shall arrange insurances in accordance with Clause 6, on such terms and conditions as the Owners shall have instructed or agreed, in particular regarding conditions,


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
insured values, deductibles and franchises.
3.5  Accounting Services
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 9 )
The Managers shall
(i)  establish an accounting system which meets the requirements of the Owners and provide regular accounting services, supply regular reports and records,
(ii)  maintain the records of all costs and expenditure incurred as well as data necessary or proper for the settlement of accounts between the parties.
3.6  Sale or Purchase of the Vessel
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 10 )
The Managers shall, in accordance with the Owners’ instructions, supervise the sale or purchase of the Vessel, including the performance of any sale or purchase agreement, but not negotiation of the same.
3.7  Provisions ( only applicable if agreed according to Box 11 )
The Manager’s shall arrange for the supply of provisions.
3.8  Bunkering   (only applicable if agreed according to Box 12 )
The Managers shall arrange for the provision of bunker fuel of the quality specified by the Owners as required for the Vessel’s trade.
4.  Managers’ Obligations
4.1   The Managers undertake to use their best endeavours to provide the agreed Management Services as agents for and on behalf of the Owners in accordance with sound ship management practice and to protect and promote the interests of the Owners in all matters relating to the provision of services hereunder.  Provided, however, that the Managers in the performance of their management responsibilities under this Agreement shall be entitled to have regard to their overall responsibility in relation to all vessels as may from time to time be entrusted to their management and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Managers shall be entitled to allocate available supplies, manpower and services in such manner as in the prevailing circumstances the Managers in their absolute discretion consider to be fair and reasonable.
4.2  Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , they shall procure that the requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied and they shall in particular be deemed to be the “Company” as defined by the ISM Code, assuming the responsibility for the operation of the Vessel and taking over the duties and responsibilities imposed by the ISM Code when applicable.
5.  Owners’ Obligations
5.1.   The Owners shall pay all sums due to the Managers punctually in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
5.2.  Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , the Owners shall:
(i)  procure that all officers and ratings supplied by them or on their behalf comply with the requirements of STCW 95;
(ii)  instruct such officers and ratings to obey all reasonable orders of the Managers in connection with the operation of the Managers’ safety system.
5.3  Where the Managers are not providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , the Owners shall procure that the requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied and that they, or such other entity as may be appointed by them and identified to the Managers, shall be deemed to be the “Company” as defined by the ISM Code assuming the responsibility for the operation of the Vessel and taking over the duties and responsibilities imposed by the ISM Code when applicable.
6.  Insurance Policies
The Owners shall procure, whether by instructing the Managers under sub-clause 3.4 or otherwise, that throughout the period of this Agreement:
6.1.  at the Owners’ expense, the Vessel is insured for not less than her sound market value or entered for her full gross tonnage, as the case may be for:
(i)  usual hull and machinery marine risks (including crew negligence) and excess liabilities;
(ii)  protection and indemnity risks (including pollution risks and Crew Insurances); and
(iii)  war risks (including protection and indemnity and crew risks) in accordance with the best practice of prudent owners of vessels of a similar type to the Vessel, with first class insurance companies, underwriters or associations (the “Owners’ Insurances”);
6.2.  all premiums and calls on the Owners’ Insurances are paid promptly by their due date,
6.3.  the Owners’ Insurances name the Managers and, subject to underwriters’ agreement, any third party designated by the Managers as a joint assured, with full cover, with the Owners obtaining cover in respect of each of the insurances specified in sub-clause 6.1 :
(i)  on terms whereby the Managers and any such third party are liable in respect of premiums or calls arising in connection with the Owners’ Insurances; or
(ii)  if reasonably obtainable, on terms such that neither the Managers nor any such third party shall be under any liability in respect of premiums or calls arising in connection with the Owners’ insurances; or
(iii)  on such other terms as may be agreed in writing.
Indicate alternative (i), (ii) or (iii) in Box 14 .  If Box 14 is left blank then (i) applies.
6.4   written evidence is provided, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Managers, of their compliance with their obligations under Clause 6 within a reasonable time of the commencement of the Agreement, and of each renewal date and, if specifically requested, of each payment date of the Owners’ Insurances.
7.  Income Collected and Expenses Paid on Behalf of Owners
7.1   All moneys collected by the Managers under the terms of this Agreement (other than moneys payable by the Owners to the Managers) and any interest thereon shall be held to the credit of the Owners in a separate bank account.
7.2  All expenses incurred by the Managers under the terms of this Agreement on behalf of the Owners (including expenses as provided in Clause 8 ) may be debited against the Owners in the account referred to under sub-clause 7J. but shall in any event remain payable by the Owners to the Managers on demand.
8.  Management Fee
8.1   The Owners shall pay to the Managers for their services as Managers under this Agreement an annual DAILY management fee as stated in Box 15 which shall be payable to equal monthly installments in advance, the first installment being payable on the commencement of this Agreement (see Clause 2 and Box 4 ) and subsequent installments being payable every month.
8.2  The management fee shall be subject to an annual review on the anniversary date of the Agreement and the proposed fee shall be presented in the annual budget referred to in sub-clause 9.1.   Please refer to Annex E (Management Fees)
8.3  The Managers shall, at no extra cost to the Owners, provide their own office accommodation, office staff, facilities and stationery.  Without limiting the generality of Clause 7 the Owners shall reimburse the Managers for postage and communication expenses, traveling expenses, and other out of pocket expenses properly incurred by the Managers in pursuance of


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
the Management Services.
8.4  In the event of the appointment of the Managers being terminated by the Owners or the Managers in accordance with the provisions of Clauses 17 and 18 other than by reason of default by the Managers, or if the Vessel is lost, sold or otherwise disposed of, the “management fee” payable to the Managers according to the provisions of sub- clause 8.1, shall continue to be payable for a further period of three calendar months as from the termination date.  In addition, provided that the Managers provide Crew for the Vessel in accordance with sub-clause 3.1;
( i)  the Owners shall continue to pay Crew Support Costs during the said further period of three calendar months and
( ii)  the Owners shall pay an equitable proportion of any Severance Costs which may materialize, not exceeding the amount stated in Box 16 .
Please refer to Annex E (Management Fees)
8.5  If the Owners decide to lay-up the Vessel whilst this Agreement remains in force and such lay-up lasts for more than three months, an appropriate reduction of the management fee for the period exceeding three months until one month before the Vessel is again put into service shall be mutually agreed between the parties.
8.6  Unless otherwise agreed in writing all discounts and commissions obtained by the Managers in the course of the management of the Vessel shall be credited to the Owners.
9.  Budgets and Management of Funds
The Managers shall present to the Owners annually a budget for the following twelve months in such form as the Owners require.  The budget for the first year hereof is set out in Annex “C” hereto.  Subsequent annual budgets shall be prepared by the Managers and submitted to the Owners not less than three months before the anniversary date of the commencement of this Agreement (see Clause 2 and Box 4).
9.1  The Owners shall indicate to the Managers their acceptance and approval of the annual budget within one month of presentation and in the absence of any such indication the Managers shall be entitled to assume that the Owners have accepted the proposed budget.
9.2  Following the agreement of the budget, the Managers shall prepare and present to the Owners their estimate of the working capital requirement of the Vessel and the Managers shall each month update this estimate, based thereon, the Managers shall each month request the Owners in writing for the funds required to run the Vessel for the ensuing month, including the payment of any occasional or extraordinary item of expenditure, such as emergency repair costs, additional insurance premiums, bunkers or provisions.  Such funds shall be received by the Managers within ten running days after the receipt by the Owners of the Managers’ written request and shall be held to the credit of the Owners in a separate bank account.
9.3  The Managers shall produce a comparison between budgeted and actual income and expenditure of the Vessel in such form as required by the Owners monthly or at such other intervals as mutually agreed.
9.4  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Managers shall in no circumstances be required to use or commit their own funds to finance the provision of the Management Services.
10.  Managers’ Right to Sub-Contract
The Managers shall not have the right to sub-contract any of their obligations hereunder , including those mentioned in sub-clause 3.1 without the prior written consent of the Owners which shall not be unreasonably withheld .  In the event of such a sub- contract the Managers shall remain fully liable for the due performance of their obligations under this Agreement.
11.  Responsibilities
11.1  Force Majeure - Neither the Owners nor the Managers shall be under any liability for any failure to perform any of their obligations thereunder by reason of any cause whatsoever of any nature or kind beyond their reasonable control.
11.2  Liability to Owners - (i)   Without prejudice to sub-clause 11.1, the Managers shall be under no liability whatsoever to the Owners for any loss, damage, delay or expense of whatsoever nature, whether direct or indirect, (including but not limited to loss of profit arising out of or in connection with detention of or delay to the Vessel) and howsoever arising in the course of performance of the Management Services UNLESS same is proved to have resulted from the negligence, gross negligence or willful default of the Managers of their employees, or agents or sub-contractors employed by them in connection with the Vessel, in which case (save where loss, damage, delay or expense has resulted from the Managers’ personal act or omission committed with the intent to cause same or recklessly and with knowledge that such loss, damage, delay or expense would probably result) the Managers’ liability for such incident or series of incidents giving rise to a claim or claims shall never exceed a total of ten times the annual Management Fee payable hereunder.
(ii)  Notwithstanding anything that may appear to the contrary in this Agreement, the Managers shall not be liable for any of the actions of the Crew even if such actions are negligent, grossly negligent or willful, except only to the extent that they are shown to have resulted from a failure to the Managers to discharge their obligations under sub-Clause 3.1, in which case their liability shall be limited in accordance with the terms of this Clause 11 .
11.3  Indemnity - Except to the extent and solely for the amount therein set out that the   Managers would be liable under sub- clause 11.2 , the Owners hereby undertake to keep the Managers and their employees, agents and sub-contractors indemnified and to hold them harmless against all actions, proceedings, claims, demands or liabilities whatsoever or howsoever arising which may be brought against them or incurred or suffered by them arising out of or in connection with the performance of the Agreement, and against and in respect of all costs, losses, damages and expenses (including legal costs and expenses on a full indemnity basis) which the Managers may suffer or incur (either directly or indirectly) in the course of the performance of this Agreement.
11.4  “ Himalaya - It is hereby expressly agreed that no employee or agent of the Managers (including every sub-contractor from time to time employed by the Managers) shall in any circumstances whatsoever be under any liability whatsoever to the Owners for any loss, damage or delay of whatsoever kind arising or resulting directly or indirectly from any act, neglect or default on his party while acting in the course of or in connection with his employment and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions in this Clause 11 , every exemption, limitation, condition and liberty herein contained and every right, exemption from liability, defence and immunity of whatsoever nature applicable to the Managers or to which the Managers are entitled hereunder shall also be available and shall extend to protect every such employee or agent of the Managers acting as aforesaid and for the purpose of all the foregoing provisions of this Clause 11 the Managers are or shall be deemed to be acting as agent or trustee on behalf of and for the benefit of all persons who are or might be their servants or agents from time to time (including sub-contractors as aforesaid) and all such persons shall to this extent be or be deemed to be parties to this Agreement.
12.  Documentation
Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 and/or Crew Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.1, they shall make available,


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
upon Owners’ request, all documentation and records related to the Safety Management System (SMS) and/or the Crew which the Owners need in order to demonstrate compliance with the ISM Code and STCW 95 or to defend a claim against a third party.
13.  General Administration
13.1   The Managers shall handle and settle all claims arising out of the Management Services hereunder and keep the Owners informed regarding any incident of which the Managers become aware which gives or may give rise to claims or disputes involving third parties.
13.2   The Managers shall, as instructed by the Owners, bring or defend actions, suits or proceedings in connection with matters entrusted to the Managers according to this Agreement.
13.3   The Managers shall also have power to obtain legal or technical or other outside expert advice in relation to the handling and settlement of claims and disputes or all other matters affecting the interests of the Owners in respect of the Vessel.
13.4   The Owners shall arrange for the provision of any necessary guarantee bond or other security.
13.5   Any costs reasonably incurred by the Managers in carrying out their obligations according to Clause 13 shall be reimbursed by the Owners.
14.  Auditing
The Managers shall at all times maintain and keep true and correct accounts and shall make the same available for inspection and auditing by the Owners at such times as may be mutually agreed.  On the termination, for whatever reasons, of this Agreement the Managers shall release to the Owners, if so requested, the originals when possible, or otherwise certified copies, of all such accounts and all documents specifically relating to the Vessel and her operation.
15.  Inspection of Vessel
The Owners shall have the right at any time after giving reasonable notice to the Managers to inspect the Vessel for any reason they consider necessary.
16.  Compliance with Laws and Regulations
The Managers will not do or permit to be done anything which might cause any breach or infringement of the laws and regulations of the Vessel’s flag, or of the places where she trades.
17.  Duration of the Agreement
This Agreement shall come into effect on the day and year stated in Box 4 and shall continue until the date stated in Box 17 .  Thereafter it shall continue until terminated by either party giving to the other notice to the Managers in writing, in which event the Agreement shall terminate upon the expiration of a period of two   eighteen months from the date upon which such notice was given.  In case Owners wish to terminate the Agreement earlier than the date stated in Box 17 Owners will pay the Managers all fees as per ANNEX “E” for the remaining period until the date stated in Box 17 .
18.  Termination
18.1  Owners’ default
(i)  The Managers shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing if any moneys payable by the Owners under this Agreement and/or the owners of any associated vessel, details of which are listed in Annex “D” . shall not have been received in the Managers’ nominated account within ten running days of receipt by the Owners of the Managers written request or if the Vessel is repossessed by the Mortgagees.
(ii)  If the Owners:
(a)  fail to meet their obligations under sub- clauses 5.2 and 5.3 of this Agreement for any reason within their control, or
(b)  proceed with the employment of or continue to employ the Vessel in the carriage of contraband, blockade running, or in an unlawful trade, or on a voyage which in the reasonable opinion of the Managers is unduly hazardous or improper, the Managers may give notice of the default to the Owners, requiring them to remedy it as soon as practically possible.  In the event that the Owners fail to remedy it within a reasonable time to the satisfaction of the Managers   the Managers shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing.
18.2  Managers’ Default
If the Managers fail to meet their obligations under Clauses 3 and 4 of this Agreement for any reason within the control of the Managers, the Owners may give notice to the Managers of the default, requiring them to remedy it as soon as practically possible.  In the event that the Managers fail to remedy it within a reasonable time to the satisfaction of the Owners the Owners shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing.
18.3  Extraordinary Termination
This Agreement shall be deemed to be terminated in the case of the sale of the Vessel or if the Vessel becomes a total loss or is declared as a constructive or compromised or arranged total loss or is requisitioned.
18.4   For the purpose of sub-clause 18.3 hereof
(i)  the date upon which the Vessel is to be treated as having been sold or otherwise disposed or shall be the date on which the Owners cease to be registered as Owners of the Vessel;
(ii)  the Vessel shall not be deemed to be lost unless either she has become an actual total loss or agreement has been reached with her underwriters in respect of her constructive, compromised or arranged total loss or if such agreement with her underwriters is not reached it is adjudged by a competent tribunal that a constructive loss of the Vessel has occurred.
18.5   This Agreement shall terminate forthwith in the event of an order being made or resolution passed for the winding up, dissolution, liquidation or bankruptcy of either party (otherwise than for the purpose of reconstruction or amalgamation) or if a receiver is appointed, or it if suspends payment, ceases to carry on business or makes any special arrangement or composition with its creditors.
18.6  The termination of this Agreement shall be without prejudice to all rights accrued due between the parties prior to the date of termination.
18.7   A change of control of either party shall not terminate this Agreement.
19.  Law and Arbitration
19.1   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration in London in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996 or any statutory modification to re-enactment thereof save to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Clause.
The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) Terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
The reference shall be to three arbitrators.  A party wishing to refer a dispute to arbitration shall appoint its arbitrator and send notice of such appointment in writing to the other party requiring the other party to appoint its own arbitrator within 14 calendar days of that notice and stating that it will appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator unless the other party appoints its own arbitrator and gives notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified.  If the other party does not appoint its own arbitrator and give notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified, the party referring a dispute to arbitration may, without the requirement of any further prior


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
notice to the other party, appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator and shall advise the other party accordingly.  The award of a sole arbitrator shall be binding on both parties as if he had been appointed by agreement.
Nothing herein shall prevent the parties agreeing in writing to vary these provisions to provide for the appointment of a sole arbitrator.
In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of USD50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the LMAA Small Claims Procedure current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
19.2   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Title 9 of the United States Code and the Maritime Law of the United States and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to three persons at New York, one to be appointed by each of the parties hereto, and the third by the two so chosen; their decision that of any two of them shall be final, and for the purposes of enforcing any award, judgment may be entered on an award by any court of competent jurisdiction.  The proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc.
In cases where neither the claim not any counterclaim exceeds the sum of USD50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the Shortened Arbitration Procedure of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc, current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
19.3   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the place mutually agreed by the parties and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration at a mutually agreed place, subject to the procedures applicable there.
19.4   If Box 18 in Part I is not appropriately filled in, sub- clause 19.1 of this Clause shall apply.
Note:  19.1 , 19.2 and 19.3 are alternatives; indicate alternative agreed in Box 18 .
20.  Notices
20.1   Any notice to be given by either party to the other party shall be in writing and may be sent by fax, telex, registered or recorded mail or by personal service.
20.2   The address of the Parties for service of such communication shall be as stated in Boxes 19 and 20 , respectively.

Exhibit 4.104
1. Date of Agreement
 
1 st January 2019
 
M/T STENAWECO ELEGANCE

 
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
CODE NAME: "SHIPMAN 98"
Part I
2. Owners (name, place of registered office and law of registry) ( Cl. 1 )
 
3. Managers (name, place of registered office and law of registry) ( Cl. 1 )
         
 
ECO SEVEN INC.
   
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.
 
Name
   
Name
         
 
The Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands
   
The Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands
 
Place of registered office
   
Place of registered office
         
 
Marshall Islands
   
Marshall Islands
 
Law of Registry
   
Law of Registry
         
4. Day and year of commencement of Agreement ( Cl. 2 )
 
1 st January 2019
 
5. Crew Management (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.1 )
 
YES
 
 
6. Technical Management (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.2 )
 
YES
 
7. Insurance (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.3 )
 
YES
 
 
8. Insurance Arrangements (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.4 )
 
YES
 
9. Accounting (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.5 )
 
YES
 
 
10. Sale or purchase of the Vessel (state “yes” or “no” as agreed ( Cl. 3.6 )
 
YES
 
11. Provisions (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.7 )
 
YES
 
 
12. Bunkering (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.8 )
 
YES
 
13. Chartering Services (only to be filled in if “yes” in box 7) ( Cl. 3.3(i) )
 
FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION OF THIS AGREEMENT
 
 
14. Managers’ Insurance (state alternative (i), (ii) or (iii) of Cl. 6.3 )
 
(i)
 
15. Annual Management Fee (state annual amount) ( Cl. 8.1 )
 
AS PER ANNEX “E”
 
 
16. Severance Costs (state maximum amount) ( Cl. 8.4(ii) )
 
AT COST AS PER SEAMEN COLLECTIVE
AGREEMENT
 
17. Day and year of termination of Agreement (Cl. 17)
 
Duration 5 years, automatically renewed.
 
 
18. Law and Arbitration (state alternative 19.1 , 19.2 or 19.3 place of arbitration must be stated) ( Cl. 19 )
 
AT COST AS PER CLAUSE 19.1
 
19. Notices (state postal and cable address, telex and telefax number for serving notice and communication to the Owners ) ( Cl. 25 )
TOP SHIPS INC.
1, Vas.Sofias & Meg. Alexandrou Str.,
15124, Maroussi, Athens, Greece
E-mail : vi@topships.org
Fax      : +30 210 6141 276
 
20. Notices (state postal and cable address, telex and telefax number for serving notice and communication to the Managers ) ( Cl. 20 )
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.
c/o CENTRAL MARE INC.
1, Vas. Sofias & Meg. Alexandrou Str.,
15124, Maroussi, Athens, Greece
E-mail: ops@centralmare.com
Fax     : +30 210 8020 364

It is mutually agreed between the party stated in Box 2 and the party stated in Box 3 that this Agreement consisting of PART I and PART II as well as Annexes "A" (Details of Vessel), "B" (Details of Crew), “C” (Budget), and “D” (Associated Vessels) attached hereto, shall be performed subject to the conditions contained herein.  In the event of a conflict of conditions, the provisions of PART I and Annexes “A” , “B” , “C” and “D” shall prevail over those of PART II to the extent of such conflict but no father.
     
Signature(s) (Owners)
 
/s/ Vangelis Ikonomou
Vangelis Ikonomou
 
 
ECO SEVEN INC.
 
 
 
Signature(s) (Managers)
 
/s/ Andreas M. Louka
Andreas M. Louka
Attorney-in-fact
 
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.


This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “A” (DETAILS OF VESSEL OR VESSELS) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
   
   
Name of Vessel(s):
M/T STENAWECO ELEGANCE
   
   
 
Particulars of Vessel:
   
   


TYPE OF VESSEL
Oil and Chemical Carrier
Ship Type IMO 3
HULL TYPE
Double Hull
IMO NUMBER
9776470
FLAG
Marshall Islands
YEAR & PLACE BUILT
2017 at Hyundai Vinashin Shipyard, Vietnam
CLASS SOCIETY
ABS
CALL SIGN
V7UP6
LOA, BREADTH, DEPTH
183.00 M / 32.20 M / 19.1 M
SDWT - DRAFT
50,118 MT @ 13.315 M

This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “B” (DETAILS OF CREW) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Details of Crew:
Rank
Number
Nationality
Master
1
Filipino
Chief Officer
1
Filipino
Second Officer
1
Filipino
Third Officer
1
Filipino
Chief Engineer
1
Filipino
Second Engineer
1
Filipino
Third Engineer
1
Filipino
Electrician
1
Filipino
Pumpman
1
Filipino
Bosun
1
Filipino
Able Seaman
3
Filipino
Ordinary Seaman
2
Filipino
Deck Cadet
1
Filipino
Oiler
1
Filipino
Wiper
1
Filipino
Engine Cadet
1
Filipino
Cook
1
Filipino
Mess Boy
2
Filipino
CREW TOTAL
22
 

This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “C” (ANNUAL MANAGEMENT BUDGET)
TO THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Managers Budget in USD effective from the first year of operations.
Hyundai Vinashin Shipyard MR Oil and Chemical Tanker 50,000 DWT
Proposed Budget for first year of operations
Accounts
Code
Crew
Daily Amount
Annual Amount
Annual Summary
68002
CREW AGENTS/SUBMANAGERS EXPENSES
9,86
$3.600
 
68003
CREW AGENTS/SUBMANAGERS FEES
82,19
$30.000
68004
CREW BONUS (TANK CLEANING, VETTING BONUS, ETC)
41,10
$15.000
68014
CREW INDEMNITIES
0,00
$0
68005
CREW COMPULSORY INSURANCE & CREW INSURANCE FOR P&I DEDUCTIBLE
23,29
$8.500
68006
CREW PRE-JOINING MEDICAL EXPS
9,59
$3.500
68021
CREW MISC CLAIMABLE MATTERS
0,00
$0
68007
ADDITIONAL CREW OVERTIME
0,00
$0
08008
CREW SALARIES & FIXED OVERTIME & OWNERS’ CREW BONUS INCLUDING ADDITIONAL OVERLAPPING USD 20,000
2.608,22
$952.000
68009
CREW TRANSPORTATION EXPS
232,88
$85.000
68010
CREW UNIFORMS/WORKING CLOTHES
8,22
$3.000
68011
CREW PRE-JOINING TRAININGS & CREW VARIOUS EXPENSES
296,58
$90.000
$1.271.600
68019
GREEK CREW MEDICAL EXPS
0,00
$0
68018
GREEK CREW MISC EXPS
0,00
$0
68017
GREEK CREW TRANSPORTATION EXPS
0,00
$0
68016
GREEK CREW WAGES
0,00
$0
68012
PROVISIONS
221,92
$81.000
68020
SHIPOWNERS’ CONTRIBUTIONS
0,00
$0
68022
CREW LEAVE PAY
0,00
$0
 
Crew Subtotal
3.483,84
$1.271.600
Accounts
Code
Insurance
 
64001
HULL & MACHINERY
164,38
$60.000
 
64002
INSURANCE LOSS OF HIRE
0,00
$0
69003
WAR RISKS ANNUAL PREMIUM
15,75
$5.750
64004
P&I
136,99
$50.000
65005
FD D
27,40
$10.000
64006
MARINE INTEREST
0,00
$0
64007
PURCHASERS INTEREST INSURANCE
0,00
$0
$125.750
64008
BACK CALLS-(INSURANCE) SUPPLEMENTARY
0,00
$0
 
Insurance Subtotal
344,52
$125.750
Accounts
Code
Repairs and Maintenance
67001
AUX.MACITINERY REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
27,40
$10.000
 
67003
BOILER REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67005
CHEMICALS & GASES
41,10
$15.000
67013
DECK SPARE PARTS - REPAIR/MAINTENANCE
27,40
$10.000
67006
DIESEL GENERATORS - REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67017
MAIN ENGINE REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67008
PAINTS AT SEA
27,40
$10.000
67010
RADIO ROOM NAVIGATION MAINTENANCE
13,70
$5.000
67011
REPAIRS - MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67012
SLOPS & GARBAGE REMOVAL
0,00
$0
67016
SUPER,ENGIN/PORT CPTN OTHER FEES&EXPS
54,79
$20.000
$135.000
67019
VESSELS IT HARDWARE EQUIPMENT
13,70
$5.000
 
Repairs and Maintenance Subtotal
369,86
$135.000
Accounts
Code
Other Vessel Operating Expenses
66010
SAFETY ITEMS
27,40
$10.000
 
68001
CABIN STORES - ACCOMODATION
27,40
$10.000
68015
GALLEY-KITCHEN EQUIPMENT
13,70
$5.000
68013
WATER SUPPLY
13,70
$5.000
66002
ACCRUALS-OPERATING EXPS
0,00
$0
66001
APPROVAL-SUITABILITY INSPECTIONS
54,79
$20.000
66004
CHARTS/N.PUBLICATIONS
27,40
$10.000
66023
CLASS AND STATUT CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
41,10
$15.000
66005
CLEARING/FORWARDING EXPS
109,59
$40.000
66006
DECK STORES
95,89
$35.000
66007
ELECTR. DEPT-STORES
27,40
$10.000
$348.000
66008
ENGINE STORES
68,49
$25.000
66022
FLAG CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
10,96
$4.000
66026
OTHER CONSULTANCY DOCUMENTATION SERVICES
13,70
$5.000
66021
PORT DUES RELATED TO PROTECTING AGENTS
13,70
$5.000
66018
PROTECTING AGENTS FEES/EXPENSES
13,70
$5.000
66027
QUALITY DPT CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
68,49
$25.000
66024
SAFETY EQUIP MAR CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
27,40
$10.000
66025
SAFETY EQUIP TEC CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
27,40
$10.000
66011
STATIONERY EXPS
27,40
$10.000
66019
SUBSCRIPTIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
13,70
$5.000
66020
TECHNICAL CONSULTANCY DOCUMENTATION SERV
13,70
$5.000
66012
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
134,25
$49.000
66013
TONNAGE TAX
54,79
$20.000
66014
VARIOUS EXPS
27,40
$10.000
 
Other Vessel Operating Expenses Subtotal
953,42
$348.000
66009
Lubricants
438,36
$160.000
$160.000
Accounts
Code
Spares
67002
AUX.MACHINERY SPARE PARTS
41,10
$15.000
 
67004
BOILER SPARES
27,40
$10.000
67014
DECK SPARE PARTS
41,10
$15.000
67007
DIESEL GENERATORS SPARE PARTS
27,40
$10.000
67015
MAIN ENGINE SPARE PARTS
41,10
$15.000
$70.000
67009
RADIO ROOM NAVIGATION-EQUIPMENT SPARES
13,70
$5.000
 
Spares Subtotal
191,78
$70.000
 
Extraordinary Expenses
0,00
   
 
Less corresponding claims
0,00
 
 
TOTAL OPEX WITHOUT DD EXPENSES
 
$2.135.350



 
DAILY OPEX WITHOUT DD EXPENSES
 
$5.850
 
 
DO Adjustments (5y / 2.5y amortization)
0,00
 
$5. 850
 
TOTAL OPEX WITH DD EXPENSE
5.850,27
$2.135,350
 
DAILY OPEX WITH DD EXPENSES
 
$5.850






























This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “D” (ASSOCIATED VESSELS) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

NOTE: PARTIES SHOULD BE AWARE THAT BY COMPLETING THIS ANNEX “D” THEY WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SUB-CLAUSE 18.1(i) OF THIS AGREEMENT.
Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Details of Associated Vessels:
M/T STENAWECO ELEGANCE
 
 
 
 
 
 










This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX E (Management Fees)
Duration of Contract Five
(5) years, automatically renewed.
   
Services and Relevant Fees:
USD 550 per day per vessel for Technical and Commercial, Crew Management, Insurance, Provisions and Bunkering.  Applicable 3 months prior delivery from the yard.
  Accounting, Reporting, Legal and Administrative Services at cost.
     
Fee Annual Increase:
Based on total percentage increase in the U.S. Consumer Price Index over the previous year, but not less than 2% and not more than 5%.
   
Commission on all hires / gross freight / demurrage:
1.25%
   
Sales and Purchase Commission:
1% of the Sale or the Purchase Price or the Contract Price of the Newbuilding Contract.
   
N/B Construction – Supervision Fee:
7% of actual cost.
   
Managers’ Superintendent’s Fee beyond 10 days per annum:
USD 500 per day, plus actual expenses.
   
Notice of Termination:
18 months
   
Termination Fees:
Fees for 12 months.

1.
Manager shall be entitled to receive additional remuneration for any increase in administrative costs and expenses resulting from the introduction of a new, or a change in the interpretation of applicable laws and regulations, or concerning ship management services.
2.
Owners to pay the deductible of any insurance claim relating to the vessels, or for any claim that is within such deductible range.  All insurance related rebates to be for the benefit of the Manager.
3.
Owners to pay any tax, dues, or ransom in a case of piracy, or fines imposed on vessel or Manager, due to the operation of the vessel.
4.
The above management fees are agreed on the basis of the number of the associated vessels as per ANNEX D of this agreement.


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
1.  Definitions
In this Agreement save where the context otherwise requires, the following words and expressions shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them.
" Owners " mean the party identified in Box. 2 .
" Managers " mean the party identified in Box 3 .
" Vessel " means the vessel or vessels details of which are set out in Annex "A" attached hereto.
" Crew " means the Master, officers and ratings of the   numbers, rank and nationality specified in Annex “B” attached hereto.
" Crew Support Costs " means all expenses of a general nature which are not particularly referable to any individual vessel for the time being managed by the Managers and which are incurred by the Managers for the purpose of providing an efficient and economic management service and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, shall include the cost of crew standby pay, training schemes for officers and ratings, cadet training schemes, sick pay, recruitment and interviews.
" Severance Costs " means the costs which the employers are legally obliged to pay to or in respect of the Crew as a result of the early termination of any employment contract for service on the Vessel.
" Crew Insurances " means insurances against crew risks which shall include but not limited to death, sickness, repatriation, injury, shipwreck unemployment indemnity and loss of personal effects.
" Management Services " means the services specified in sub-clauses 3.1 to 3.8 as indicated affirmatively in Boxes 5 to 12.
" ISM Code " means the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention as adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) by resolution A.741(18) or any subsequent amendment thereto.
" STCW 95 " means the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended in 1995 or any subsequent amendment thereto.
2.  Appointment of Mangers
With effect from the day and year stated in Box 4 and continuing unless and until terminated as provided herein, the Owners hereby appoint the Managers and the Managers hereby agree to act as the Managers of the Vessel.
3.  Basis of Agreement
Subject to terms and conditions herein provided, during the period of this Agreement, the Managers shall carry out Management Services in respect of the Vessel as agents for and on behalf of the Owners.  The Managers shall have authority to take such actions as they may from time to time in their absolute discretion consider to be necessary to enable them to perform this Agreement in accordance with sound ship management practice.
3.1  Crew Management
( only applicable if agreed according to   Box 5 )
The Managers shall provide suitably qualified Crew for the Vessel as required by the Owners in accordance with the STCW 95 requirements, provision of which includes but it is not limited to the following functions:
(i)  selecting and engaging the Vessel's Crew, including payroll arrangements, pension administration, and insurances for the Crew other than those mentioned in Clause 6 ;
(ii)  ensuring that the applicable requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied in respect of manning levels, rank, qualification and certification of the Crew and employment regulations including Crew's tax, social insurance, discipline and other requirements;
(iii)  ensuring that all members of the Crew have passed a medical examination with a qualified doctor certifying that they are fit for the duties for which they are engaged and are in possession of valid medical certificates issued in accordance with appropriate flag State requirements.  In the absence of applicable flag State requirements the medical certificate shall be dated not more than three months prior to the respective Crew members leaving their country of domicile and maintained for the duration of their service on board the Vessel;
(iv)  ensuring that the Crew shall have a command of the English language of a sufficient standard to enable them to perform their duties safely;
(v)  arranging transportation of the Crew, including repatriation;
(vi)  training the Crew and supervising their efficiency;
(vii)  conducting union negotiations;
(viii)   operating the Managers' drug and alcohol policy unless otherwise agreed.
3.2  Technical Management
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 6 )
The Managers shall provide technical management which includes, but is not limited to, the following functions:
(i)  provision of competent personnel to supervise the maintenance and general efficiency of the Vessel;
(ii)  arrangement and supervision of dry dockings, repairs, alterations and the upkeep of the Vessel to the standards required by the Owners provided that the Managers shall be entitled to incur the necessary expenditure to ensure that the Vessel will comply with the law of the flag of the Vessel and of the places where she trades, and all requirements and recommendations of the classification society;
(iii)  arrangement of the supply of necessary stores, spares and lubricating oil;
(iv)  appointment of surveyors and technical consultants as the Managers may consider from time to time to be necessary;
(v)  development, implementation and maintenance of a Safety Management System (SMS) in accordance with the ISM Code (see sub-clauses 4,2 and 5;3).
3.3  Commercial Management
( only applicable if agreed according to   Box 7 )
The Managers shall provide the commercial operation of the Vessel, as required by the Owners, which includes, but is not limited to, the following functions:
(i)  providing chartering services in accordance with the Owners’ instructions which include, but are not limited to, seeking and negotiating employment for the Vessel and the conclusion (including the execution thereof) of charter parties or other contracts relating to the employment of the Vessel.  If such a contract exceeds twelve months in duration the period stated in Box 13 . consent thereto in writing shall first be obtained from the Owners.
(ii)  arranging of the proper payment to Owners or their nominees of all hire and/or freight revenues or other moneys of whatsoever mature to which Owners may be entitled arising out of the employment of or otherwise in connection with the Vessel.
(iii)  providing voyage estimates and accounts and calculating of hire, freights, demurrage and/or despatch moneys due from or due to the charterers of the Vessel;
(iv)  issuing of voyage instructions;
(v)  appointing agents;
(vi)  appointing stevedores;
(vii)  arranging surveys associated with the commercial operation of the Vessel.
3.4  Insurance Arrangements
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 8 )
The Managers shall arrange insurances in accordance with Clause 6, on such terms and conditions as the Owners shall have instructed or agreed, in particular regarding conditions,


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“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
insured values, deductibles and franchises.
3.5  Accounting Services
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 9 )
The Managers shall
(i)  establish an accounting system which meets the requirements of the Owners and provide regular accounting services, supply regular reports and records,
(ii)  maintain the records of all costs and expenditure incurred as well as data necessary or proper for the settlement of accounts between the parties.
3.6  Sale or Purchase of the Vessel
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 10 )
The Managers shall, in accordance with the Owners’ instructions, supervise the sale or purchase of the Vessel, including the performance of any sale or purchase agreement, but not negotiation of the same.
3.7  Provisions ( only applicable if agreed according to Box 11 )
The Manager’s shall arrange for the supply of provisions.
3.8  Bunkering   (only applicable if agreed according to Box 12 )
The Managers shall arrange for the provision of bunker fuel of the quality specified by the Owners as required for the Vessel’s trade.
4.  Managers’ Obligations
4.1   The Managers undertake to use their best endeavours to provide the agreed Management Services as agents for and on behalf of the Owners in accordance with sound ship management practice and to protect and promote the interests of the Owners in all matters relating to the provision of services hereunder.  Provided, however, that the Managers in the performance of their management responsibilities under this Agreement shall be entitled to have regard to their overall responsibility in relation to all vessels as may from time to time be entrusted to their management and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Managers shall be entitled to allocate available supplies, manpower and services in such manner as in the prevailing circumstances the Managers in their absolute discretion consider to be fair and reasonable.
4.2  Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , they shall procure that the requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied and they shall in particular be deemed to be the “Company” as defined by the ISM Code, assuming the responsibility for the operation of the Vessel and taking over the duties and responsibilities imposed by the ISM Code when applicable.
5.  Owners’ Obligations
5.1.   The Owners shall pay all sums due to the Managers punctually in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
5.2.  Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , the Owners shall:
(i)  procure that all officers and ratings supplied by them or on their behalf comply with the requirements of STCW 95;
(ii)  instruct such officers and ratings to obey all reasonable orders of the Managers in connection with the operation of the Managers’ safety system.
5.3  Where the Managers are not providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , the Owners shall procure that the requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied and that they, or such other entity as may be appointed by them and identified to the Managers, shall be deemed to be the “Company” as defined by the ISM Code assuming the responsibility for the operation of the Vessel and taking over the duties and responsibilities imposed by the ISM Code when applicable.
6.  Insurance Policies
The Owners shall procure, whether by instructing the Managers under sub-clause 3.4 or otherwise, that throughout the period of this Agreement:
6.1.  at the Owners’ expense, the Vessel is insured for not less than her sound market value or entered for her full gross tonnage, as the case may be for:
(i)  usual hull and machinery marine risks (including crew negligence) and excess liabilities;
(ii)  protection and indemnity risks (including pollution risks and Crew Insurances); and
(iii)  war risks (including protection and indemnity and crew risks) in accordance with the best practice of prudent owners of vessels of a similar type to the Vessel, with first class insurance companies, underwriters or associations (the “Owners’ Insurances”);
6.2.  all premiums and calls on the Owners’ Insurances are paid promptly by their due date,
6.3.  the Owners’ Insurances name the Managers and, subject to underwriters’ agreement, any third party designated by the Managers as a joint assured, with full cover, with the Owners obtaining cover in respect of each of the insurances specified in sub-clause 6.1 :
(i)  on terms whereby the Managers and any such third party are liable in respect of premiums or calls arising in connection with the Owners’ Insurances; or
(ii)  if reasonably obtainable, on terms such that neither the Managers nor any such third party shall be under any liability in respect of premiums or calls arising in connection with the Owners’ insurances; or
(iii)  on such other terms as may be agreed in writing.
Indicate alternative (i), (ii) or (iii) in Box 14 .  If Box 14 is left blank then (i) applies.
6.4   written evidence is provided, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Managers, of their compliance with their obligations under Clause 6 within a reasonable time of the commencement of the Agreement, and of each renewal date and, if specifically requested, of each payment date of the Owners’ Insurances.
7.  Income Collected and Expenses Paid on Behalf of Owners
7.1   All moneys collected by the Managers under the terms of this Agreement (other than moneys payable by the Owners to the Managers) and any interest thereon shall be held to the credit of the Owners in a separate bank account.
7.2  All expenses incurred by the Managers under the terms of this Agreement on behalf of the Owners (including expenses as provided in Clause 8 ) may be debited against the Owners in the account referred to under sub-clause 7J. but shall in any event remain payable by the Owners to the Managers on demand.
8.  Management Fee
8.1   The Owners shall pay to the Managers for their services as Managers under this Agreement an annual DAILY management fee as stated in Box 15 which shall be payable to equal monthly installments in advance, the first installment being payable on the commencement of this Agreement (see Clause 2 and Box 4 ) and subsequent installments being payable every month.
8.2  The management fee shall be subject to an annual review on the anniversary date of the Agreement and the proposed fee shall be presented in the annual budget referred to in sub-clause 9.1.   Please refer to Annex E (Management Fees)
8.3  The Managers shall, at no extra cost to the Owners, provide their own office accommodation, office staff, facilities and stationery.  Without limiting the generality of Clause 7 the Owners shall reimburse the Managers for postage and communication expenses, traveling expenses, and other out of pocket expenses properly incurred by the Managers in pursuance of


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“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
the Management Services.
8.4  In the event of the appointment of the Managers being terminated by the Owners or the Managers in accordance with the provisions of Clauses 17 and 18 other than by reason of default by the Managers, or if the Vessel is lost, sold or otherwise disposed of, the “management fee” payable to the Managers according to the provisions of sub- clause 8.1, shall continue to be payable for a further period of three calendar months as from the termination date.  In addition, provided that the Managers provide Crew for the Vessel in accordance with sub-clause 3.1;
( i)  the Owners shall continue to pay Crew Support Costs during the said further period of three calendar months and
( ii)  the Owners shall pay an equitable proportion of any Severance Costs which may materialize, not exceeding the amount stated in Box 16 .
Please refer to Annex E (Management Fees)
8.5  If the Owners decide to lay-up the Vessel whilst this Agreement remains in force and such lay-up lasts for more than three months, an appropriate reduction of the management fee for the period exceeding three months until one month before the Vessel is again put into service shall be mutually agreed between the parties.
8.6  Unless otherwise agreed in writing all discounts and commissions obtained by the Managers in the course of the management of the Vessel shall be credited to the Owners.
9.  Budgets and Management of Funds
The Managers shall present to the Owners annually a budget for the following twelve months in such form as the Owners require.  The budget for the first year hereof is set out in Annex “C” hereto.  Subsequent annual budgets shall be prepared by the Managers and submitted to the Owners not less than three months before the anniversary date of the commencement of this Agreement (see Clause 2 and Box 4).
9.1  The Owners shall indicate to the Managers their acceptance and approval of the annual budget within one month of presentation and in the absence of any such indication the Managers shall be entitled to assume that the Owners have accepted the proposed budget.
9.2  Following the agreement of the budget, the Managers shall prepare and present to the Owners their estimate of the working capital requirement of the Vessel and the Managers shall each month update this estimate, based thereon, the Managers shall each month request the Owners in writing for the funds required to run the Vessel for the ensuing month, including the payment of any occasional or extraordinary item of expenditure, such as emergency repair costs, additional insurance premiums, bunkers or provisions.  Such funds shall be received by the Managers within ten running days after the receipt by the Owners of the Managers’ written request and shall be held to the credit of the Owners in a separate bank account.
9.3  The Managers shall produce a comparison between budgeted and actual income and expenditure of the Vessel in such form as required by the Owners monthly or at such other intervals as mutually agreed.
9.4  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Managers shall in no circumstances be required to use or commit their own funds to finance the provision of the Management Services.
10.  Managers’ Right to Sub-Contract
The Managers shall not have the right to sub-contract any of their obligations hereunder , including those mentioned in sub-clause 3.1 without the prior written consent of the Owners which shall not be unreasonably withheld .  In the event of such a sub- contract the Managers shall remain fully liable for the due performance of their obligations under this Agreement.
11.  Responsibilities
11.1  Force Majeure - Neither the Owners nor the Managers shall be under any liability for any failure to perform any of their obligations thereunder by reason of any cause whatsoever of any nature or kind beyond their reasonable control.
11.2  Liability to Owners - (i)   Without prejudice to sub-clause 11.1, the Managers shall be under no liability whatsoever to the Owners for any loss, damage, delay or expense of whatsoever nature, whether direct or indirect, (including but not limited to loss of profit arising out of or in connection with detention of or delay to the Vessel) and howsoever arising in the course of performance of the Management Services UNLESS same is proved to have resulted from the negligence, gross negligence or willful default of the Managers of their employees, or agents or sub-contractors employed by them in connection with the Vessel, in which case (save where loss, damage, delay or expense has resulted from the Managers’ personal act or omission committed with the intent to cause same or recklessly and with knowledge that such loss, damage, delay or expense would probably result) the Managers’ liability for such incident or series of incidents giving rise to a claim or claims shall never exceed a total of ten times the annual Management Fee payable hereunder.
(ii)  Notwithstanding anything that may appear to the contrary in this Agreement, the Managers shall not be liable for any of the actions of the Crew even if such actions are negligent, grossly negligent or willful, except only to the extent that they are shown to have resulted from a failure to the Managers to discharge their obligations under sub-Clause 3.1, in which case their liability shall be limited in accordance with the terms of this Clause 11 .
11.3  Indemnity - Except to the extent and solely for the amount therein set out that the   Managers would be liable under sub- clause 11.2 , the Owners hereby undertake to keep the Managers and their employees, agents and sub-contractors indemnified and to hold them harmless against all actions, proceedings, claims, demands or liabilities whatsoever or howsoever arising which may be brought against them or incurred or suffered by them arising out of or in connection with the performance of the Agreement, and against and in respect of all costs, losses, damages and expenses (including legal costs and expenses on a full indemnity basis) which the Managers may suffer or incur (either directly or indirectly) in the course of the performance of this Agreement.
11.4  “ Himalaya - It is hereby expressly agreed that no employee or agent of the Managers (including every sub-contractor from time to time employed by the Managers) shall in any circumstances whatsoever be under any liability whatsoever to the Owners for any loss, damage or delay of whatsoever kind arising or resulting directly or indirectly from any act, neglect or default on his party while acting in the course of or in connection with his employment and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions in this Clause 11 , every exemption, limitation, condition and liberty herein contained and every right, exemption from liability, defence and immunity of whatsoever nature applicable to the Managers or to which the Managers are entitled hereunder shall also be available and shall extend to protect every such employee or agent of the Managers acting as aforesaid and for the purpose of all the foregoing provisions of this Clause 11 the Managers are or shall be deemed to be acting as agent or trustee on behalf of and for the benefit of all persons who are or might be their servants or agents from time to time (including sub-contractors as aforesaid) and all such persons shall to this extent be or be deemed to be parties to this Agreement.
12.  Documentation
Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 and/or Crew Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.1, they shall make available,


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“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
upon Owners’ request, all documentation and records related to the Safety Management System (SMS) and/or the Crew which the Owners need in order to demonstrate compliance with the ISM Code and STCW 95 or to defend a claim against a third party.
13.  General Administration
13.1   The Managers shall handle and settle all claims arising out of the Management Services hereunder and keep the Owners informed regarding any incident of which the Managers become aware which gives or may give rise to claims or disputes involving third parties.
13.2   The Managers shall, as instructed by the Owners, bring or defend actions, suits or proceedings in connection with matters entrusted to the Managers according to this Agreement.
13.3   The Managers shall also have power to obtain legal or technical or other outside expert advice in relation to the handling and settlement of claims and disputes or all other matters affecting the interests of the Owners in respect of the Vessel.
13.4   The Owners shall arrange for the provision of any necessary guarantee bond or other security.
13.5   Any costs reasonably incurred by the Managers in carrying out their obligations according to Clause 13 shall be reimbursed by the Owners.
14.  Auditing
The Managers shall at all times maintain and keep true and correct accounts and shall make the same available for inspection and auditing by the Owners at such times as may be mutually agreed.  On the termination, for whatever reasons, of this Agreement the Managers shall release to the Owners, if so requested, the originals when possible, or otherwise certified copies, of all such accounts and all documents specifically relating to the Vessel and her operation.
15.  Inspection of Vessel
The Owners shall have the right at any time after giving reasonable notice to the Managers to inspect the Vessel for any reason they consider necessary.
16.  Compliance with Laws and Regulations
The Managers will not do or permit to be done anything which might cause any breach or infringement of the laws and regulations of the Vessel’s flag, or of the places where she trades.
17.  Duration of the Agreement
This Agreement shall come into effect on the day and year stated in Box 4 and shall continue until the date stated in Box 17 .  Thereafter it shall continue until terminated by either party giving to the other notice to the Managers in writing, in which event the Agreement shall terminate upon the expiration of a period of two   eighteen months from the date upon which such notice was given.  In case Owners wish to terminate the Agreement earlier than the date stated in Box 17 Owners will pay the Managers all fees as per ANNEX “E” for the remaining period until the date stated in Box 17 .
18.  Termination
18.1  Owners’ default
(i)  The Managers shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing if any moneys payable by the Owners under this Agreement and/or the owners of any associated vessel, details of which are listed in Annex “D” . shall not have been received in the Managers’ nominated account within ten running days of receipt by the Owners of the Managers written request or if the Vessel is repossessed by the Mortgagees.
(ii)  If the Owners:
(a)  fail to meet their obligations under sub- clauses 5.2 and 5.3 of this Agreement for any reason within their control, or
(b)  proceed with the employment of or continue to employ the Vessel in the carriage of contraband, blockade running, or in an unlawful trade, or on a voyage which in the reasonable opinion of the Managers is unduly hazardous or improper, the Managers may give notice of the default to the Owners, requiring them to remedy it as soon as practically possible.  In the event that the Owners fail to remedy it within a reasonable time to the satisfaction of the Managers   the Managers shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing.
18.2  Managers’ Default
If the Managers fail to meet their obligations under Clauses 3 and 4 of this Agreement for any reason within the control of the Managers, the Owners may give notice to the Managers of the default, requiring them to remedy it as soon as practically possible.  In the event that the Managers fail to remedy it within a reasonable time to the satisfaction of the Owners the Owners shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing.
18.3  Extraordinary Termination
This Agreement shall be deemed to be terminated in the case of the sale of the Vessel or if the Vessel becomes a total loss or is declared as a constructive or compromised or arranged total loss or is requisitioned.
18.4   For the purpose of sub-clause 18.3 hereof
(i)  the date upon which the Vessel is to be treated as having been sold or otherwise disposed or shall be the date on which the Owners cease to be registered as Owners of the Vessel;
(ii)  the Vessel shall not be deemed to be lost unless either she has become an actual total loss or agreement has been reached with her underwriters in respect of her constructive, compromised or arranged total loss or if such agreement with her underwriters is not reached it is adjudged by a competent tribunal that a constructive loss of the Vessel has occurred.
18.5   This Agreement shall terminate forthwith in the event of an order being made or resolution passed for the winding up, dissolution, liquidation or bankruptcy of either party (otherwise than for the purpose of reconstruction or amalgamation) or if a receiver is appointed, or it if suspends payment, ceases to carry on business or makes any special arrangement or composition with its creditors.
18.6  The termination of this Agreement shall be without prejudice to all rights accrued due between the parties prior to the date of termination.
18.7   A change of control of either party shall not terminate this Agreement.
19.  Law and Arbitration
19.1   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration in London in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996 or any statutory modification to re-enactment thereof save to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Clause.
The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) Terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
The reference shall be to three arbitrators.  A party wishing to refer a dispute to arbitration shall appoint its arbitrator and send notice of such appointment in writing to the other party requiring the other party to appoint its own arbitrator within 14 calendar days of that notice and stating that it will appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator unless the other party appoints its own arbitrator and gives notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified.  If the other party does not appoint its own arbitrator and give notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified, the party referring a dispute to arbitration may, without the requirement of any further prior


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notice to the other party, appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator and shall advise the other party accordingly.  The award of a sole arbitrator shall be binding on both parties as if he had been appointed by agreement.
Nothing herein shall prevent the parties agreeing in writing to vary these provisions to provide for the appointment of a sole arbitrator.
In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of USD50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the LMAA Small Claims Procedure current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
19.2   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Title 9 of the United States Code and the Maritime Law of the United States and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to three persons at New York, one to be appointed by each of the parties hereto, and the third by the two so chosen; their decision that of any two of them shall be final, and for the purposes of enforcing any award, judgment may be entered on an award by any court of competent jurisdiction.  The proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc.
In cases where neither the claim not any counterclaim exceeds the sum of USD50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the Shortened Arbitration Procedure of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc, current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
19.3   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the place mutually agreed by the parties and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration at a mutually agreed place, subject to the procedures applicable there.
19.4   If Box 18 in Part I is not appropriately filled in, sub- clause 19.1 of this Clause shall apply.
Note:  19.1 , 19.2 and 19.3 are alternatives; indicate alternative agreed in Box 18 .
20.  Notices
20.1   Any notice to be given by either party to the other party shall be in writing and may be sent by fax, telex, registered or recorded mail or by personal service.
20.2   The address of the Parties for service of such communication shall be as stated in Boxes 19 and 20 , respectively.
Exhibit 4.105
1. Date of Agreement
 
1 st January 2019
 
HULL 8242 (tbn ECO MARINA DEL RAY)
 
 
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
CODE NAME: "SHIPMAN 98"
Part I
2. Owners (name, place of registered office and law of registry) ( Cl. 1 )
 
3. Managers (name, place of registered office and law of registry) ( Cl. 1 )
         
 
PCH DREAMING INC.
   
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.
 
Name
   
Name
         
 
The Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands
   
The Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands
 
Place of registered office
   
Place of registered office
         
 
Marshall Islands
   
Marshall Islands
 
Law of Registry
   
Law of Registry
         
4. Day and year of commencement of Agreement ( Cl. 2 )
 
1 st January 2019
 
5. Crew Management (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.1 )
 
YES
 
 
6. Technical Management (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.2 )
 
YES
 
7. Insurance (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.3 )
 
YES
 
 
8. Insurance Arrangements (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.4 )
 
YES
 
9. Accounting (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.5 )
 
YES
 
 
10. Sale or purchase of the Vessel (state “yes” or “no” as agreed ( Cl. 3.6 )
 
YES
 
11. Provisions (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.7 )
 
YES
 
 
12. Bunkering (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.8 )
 
YES
 
13. Chartering Services (only to be filled in if “yes” in box 7) ( Cl. 3.3(i) )
 
FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION OF THIS AGREEMENT
 
 
14. Managers’ Insurance (state alternative (i), (ii) or (iii) of Cl. 6.3 )
 
(i)
 
15. Annual Management Fee (state annual amount) ( Cl. 8.1 )
 
AS PER ANNEX “E”
 
 
16. Severance Costs (state maximum amount) ( Cl. 8.4(ii) )
 
AT COST AS PER SEAMEN COLLECTIVE
AGREEMENT
 
17. Day and year of termination of Agreement (Cl. 17)
 
Duration 5 years, automatically renewed.
 
 
18. Law and Arbitration (state alternative 19.1 , 19.2 or 19.3 place of arbitration must be stated) ( Cl. 19 )
 
AT COST AS PER CLAUSE 19.1
 
19. Notices (state postal and cable address, telex and telefax number for serving notice and communication to the Owners ) ( Cl. 25 )
TOP SHIPS INC.
1, Vas.Sofias & Meg. Alexandrou Str.,
15124, Maroussi, Athens, Greece
E-mail : vi@topships.org
Fax      : +30 210 6141 276
 
20. Notices (state postal and cable address, telex and telefax number for serving notice and communication to the Managers ) ( Cl. 20 )
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.
c/o CENTRAL MARE INC.
1, Vas. Sofias & Meg. Alexandrou Str.,
15124, Maroussi, Athens, Greece
E-mail: ops@centralmare.com
Fax     : +30 210 8020 364

It is mutually agreed between the party stated in Box 2 and the party stated in Box 3 that this Agreement consisting of PART I and PART II as well as Annexes "A" (Details of Vessel), "B" (Details of Crew), “C” (Budget), and “D” (Associated Vessels) attached hereto, shall be performed subject to the conditions contained herein.  In the event of a conflict of conditions, the provisions of PART I and Annexes “A” , “B” , “C” and “D” shall prevail over those of PART II to the extent of such conflict but no father.
     
Signature(s) (Owners)
 
/s/ Vangelis Ikonomou
Vangelis Ikonomou
 
 
PCH DREAMING INC.
 
 
Signature(s) (Managers)
 
/s/ Andreas M. Louka
Andreas M. Louka
Attorney-in-fact
 
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.


This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “A” (DETAILS OF VESSEL OR VESSELS) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
   
   
Name of Vessel(s):
HULL 8242 (tbn ECO MARINA DEL RAY)
   
   
 
Particulars of Vessel:
   
   


TYPE OF VESSEL
Oil and Chemical Tanker
Ship Type IMO 2 & 3
HULL TYPE
Double Hull
IMO NUMBER
9798349
FLAG
Marshall Islands
YEAR & PLACE BUILT
2019 at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, South Korea
CLASS SOCIETY
DNV - GL
CALL SIGN
V7A2018
LOA, BREADTH, DEPTH
183.00 M / 32.20 M / 19.1 M
SDWT - DRAFT
49,967 MT @ 13.3 m

This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “B” (DETAILS OF CREW) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Details of Crew:
Rank
Number
Nationality
Master
1
Filipino
Chief Officer
1
Filipino
Second Officer
1
Filipino
Third Officer
1
Filipino
Chief Engineer
1
Filipino
Second Engineer
1
Filipino
Third Engineer
1
Filipino
Electrician
1
Filipino
Pumpman
1
Filipino
Bosun
1
Filipino
Able Seaman
3
Filipino
Ordinary Seaman
2
Filipino
Deck Cadet
1
Filipino
Oiler
1
Filipino
Wiper
1
Filipino
Engine Cadet
1
Filipino
Cook
1
Filipino
Mess Boy
2
Filipino
CREW TOTAL
22
 

This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “C” (ANNUAL MANAGEMENT BUDGET)
TO THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Managers Budget in USD effective from the first year of operations.
Hyundai Vinashin Shipyard MR Oil and Chemical Tanker 50,000 DWT
Proposed Budget for first year of operations
Accounts
Code
Crew
Daily Amount
Annual Amount
Annual Summary
68002
CREW AGENTS/SUBMANAGERS EXPENSES
9,86
$3.600
 
68003
CREW AGENTS/SUBMANAGERS FEES
82,19
$30.000
68004
CREW BONUS (TANK CLEANING, VETTING BONUS, ETC)
41,10
$15.000
68014
CREW INDEMNITIES
0,00
$0
68005
CREW COMPULSORY INSURANCE & CREW INSURANCE FOR P&I DEDUCTIBLE
23,29
$8.500
68006
CREW PRE-JOINING MEDICAL EXPS
9,59
$3.500
68021
CREW MISC CLAIMABLE MATTERS
0,00
$0
68007
ADDITIONAL CREW OVERTIME
0,00
$0
08008
CREW SALARIES & FIXED OVERTIME & OWNERS’ CREW BONUS INCLUDING ADDITIONAL OVERLAPPING USD 20,000
2.608,22
$952.000
68009
CREW TRANSPORTATION EXPS
232,88
$85.000
68010
CREW UNIFORMS/WORKING CLOTHES
8,22
$3.000
68011
CREW PRE-JOINING TRAININGS & CREW VARIOUS EXPENSES
296,58
$90.000
$1.271.600
68019
GREEK CREW MEDICAL EXPS
0,00
$0
68018
GREEK CREW MISC EXPS
0,00
$0
68017
GREEK CREW TRANSPORTATION EXPS
0,00
$0
68016
GREEK CREW WAGES
0,00
$0
68012
PROVISIONS
221,92
$81.000
68020
SHIPOWNERS’ CONTRIBUTIONS
0,00
$0
68022
CREW LEAVE PAY
0,00
$0
 
Crew Subtotal
3.483,84
$1.271.600
Accounts
Code
Insurance
 
64001
HULL & MACHINERY
164,38
$60.000
 
64002
INSURANCE LOSS OF HIRE
0,00
$0
69003
WAR RISKS ANNUAL PREMIUM
15,75
$5.750
64004
P&I
136,99
$50.000
65005
FD D
27,40
$10.000
64006
MARINE INTEREST
0,00
$0
64007
PURCHASERS INTEREST INSURANCE
0,00
$0
$125.750
64008
BACK CALLS-(INSURANCE) SUPPLEMENTARY
0,00
$0
 
Insurance Subtotal
344,52
$125.750
Accounts
Code
Repairs and Maintenance
67001
AUX.MACITINERY REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
27,40
$10.000
 
67003
BOILER REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67005
CHEMICALS & GASES
41,10
$15.000
67013
DECK SPARE PARTS - REPAIR/MAINTENANCE
27,40
$10.000
67006
DIESEL GENERATORS - REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67017
MAIN ENGINE REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67008
PAINTS AT SEA
27,40
$10.000
67010
RADIO ROOM NAVIGATION MAINTENANCE
13,70
$5.000
67011
REPAIRS - MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67012
SLOPS & GARBAGE REMOVAL
0,00
$0
67016
SUPER,ENGIN/PORT CPTN OTHER FEES&EXPS
54,79
$20.000
$135.000
67019
VESSELS IT HARDWARE EQUIPMENT
13,70
$5.000
 
Repairs and Maintenance Subtotal
369,86
$135.000
Accounts
Code
Other Vessel Operating Expenses
66010
SAFETY ITEMS
27,40
$10.000
 
68001
CABIN STORES - ACCOMODATION
27,40
$10.000
68015
GALLEY-KITCHEN EQUIPMENT
13,70
$5.000
68013
WATER SUPPLY
13,70
$5.000
66002
ACCRUALS-OPERATING EXPS
0,00
$0
66001
APPROVAL-SUITABILITY INSPECTIONS
54,79
$20.000
66004
CHARTS/N.PUBLICATIONS
27,40
$10.000
66023
CLASS AND STATUT CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
41,10
$15.000
66005
CLEARING/FORWARDING EXPS
109,59
$40.000
66006
DECK STORES
95,89
$35.000
66007
ELECTR. DEPT-STORES
27,40
$10.000
$348.000
66008
ENGINE STORES
68,49
$25.000
66022
FLAG CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
10,96
$4.000
66026
OTHER CONSULTANCY DOCUMENTATION SERVICES
13,70
$5.000
66021
PORT DUES RELATED TO PROTECTING AGENTS
13,70
$5.000
66018
PROTECTING AGENTS FEES/EXPENSES
13,70
$5.000
66027
QUALITY DPT CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
68,49
$25.000
66024
SAFETY EQUIP MAR CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
27,40
$10.000
66025
SAFETY EQUIP TEC CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
27,40
$10.000
66011
STATIONERY EXPS
27,40
$10.000
66019
SUBSCRIPTIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
13,70
$5.000
66020
TECHNICAL CONSULTANCY DOCUMENTATION SERV
13,70
$5.000
66012
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
134,25
$49.000
66013
TONNAGE TAX
54,79
$20.000
66014
VARIOUS EXPS
27,40
$10.000
 
Other Vessel Operating Expenses Subtotal
953,42
$348.000
66009
Lubricants
438,36
$160.000
$160.000
Accounts
Code
Spares
67002
AUX.MACHINERY SPARE PARTS
41,10
$15.000
 
67004
BOILER SPARES
27,40
$10.000
67014
DECK SPARE PARTS
41,10
$15.000
67007
DIESEL GENERATORS SPARE PARTS
27,40
$10.000
67015
MAIN ENGINE SPARE PARTS
41,10
$15.000
$70.000
67009
RADIO ROOM NAVIGATION-EQUIPMENT SPARES
13,70
$5.000
 
Spares Subtotal
191,78
$70.000
 
Extraordinary Expenses
0,00
   
 
Less corresponding claims
0,00
 
 
TOTAL OPEX WITHOUT DD EXPENSES
 
$2.135.350



 
DAILY OPEX WITHOUT DD EXPENSES
 
$5.850
 
 
DO Adjustments (5y / 2.5y amortization)
0,00
 
$5. 850
 
TOTAL OPEX WITH DD EXPENSE
5.850,27
$2.135,350
 
DAILY OPEX WITH DD EXPENSES
 
$5.850






























This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “D” (ASSOCIATED VESSELS) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

NOTE: PARTIES SHOULD BE AWARE THAT BY COMPLETING THIS ANNEX “D” THEY WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SUB-CLAUSE 18.1(i) OF THIS AGREEMENT.
Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Details of Associated Vessels:
HULL 8242 (tbn ECO MARINA DEL RAY)
 
 
 
 
 
 










This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX E (Management Fees)
Duration of Contract Five
(5) years, automatically renewed.
   
Services and Relevant Fees:
USD 550 per day per vessel for Technical and Commercial, Crew Management, Insurance, Provisions and Bunkering.  Applicable 3 months prior delivery from the yard.
 
Accounting, Reporting, Legal and Administrative Services at cost.
     
Fee Annual Increase:
Based on total percentage increase in the U.S. Consumer Price Index over the previous year, but not less than 2% and not more than 5%.
   
Commission on all hires / gross freight / demurrage:
1.25%
   
Sales and Purchase Commission:
1% of the Sale or the Purchase Price or the Contract Price of the Newbuilding Contract.
   
N/B Construction – Supervision Fee:
7% of actual cost.
   
Managers’ Superintendent’s Fee beyond 10 days per annum:
USD 500 per day, plus actual expenses.
   
Notice of Termination:
18 months
   
Termination Fees:
Fees for 12 months.

1.
Manager shall be entitled to receive additional remuneration for any increase in administrative costs and expenses resulting from the introduction of a new, or a change in the interpretation of applicable laws and regulations, or concerning ship management services.
2.
Owners to pay the deductible of any insurance claim relating to the vessels, or for any claim that is within such deductible range.  All insurance related rebates to be for the benefit of the Manager.
3.
Owners to pay any tax, dues, or ransom in a case of piracy, or fines imposed on vessel or Manager, due to the operation of the vessel.
4.
The above management fees are agreed on the basis of the number of the associated vessels as per ANNEX D of this agreement.


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
1.  Definitions
In this Agreement save where the context otherwise requires, the following words and expressions shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them.
" Owners " mean the party identified in Box. 2 .
" Managers " mean the party identified in Box 3 .
" Vessel " means the vessel or vessels details of which are set out in Annex "A" attached hereto.
" Crew " means the Master, officers and ratings of the   numbers, rank and nationality specified in Annex “B” attached hereto.
" Crew Support Costs " means all expenses of a general nature which are not particularly referable to any individual vessel for the time being managed by the Managers and which are incurred by the Managers for the purpose of providing an efficient and economic management service and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, shall include the cost of crew standby pay, training schemes for officers and ratings, cadet training schemes, sick pay, recruitment and interviews.
" Severance Costs " means the costs which the employers are legally obliged to pay to or in respect of the Crew as a result of the early termination of any employment contract for service on the Vessel.
" Crew Insurances " means insurances against crew risks which shall include but not limited to death, sickness, repatriation, injury, shipwreck unemployment indemnity and loss of personal effects.
" Management Services " means the services specified in sub-clauses 3.1 to 3.8 as indicated affirmatively in Boxes 5 to 12.
" ISM Code " means the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention as adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) by resolution A.741(18) or any subsequent amendment thereto.
" STCW 95 " means the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended in 1995 or any subsequent amendment thereto.
2.  Appointment of Mangers
With effect from the day and year stated in Box 4 and continuing unless and until terminated as provided herein, the Owners hereby appoint the Managers and the Managers hereby agree to act as the Managers of the Vessel.
3.  Basis of Agreement
Subject to terms and conditions herein provided, during the period of this Agreement, the Managers shall carry out Management Services in respect of the Vessel as agents for and on behalf of the Owners.  The Managers shall have authority to take such actions as they may from time to time in their absolute discretion consider to be necessary to enable them to perform this Agreement in accordance with sound ship management practice.
3.1  Crew Management
( only applicable if agreed according to   Box 5 )
The Managers shall provide suitably qualified Crew for the Vessel as required by the Owners in accordance with the STCW 95 requirements, provision of which includes but it is not limited to the following functions:
(i)  selecting and engaging the Vessel's Crew, including payroll arrangements, pension administration, and insurances for the Crew other than those mentioned in Clause 6 ;
(ii)  ensuring that the applicable requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied in respect of manning levels, rank, qualification and certification of the Crew and employment regulations including Crew's tax, social insurance, discipline and other requirements;
(iii)  ensuring that all members of the Crew have passed a medical examination with a qualified doctor certifying that they are fit for the duties for which they are engaged and are in possession of valid medical certificates issued in accordance with appropriate flag State requirements.  In the absence of applicable flag State requirements the medical certificate shall be dated not more than three months prior to the respective Crew members leaving their country of domicile and maintained for the duration of their service on board the Vessel;
(iv)  ensuring that the Crew shall have a command of the English language of a sufficient standard to enable them to perform their duties safely;
(v)  arranging transportation of the Crew, including repatriation;
(vi)  training the Crew and supervising their efficiency;
(vii)  conducting union negotiations;
(viii)   operating the Managers' drug and alcohol policy unless otherwise agreed.
3.2  Technical Management
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 6 )
The Managers shall provide technical management which includes, but is not limited to, the following functions:
(i)  provision of competent personnel to supervise the maintenance and general efficiency of the Vessel;
(ii)  arrangement and supervision of dry dockings, repairs, alterations and the upkeep of the Vessel to the standards required by the Owners provided that the Managers shall be entitled to incur the necessary expenditure to ensure that the Vessel will comply with the law of the flag of the Vessel and of the places where she trades, and all requirements and recommendations of the classification society;
(iii)  arrangement of the supply of necessary stores, spares and lubricating oil;
(iv)  appointment of surveyors and technical consultants as the Managers may consider from time to time to be necessary;
(v)  development, implementation and maintenance of a Safety Management System (SMS) in accordance with the ISM Code (see sub-clauses 4,2 and 5;3).
3.3  Commercial Management
( only applicable if agreed according to   Box 7 )
The Managers shall provide the commercial operation of the Vessel, as required by the Owners, which includes, but is not limited to, the following functions:
(i)  providing chartering services in accordance with the Owners’ instructions which include, but are not limited to, seeking and negotiating employment for the Vessel and the conclusion (including the execution thereof) of charter parties or other contracts relating to the employment of the Vessel.  If such a contract exceeds twelve months in duration the period stated in Box 13 . consent thereto in writing shall first be obtained from the Owners.
(ii)  arranging of the proper payment to Owners or their nominees of all hire and/or freight revenues or other moneys of whatsoever mature to which Owners may be entitled arising out of the employment of or otherwise in connection with the Vessel.
(iii)  providing voyage estimates and accounts and calculating of hire, freights, demurrage and/or despatch moneys due from or due to the charterers of the Vessel;
(iv)  issuing of voyage instructions;
(v)  appointing agents;
(vi)  appointing stevedores;
(vii)  arranging surveys associated with the commercial operation of the Vessel.
3.4  Insurance Arrangements
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 8 )
The Managers shall arrange insurances in accordance with Clause 6, on such terms and conditions as the Owners shall have instructed or agreed, in particular regarding conditions,


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
insured values, deductibles and franchises.
3.5  Accounting Services
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 9 )
The Managers shall
(i)  establish an accounting system which meets the requirements of the Owners and provide regular accounting services, supply regular reports and records,
(ii)  maintain the records of all costs and expenditure incurred as well as data necessary or proper for the settlement of accounts between the parties.
3.6  Sale or Purchase of the Vessel
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 10 )
The Managers shall, in accordance with the Owners’ instructions, supervise the sale or purchase of the Vessel, including the performance of any sale or purchase agreement, but not negotiation of the same.
3.7  Provisions ( only applicable if agreed according to Box 11 )
The Manager’s shall arrange for the supply of provisions.
3.8  Bunkering   (only applicable if agreed according to Box 12 )
The Managers shall arrange for the provision of bunker fuel of the quality specified by the Owners as required for the Vessel’s trade.
4.  Managers’ Obligations
4.1   The Managers undertake to use their best endeavours to provide the agreed Management Services as agents for and on behalf of the Owners in accordance with sound ship management practice and to protect and promote the interests of the Owners in all matters relating to the provision of services hereunder.  Provided, however, that the Managers in the performance of their management responsibilities under this Agreement shall be entitled to have regard to their overall responsibility in relation to all vessels as may from time to time be entrusted to their management and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Managers shall be entitled to allocate available supplies, manpower and services in such manner as in the prevailing circumstances the Managers in their absolute discretion consider to be fair and reasonable.
4.2  Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , they shall procure that the requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied and they shall in particular be deemed to be the “Company” as defined by the ISM Code, assuming the responsibility for the operation of the Vessel and taking over the duties and responsibilities imposed by the ISM Code when applicable.
5.  Owners’ Obligations
5.1.   The Owners shall pay all sums due to the Managers punctually in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
5.2.  Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , the Owners shall:
(i)  procure that all officers and ratings supplied by them or on their behalf comply with the requirements of STCW 95;
(ii)  instruct such officers and ratings to obey all reasonable orders of the Managers in connection with the operation of the Managers’ safety system.
5.3  Where the Managers are not providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , the Owners shall procure that the requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied and that they, or such other entity as may be appointed by them and identified to the Managers, shall be deemed to be the “Company” as defined by the ISM Code assuming the responsibility for the operation of the Vessel and taking over the duties and responsibilities imposed by the ISM Code when applicable.
6.  Insurance Policies
The Owners shall procure, whether by instructing the Managers under sub-clause 3.4 or otherwise, that throughout the period of this Agreement:
6.1.  at the Owners’ expense, the Vessel is insured for not less than her sound market value or entered for her full gross tonnage, as the case may be for:
(i)  usual hull and machinery marine risks (including crew negligence) and excess liabilities;
(ii)  protection and indemnity risks (including pollution risks and Crew Insurances); and
(iii)  war risks (including protection and indemnity and crew risks) in accordance with the best practice of prudent owners of vessels of a similar type to the Vessel, with first class insurance companies, underwriters or associations (the “Owners’ Insurances”);
6.2.  all premiums and calls on the Owners’ Insurances are paid promptly by their due date,
6.3.  the Owners’ Insurances name the Managers and, subject to underwriters’ agreement, any third party designated by the Managers as a joint assured, with full cover, with the Owners obtaining cover in respect of each of the insurances specified in sub-clause 6.1 :
(i)  on terms whereby the Managers and any such third party are liable in respect of premiums or calls arising in connection with the Owners’ Insurances; or
(ii)  if reasonably obtainable, on terms such that neither the Managers nor any such third party shall be under any liability in respect of premiums or calls arising in connection with the Owners’ insurances; or
(iii)  on such other terms as may be agreed in writing.
Indicate alternative (i), (ii) or (iii) in Box 14 .  If Box 14 is left blank then (i) applies.
6.4   written evidence is provided, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Managers, of their compliance with their obligations under Clause 6 within a reasonable time of the commencement of the Agreement, and of each renewal date and, if specifically requested, of each payment date of the Owners’ Insurances.
7.  Income Collected and Expenses Paid on Behalf of Owners
7.1   All moneys collected by the Managers under the terms of this Agreement (other than moneys payable by the Owners to the Managers) and any interest thereon shall be held to the credit of the Owners in a separate bank account.
7.2  All expenses incurred by the Managers under the terms of this Agreement on behalf of the Owners (including expenses as provided in Clause 8 ) may be debited against the Owners in the account referred to under sub-clause 7J. but shall in any event remain payable by the Owners to the Managers on demand.
8.  Management Fee
8.1   The Owners shall pay to the Managers for their services as Managers under this Agreement an annual DAILY management fee as stated in Box 15 which shall be payable to equal monthly installments in advance, the first installment being payable on the commencement of this Agreement (see Clause 2 and Box 4 ) and subsequent installments being payable every month.
8.2  The management fee shall be subject to an annual review on the anniversary date of the Agreement and the proposed fee shall be presented in the annual budget referred to in sub-clause 9.1.   Please refer to Annex E (Management Fees)
8.3  The Managers shall, at no extra cost to the Owners, provide their own office accommodation, office staff, facilities and stationery.  Without limiting the generality of Clause 7 the Owners shall reimburse the Managers for postage and communication expenses, traveling expenses, and other out of pocket expenses properly incurred by the Managers in pursuance of


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
the Management Services.
8.4  In the event of the appointment of the Managers being terminated by the Owners or the Managers in accordance with the provisions of Clauses 17 and 18 other than by reason of default by the Managers, or if the Vessel is lost, sold or otherwise disposed of, the “management fee” payable to the Managers according to the provisions of sub- clause 8.1, shall continue to be payable for a further period of three calendar months as from the termination date.  In addition, provided that the Managers provide Crew for the Vessel in accordance with sub-clause 3.1;
( i)  the Owners shall continue to pay Crew Support Costs during the said further period of three calendar months and
( ii)  the Owners shall pay an equitable proportion of any Severance Costs which may materialize, not exceeding the amount stated in Box 16 .
Please refer to Annex E (Management Fees)
8.5  If the Owners decide to lay-up the Vessel whilst this Agreement remains in force and such lay-up lasts for more than three months, an appropriate reduction of the management fee for the period exceeding three months until one month before the Vessel is again put into service shall be mutually agreed between the parties.
8.6  Unless otherwise agreed in writing all discounts and commissions obtained by the Managers in the course of the management of the Vessel shall be credited to the Owners.
9.  Budgets and Management of Funds
The Managers shall present to the Owners annually a budget for the following twelve months in such form as the Owners require.  The budget for the first year hereof is set out in Annex “C” hereto.  Subsequent annual budgets shall be prepared by the Managers and submitted to the Owners not less than three months before the anniversary date of the commencement of this Agreement (see Clause 2 and Box 4).
9.1  The Owners shall indicate to the Managers their acceptance and approval of the annual budget within one month of presentation and in the absence of any such indication the Managers shall be entitled to assume that the Owners have accepted the proposed budget.
9.2  Following the agreement of the budget, the Managers shall prepare and present to the Owners their estimate of the working capital requirement of the Vessel and the Managers shall each month update this estimate, based thereon, the Managers shall each month request the Owners in writing for the funds required to run the Vessel for the ensuing month, including the payment of any occasional or extraordinary item of expenditure, such as emergency repair costs, additional insurance premiums, bunkers or provisions.  Such funds shall be received by the Managers within ten running days after the receipt by the Owners of the Managers’ written request and shall be held to the credit of the Owners in a separate bank account.
9.3  The Managers shall produce a comparison between budgeted and actual income and expenditure of the Vessel in such form as required by the Owners monthly or at such other intervals as mutually agreed.
9.4  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Managers shall in no circumstances be required to use or commit their own funds to finance the provision of the Management Services.
10.  Managers’ Right to Sub-Contract
The Managers shall not have the right to sub-contract any of their obligations hereunder , including those mentioned in sub-clause 3.1 without the prior written consent of the Owners which shall not be unreasonably withheld .  In the event of such a sub- contract the Managers shall remain fully liable for the due performance of their obligations under this Agreement.
11.  Responsibilities
11.1  Force Majeure - Neither the Owners nor the Managers shall be under any liability for any failure to perform any of their obligations thereunder by reason of any cause whatsoever of any nature or kind beyond their reasonable control.
11.2  Liability to Owners - (i)   Without prejudice to sub-clause 11.1, the Managers shall be under no liability whatsoever to the Owners for any loss, damage, delay or expense of whatsoever nature, whether direct or indirect, (including but not limited to loss of profit arising out of or in connection with detention of or delay to the Vessel) and howsoever arising in the course of performance of the Management Services UNLESS same is proved to have resulted from the negligence, gross negligence or willful default of the Managers of their employees, or agents or sub-contractors employed by them in connection with the Vessel, in which case (save where loss, damage, delay or expense has resulted from the Managers’ personal act or omission committed with the intent to cause same or recklessly and with knowledge that such loss, damage, delay or expense would probably result) the Managers’ liability for such incident or series of incidents giving rise to a claim or claims shall never exceed a total of ten times the annual Management Fee payable hereunder.
(ii)  Notwithstanding anything that may appear to the contrary in this Agreement, the Managers shall not be liable for any of the actions of the Crew even if such actions are negligent, grossly negligent or willful, except only to the extent that they are shown to have resulted from a failure to the Managers to discharge their obligations under sub-Clause 3.1, in which case their liability shall be limited in accordance with the terms of this Clause 11 .
11.3  Indemnity - Except to the extent and solely for the amount therein set out that the   Managers would be liable under sub- clause 11.2 , the Owners hereby undertake to keep the Managers and their employees, agents and sub-contractors indemnified and to hold them harmless against all actions, proceedings, claims, demands or liabilities whatsoever or howsoever arising which may be brought against them or incurred or suffered by them arising out of or in connection with the performance of the Agreement, and against and in respect of all costs, losses, damages and expenses (including legal costs and expenses on a full indemnity basis) which the Managers may suffer or incur (either directly or indirectly) in the course of the performance of this Agreement.
11.4  “ Himalaya - It is hereby expressly agreed that no employee or agent of the Managers (including every sub-contractor from time to time employed by the Managers) shall in any circumstances whatsoever be under any liability whatsoever to the Owners for any loss, damage or delay of whatsoever kind arising or resulting directly or indirectly from any act, neglect or default on his party while acting in the course of or in connection with his employment and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions in this Clause 11 , every exemption, limitation, condition and liberty herein contained and every right, exemption from liability, defence and immunity of whatsoever nature applicable to the Managers or to which the Managers are entitled hereunder shall also be available and shall extend to protect every such employee or agent of the Managers acting as aforesaid and for the purpose of all the foregoing provisions of this Clause 11 the Managers are or shall be deemed to be acting as agent or trustee on behalf of and for the benefit of all persons who are or might be their servants or agents from time to time (including sub-contractors as aforesaid) and all such persons shall to this extent be or be deemed to be parties to this Agreement.
12.  Documentation
Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 and/or Crew Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.1, they shall make available,


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
upon Owners’ request, all documentation and records related to the Safety Management System (SMS) and/or the Crew which the Owners need in order to demonstrate compliance with the ISM Code and STCW 95 or to defend a claim against a third party.
13.  General Administration
13.1   The Managers shall handle and settle all claims arising out of the Management Services hereunder and keep the Owners informed regarding any incident of which the Managers become aware which gives or may give rise to claims or disputes involving third parties.
13.2   The Managers shall, as instructed by the Owners, bring or defend actions, suits or proceedings in connection with matters entrusted to the Managers according to this Agreement.
13.3   The Managers shall also have power to obtain legal or technical or other outside expert advice in relation to the handling and settlement of claims and disputes or all other matters affecting the interests of the Owners in respect of the Vessel.
13.4   The Owners shall arrange for the provision of any necessary guarantee bond or other security.
13.5   Any costs reasonably incurred by the Managers in carrying out their obligations according to Clause 13 shall be reimbursed by the Owners.
14.  Auditing
The Managers shall at all times maintain and keep true and correct accounts and shall make the same available for inspection and auditing by the Owners at such times as may be mutually agreed.  On the termination, for whatever reasons, of this Agreement the Managers shall release to the Owners, if so requested, the originals when possible, or otherwise certified copies, of all such accounts and all documents specifically relating to the Vessel and her operation.
15.  Inspection of Vessel
The Owners shall have the right at any time after giving reasonable notice to the Managers to inspect the Vessel for any reason they consider necessary.
16.  Compliance with Laws and Regulations
The Managers will not do or permit to be done anything which might cause any breach or infringement of the laws and regulations of the Vessel’s flag, or of the places where she trades.
17.  Duration of the Agreement
This Agreement shall come into effect on the day and year stated in Box 4 and shall continue until the date stated in Box 17 .  Thereafter it shall continue until terminated by either party giving to the other notice to the Managers in writing, in which event the Agreement shall terminate upon the expiration of a period of two   eighteen months from the date upon which such notice was given.  In case Owners wish to terminate the Agreement earlier than the date stated in Box 17 Owners will pay the Managers all fees as per ANNEX “E” for the remaining period until the date stated in Box 17 .
18.  Termination
18.1  Owners’ default
(i)  The Managers shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing if any moneys payable by the Owners under this Agreement and/or the owners of any associated vessel, details of which are listed in Annex “D” . shall not have been received in the Managers’ nominated account within ten running days of receipt by the Owners of the Managers written request or if the Vessel is repossessed by the Mortgagees.
(ii)  If the Owners:
(a)  fail to meet their obligations under sub- clauses 5.2 and 5.3 of this Agreement for any reason within their control, or
(b)  proceed with the employment of or continue to employ the Vessel in the carriage of contraband, blockade running, or in an unlawful trade, or on a voyage which in the reasonable opinion of the Managers is unduly hazardous or improper, the Managers may give notice of the default to the Owners, requiring them to remedy it as soon as practically possible.  In the event that the Owners fail to remedy it within a reasonable time to the satisfaction of the Managers   the Managers shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing.
18.2  Managers’ Default
If the Managers fail to meet their obligations under Clauses 3 and 4 of this Agreement for any reason within the control of the Managers, the Owners may give notice to the Managers of the default, requiring them to remedy it as soon as practically possible.  In the event that the Managers fail to remedy it within a reasonable time to the satisfaction of the Owners the Owners shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing.
18.3  Extraordinary Termination
This Agreement shall be deemed to be terminated in the case of the sale of the Vessel or if the Vessel becomes a total loss or is declared as a constructive or compromised or arranged total loss or is requisitioned.
18.4   For the purpose of sub-clause 18.3 hereof
(i)  the date upon which the Vessel is to be treated as having been sold or otherwise disposed or shall be the date on which the Owners cease to be registered as Owners of the Vessel;
(ii)  the Vessel shall not be deemed to be lost unless either she has become an actual total loss or agreement has been reached with her underwriters in respect of her constructive, compromised or arranged total loss or if such agreement with her underwriters is not reached it is adjudged by a competent tribunal that a constructive loss of the Vessel has occurred.
18.5   This Agreement shall terminate forthwith in the event of an order being made or resolution passed for the winding up, dissolution, liquidation or bankruptcy of either party (otherwise than for the purpose of reconstruction or amalgamation) or if a receiver is appointed, or it if suspends payment, ceases to carry on business or makes any special arrangement or composition with its creditors.
18.6  The termination of this Agreement shall be without prejudice to all rights accrued due between the parties prior to the date of termination.
18.7   A change of control of either party shall not terminate this Agreement.
19.  Law and Arbitration
19.1   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration in London in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996 or any statutory modification to re-enactment thereof save to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Clause.
The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) Terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
The reference shall be to three arbitrators.  A party wishing to refer a dispute to arbitration shall appoint its arbitrator and send notice of such appointment in writing to the other party requiring the other party to appoint its own arbitrator within 14 calendar days of that notice and stating that it will appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator unless the other party appoints its own arbitrator and gives notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified.  If the other party does not appoint its own arbitrator and give notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified, the party referring a dispute to arbitration may, without the requirement of any further prior


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
notice to the other party, appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator and shall advise the other party accordingly.  The award of a sole arbitrator shall be binding on both parties as if he had been appointed by agreement.
Nothing herein shall prevent the parties agreeing in writing to vary these provisions to provide for the appointment of a sole arbitrator.
In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of USD50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the LMAA Small Claims Procedure current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
19.2   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Title 9 of the United States Code and the Maritime Law of the United States and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to three persons at New York, one to be appointed by each of the parties hereto, and the third by the two so chosen; their decision that of any two of them shall be final, and for the purposes of enforcing any award, judgment may be entered on an award by any court of competent jurisdiction.  The proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc.
In cases where neither the claim not any counterclaim exceeds the sum of USD50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the Shortened Arbitration Procedure of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc, current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
19.3   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the place mutually agreed by the parties and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration at a mutually agreed place, subject to the procedures applicable there.
19.4   If Box 18 in Part I is not appropriately filled in, sub- clause 19.1 of this Clause shall apply.
Note:  19.1 , 19.2 and 19.3 are alternatives; indicate alternative agreed in Box 18 .
20.  Notices
20.1   Any notice to be given by either party to the other party shall be in writing and may be sent by fax, telex, registered or recorded mail or by personal service.
20.2   The address of the Parties for service of such communication shall be as stated in Boxes 19 and 20 , respectively.

Exhibit 4.106
1. Date of Agreement
 
1 st January 2019
 
M/T ECO FLEET
 
 
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
CODE NAME: "SHIPMAN 98"
Part I
2. Owners (name, place of registered office and law of registry) ( Cl. 1 )
 
3. Managers (name, place of registered office and law of registry) ( Cl. 1 )
         
 
MONTE CARLO 37 SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED
   
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.
 
Name
   
Name
         
 
The Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands
   
The Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands
 
Place of registered office
   
Place of registered office
         
 
Marshall Islands
   
Marshall Islands
 
Law of Registry
   
Law of Registry
         
4. Day and year of commencement of Agreement ( Cl. 2 )
 
1 st January 2019
 
5. Crew Management (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.1 )
 
YES
 
 
6. Technical Management (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.2 )
 
YES
 
7. Insurance (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.3 )
 
YES
 
 
8. Insurance Arrangements (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.4 )
 
YES
 
9. Accounting (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.5 )
 
YES
 
 
10. Sale or purchase of the Vessel (state “yes” or “no” as agreed ( Cl. 3.6 )
 
YES
 
11. Provisions (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.7 )
 
YES
 
 
12. Bunkering (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.8 )
 
YES
 
13. Chartering Services (only to be filled in if “yes” in box 7) ( Cl. 3.3(i) )
 
FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION OF THIS AGREEMENT
 
 
14. Managers’ Insurance (state alternative (i), (ii) or (iii) of Cl. 6.3 )
 
(i)
 
15. Annual Management Fee (state annual amount) ( Cl. 8.1 )
 
AS PER ANNEX “E”
 
 
16. Severance Costs (state maximum amount) ( Cl. 8.4(ii) )
 
AT COST AS PER SEAMEN COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT
 
17. Day and year of termination of Agreement (Cl. 17)
 
Duration 5 years, automatically renewed.
 
 
18. Law and Arbitration (state alternative 19.1 , 19.2 or 19.3 place of arbitration must be stated) ( Cl. 19 )
 
AT COST AS PER CLAUSE 19.1
 
19. Notices (state postal and cable address, telex and telefax number for serving notice and communication to the Owners ) ( Cl. 25 )
TOP SHIPS INC.
1, Vas.Sofias & Meg. Alexandrou Str.,
15124, Maroussi, Athens, Greece
E-mail : vi@topships.org
Fax      : +30 210 6141 276
 
20. Notices (state postal and cable address, telex and telefax number for serving notice and communication to the Managers ) ( Cl. 20 )
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.
c/o CENTRAL MARE INC.
1, Vas. Sofias & Meg. Alexandrou Str.,
15124, Maroussi, Athens, Greece
E-mail: ops@centralmare.com
Fax     : +30 210 8020 364

It is mutually agreed between the party stated in Box 2 and the party stated in Box 3 that this Agreement consisting of PART I and PART II as well as Annexes "A" (Details of Vessel), "B" (Details of Crew), “C” (Budget), and “D” (Associated Vessels) attached hereto, shall be performed subject to the conditions contained herein.  In the event of a conflict of conditions, the provisions of PART I and Annexes “A” , “B” , “C” and “D” shall prevail over those of PART II to the extent of such conflict but no father.
     
Signature(s) (Owners)
 
/s/ Vangelis Ikonomou
Vangelis Ikonomou
 
 
MONTE CARLO 37 SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED
 
Signature(s) (Managers)
 
/s/ Andreas M. Louka
Andreas M. Louka
Attorney-in-fact
 
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.
 


This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “A” (DETAILS OF VESSEL OR VESSELS) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
   
   
Name of Vessel(s):
M/T ECO FLEET
   
   
 
Particulars of Vessel:
   
   


TYPE OF VESSEL
Oil and Chemicals
Ship Type IMO 2
HULL TYPE
Double Hull
IMO NUMBER
9717503
FLAG
Marshall Islands
YEAR & PLACE BUILT
2015 at Khanh Hoa, Vietnam
CLASS SOCIETY
ABS
CALL SIGN
V7HX3
LOA, BREADTH, DEPTH
184 M / 27,40 M / 17,60 M
SDWT - DRAFT
39,136 MT @ 11.90 M

This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “B” (DETAILS OF CREW) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Details of Crew:
Rank
Number
Nationality
Master
1
Filipino
Chief Officer
1
Filipino
Second Officer
1
Filipino
Third Officer
1
Filipino
Chief Engineer
1
Filipino
Second Engineer
1
Filipino
Third Engineer
1
Filipino
Electrician
1
Filipino
Pumpman
1
Filipino
Bosun
1
Filipino
Able Seaman
3
Filipino
Ordinary Seaman
2
Filipino
Deck Cadet
1
Filipino
Oiler
1
Filipino
Wiper
1
Filipino
Engine Cadet
1
Filipino
Cook
1
Filipino
Mess Boy
2
Filipino
CREW TOTAL
22
 

This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “C” (ANNUAL MANAGEMENT BUDGET)
TO THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Managers Budget in USD effective from the first year of operations.
Hyundai Vinashin Shipyard MR Oil and Chemical Tanker 39,000 DWT
Proposed Budget for first year of operations
Accounts
Code
Crew
Daily Amount
Annual Amount
Annual Summary
 
CREW SALARIES & FIXED OVERTIME
2.516,44
$918.500
 
 
ADDITIONAL CREW OVERTIME
0,00
$0
 
OWNERS CREW BONUS
41,10
$15.000
 
CREW TRANSPORTATION EXPS
232,88
$85.000
 
CREW COMPULSORY INSURANCE
6,85
$2.500
 
CREW INSURANCE FOR P&I DEDUCTIBLE
16,44
$6.000
 
CREW PRE-JOINING TRAININGS
27,40
$10.000
 
CREW PRE-JOINING MEDICAL EXPS
9,59
$3.500
 
CREW VARIOUS EXPENSES
219,18
$80.000
 
MANNING AGENT MANAGEMENT FEE
82,19
$30.000
 
MANNING AGENT EXPENSES
9,86
$3.600
 
VICTUALING - PROVISIONS
221,92
$81.000
$1.239.100
 
WATER
10,96
$4.000
 
Crew Subtotal
3.394,79
$1.239.100
Accounts
Code
Insurance
 
64001
HULL & MACHINERY
273,97
$100.000
 
64002
INSURANCE LOSS OF HIRE
0,00
 
64003
WAR RISKS ANNUAL PREMIUM
8,22
$3.000
64004
P&I
135,62
$49.500
64005
FD D
27,40
$10.000
64006
MARINE INTEREST
0,00
 
64007
PURCHASERS INTEREST INSURANCE
0,00
 
$162.500
64008
BACK CALLS-(INSURANCE) SUPPLEMENTARY
0,00
 
 
Insurance Subtotal
445,21
$162.500
Accounts
Code
Repairs and Maintenance
67001
AUX.MACITINERY REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
27,40
$10.000
 
67003
BOILER REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67005
CHEMICALS & GASES
41,10
$15.000
67013
DECK SPARE PARTS - REPAIR/MAINTENANCE
27,40
$10.000
67006
DIESEL GENERATORS - REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67017
MAIN ENGINE REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67008
PAINTS AT SEA
27,40
$10.000
67010
RADIO ROOM NAVIGATION MAINTENANCE
13,70
$5.000
67011
REPAIRS - MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67012
SLOPS & GARBAGE REMOVAL
0,00
$0
67016
SUPER.ENGIN/PORT CPTN OTHER FEES&EXPS
54,79
$20.000
$135.000
67019
VESSELS IT HARDWARE EQUIPMENT
13,70
$5.000
 
Repairs and Maintenance Subtotal
369,86
$135.000
Accounts
Code
Other Vessel Operating Expenses
66010
SAFETY ITEMS
41,10
$15.000
 
68001
CABIN STORES – ACCOMODATION
13,70
$5.000
 
68015
GALLEY-KITCHEN EQUIPMENT
6,85
$2.500
 
68013
WATER SUPPLY
0,00
$0
 
66002
ACCRUALS-OPERATING EXPS
0,00
$0
 
66001
APPROVALS-SUITABILITY INSPECTIONS
82,19
$30.000
 
66004
CHARTS/N.PUBLICATIONS
27,40
$10.000
 
66023
CLASS AND STATUT CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
27,40
$10.000
 
66005
CLEANING/FORWARDING EXPS
68,49
$25.000
 
66006
DECK STORES
41,10
$15.000
 
66007
ELCTR.DEPT-STORES
13,70
$5.000
 
66008
ENGINE STORES
27,40
$10.000
 
66022
FLAG CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
4,11
$1.500
 
66026
OTHER CONSULTANCY DOCUMENTATION SERVICES
41,10
$15.000
 
66021
PORT DUES RELATED TO PROTECTING AGENTS
27,40
$10.000
 
66018
PROTECTING AGENTS FEES/EXPENSES
27,40
$10.000
 
66027
QUALITY DPT CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
27,40
$10.000
 
66024
SAFETY EQUIP MAR CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
27,40
$10.000
 
66025
SAFETY EQUIP TEC CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
41,10
$15.000
 
66011
STATIONERY EXPS
13,70
$5.000
 
66019
SUBSCRIPTIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
6,85
$2.500
 
66020
TECHNICAL CONSULTANCY DOCUMENTATION SERV
27,40
$10.000
 
66012
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
41,10
$15.000
 
66013
TONNAGE TAX
20,55
$7.500
$241.50
66014
VARIOUS EXPS
6,85
$2.500
 
Other Vessel Operating Expenses Subtotal
661,64
$241.50
66009
Lubricants
493,15
$180.000
$180.000
Accounts
Code
Spares
67002
AUX.MACHINERY SPARE PARTS
27,40
$10.000
 
67004
BOILER SPARES
27,40
$10.000
67014
DECK SPARE PARTS
27,40
$10.000
67007
DIESEL GENERATORS SPARE PARTS
27,40
$10.000
67015
MAIN ENGINE SPARE PARTS
41,10
$15.000
67009
RADIO ROOM NAVIGATION-EQUIPMENT SPARES
13,70
$5.000
$60.000
 
Spares Subtotal
164,38
$60.000
 
Extraordinary Expenses
0,00
   
 
Less corresponding claims
0,00
 
 
TOTAL OPEX WITHOUT DD EXPENSES
 
$2.018.100
 
DAILY OPEX WITHOUT DD EXPENSES
 
$5.529
 
DO Adjustments (5y / 2.5y amortization)
0,00
 
$5. 529
 
TOTAL OPEX WITH DD EXPENSE
5.529,04
$2.018.100
 
DAILY OPEX WITH DD EXPENSES
 
$5.529



This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “D” (ASSOCIATED VESSELS) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

NOTE: PARTIES SHOULD BE AWARE THAT BY COMPLETING THIS ANNEX “D” THEY WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SUB-CLAUSE 18.1(i) OF THIS AGREEMENT.
Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Details of Associated Vessels:
M/T ECO FLEET
 
 
 
 
 
 










This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX E (Management Fees)
Duration of Contract Five
(5) years, automatically renewed.
   
Services and Relevant Fees:
USD 550 per day per vessel for Technical and Commercial, Crew Management, Insurance, Provisions and Bunkering.  Applicable 3 months prior delivery from the yard.
 
Accounting, Reporting, Legal and Administrative Services at cost.
     
Fee Annual Increase:
Based on total percentage increase in the U.S. Consumer Price Index over the previous year, but not less than 2% and not more than 5%.
   
Commission on all hires / gross freight / demurrage:
1.25%
   
Sales and Purchase Commission:
1% of the Sale or the Purchase Price or the Contract Price of the Newbuilding Contract.
   
N/B Construction – Supervision Fee:
7% of actual cost.
   
Managers’ Superintendent’s Fee beyond 10 days per annum:
USD 500 per day, plus actual expenses.
   
Notice of Termination:
18 months
   
Termination Fees:
Fees for 12 months.

1.
Manager shall be entitled to receive additional remuneration for any increase in administrative costs and expenses resulting from the introduction of a new, or a change in the interpretation of applicable laws and regulations, or concerning ship management services.
2.
Owners to pay the deductible of any insurance claim relating to the vessels, or for any claim that is within such deductible range.  All insurance related rebates to be for the benefit of the Manager.
3.
Owners to pay any tax, dues, or ransom in a case of piracy, or fines imposed on vessel or Manager, due to the operation of the vessel.
4.
The above management fees are agreed on the basis of the number of the associated vessels as per ANNEX D of this agreement.


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
1.  Definitions
In this Agreement save where the context otherwise requires, the following words and expressions shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them.
" Owners " mean the party identified in Box. 2 .
" Managers " mean the party identified in Box 3 .
" Vessel " means the vessel or vessels details of which are set out in Annex "A" attached hereto.
" Crew " means the Master, officers and ratings of the   numbers, rank and nationality specified in Annex “B” attached hereto.
" Crew Support Costs " means all expenses of a general nature which are not particularly referable to any individual vessel for the time being managed by the Managers and which are incurred by the Managers for the purpose of providing an efficient and economic management service and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, shall include the cost of crew standby pay, training schemes for officers and ratings, cadet training schemes, sick pay, recruitment and interviews.
" Severance Costs " means the costs which the employers are legally obliged to pay to or in respect of the Crew as a result of the early termination of any employment contract for service on the Vessel.
" Crew Insurances " means insurances against crew risks which shall include but not limited to death, sickness, repatriation, injury, shipwreck unemployment indemnity and loss of personal effects.
" Management Services " means the services specified in sub-clauses 3.1 to 3.8 as indicated affirmatively in Boxes 5 to 12.
" ISM Code " means the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention as adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) by resolution A.741(18) or any subsequent amendment thereto.
" STCW 95 " means the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended in 1995 or any subsequent amendment thereto.
2.  Appointment of Mangers
With effect from the day and year stated in Box 4 and continuing unless and until terminated as provided herein, the Owners hereby appoint the Managers and the Managers hereby agree to act as the Managers of the Vessel.
3.  Basis of Agreement
Subject to terms and conditions herein provided, during the period of this Agreement, the Managers shall carry out Management Services in respect of the Vessel as agents for and on behalf of the Owners.  The Managers shall have authority to take such actions as they may from time to time in their absolute discretion consider to be necessary to enable them to perform this Agreement in accordance with sound ship management practice.
3.1  Crew Management
( only applicable if agreed according to   Box 5 )
The Managers shall provide suitably qualified Crew for the Vessel as required by the Owners in accordance with the STCW 95 requirements, provision of which includes but it is not limited to the following functions:
(i)  selecting and engaging the Vessel's Crew, including payroll arrangements, pension administration, and insurances for the Crew other than those mentioned in Clause 6 ;
(ii)  ensuring that the applicable requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied in respect of manning levels, rank, qualification and certification of the Crew and employment regulations including Crew's tax, social insurance, discipline and other requirements;
(iii)  ensuring that all members of the Crew have passed a medical examination with a qualified doctor certifying that they are fit for the duties for which they are engaged and are in possession of valid medical certificates issued in accordance with appropriate flag State requirements.  In the absence of applicable flag State requirements the medical certificate shall be dated not more than three months prior to the respective Crew members leaving their country of domicile and maintained for the duration of their service on board the Vessel;
(iv)  ensuring that the Crew shall have a command of the English language of a sufficient standard to enable them to perform their duties safely;
(v)  arranging transportation of the Crew, including repatriation;
(vi)  training the Crew and supervising their efficiency;
(vii)  conducting union negotiations;
(viii)   operating the Managers' drug and alcohol policy unless otherwise agreed.
3.2  Technical Management
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 6 )
The Managers shall provide technical management which includes, but is not limited to, the following functions:
(i)  provision of competent personnel to supervise the maintenance and general efficiency of the Vessel;
(ii)  arrangement and supervision of dry dockings, repairs, alterations and the upkeep of the Vessel to the standards required by the Owners provided that the Managers shall be entitled to incur the necessary expenditure to ensure that the Vessel will comply with the law of the flag of the Vessel and of the places where she trades, and all requirements and recommendations of the classification society;
(iii)  arrangement of the supply of necessary stores, spares and lubricating oil;
(iv)  appointment of surveyors and technical consultants as the Managers may consider from time to time to be necessary;
(v)  development, implementation and maintenance of a Safety Management System (SMS) in accordance with the ISM Code (see sub-clauses 4,2 and 5;3).
3.3  Commercial Management
( only applicable if agreed according to   Box 7 )
The Managers shall provide the commercial operation of the Vessel, as required by the Owners, which includes, but is not limited to, the following functions:
(i)  providing chartering services in accordance with the Owners’ instructions which include, but are not limited to, seeking and negotiating employment for the Vessel and the conclusion (including the execution thereof) of charter parties or other contracts relating to the employment of the Vessel.  If such a contract exceeds twelve months in duration the period stated in Box 13 . consent thereto in writing shall first be obtained from the Owners.
(ii)  arranging of the proper payment to Owners or their nominees of all hire and/or freight revenues or other moneys of whatsoever mature to which Owners may be entitled arising out of the employment of or otherwise in connection with the Vessel.
(iii)  providing voyage estimates and accounts and calculating of hire, freights, demurrage and/or despatch moneys due from or due to the charterers of the Vessel;
(iv)  issuing of voyage instructions;
(v)  appointing agents;
(vi)  appointing stevedores;
(vii)  arranging surveys associated with the commercial operation of the Vessel.
3.4  Insurance Arrangements
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 8 )
The Managers shall arrange insurances in accordance with Clause 6, on such terms and conditions as the Owners shall have instructed or agreed, in particular regarding conditions,


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insured values, deductibles and franchises.
3.5  Accounting Services
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 9 )
The Managers shall
(i)  establish an accounting system which meets the requirements of the Owners and provide regular accounting services, supply regular reports and records,
(ii)  maintain the records of all costs and expenditure incurred as well as data necessary or proper for the settlement of accounts between the parties.
3.6  Sale or Purchase of the Vessel
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 10 )
The Managers shall, in accordance with the Owners’ instructions, supervise the sale or purchase of the Vessel, including the performance of any sale or purchase agreement, but not negotiation of the same.
3.7  Provisions ( only applicable if agreed according to Box 11 )
The Manager’s shall arrange for the supply of provisions.
3.8  Bunkering   (only applicable if agreed according to Box 12 )
The Managers shall arrange for the provision of bunker fuel of the quality specified by the Owners as required for the Vessel’s trade.
4.  Managers’ Obligations
4.1   The Managers undertake to use their best endeavours to provide the agreed Management Services as agents for and on behalf of the Owners in accordance with sound ship management practice and to protect and promote the interests of the Owners in all matters relating to the provision of services hereunder.  Provided, however, that the Managers in the performance of their management responsibilities under this Agreement shall be entitled to have regard to their overall responsibility in relation to all vessels as may from time to time be entrusted to their management and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Managers shall be entitled to allocate available supplies, manpower and services in such manner as in the prevailing circumstances the Managers in their absolute discretion consider to be fair and reasonable.
4.2  Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , they shall procure that the requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied and they shall in particular be deemed to be the “Company” as defined by the ISM Code, assuming the responsibility for the operation of the Vessel and taking over the duties and responsibilities imposed by the ISM Code when applicable.
5.  Owners’ Obligations
5.1.   The Owners shall pay all sums due to the Managers punctually in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
5.2.  Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , the Owners shall:
(i)  procure that all officers and ratings supplied by them or on their behalf comply with the requirements of STCW 95;
(ii)  instruct such officers and ratings to obey all reasonable orders of the Managers in connection with the operation of the Managers’ safety system.
5.3  Where the Managers are not providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , the Owners shall procure that the requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied and that they, or such other entity as may be appointed by them and identified to the Managers, shall be deemed to be the “Company” as defined by the ISM Code assuming the responsibility for the operation of the Vessel and taking over the duties and responsibilities imposed by the ISM Code when applicable.
6.  Insurance Policies
The Owners shall procure, whether by instructing the Managers under sub-clause 3.4 or otherwise, that throughout the period of this Agreement:
6.1.  at the Owners’ expense, the Vessel is insured for not less than her sound market value or entered for her full gross tonnage, as the case may be for:
(i)  usual hull and machinery marine risks (including crew negligence) and excess liabilities;
(ii)  protection and indemnity risks (including pollution risks and Crew Insurances); and
(iii)  war risks (including protection and indemnity and crew risks) in accordance with the best practice of prudent owners of vessels of a similar type to the Vessel, with first class insurance companies, underwriters or associations (the “Owners’ Insurances”);
6.2.  all premiums and calls on the Owners’ Insurances are paid promptly by their due date,
6.3.  the Owners’ Insurances name the Managers and, subject to underwriters’ agreement, any third party designated by the Managers as a joint assured, with full cover, with the Owners obtaining cover in respect of each of the insurances specified in sub-clause 6.1 :
(i)  on terms whereby the Managers and any such third party are liable in respect of premiums or calls arising in connection with the Owners’ Insurances; or
(ii)  if reasonably obtainable, on terms such that neither the Managers nor any such third party shall be under any liability in respect of premiums or calls arising in connection with the Owners’ insurances; or
(iii)  on such other terms as may be agreed in writing.
Indicate alternative (i), (ii) or (iii) in Box 14 .  If Box 14 is left blank then (i) applies.
6.4   written evidence is provided, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Managers, of their compliance with their obligations under Clause 6 within a reasonable time of the commencement of the Agreement, and of each renewal date and, if specifically requested, of each payment date of the Owners’ Insurances.
7.  Income Collected and Expenses Paid on Behalf of Owners
7.1   All moneys collected by the Managers under the terms of this Agreement (other than moneys payable by the Owners to the Managers) and any interest thereon shall be held to the credit of the Owners in a separate bank account.
7.2  All expenses incurred by the Managers under the terms of this Agreement on behalf of the Owners (including expenses as provided in Clause 8 ) may be debited against the Owners in the account referred to under sub-clause 7J. but shall in any event remain payable by the Owners to the Managers on demand.
8.  Management Fee
8.1   The Owners shall pay to the Managers for their services as Managers under this Agreement an annual DAILY management fee as stated in Box 15 which shall be payable to equal monthly installments in advance, the first installment being payable on the commencement of this Agreement (see Clause 2 and Box 4 ) and subsequent installments being payable every month.
8.2  The management fee shall be subject to an annual review on the anniversary date of the Agreement and the proposed fee shall be presented in the annual budget referred to in sub-clause 9.1.   Please refer to Annex E (Management Fees)
8.3  The Managers shall, at no extra cost to the Owners, provide their own office accommodation, office staff, facilities and stationery.  Without limiting the generality of Clause 7 the Owners shall reimburse the Managers for postage and communication expenses, traveling expenses, and other out of pocket expenses properly incurred by the Managers in pursuance of


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the Management Services.
8.4  In the event of the appointment of the Managers being terminated by the Owners or the Managers in accordance with the provisions of Clauses 17 and 18 other than by reason of default by the Managers, or if the Vessel is lost, sold or otherwise disposed of, the “management fee” payable to the Managers according to the provisions of sub- clause 8.1, shall continue to be payable for a further period of three calendar months as from the termination date.  In addition, provided that the Managers provide Crew for the Vessel in accordance with sub-clause 3.1;
( i)  the Owners shall continue to pay Crew Support Costs during the said further period of three calendar months and
( ii)  the Owners shall pay an equitable proportion of any Severance Costs which may materialize, not exceeding the amount stated in Box 16 .
Please refer to Annex E (Management Fees)
8.5  If the Owners decide to lay-up the Vessel whilst this Agreement remains in force and such lay-up lasts for more than three months, an appropriate reduction of the management fee for the period exceeding three months until one month before the Vessel is again put into service shall be mutually agreed between the parties.
8.6  Unless otherwise agreed in writing all discounts and commissions obtained by the Managers in the course of the management of the Vessel shall be credited to the Owners.
9.  Budgets and Management of Funds
The Managers shall present to the Owners annually a budget for the following twelve months in such form as the Owners require.  The budget for the first year hereof is set out in Annex “C” hereto.  Subsequent annual budgets shall be prepared by the Managers and submitted to the Owners not less than three months before the anniversary date of the commencement of this Agreement (see Clause 2 and Box 4).
9.1  The Owners shall indicate to the Managers their acceptance and approval of the annual budget within one month of presentation and in the absence of any such indication the Managers shall be entitled to assume that the Owners have accepted the proposed budget.
9.2  Following the agreement of the budget, the Managers shall prepare and present to the Owners their estimate of the working capital requirement of the Vessel and the Managers shall each month update this estimate, based thereon, the Managers shall each month request the Owners in writing for the funds required to run the Vessel for the ensuing month, including the payment of any occasional or extraordinary item of expenditure, such as emergency repair costs, additional insurance premiums, bunkers or provisions.  Such funds shall be received by the Managers within ten running days after the receipt by the Owners of the Managers’ written request and shall be held to the credit of the Owners in a separate bank account.
9.3  The Managers shall produce a comparison between budgeted and actual income and expenditure of the Vessel in such form as required by the Owners monthly or at such other intervals as mutually agreed.
9.4  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Managers shall in no circumstances be required to use or commit their own funds to finance the provision of the Management Services.
10.  Managers’ Right to Sub-Contract
The Managers shall not have the right to sub-contract any of their obligations hereunder , including those mentioned in sub-clause 3.1 without the prior written consent of the Owners which shall not be unreasonably withheld .  In the event of such a sub- contract the Managers shall remain fully liable for the due performance of their obligations under this Agreement.
11.  Responsibilities
11.1  Force Majeure - Neither the Owners nor the Managers shall be under any liability for any failure to perform any of their obligations thereunder by reason of any cause whatsoever of any nature or kind beyond their reasonable control.
11.2  Liability to Owners - (i)   Without prejudice to sub-clause 11.1, the Managers shall be under no liability whatsoever to the Owners for any loss, damage, delay or expense of whatsoever nature, whether direct or indirect, (including but not limited to loss of profit arising out of or in connection with detention of or delay to the Vessel) and howsoever arising in the course of performance of the Management Services UNLESS same is proved to have resulted from the negligence, gross negligence or willful default of the Managers of their employees, or agents or sub-contractors employed by them in connection with the Vessel, in which case (save where loss, damage, delay or expense has resulted from the Managers’ personal act or omission committed with the intent to cause same or recklessly and with knowledge that such loss, damage, delay or expense would probably result) the Managers’ liability for such incident or series of incidents giving rise to a claim or claims shall never exceed a total of ten times the annual Management Fee payable hereunder.
(ii)  Notwithstanding anything that may appear to the contrary in this Agreement, the Managers shall not be liable for any of the actions of the Crew even if such actions are negligent, grossly negligent or willful, except only to the extent that they are shown to have resulted from a failure to the Managers to discharge their obligations under sub-Clause 3.1, in which case their liability shall be limited in accordance with the terms of this Clause 11 .
11.3  Indemnity - Except to the extent and solely for the amount therein set out that the   Managers would be liable under sub- clause 11.2 , the Owners hereby undertake to keep the Managers and their employees, agents and sub-contractors indemnified and to hold them harmless against all actions, proceedings, claims, demands or liabilities whatsoever or howsoever arising which may be brought against them or incurred or suffered by them arising out of or in connection with the performance of the Agreement, and against and in respect of all costs, losses, damages and expenses (including legal costs and expenses on a full indemnity basis) which the Managers may suffer or incur (either directly or indirectly) in the course of the performance of this Agreement.
11.4  “ Himalaya - It is hereby expressly agreed that no employee or agent of the Managers (including every sub-contractor from time to time employed by the Managers) shall in any circumstances whatsoever be under any liability whatsoever to the Owners for any loss, damage or delay of whatsoever kind arising or resulting directly or indirectly from any act, neglect or default on his party while acting in the course of or in connection with his employment and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions in this Clause 11 , every exemption, limitation, condition and liberty herein contained and every right, exemption from liability, defence and immunity of whatsoever nature applicable to the Managers or to which the Managers are entitled hereunder shall also be available and shall extend to protect every such employee or agent of the Managers acting as aforesaid and for the purpose of all the foregoing provisions of this Clause 11 the Managers are or shall be deemed to be acting as agent or trustee on behalf of and for the benefit of all persons who are or might be their servants or agents from time to time (including sub-contractors as aforesaid) and all such persons shall to this extent be or be deemed to be parties to this Agreement.
12.  Documentation
Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 and/or Crew Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.1, they shall make available,


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“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
upon Owners’ request, all documentation and records related to the Safety Management System (SMS) and/or the Crew which the Owners need in order to demonstrate compliance with the ISM Code and STCW 95 or to defend a claim against a third party.
13.  General Administration
13.1   The Managers shall handle and settle all claims arising out of the Management Services hereunder and keep the Owners informed regarding any incident of which the Managers become aware which gives or may give rise to claims or disputes involving third parties.
13.2   The Managers shall, as instructed by the Owners, bring or defend actions, suits or proceedings in connection with matters entrusted to the Managers according to this Agreement.
13.3   The Managers shall also have power to obtain legal or technical or other outside expert advice in relation to the handling and settlement of claims and disputes or all other matters affecting the interests of the Owners in respect of the Vessel.
13.4   The Owners shall arrange for the provision of any necessary guarantee bond or other security.
13.5   Any costs reasonably incurred by the Managers in carrying out their obligations according to Clause 13 shall be reimbursed by the Owners.
14.  Auditing
The Managers shall at all times maintain and keep true and correct accounts and shall make the same available for inspection and auditing by the Owners at such times as may be mutually agreed.  On the termination, for whatever reasons, of this Agreement the Managers shall release to the Owners, if so requested, the originals when possible, or otherwise certified copies, of all such accounts and all documents specifically relating to the Vessel and her operation.
15.  Inspection of Vessel
The Owners shall have the right at any time after giving reasonable notice to the Managers to inspect the Vessel for any reason they consider necessary.
16.  Compliance with Laws and Regulations
The Managers will not do or permit to be done anything which might cause any breach or infringement of the laws and regulations of the Vessel’s flag, or of the places where she trades.
17.  Duration of the Agreement
This Agreement shall come into effect on the day and year stated in Box 4 and shall continue until the date stated in Box 17 .  Thereafter it shall continue until terminated by either party giving to the other notice to the Managers in writing, in which event the Agreement shall terminate upon the expiration of a period of two   eighteen months from the date upon which such notice was given.  In case Owners wish to terminate the Agreement earlier than the date stated in Box 17 Owners will pay the Managers all fees as per ANNEX “E” for the remaining period until the date stated in Box 17 .
18.  Termination
18.1  Owners’ default
(i)  The Managers shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing if any moneys payable by the Owners under this Agreement and/or the owners of any associated vessel, details of which are listed in Annex “D” . shall not have been received in the Managers’ nominated account within ten running days of receipt by the Owners of the Managers written request or if the Vessel is repossessed by the Mortgagees.
(ii)  If the Owners:
(a)  fail to meet their obligations under sub- clauses 5.2 and 5.3 of this Agreement for any reason within their control, or
(b)  proceed with the employment of or continue to employ the Vessel in the carriage of contraband, blockade running, or in an unlawful trade, or on a voyage which in the reasonable opinion of the Managers is unduly hazardous or improper, the Managers may give notice of the default to the Owners, requiring them to remedy it as soon as practically possible.  In the event that the Owners fail to remedy it within a reasonable time to the satisfaction of the Managers   the Managers shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing.
18.2  Managers’ Default
If the Managers fail to meet their obligations under Clauses 3 and 4 of this Agreement for any reason within the control of the Managers, the Owners may give notice to the Managers of the default, requiring them to remedy it as soon as practically possible.  In the event that the Managers fail to remedy it within a reasonable time to the satisfaction of the Owners the Owners shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing.
18.3  Extraordinary Termination
This Agreement shall be deemed to be terminated in the case of the sale of the Vessel or if the Vessel becomes a total loss or is declared as a constructive or compromised or arranged total loss or is requisitioned.
18.4   For the purpose of sub-clause 18.3 hereof
(i)  the date upon which the Vessel is to be treated as having been sold or otherwise disposed or shall be the date on which the Owners cease to be registered as Owners of the Vessel;
(ii)  the Vessel shall not be deemed to be lost unless either she has become an actual total loss or agreement has been reached with her underwriters in respect of her constructive, compromised or arranged total loss or if such agreement with her underwriters is not reached it is adjudged by a competent tribunal that a constructive loss of the Vessel has occurred.
18.5   This Agreement shall terminate forthwith in the event of an order being made or resolution passed for the winding up, dissolution, liquidation or bankruptcy of either party (otherwise than for the purpose of reconstruction or amalgamation) or if a receiver is appointed, or it if suspends payment, ceases to carry on business or makes any special arrangement or composition with its creditors.
18.6  The termination of this Agreement shall be without prejudice to all rights accrued due between the parties prior to the date of termination.
18.7   A change of control of either party shall not terminate this Agreement.
19.  Law and Arbitration
19.1   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration in London in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996 or any statutory modification to re-enactment thereof save to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Clause.
The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) Terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
The reference shall be to three arbitrators.  A party wishing to refer a dispute to arbitration shall appoint its arbitrator and send notice of such appointment in writing to the other party requiring the other party to appoint its own arbitrator within 14 calendar days of that notice and stating that it will appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator unless the other party appoints its own arbitrator and gives notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified.  If the other party does not appoint its own arbitrator and give notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified, the party referring a dispute to arbitration may, without the requirement of any further prior


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notice to the other party, appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator and shall advise the other party accordingly.  The award of a sole arbitrator shall be binding on both parties as if he had been appointed by agreement.
Nothing herein shall prevent the parties agreeing in writing to vary these provisions to provide for the appointment of a sole arbitrator.
In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of USD50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the LMAA Small Claims Procedure current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
19.2   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Title 9 of the United States Code and the Maritime Law of the United States and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to three persons at New York, one to be appointed by each of the parties hereto, and the third by the two so chosen; their decision that of any two of them shall be final, and for the purposes of enforcing any award, judgment may be entered on an award by any court of competent jurisdiction.  The proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc.
In cases where neither the claim not any counterclaim exceeds the sum of USD50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the Shortened Arbitration Procedure of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc, current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
19.3   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the place mutually agreed by the parties and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration at a mutually agreed place, subject to the procedures applicable there.
19.4   If Box 18 in Part I is not appropriately filled in, sub- clause 19.1 of this Clause shall apply.
Note:  19.1 , 19.2 and 19.3 are alternatives; indicate alternative agreed in Box 18 .
20.  Notices
20.1   Any notice to be given by either party to the other party shall be in writing and may be sent by fax, telex, registered or recorded mail or by personal service.
20.2   The address of the Parties for service of such communication shall be as stated in Boxes 19 and 20 , respectively.
Exhibit 4.107
1. Date of Agreement
 
1 st January 2019
 
M/T STENAWECO EVOLUTION

 
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
CODE NAME: "SHIPMAN 98"
Part I
2. Owners (name, place of registered office and law of registry) ( Cl. 1 )
 
3. Managers (name, place of registered office and law of registry) ( Cl. 1 )
         
 
MONTE CARLO ONE SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED
   
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.
 
Name
   
Name
         
 
The Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands
   
The Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands
 
Place of registered office
   
Place of registered office
         
 
Marshall Islands
   
Marshall Islands
 
Law of Registry
   
Law of Registry
         
4. Day and year of commencement of Agreement ( Cl. 2 )
 
1 st January 2019
 
5. Crew Management (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.1 )
 
YES
 
 
6. Technical Management (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.2 )
 
YES
 
7. Insurance (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.3 )
 
YES
 
 
8. Insurance Arrangements (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.4 )
 
YES
 
9. Accounting (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.5 )
 
YES
 
 
10. Sale or purchase of the Vessel (state “yes” or “no” as agreed ( Cl. 3.6 )
 
YES
 
11. Provisions (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.7 )
 
YES
 
 
12. Bunkering (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.8 )
 
YES
 
13. Chartering Services (only to be filled in if “yes” in box 7) ( Cl. 3.3(i) )
 
FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION OF THIS AGREEMENT
 
 
14. Managers’ Insurance (state alternative (i), (ii) or (iii) of Cl. 6.3 )
 
(i)
 
15. Annual Management Fee (state annual amount) ( Cl. 8.1 )
 
AS PER ANNEX “E”
 
 
16. Severance Costs (state maximum amount) ( Cl. 8.4(ii) )
 
AT COST AS PER SEAMEN COLLECTIVE
AGREEMENT
 
17. Day and year of termination of Agreement (Cl. 17)
 
Duration 5 years, automatically renewed.
 
 
18. Law and Arbitration (state alternative 19.1 , 19.2 or 19.3 place of arbitration must be stated) ( Cl. 19 )
 
AT COST AS PER CLAUSE 19.1
 
19. Notices (state postal and cable address, telex and telefax number for serving notice and communication to the Owners ) ( Cl. 25 )
TOP SHIPS INC.
1, Vas.Sofias & Meg. Alexandrou Str.,
15124, Maroussi, Athens, Greece
E-mail : vi@topships.org
Fax      : +30 210 6141 276
 
20. Notices (state postal and cable address, telex and telefax number for serving notice and communication to the Managers ) ( Cl. 20 )
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.
c/o CENTRAL MARE INC.
1, Vas. Sofias & Meg. Alexandrou Str.,
15124, Maroussi, Athens, Greece
E-mail: ops@centralmare.com
Fax     : +30 210 8020 364

It is mutually agreed between the party stated in Box 2 and the party stated in Box 3 that this Agreement consisting of PART I and PART II as well as Annexes "A" (Details of Vessel), "B" (Details of Crew), “C” (Budget), and “D” (Associated Vessels) attached hereto, shall be performed subject to the conditions contained herein.  In the event of a conflict of conditions, the provisions of PART I and Annexes “A” , “B” , “C” and “D” shall prevail over those of PART II to the extent of such conflict but no father.
     
Signature(s) (Owners)
 
/s/ Vangelis Ikonomou
Vangelis Ikonomou
 
 
MONTE CARLO ONE SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED
 
 
 
Signature(s) (Managers)
 
/s/ Andreas M. Louka
Andreas M. Louka
Attorney-in-fact
 
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.


This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “A” (DETAILS OF VESSEL OR VESSELS) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
   
   
Name of Vessel(s):
M/T STENAWECO EVOLUTION
   
   
 
Particulars of Vessel:
   
   


TYPE OF VESSEL
Oil and Chemicals
Ship Type IMO 2
HULL TYPE
Double Hull
IMO NUMBER
9687942
FLAG
Marshall Islands
YEAR & PLACE BUILT
2015 at Khahn Hoa, Vietnam
CLASS SOCIETY
DNV-GL
CALL SIGN
V7CJ6
LOA, BREADTH, DEPTH
183.06 M / 32,20 M / 19,10 M
SDWT - DRAFT
50,088 MT @ 13.30 M


This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “B” (DETAILS OF CREW) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Details of Crew:
Rank
Number
Nationality
Master
1
Filipino
Chief Officer
1
Filipino
Second Officer
1
Filipino
Third Officer
1
Filipino
Chief Engineer
1
Filipino
Second Engineer
1
Filipino
Third Engineer
1
Filipino
Electrician
1
Filipino
Pumpman
1
Filipino
Bosun
1
Filipino
Able Seaman
3
Filipino
Ordinary Seaman
2
Filipino
Deck Cadet
1
Filipino
Oiler
1
Filipino
Wiper
1
Filipino
Engine Cadet
1
Filipino
Cook
1
Filipino
Mess Boy
2
Filipino
CREW TOTAL
22
 



This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “C” (ANNUAL MANAGEMENT BUDGET)
TO THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Managers Budget in USD effective from the first year of operations.
Hyundai Vinashin Shipyard MR Oil and Chemical Tanker 50,000 DWT
Proposed Budget for first year of operations
Accounts Code
Crew
Daily Amount
Annual Amount
Annual Summary
68002
CREW AGENTS/SUBMANAGERS EXPENSES
9,86
$3.600
 
68003
CREW AGENTS/SUBMANAGERS FEES
82,19
$30.000
68004
CREW BONUS (TANK CLEANING, VETTING BONUS, ETC)
41,10
$15.000
68014
CREW INDEMNITIES
0,00
$0
68005
CREW COMPULSORY INSURANCE & CREW INSURANCE FOR P&I DEDUCTIBLE
23,29
$8.500
68006
CREW PRE-JOINING MEDICAL EXPS
9,59
$3.500
68021
CREW MISC CLAIMABLE MATTERS
0,00
$0
68007
ADDITIONAL CREW OVERTIME
0,00
$0
08008
CREW SALARIES & FIXED OVERTIME & OWNERS’ CREW BONUS INCLUDING ADDITIONAL OVERLAPPING USD 20,000
2.608,22
$952.000
68009
CREW TRANSPORTATION EXPS
232,88
$85.000
68010
CREW UNIFORMS/WORKING CLOTHES
8,22
$3.000
68011
CREW PRE-JOINING TRAININGS & CREW VARIOUS EXPENSES
296,58
$90.000
$1.271.600
68019
GREEK CREW MEDICAL EXPS
0,00
$0
68018
GREEK CREW MISC EXPS
0,00
$0
68017
GREEK CREW TRANSPORTATION EXPS
0,00
$0
68016
GREEK CREW WAGES
0,00
$0
68012
PROVISIONS
221,92
$81.000
68020
SHIPOWNERS’ CONTRIBUTIONS
0,00
$0
68022
CREW LEAVE PAY
0,00
$0
 
Crew Subtotal
3.483,84
$1.271.600
Accounts Code
Insurance
 
64001
HULL & MACHINERY
164,38
$60.000
 
64002
INSURANCE LOSS OF HIRE
0,00
$0
69003
WAR RISKS ANNUAL PREMIUM
15,75
$5.750
64004
P&I
136,99
$50.000
65005
FD D
27,40
$10.000
64006
MARINE INTEREST
0,00
$0
64007
PURCHASERS INTEREST INSURANCE
0,00
$0
$125.750
64008
BACK CALLS-(INSURANCE) SUPPLEMENTARY
0,00
$0
 
Insurance Subtotal
344,52
$125.750
Accounts Code
Repairs and Maintenance
67001
AUX.MACITINERY REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
27,40
$10.000
 
67003
BOILER REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67005
CHEMICALS & GASES
41,10
$15.000
67013
DECK SPARE PARTS - REPAIR/MAINTENANCE
27,40
$10.000
67006
DIESEL GENERATORS - REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67017
MAIN ENGINE REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67008
PAINTS AT SEA
27,40
$10.000
67010
RADIO ROOM NAVIGATION MAINTENANCE
13,70
$5.000
67011
REPAIRS - MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67012
SLOPS & GARBAGE REMOVAL
0,00
$0
67016
SUPER,ENGIN/PORT CPTN OTHER FEES&EXPS
54,79
$20.000
$135.000
67019
VESSELS IT HARDWARE EQUIPMENT
13,70
$5.000
 
Repairs and Maintenance Subtotal
369,86
$135.000
Accounts Code
Other Vessel Operating Expenses
66010
SAFETY ITEMS
27,40
$10.000
 
68001
CABIN STORES - ACCOMODATION
27,40
$10.000
68015
GALLEY-KITCHEN EQUIPMENT
13,70
$5.000
68013
WATER SUPPLY
13,70
$5.000
66002
ACCRUALS-OPERATING EXPS
0,00
$0
66001
APPROVAL-SUITABILITY INSPECTIONS
54,79
$20.000
66004
CHARTS/N.PUBLICATIONS
27,40
$10.000
66023
CLASS AND STATUT CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
41,10
$15.000
66005
CLEARING/FORWARDING EXPS
109,59
$40.000
66006
DECK STORES
95,89
$35.000
66007
ELECTR. DEPT-STORES
27,40
$10.000
$348.000
66008
ENGINE STORES
68,49
$25.000
66022
FLAG CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
10,96
$4.000
66026
OTHER CONSULTANCY DOCUMENTATION SERVICES
13,70
$5.000
66021
PORT DUES RELATED TO PROTECTING AGENTS
13,70
$5.000
66018
PROTECTING AGENTS FEES/EXPENSES
13,70
$5.000
66027
QUALITY DPT CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
68,49
$25.000
66024
SAFETY EQUIP MAR CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
27,40
$10.000
66025
SAFETY EQUIP TEC CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
27,40
$10.000
66011
STATIONERY EXPS
27,40
$10.000
66019
SUBSCRIPTIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
13,70
$5.000
66020
TECHNICAL CONSULTANCY DOCUMENTATION SERV
13,70
$5.000
66012
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
134,25
$49.000
66013
TONNAGE TAX
54,79
$20.000
66014
VARIOUS EXPS
27,40
$10.000
 
Other Vessel Operating Expenses Subtotal
953,42
$348.000
66009
Lubricants
438,36
$160.000
$160.000
Accounts Code
Spares
67002
AUX.MACHINERY SPARE PARTS
41,10
$15.000
 
67004
BOILER SPARES
27,40
$10.000
67014
DECK SPARE PARTS
41,10
$15.000
67007
DIESEL GENERATORS SPARE PARTS
27,40
$10.000
67015
MAIN ENGINE SPARE PARTS
41,10
$15.000
$70.000
67009
RADIO ROOM NAVIGATION-EQUIPMENT SPARES
13,70
$5.000
 
Spares Subtotal
191,78
$70.000
 
Extraordinary Expenses
0,00
   
 
Less corresponding claims
0,00
 
 
TOTAL OPEX WITHOUT DD EXPENSES
 
$2.135.350



 
DAILY OPEX WITHOUT DD EXPENSES
 
$5.850
 
 
DO Adjustments (5y / 2.5y amortization)
0,00
 
$5. 850
 
TOTAL OPEX WITH DD EXPENSE
5.850,27
$2.135,350
 
DAILY OPEX WITH DD EXPENSES
 
$5.850






























This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “D” (ASSOCIATED VESSELS) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

NOTE: PARTIES SHOULD BE AWARE THAT BY COMPLETING THIS ANNEX “D” THEY WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SUB-CLAUSE 18.1(i) OF THIS AGREEMENT.
Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Details of Associated Vessels:
M/T STENAWECO EVOLUTION
 
 
 
 
 
 










This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX E (Management Fees)


Duration of Contract Five
(5) years, automatically renewed.
   
Services and Relevant Fees:
Accounting, Reporting, Legal and Administrative Services at cost.
     
 
USD 550 per day per vessel for Technical and Commercial, Crew Management, Insurance, Provisions and Bunkering.  Applicable 3 months prior delivery from the yard.
     
Fee Annual Increase:
Based on total percentage increase in the U.S. Consumer Price Index over the previous year, but not less than 2% and not more than 5%.
   
Commission on all hires / gross freight / demurrage:
1.25%
   
Sales and Purchase Commission:
1% of the Sale or the Purchase Price or the Contract Price of the Newbuilding Contract.
   
N/B Construction – Supervision Fee:
7% of actual cost.
   
Managers’ Superintendent’s Fee beyond 10 days per annum:
USD 500 per day, plus actual expenses.
   
Notice of Termination:
18 months
   
Termination Fees:
Fees for 12 months.

1.
Manager shall be entitled to receive additional remuneration for any increase in administrative costs and expenses resulting from the introduction of a new, or a change in the interpretation of applicable laws and regulations, or concerning ship management services.
2.
Owners to pay the deductible of any insurance claim relating to the vessels, or for any claim that is within such deductible range.  All insurance related rebates to be for the benefit of the Manager.
3.
Owners to pay any tax, dues, or ransom in a case of piracy, or fines imposed on vessel or Manager, due to the operation of the vessel.
4.
The above management fees are agreed on the basis of the number of the associated vessels as per ANNEX D of this agreement.


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
1.  Definitions
In this Agreement save where the context otherwise requires, the following words and expressions shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them.
" Owners " mean the party identified in Box. 2 .
" Managers " mean the party identified in Box 3 .
" Vessel " means the vessel or vessels details of which are set out in Annex "A" attached hereto.
" Crew " means the Master, officers and ratings of the   numbers, rank and nationality specified in Annex “B” attached hereto.
" Crew Support Costs " means all expenses of a general nature which are not particularly referable to any individual vessel for the time being managed by the Managers and which are incurred by the Managers for the purpose of providing an efficient and economic management service and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, shall include the cost of crew standby pay, training schemes for officers and ratings, cadet training schemes, sick pay, recruitment and interviews.
" Severance Costs " means the costs which the employers are legally obliged to pay to or in respect of the Crew as a result of the early termination of any employment contract for service on the Vessel.
" Crew Insurances " means insurances against crew risks which shall include but not limited to death, sickness, repatriation, injury, shipwreck unemployment indemnity and loss of personal effects.
" Management Services " means the services specified in sub-clauses 3.1 to 3.8 as indicated affirmatively in Boxes 5 to 12.
" ISM Code " means the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention as adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) by resolution A.741(18) or any subsequent amendment thereto.
" STCW 95 " means the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended in 1995 or any subsequent amendment thereto.
2.  Appointment of Mangers
With effect from the day and year stated in Box 4 and continuing unless and until terminated as provided herein, the Owners hereby appoint the Managers and the Managers hereby agree to act as the Managers of the Vessel.
3.  Basis of Agreement
Subject to terms and conditions herein provided, during the period of this Agreement, the Managers shall carry out Management Services in respect of the Vessel as agents for and on behalf of the Owners.  The Managers shall have authority to take such actions as they may from time to time in their absolute discretion consider to be necessary to enable them to perform this Agreement in accordance with sound ship management practice.
3.1  Crew Management
( only applicable if agreed according to   Box 5 )
The Managers shall provide suitably qualified Crew for the Vessel as required by the Owners in accordance with the STCW 95 requirements, provision of which includes but it is not limited to the following functions:
(i)  selecting and engaging the Vessel's Crew, including payroll arrangements, pension administration, and insurances for the Crew other than those mentioned in Clause 6 ;
(ii)  ensuring that the applicable requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied in respect of manning levels, rank, qualification and certification of the Crew and employment regulations including Crew's tax, social insurance, discipline and other requirements;
(iii)  ensuring that all members of the Crew have passed a medical examination with a qualified doctor certifying that they are fit for the duties for which they are engaged and are in possession of valid medical certificates issued in accordance with appropriate flag State requirements.  In the absence of applicable flag State requirements the medical certificate shall be dated not more than three months prior to the respective Crew members leaving their country of domicile and maintained for the duration of their service on board the Vessel;
(iv)  ensuring that the Crew shall have a command of the English language of a sufficient standard to enable them to perform their duties safely;
(v)  arranging transportation of the Crew, including repatriation;
(vi)  training the Crew and supervising their efficiency;
(vii)  conducting union negotiations;
(viii)   operating the Managers' drug and alcohol policy unless otherwise agreed.
3.2  Technical Management
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 6 )
The Managers shall provide technical management which includes, but is not limited to, the following functions:
(i)  provision of competent personnel to supervise the maintenance and general efficiency of the Vessel;
(ii)  arrangement and supervision of dry dockings, repairs, alterations and the upkeep of the Vessel to the standards required by the Owners provided that the Managers shall be entitled to incur the necessary expenditure to ensure that the Vessel will comply with the law of the flag of the Vessel and of the places where she trades, and all requirements and recommendations of the classification society;
(iii)  arrangement of the supply of necessary stores, spares and lubricating oil;
(iv)  appointment of surveyors and technical consultants as the Managers may consider from time to time to be necessary;
(v)  development, implementation and maintenance of a Safety Management System (SMS) in accordance with the ISM Code (see sub-clauses 4,2 and 5;3).
3.3  Commercial Management
( only applicable if agreed according to   Box 7 )
The Managers shall provide the commercial operation of the Vessel, as required by the Owners, which includes, but is not limited to, the following functions:
(i)  providing chartering services in accordance with the Owners’ instructions which include, but are not limited to, seeking and negotiating employment for the Vessel and the conclusion (including the execution thereof) of charter parties or other contracts relating to the employment of the Vessel.  If such a contract exceeds twelve months in duration the period stated in Box 13 . consent thereto in writing shall first be obtained from the Owners.
(ii)  arranging of the proper payment to Owners or their nominees of all hire and/or freight revenues or other moneys of whatsoever mature to which Owners may be entitled arising out of the employment of or otherwise in connection with the Vessel.
(iii)  providing voyage estimates and accounts and calculating of hire, freights, demurrage and/or despatch moneys due from or due to the charterers of the Vessel;
(iv)  issuing of voyage instructions;
(v)  appointing agents;
(vi)  appointing stevedores;
(vii)  arranging surveys associated with the commercial operation of the Vessel.
3.4  Insurance Arrangements
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 8 )
The Managers shall arrange insurances in accordance with Clause 6, on such terms and conditions as the Owners shall have instructed or agreed, in particular regarding conditions,


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
insured values, deductibles and franchises.
3.5  Accounting Services
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 9 )
The Managers shall
(i)  establish an accounting system which meets the requirements of the Owners and provide regular accounting services, supply regular reports and records,
(ii)  maintain the records of all costs and expenditure incurred as well as data necessary or proper for the settlement of accounts between the parties.
3.6  Sale or Purchase of the Vessel
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 10 )
The Managers shall, in accordance with the Owners’ instructions, supervise the sale or purchase of the Vessel, including the performance of any sale or purchase agreement, but not negotiation of the same.
3.7  Provisions ( only applicable if agreed according to Box 11 )
The Manager’s shall arrange for the supply of provisions.
3.8  Bunkering   (only applicable if agreed according to Box 12 )
The Managers shall arrange for the provision of bunker fuel of the quality specified by the Owners as required for the Vessel’s trade.
4.  Managers’ Obligations
4.1   The Managers undertake to use their best endeavours to provide the agreed Management Services as agents for and on behalf of the Owners in accordance with sound ship management practice and to protect and promote the interests of the Owners in all matters relating to the provision of services hereunder.  Provided, however, that the Managers in the performance of their management responsibilities under this Agreement shall be entitled to have regard to their overall responsibility in relation to all vessels as may from time to time be entrusted to their management and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Managers shall be entitled to allocate available supplies, manpower and services in such manner as in the prevailing circumstances the Managers in their absolute discretion consider to be fair and reasonable.
4.2  Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , they shall procure that the requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied and they shall in particular be deemed to be the “Company” as defined by the ISM Code, assuming the responsibility for the operation of the Vessel and taking over the duties and responsibilities imposed by the ISM Code when applicable.
5.  Owners’ Obligations
5.1.   The Owners shall pay all sums due to the Managers punctually in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
5.2.  Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , the Owners shall:
(i)  procure that all officers and ratings supplied by them or on their behalf comply with the requirements of STCW 95;
(ii)  instruct such officers and ratings to obey all reasonable orders of the Managers in connection with the operation of the Managers’ safety system.
5.3  Where the Managers are not providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , the Owners shall procure that the requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied and that they, or such other entity as may be appointed by them and identified to the Managers, shall be deemed to be the “Company” as defined by the ISM Code assuming the responsibility for the operation of the Vessel and taking over the duties and responsibilities imposed by the ISM Code when applicable.
6.  Insurance Policies
The Owners shall procure, whether by instructing the Managers under sub-clause 3.4 or otherwise, that throughout the period of this Agreement:
6.1.  at the Owners’ expense, the Vessel is insured for not less than her sound market value or entered for her full gross tonnage, as the case may be for:
(i)  usual hull and machinery marine risks (including crew negligence) and excess liabilities;
(ii)  protection and indemnity risks (including pollution risks and Crew Insurances); and
(iii)  war risks (including protection and indemnity and crew risks) in accordance with the best practice of prudent owners of vessels of a similar type to the Vessel, with first class insurance companies, underwriters or associations (the “Owners’ Insurances”);
6.2.  all premiums and calls on the Owners’ Insurances are paid promptly by their due date,
6.3.  the Owners’ Insurances name the Managers and, subject to underwriters’ agreement, any third party designated by the Managers as a joint assured, with full cover, with the Owners obtaining cover in respect of each of the insurances specified in sub-clause 6.1 :
(i)  on terms whereby the Managers and any such third party are liable in respect of premiums or calls arising in connection with the Owners’ Insurances; or
(ii)  if reasonably obtainable, on terms such that neither the Managers nor any such third party shall be under any liability in respect of premiums or calls arising in connection with the Owners’ insurances; or
(iii)  on such other terms as may be agreed in writing.
Indicate alternative (i), (ii) or (iii) in Box 14 .  If Box 14 is left blank then (i) applies.
6.4   written evidence is provided, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Managers, of their compliance with their obligations under Clause 6 within a reasonable time of the commencement of the Agreement, and of each renewal date and, if specifically requested, of each payment date of the Owners’ Insurances.
7.  Income Collected and Expenses Paid on Behalf of Owners
7.1   All moneys collected by the Managers under the terms of this Agreement (other than moneys payable by the Owners to the Managers) and any interest thereon shall be held to the credit of the Owners in a separate bank account.
7.2  All expenses incurred by the Managers under the terms of this Agreement on behalf of the Owners (including expenses as provided in Clause 8 ) may be debited against the Owners in the account referred to under sub-clause 7J. but shall in any event remain payable by the Owners to the Managers on demand.
8.  Management Fee
8.1   The Owners shall pay to the Managers for their services as Managers under this Agreement an annual DAILY management fee as stated in Box 15 which shall be payable to equal monthly installments in advance, the first installment being payable on the commencement of this Agreement (see Clause 2 and Box 4 ) and subsequent installments being payable every month.
8.2  The management fee shall be subject to an annual review on the anniversary date of the Agreement and the proposed fee shall be presented in the annual budget referred to in sub-clause 9.1.   Please refer to Annex E (Management Fees)
8.3  The Managers shall, at no extra cost to the Owners, provide their own office accommodation, office staff, facilities and stationery.  Without limiting the generality of Clause 7 the Owners shall reimburse the Managers for postage and communication expenses, traveling expenses, and other out of pocket expenses properly incurred by the Managers in pursuance of


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
the Management Services.
8.4  In the event of the appointment of the Managers being terminated by the Owners or the Managers in accordance with the provisions of Clauses 17 and 18 other than by reason of default by the Managers, or if the Vessel is lost, sold or otherwise disposed of, the “management fee” payable to the Managers according to the provisions of sub- clause 8.1, shall continue to be payable for a further period of three calendar months as from the termination date.  In addition, provided that the Managers provide Crew for the Vessel in accordance with sub-clause 3.1;
( i)  the Owners shall continue to pay Crew Support Costs during the said further period of three calendar months and
( ii)  the Owners shall pay an equitable proportion of any Severance Costs which may materialize, not exceeding the amount stated in Box 16 .
Please refer to Annex E (Management Fees)
8.5  If the Owners decide to lay-up the Vessel whilst this Agreement remains in force and such lay-up lasts for more than three months, an appropriate reduction of the management fee for the period exceeding three months until one month before the Vessel is again put into service shall be mutually agreed between the parties.
8.6  Unless otherwise agreed in writing all discounts and commissions obtained by the Managers in the course of the management of the Vessel shall be credited to the Owners.
9.  Budgets and Management of Funds
The Managers shall present to the Owners annually a budget for the following twelve months in such form as the Owners require.  The budget for the first year hereof is set out in Annex “C” hereto.  Subsequent annual budgets shall be prepared by the Managers and submitted to the Owners not less than three months before the anniversary date of the commencement of this Agreement (see Clause 2 and Box 4).
9.1  The Owners shall indicate to the Managers their acceptance and approval of the annual budget within one month of presentation and in the absence of any such indication the Managers shall be entitled to assume that the Owners have accepted the proposed budget.
9.2  Following the agreement of the budget, the Managers shall prepare and present to the Owners their estimate of the working capital requirement of the Vessel and the Managers shall each month update this estimate, based thereon, the Managers shall each month request the Owners in writing for the funds required to run the Vessel for the ensuing month, including the payment of any occasional or extraordinary item of expenditure, such as emergency repair costs, additional insurance premiums, bunkers or provisions.  Such funds shall be received by the Managers within ten running days after the receipt by the Owners of the Managers’ written request and shall be held to the credit of the Owners in a separate bank account.
9.3  The Managers shall produce a comparison between budgeted and actual income and expenditure of the Vessel in such form as required by the Owners monthly or at such other intervals as mutually agreed.
9.4  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Managers shall in no circumstances be required to use or commit their own funds to finance the provision of the Management Services.
10.  Managers’ Right to Sub-Contract
The Managers shall not have the right to sub-contract any of their obligations hereunder , including those mentioned in sub-clause 3.1 without the prior written consent of the Owners which shall not be unreasonably withheld .  In the event of such a sub- contract the Managers shall remain fully liable for the due performance of their obligations under this Agreement.
11.  Responsibilities
11.1  Force Majeure - Neither the Owners nor the Managers shall be under any liability for any failure to perform any of their obligations thereunder by reason of any cause whatsoever of any nature or kind beyond their reasonable control.
11.2  Liability to Owners - (i)   Without prejudice to sub-clause 11.1, the Managers shall be under no liability whatsoever to the Owners for any loss, damage, delay or expense of whatsoever nature, whether direct or indirect, (including but not limited to loss of profit arising out of or in connection with detention of or delay to the Vessel) and howsoever arising in the course of performance of the Management Services UNLESS same is proved to have resulted from the negligence, gross negligence or willful default of the Managers of their employees, or agents or sub-contractors employed by them in connection with the Vessel, in which case (save where loss, damage, delay or expense has resulted from the Managers’ personal act or omission committed with the intent to cause same or recklessly and with knowledge that such loss, damage, delay or expense would probably result) the Managers’ liability for such incident or series of incidents giving rise to a claim or claims shall never exceed a total of ten times the annual Management Fee payable hereunder.
(ii)  Notwithstanding anything that may appear to the contrary in this Agreement, the Managers shall not be liable for any of the actions of the Crew even if such actions are negligent, grossly negligent or willful, except only to the extent that they are shown to have resulted from a failure to the Managers to discharge their obligations under sub-Clause 3.1, in which case their liability shall be limited in accordance with the terms of this Clause 11 .
11.3  Indemnity - Except to the extent and solely for the amount therein set out that the   Managers would be liable under sub- clause 11.2 , the Owners hereby undertake to keep the Managers and their employees, agents and sub-contractors indemnified and to hold them harmless against all actions, proceedings, claims, demands or liabilities whatsoever or howsoever arising which may be brought against them or incurred or suffered by them arising out of or in connection with the performance of the Agreement, and against and in respect of all costs, losses, damages and expenses (including legal costs and expenses on a full indemnity basis) which the Managers may suffer or incur (either directly or indirectly) in the course of the performance of this Agreement.
11.4  “ Himalaya - It is hereby expressly agreed that no employee or agent of the Managers (including every sub-contractor from time to time employed by the Managers) shall in any circumstances whatsoever be under any liability whatsoever to the Owners for any loss, damage or delay of whatsoever kind arising or resulting directly or indirectly from any act, neglect or default on his party while acting in the course of or in connection with his employment and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions in this Clause 11 , every exemption, limitation, condition and liberty herein contained and every right, exemption from liability, defence and immunity of whatsoever nature applicable to the Managers or to which the Managers are entitled hereunder shall also be available and shall extend to protect every such employee or agent of the Managers acting as aforesaid and for the purpose of all the foregoing provisions of this Clause 11 the Managers are or shall be deemed to be acting as agent or trustee on behalf of and for the benefit of all persons who are or might be their servants or agents from time to time (including sub-contractors as aforesaid) and all such persons shall to this extent be or be deemed to be parties to this Agreement.
12.  Documentation
Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 and/or Crew Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.1, they shall make available,


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
upon Owners’ request, all documentation and records related to the Safety Management System (SMS) and/or the Crew which the Owners need in order to demonstrate compliance with the ISM Code and STCW 95 or to defend a claim against a third party.
13.  General Administration
13.1   The Managers shall handle and settle all claims arising out of the Management Services hereunder and keep the Owners informed regarding any incident of which the Managers become aware which gives or may give rise to claims or disputes involving third parties.
13.2   The Managers shall, as instructed by the Owners, bring or defend actions, suits or proceedings in connection with matters entrusted to the Managers according to this Agreement.
13.3   The Managers shall also have power to obtain legal or technical or other outside expert advice in relation to the handling and settlement of claims and disputes or all other matters affecting the interests of the Owners in respect of the Vessel.
13.4   The Owners shall arrange for the provision of any necessary guarantee bond or other security.
13.5   Any costs reasonably incurred by the Managers in carrying out their obligations according to Clause 13 shall be reimbursed by the Owners.
14.  Auditing
The Managers shall at all times maintain and keep true and correct accounts and shall make the same available for inspection and auditing by the Owners at such times as may be mutually agreed.  On the termination, for whatever reasons, of this Agreement the Managers shall release to the Owners, if so requested, the originals when possible, or otherwise certified copies, of all such accounts and all documents specifically relating to the Vessel and her operation.
15.  Inspection of Vessel
The Owners shall have the right at any time after giving reasonable notice to the Managers to inspect the Vessel for any reason they consider necessary.
16.  Compliance with Laws and Regulations
The Managers will not do or permit to be done anything which might cause any breach or infringement of the laws and regulations of the Vessel’s flag, or of the places where she trades.
17.  Duration of the Agreement
This Agreement shall come into effect on the day and year stated in Box 4 and shall continue until the date stated in Box 17 .  Thereafter it shall continue until terminated by either party giving to the other notice to the Managers in writing, in which event the Agreement shall terminate upon the expiration of a period of two   eighteen months from the date upon which such notice was given.  In case Owners wish to terminate the Agreement earlier than the date stated in Box 17 Owners will pay the Managers all fees as per ANNEX “E” for the remaining period until the date stated in Box 17 .
18.  Termination
18.1  Owners’ default
(i)  The Managers shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing if any moneys payable by the Owners under this Agreement and/or the owners of any associated vessel, details of which are listed in Annex “D” . shall not have been received in the Managers’ nominated account within ten running days of receipt by the Owners of the Managers written request or if the Vessel is repossessed by the Mortgagees.
(ii)  If the Owners:
(a)  fail to meet their obligations under sub- clauses 5.2 and 5.3 of this Agreement for any reason within their control, or
(b)  proceed with the employment of or continue to employ the Vessel in the carriage of contraband, blockade running, or in an unlawful trade, or on a voyage which in the reasonable opinion of the Managers is unduly hazardous or improper, the Managers may give notice of the default to the Owners, requiring them to remedy it as soon as practically possible.  In the event that the Owners fail to remedy it within a reasonable time to the satisfaction of the Managers   the Managers shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing.
18.2  Managers’ Default
If the Managers fail to meet their obligations under Clauses 3 and 4 of this Agreement for any reason within the control of the Managers, the Owners may give notice to the Managers of the default, requiring them to remedy it as soon as practically possible.  In the event that the Managers fail to remedy it within a reasonable time to the satisfaction of the Owners the Owners shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing.
18.3  Extraordinary Termination
This Agreement shall be deemed to be terminated in the case of the sale of the Vessel or if the Vessel becomes a total loss or is declared as a constructive or compromised or arranged total loss or is requisitioned.
18.4   For the purpose of sub-clause 18.3 hereof
(i)  the date upon which the Vessel is to be treated as having been sold or otherwise disposed or shall be the date on which the Owners cease to be registered as Owners of the Vessel;
(ii)  the Vessel shall not be deemed to be lost unless either she has become an actual total loss or agreement has been reached with her underwriters in respect of her constructive, compromised or arranged total loss or if such agreement with her underwriters is not reached it is adjudged by a competent tribunal that a constructive loss of the Vessel has occurred.
18.5   This Agreement shall terminate forthwith in the event of an order being made or resolution passed for the winding up, dissolution, liquidation or bankruptcy of either party (otherwise than for the purpose of reconstruction or amalgamation) or if a receiver is appointed, or it if suspends payment, ceases to carry on business or makes any special arrangement or composition with its creditors.
18.6  The termination of this Agreement shall be without prejudice to all rights accrued due between the parties prior to the date of termination.
18.7   A change of control of either party shall not terminate this Agreement.
19.  Law and Arbitration
19.1   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration in London in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996 or any statutory modification to re-enactment thereof save to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Clause.
The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) Terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
The reference shall be to three arbitrators.  A party wishing to refer a dispute to arbitration shall appoint its arbitrator and send notice of such appointment in writing to the other party requiring the other party to appoint its own arbitrator within 14 calendar days of that notice and stating that it will appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator unless the other party appoints its own arbitrator and gives notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified.  If the other party does not appoint its own arbitrator and give notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified, the party referring a dispute to arbitration may, without the requirement of any further prior


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
notice to the other party, appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator and shall advise the other party accordingly.  The award of a sole arbitrator shall be binding on both parties as if he had been appointed by agreement.
Nothing herein shall prevent the parties agreeing in writing to vary these provisions to provide for the appointment of a sole arbitrator.
In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of USD50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the LMAA Small Claims Procedure current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
19.2   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Title 9 of the United States Code and the Maritime Law of the United States and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to three persons at New York, one to be appointed by each of the parties hereto, and the third by the two so chosen; their decision that of any two of them shall be final, and for the purposes of enforcing any award, judgment may be entered on an award by any court of competent jurisdiction.  The proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc.
In cases where neither the claim not any counterclaim exceeds the sum of USD50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the Shortened Arbitration Procedure of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc, current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
19.3   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the place mutually agreed by the parties and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration at a mutually agreed place, subject to the procedures applicable there.
19.4   If Box 18 in Part I is not appropriately filled in, sub- clause 19.1 of this Clause shall apply.
Note:  19.1 , 19.2 and 19.3 are alternatives; indicate alternative agreed in Box 18 .
20.  Notices
20.1   Any notice to be given by either party to the other party shall be in writing and may be sent by fax, telex, registered or recorded mail or by personal service.
20.2   The address of the Parties for service of such communication shall be as stated in Boxes 19 and 20 , respectively.

Exhibit 4.108
1. Date of Agreement
 
1 st January 2019
 
HULL S874 tbn ECO BEL AIR
 
 
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
CODE NAME: "SHIPMAN 98"
Part I
2. Owners (name, place of registered office and law of registry) ( Cl. 1 )
 
3. Managers (name, place of registered office and law of registry) ( Cl. 1 )
         
 
SOUTH CALIFORNIA INC.
   
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.
 
Name
   
Name
         
 
The Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands
   
The Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands
 
Place of registered office
   
Place of registered office
         
 
Marshall Islands
   
Marshall Islands
 
Law of Registry
   
Law of Registry
         
4. Day and year of commencement of Agreement ( Cl. 2 )
 
1 st January 2019
 
5. Crew Management (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.1 )
 
YES
 
 
6. Technical Management (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.2 )
 
YES
 
7. Insurance (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.3 )
 
YES
 
 
8. Insurance Arrangements (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.4 )
 
YES
 
9. Accounting (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.5 )
 
YES
 
 
10. Sale or purchase of the Vessel (state “yes” or “no” as agreed ( Cl. 3.6 )
 
YES
 
11. Provisions (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.7 )
 
YES
 
 
12. Bunkering (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.8 )
 
YES
 
13. Chartering Services (only to be filled in if “yes” in box 7) ( Cl. 3.3(i) )
 
FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION OF THIS AGREEMENT
 
 
14. Managers’ Insurance (state alternative (i), (ii) or (iii) of Cl. 6.3 )
 
(i)
 
15. Annual Management Fee (state annual amount) ( Cl. 8.1 )
 
AS PER ANNEX “E”
 
 
16. Severance Costs (state maximum amount) ( Cl. 8.4(ii) )
 
AT COST AS PER SEAMEN COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT
 
17. Day and year of termination of Agreement (Cl. 17)
 
Duration 5 years, automatically renewed.
 
 
18. Law and Arbitration (state alternative 19.1 , 19.2 or 19.3 place of arbitration must be stated) ( Cl. 19 )
 
AT COST AS PER CLAUSE 19.1
 
19. Notices (state postal and cable address, telex and telefax number for serving notice and communication to the Owners ) ( Cl. 25 )
TOP SHIPS INC.
1, Vas.Sofias & Meg. Alexandrou Str.,
15124, Maroussi, Athens, Greece
E-mail : vi@topships.org
Fax      : +30 210 6141 276
 
20. Notices (state postal and cable address, telex and telefax number for serving notice and communication to the Managers ) ( Cl. 20 )
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.
c/o CENTRAL MARE INC.
1, Vas. Sofias & Meg. Alexandrou Str.,
15124, Maroussi, Athens, Greece
E-mail: ops@centralmare.com
Fax     : +30 210 8020 364
It is mutually agreed between the party stated in Box 2 and the party stated in Box 3 that this Agreement consisting of PART I and PART II as well as Annexes "A" (Details of Vessel), "B" (Details of Crew), “C” (Budget), and “D” (Associated Vessels) attached hereto, shall be performed subject to the conditions contained herein.  In the event of a conflict of conditions, the provisions of PART I and Annexes “A” , “B” , “C” and “D” shall prevail over those of PART II to the extent of such conflict but no father.
     
Signature(s) (Owners)
 
/s/ Vangelis Ikonomou
Vangelis Ikonomou
 
 
SOUTH CALIFORNIA INC.
 
 
Signature(s) (Managers)
 
/s/ Andreas M. Louka
Andreas M. Louka
Attorney-in-fact
 
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.
 


This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “A” (DETAILS OF VESSEL OR VESSELS) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
   
   
Name of Vessel(s):
Hull Number S874 tbn ECO BEL AIR
   
   
 
Particulars of Vessel:
   
   


TYPE OF VESSEL
Oil Carrier
HULL TYPE
Double Hull
IMO NUMBER
9794056
FLAG
Marshall Islands
YEAR & PLACE BUILT
2019 at Hyundai Shipyard, Korea
CLASS SOCIETY
DNV GL
CALL SIGN
V7A2272
LOA, BREADTH, DEPTH
277 M / 48 M / 23,2 M
SDWT - DRAFT
157,275 MT @ 17.15 M

This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “B” (DETAILS OF CREW) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Details of Crew:
Rank
Number
Nationality
Master
1
Filipino
Chief Officer
1
Filipino
Second Officer
1
Filipino
Third Officer
1
Filipino
Chief Engineer
1
Filipino
Second Engineer
1
Filipino
Third Engineer
1
Filipino
Electrician
1
Filipino
Pumpman
1
Filipino
Bosun
1
Filipino
Able Seaman
3
Filipino
Ordinary Seaman
2
Filipino
Deck Cadet
1
Filipino
Oiler
1
Filipino
Wiper
1
Filipino
Engine Cadet
1
Filipino
Cook
1
Filipino
Mess Boy
2
Filipino
CREW TOTAL
22
 

This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “C” (ANNUAL MANAGEMENT BUDGET)
TO THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Managers Budget in USD effective from the first year of operations.

Hull S874 / 157,200 DWT Suezmax Tanker
BUDGET Estimation Proposal 2019
Accounts
Code
Crew
Daily Amount
Annual Amount
Annual Summary
68002
CREW AGENTS/SUBMANAGERS EXPENSES
12,33
$4.500
 
68003
CREW AGENTS/SUBMANAGERS FEES
82,19
$30.000
68004
CREW BONUS (TANK CLEANING, VETTING BONUS, ETC)
54,79
$20.000
68014
CREW INDEMNITIES
0,00
$0
68005
CREW COMPULSORY INSURANCE & CREW INSURANCE FOR P&I DEDUCTIBLE
27,40
$10.000
68006
CREW PRE-JOINING MEDICAL EXPS
13,70
$5.000
68021
CREW MISC CLAIMABLE MATTERS
0,00
$0
68007
ADDITIONAL CREW OVERTIME
0,00
$0
08008
CREW SALARIES & FIXED OVERTIME & OWNERS’ CREW BONUS INCLUDING ADDITIONAL OVERLAPPING USD 20,000
2.805,48
$1.024.000
68009
CREW TRANSPORTATION EXPS
232,88
$85.000
68010
CREW UNIFORMS/WORKING CLOTHES
13,70
$5.000
68011
CREW PRE-JOINING TRAININGS & CREW VARIOUS EXPENSES
273,97
$100.000
68019
GREEK CREW MEDICAL EXPS
0,00
$0
68018
GREEK CREW MISC EXPS
0,00
$0
68017
GREEK CREW TRANSPORTATION EXPS
0,00
$0
68016
GREEK CREW WAGES
0,00
$0
68012
PROVISIONS
239,73
$87.500
$1.371.000
68020
SHIPOWNERS’ CONTRIBUTIONS
0,00
$0
68022
CREW LEAVE PAY
0,00
$0
 
Crew Subtotal
3.756,16
$1.371.000
Accounts
Code
Insurance
 
64001
HULL & MACHINERY
301,37
$100.000
 
64002
INSURANCE LOSS OF HIRE
0,00
$0
69003
WAR RISKS ANNUAL PREMIUM
41,10
$15.000
64004
P&I
301,37
$110.000
65005
FD D
27,40
$10.000
64006
MARINE INTEREST
0,00
$0
64007
PURCHASERS INTEREST INSURANCE
0,00
$0
$245.000
64008
BACK CALLS-(INSURANCE) SUPPLEMENTARY
0,00
$0
 
Insurance Subtotal
671,23
$245.000
Accounts
Code
Repairs and Maintenance
67001
AUX.MACITINERY REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
27,40
$10.000
 
67003
BOILER REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
27,40
$10.000
67005
CHEMICALS & GASES
54,79
$20.000
67013
DECK SPARE PARTS - REPAIR/MAINTENANCE
54,79
$20.000
67006
DIESEL GENERATORS - REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67017
MAIN ENGINE REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
27,40
$10.000
67008
PAINTS AT SEA
54,79
$20.000
67010
RADIO ROOM NAVIGATION MAINTENANCE
8,22
$3.000
67011
REPAIRS - MAINTENANCE
13,70
$5.000
67012
SLOPS & GARBAGE REMOVAL
13,70
$5.000
67016
SUPER.ENGIN/PORT CPTN OTHER FEES&EXPS
82,19
$30.000
$153.000
 
$346.000
67019
VESSELS IT HARDWARE EQUIPMENT
13,70
$5.000
 
Repairs and Maintenance Subtotal
419,18
$153.000
 
Other Vessel Operating Expenses Subtotal
947,95
$346.000
66009
Lubricants
547,95
$200.000
$200.000
$65.000
 
Spares Subtotal
178,08
$65.000
 
Extraordinary Expenses
0,00
   
 
Less corresponding claims
0,00
 
 
TOTAL OPEX WITHOUT DD EXPENSES
 
$2.380.000
 
DAILY OPEX WITHOUT DD EXPENSES
 
$6.521
 
 
DO Adjustments (5y / 2.5y amortization)
0,00
 
$6. 521
 
TOTAL OPEX WITH DD EXPENSE
6.520,55
$2.380.000
 
DAILY OPEX WITH DD EXPENSES
 
$6.521



This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “D” (ASSOCIATED VESSELS) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

NOTE: PARTIES SHOULD BE AWARE THAT BY COMPLETING THIS ANNEX “D” THEY WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SUB-CLAUSE 18.1(i) OF THIS AGREEMENT.
Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Details of Associated Vessels:
Hull S874 tbn ECO BEL AIR
 
 
 
 
 
 










This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX E (Management Fees)
Duration of Contract Five
(5) years, automatically renewed.
   
Services and Relevant Fees:
USD 550 per day per vessel for Technical and Commercial, Crew Management, Insurance, Provisions and Bunkering.  Applicable 3 months prior delivery from the yard.
 
Accounting, Reporting, Legal and Administrative Services at cost.
     
Fee Annual Increase:
Based on total percentage increase in the U.S. Consumer Price Index over the previous year, but not less than 2% and not more than 5%.
   
Commission on all hires / gross freight / demurrage:
1.25%
   
Sales and Purchase Commission:
1% of the Sale or the Purchase Price or the Contract Price of the Newbuilding Contract.
   
N/B Construction – Supervision Fee:
7% of actual cost.
   
Managers’ Superintendent’s Fee beyond 10 days per annum:
USD 500 per day, plus actual expenses.
   
Notice of Termination:
18 months
   
Termination Fees:
Fees for 12 months.

1.
Manager shall be entitled to receive additional remuneration for any increase in administrative costs and expenses resulting from the introduction of a new, or a change in the interpretation of applicable laws and regulations, or concerning ship management services.
2.
Owners to pay the deductible of any insurance claim relating to the vessels, or for any claim that is within such deductible range.  All insurance related rebates to be for the benefit of the Manager.
3.
Owners to pay any tax, dues, or ransom in a case of piracy, or fines imposed on vessel or Manager, due to the operation of the vessel.
4.
The above management fees are agreed on the basis of the number of the associated vessels as per ANNEX D of this agreement.


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
1.  Definitions
In this Agreement save where the context otherwise requires, the following words and expressions shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them.
" Owners " mean the party identified in Box. 2 .
" Managers " mean the party identified in Box 3 .
" Vessel " means the vessel or vessels details of which are set out in Annex "A" attached hereto.
" Crew " means the Master, officers and ratings of the   numbers, rank and nationality specified in Annex “B” attached hereto.
" Crew Support Costs " means all expenses of a general nature which are not particularly referable to any individual vessel for the time being managed by the Managers and which are incurred by the Managers for the purpose of providing an efficient and economic management service and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, shall include the cost of crew standby pay, training schemes for officers and ratings, cadet training schemes, sick pay, recruitment and interviews.
" Severance Costs " means the costs which the employers are legally obliged to pay to or in respect of the Crew as a result of the early termination of any employment contract for service on the Vessel.
" Crew Insurances " means insurances against crew risks which shall include but not limited to death, sickness, repatriation, injury, shipwreck unemployment indemnity and loss of personal effects.
" Management Services " means the services specified in sub-clauses 3.1 to 3.8 as indicated affirmatively in Boxes 5 to 12.
" ISM Code " means the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention as adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) by resolution A.741(18) or any subsequent amendment thereto.
" STCW 95 " means the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended in 1995 or any subsequent amendment thereto.
2.  Appointment of Mangers
With effect from the day and year stated in Box 4 and continuing unless and until terminated as provided herein, the Owners hereby appoint the Managers and the Managers hereby agree to act as the Managers of the Vessel.
3.  Basis of Agreement
Subject to terms and conditions herein provided, during the period of this Agreement, the Managers shall carry out Management Services in respect of the Vessel as agents for and on behalf of the Owners.  The Managers shall have authority to take such actions as they may from time to time in their absolute discretion consider to be necessary to enable them to perform this Agreement in accordance with sound ship management practice.
3.1  Crew Management
( only applicable if agreed according to   Box 5 )
The Managers shall provide suitably qualified Crew for the Vessel as required by the Owners in accordance with the STCW 95 requirements, provision of which includes but it is not limited to the following functions:
(i)  selecting and engaging the Vessel's Crew, including payroll arrangements, pension administration, and insurances for the Crew other than those mentioned in Clause 6 ;
(ii)  ensuring that the applicable requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied in respect of manning levels, rank, qualification and certification of the Crew and employment regulations including Crew's tax, social insurance, discipline and other requirements;
(iii)  ensuring that all members of the Crew have passed a medical examination with a qualified doctor certifying that they are fit for the duties for which they are engaged and are in possession of valid medical certificates issued in accordance with appropriate flag State requirements.  In the absence of applicable flag State requirements the medical certificate shall be dated not more than three months prior to the respective Crew members leaving their country of domicile and maintained for the duration of their service on board the Vessel;
(iv)  ensuring that the Crew shall have a command of the English language of a sufficient standard to enable them to perform their duties safely;
(v)  arranging transportation of the Crew, including repatriation;
(vi)  training the Crew and supervising their efficiency;
(vii)  conducting union negotiations;
(viii)   operating the Managers' drug and alcohol policy unless otherwise agreed.
3.2  Technical Management
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 6 )
The Managers shall provide technical management which includes, but is not limited to, the following functions:
(i)  provision of competent personnel to supervise the maintenance and general efficiency of the Vessel;
(ii)  arrangement and supervision of dry dockings, repairs, alterations and the upkeep of the Vessel to the standards required by the Owners provided that the Managers shall be entitled to incur the necessary expenditure to ensure that the Vessel will comply with the law of the flag of the Vessel and of the places where she trades, and all requirements and recommendations of the classification society;
(iii)  arrangement of the supply of necessary stores, spares and lubricating oil;
(iv)  appointment of surveyors and technical consultants as the Managers may consider from time to time to be necessary;
(v)  development, implementation and maintenance of a Safety Management System (SMS) in accordance with the ISM Code (see sub-clauses 4,2 and 5;3).
3.3  Commercial Management
( only applicable if agreed according to   Box 7 )
The Managers shall provide the commercial operation of the Vessel, as required by the Owners, which includes, but is not limited to, the following functions:
(i)  providing chartering services in accordance with the Owners’ instructions which include, but are not limited to, seeking and negotiating employment for the Vessel and the conclusion (including the execution thereof) of charter parties or other contracts relating to the employment of the Vessel.  If such a contract exceeds twelve months in duration the period stated in Box 13 . consent thereto in writing shall first be obtained from the Owners.
(ii)  arranging of the proper payment to Owners or their nominees of all hire and/or freight revenues or other moneys of whatsoever mature to which Owners may be entitled arising out of the employment of or otherwise in connection with the Vessel.
(iii)  providing voyage estimates and accounts and calculating of hire, freights, demurrage and/or despatch moneys due from or due to the charterers of the Vessel;
(iv)  issuing of voyage instructions;
(v)  appointing agents;
(vi)  appointing stevedores;
(vii)  arranging surveys associated with the commercial operation of the Vessel.
3.4  Insurance Arrangements
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 8 )
The Managers shall arrange insurances in accordance with Clause 6, on such terms and conditions as the Owners shall have instructed or agreed, in particular regarding conditions,


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“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
insured values, deductibles and franchises.
3.5  Accounting Services
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 9 )
The Managers shall
(i)  establish an accounting system which meets the requirements of the Owners and provide regular accounting services, supply regular reports and records,
(ii)  maintain the records of all costs and expenditure incurred as well as data necessary or proper for the settlement of accounts between the parties.
3.6  Sale or Purchase of the Vessel
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 10 )
The Managers shall, in accordance with the Owners’ instructions, supervise the sale or purchase of the Vessel, including the performance of any sale or purchase agreement, but not negotiation of the same.
3.7  Provisions ( only applicable if agreed according to Box 11 )
The Manager’s shall arrange for the supply of provisions.
3.8  Bunkering   (only applicable if agreed according to Box 12 )
The Managers shall arrange for the provision of bunker fuel of the quality specified by the Owners as required for the Vessel’s trade.
4.  Managers’ Obligations
4.1   The Managers undertake to use their best endeavours to provide the agreed Management Services as agents for and on behalf of the Owners in accordance with sound ship management practice and to protect and promote the interests of the Owners in all matters relating to the provision of services hereunder.  Provided, however, that the Managers in the performance of their management responsibilities under this Agreement shall be entitled to have regard to their overall responsibility in relation to all vessels as may from time to time be entrusted to their management and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Managers shall be entitled to allocate available supplies, manpower and services in such manner as in the prevailing circumstances the Managers in their absolute discretion consider to be fair and reasonable.
4.2  Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , they shall procure that the requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied and they shall in particular be deemed to be the “Company” as defined by the ISM Code, assuming the responsibility for the operation of the Vessel and taking over the duties and responsibilities imposed by the ISM Code when applicable.
5.  Owners’ Obligations
5.1.   The Owners shall pay all sums due to the Managers punctually in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
5.2.  Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , the Owners shall:
(i)  procure that all officers and ratings supplied by them or on their behalf comply with the requirements of STCW 95;
(ii)  instruct such officers and ratings to obey all reasonable orders of the Managers in connection with the operation of the Managers’ safety system.
5.3  Where the Managers are not providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , the Owners shall procure that the requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied and that they, or such other entity as may be appointed by them and identified to the Managers, shall be deemed to be the “Company” as defined by the ISM Code assuming the responsibility for the operation of the Vessel and taking over the duties and responsibilities imposed by the ISM Code when applicable.
6.  Insurance Policies
The Owners shall procure, whether by instructing the Managers under sub-clause 3.4 or otherwise, that throughout the period of this Agreement:
6.1.  at the Owners’ expense, the Vessel is insured for not less than her sound market value or entered for her full gross tonnage, as the case may be for:
(i)  usual hull and machinery marine risks (including crew negligence) and excess liabilities;
(ii)  protection and indemnity risks (including pollution risks and Crew Insurances); and
(iii)  war risks (including protection and indemnity and crew risks) in accordance with the best practice of prudent owners of vessels of a similar type to the Vessel, with first class insurance companies, underwriters or associations (the “Owners’ Insurances”);
6.2.  all premiums and calls on the Owners’ Insurances are paid promptly by their due date,
6.3.  the Owners’ Insurances name the Managers and, subject to underwriters’ agreement, any third party designated by the Managers as a joint assured, with full cover, with the Owners obtaining cover in respect of each of the insurances specified in sub-clause 6.1 :
(i)  on terms whereby the Managers and any such third party are liable in respect of premiums or calls arising in connection with the Owners’ Insurances; or
(ii)  if reasonably obtainable, on terms such that neither the Managers nor any such third party shall be under any liability in respect of premiums or calls arising in connection with the Owners’ insurances; or
(iii)  on such other terms as may be agreed in writing.
Indicate alternative (i), (ii) or (iii) in Box 14 .  If Box 14 is left blank then (i) applies.
6.4   written evidence is provided, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Managers, of their compliance with their obligations under Clause 6 within a reasonable time of the commencement of the Agreement, and of each renewal date and, if specifically requested, of each payment date of the Owners’ Insurances.
7.  Income Collected and Expenses Paid on Behalf of Owners
7.1   All moneys collected by the Managers under the terms of this Agreement (other than moneys payable by the Owners to the Managers) and any interest thereon shall be held to the credit of the Owners in a separate bank account.
7.2  All expenses incurred by the Managers under the terms of this Agreement on behalf of the Owners (including expenses as provided in Clause 8 ) may be debited against the Owners in the account referred to under sub-clause 7J. but shall in any event remain payable by the Owners to the Managers on demand.
8.  Management Fee
8.1   The Owners shall pay to the Managers for their services as Managers under this Agreement an annual DAILY management fee as stated in Box 15 which shall be payable to equal monthly installments in advance, the first installment being payable on the commencement of this Agreement (see Clause 2 and Box 4 ) and subsequent installments being payable every month.
8.2  The management fee shall be subject to an annual review on the anniversary date of the Agreement and the proposed fee shall be presented in the annual budget referred to in sub-clause 9.1.   Please refer to Annex E (Management Fees)
8.3  The Managers shall, at no extra cost to the Owners, provide their own office accommodation, office staff, facilities and stationery.  Without limiting the generality of Clause 7 the Owners shall reimburse the Managers for postage and communication expenses, traveling expenses, and other out of pocket expenses properly incurred by the Managers in pursuance of


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“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
the Management Services.
8.4  In the event of the appointment of the Managers being terminated by the Owners or the Managers in accordance with the provisions of Clauses 17 and 18 other than by reason of default by the Managers, or if the Vessel is lost, sold or otherwise disposed of, the “management fee” payable to the Managers according to the provisions of sub- clause 8.1, shall continue to be payable for a further period of three calendar months as from the termination date.  In addition, provided that the Managers provide Crew for the Vessel in accordance with sub-clause 3.1;
( i)  the Owners shall continue to pay Crew Support Costs during the said further period of three calendar months and
( ii)  the Owners shall pay an equitable proportion of any Severance Costs which may materialize, not exceeding the amount stated in Box 16 .
Please refer to Annex E (Management Fees)
8.5  If the Owners decide to lay-up the Vessel whilst this Agreement remains in force and such lay-up lasts for more than three months, an appropriate reduction of the management fee for the period exceeding three months until one month before the Vessel is again put into service shall be mutually agreed between the parties.
8.6  Unless otherwise agreed in writing all discounts and commissions obtained by the Managers in the course of the management of the Vessel shall be credited to the Owners.
9.  Budgets and Management of Funds
The Managers shall present to the Owners annually a budget for the following twelve months in such form as the Owners require.  The budget for the first year hereof is set out in Annex “C” hereto.  Subsequent annual budgets shall be prepared by the Managers and submitted to the Owners not less than three months before the anniversary date of the commencement of this Agreement (see Clause 2 and Box 4).
9.1  The Owners shall indicate to the Managers their acceptance and approval of the annual budget within one month of presentation and in the absence of any such indication the Managers shall be entitled to assume that the Owners have accepted the proposed budget.
9.2  Following the agreement of the budget, the Managers shall prepare and present to the Owners their estimate of the working capital requirement of the Vessel and the Managers shall each month update this estimate, based thereon, the Managers shall each month request the Owners in writing for the funds required to run the Vessel for the ensuing month, including the payment of any occasional or extraordinary item of expenditure, such as emergency repair costs, additional insurance premiums, bunkers or provisions.  Such funds shall be received by the Managers within ten running days after the receipt by the Owners of the Managers’ written request and shall be held to the credit of the Owners in a separate bank account.
9.3  The Managers shall produce a comparison between budgeted and actual income and expenditure of the Vessel in such form as required by the Owners monthly or at such other intervals as mutually agreed.
9.4  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Managers shall in no circumstances be required to use or commit their own funds to finance the provision of the Management Services.
10.  Managers’ Right to Sub-Contract
The Managers shall not have the right to sub-contract any of their obligations hereunder , including those mentioned in sub-clause 3.1 without the prior written consent of the Owners which shall not be unreasonably withheld .  In the event of such a sub- contract the Managers shall remain fully liable for the due performance of their obligations under this Agreement.
11.  Responsibilities
11.1  Force Majeure - Neither the Owners nor the Managers shall be under any liability for any failure to perform any of their obligations thereunder by reason of any cause whatsoever of any nature or kind beyond their reasonable control.
11.2  Liability to Owners - (i)   Without prejudice to sub-clause 11.1, the Managers shall be under no liability whatsoever to the Owners for any loss, damage, delay or expense of whatsoever nature, whether direct or indirect, (including but not limited to loss of profit arising out of or in connection with detention of or delay to the Vessel) and howsoever arising in the course of performance of the Management Services UNLESS same is proved to have resulted from the negligence, gross negligence or willful default of the Managers of their employees, or agents or sub-contractors employed by them in connection with the Vessel, in which case (save where loss, damage, delay or expense has resulted from the Managers’ personal act or omission committed with the intent to cause same or recklessly and with knowledge that such loss, damage, delay or expense would probably result) the Managers’ liability for such incident or series of incidents giving rise to a claim or claims shall never exceed a total of ten times the annual Management Fee payable hereunder.
(ii)  Notwithstanding anything that may appear to the contrary in this Agreement, the Managers shall not be liable for any of the actions of the Crew even if such actions are negligent, grossly negligent or willful, except only to the extent that they are shown to have resulted from a failure to the Managers to discharge their obligations under sub-Clause 3.1, in which case their liability shall be limited in accordance with the terms of this Clause 11 .
11.3  Indemnity - Except to the extent and solely for the amount therein set out that the   Managers would be liable under sub- clause 11.2 , the Owners hereby undertake to keep the Managers and their employees, agents and sub-contractors indemnified and to hold them harmless against all actions, proceedings, claims, demands or liabilities whatsoever or howsoever arising which may be brought against them or incurred or suffered by them arising out of or in connection with the performance of the Agreement, and against and in respect of all costs, losses, damages and expenses (including legal costs and expenses on a full indemnity basis) which the Managers may suffer or incur (either directly or indirectly) in the course of the performance of this Agreement.
11.4  “ Himalaya - It is hereby expressly agreed that no employee or agent of the Managers (including every sub-contractor from time to time employed by the Managers) shall in any circumstances whatsoever be under any liability whatsoever to the Owners for any loss, damage or delay of whatsoever kind arising or resulting directly or indirectly from any act, neglect or default on his party while acting in the course of or in connection with his employment and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions in this Clause 11 , every exemption, limitation, condition and liberty herein contained and every right, exemption from liability, defence and immunity of whatsoever nature applicable to the Managers or to which the Managers are entitled hereunder shall also be available and shall extend to protect every such employee or agent of the Managers acting as aforesaid and for the purpose of all the foregoing provisions of this Clause 11 the Managers are or shall be deemed to be acting as agent or trustee on behalf of and for the benefit of all persons who are or might be their servants or agents from time to time (including sub-contractors as aforesaid) and all such persons shall to this extent be or be deemed to be parties to this Agreement.
12.  Documentation
Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 and/or Crew Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.1, they shall make available,


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“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
upon Owners’ request, all documentation and records related to the Safety Management System (SMS) and/or the Crew which the Owners need in order to demonstrate compliance with the ISM Code and STCW 95 or to defend a claim against a third party.
13.  General Administration
13.1   The Managers shall handle and settle all claims arising out of the Management Services hereunder and keep the Owners informed regarding any incident of which the Managers become aware which gives or may give rise to claims or disputes involving third parties.
13.2   The Managers shall, as instructed by the Owners, bring or defend actions, suits or proceedings in connection with matters entrusted to the Managers according to this Agreement.
13.3   The Managers shall also have power to obtain legal or technical or other outside expert advice in relation to the handling and settlement of claims and disputes or all other matters affecting the interests of the Owners in respect of the Vessel.
13.4   The Owners shall arrange for the provision of any necessary guarantee bond or other security.
13.5   Any costs reasonably incurred by the Managers in carrying out their obligations according to Clause 13 shall be reimbursed by the Owners.
14.  Auditing
The Managers shall at all times maintain and keep true and correct accounts and shall make the same available for inspection and auditing by the Owners at such times as may be mutually agreed.  On the termination, for whatever reasons, of this Agreement the Managers shall release to the Owners, if so requested, the originals when possible, or otherwise certified copies, of all such accounts and all documents specifically relating to the Vessel and her operation.
15.  Inspection of Vessel
The Owners shall have the right at any time after giving reasonable notice to the Managers to inspect the Vessel for any reason they consider necessary.
16.  Compliance with Laws and Regulations
The Managers will not do or permit to be done anything which might cause any breach or infringement of the laws and regulations of the Vessel’s flag, or of the places where she trades.
17.  Duration of the Agreement
This Agreement shall come into effect on the day and year stated in Box 4 and shall continue until the date stated in Box 17 .  Thereafter it shall continue until terminated by either party giving to the other notice to the Managers in writing, in which event the Agreement shall terminate upon the expiration of a period of two   eighteen months from the date upon which such notice was given.  In case Owners wish to terminate the Agreement earlier than the date stated in Box 17 Owners will pay the Managers all fees as per ANNEX “E” for the remaining period until the date stated in Box 17 .
18.  Termination
18.1  Owners’ default
(i)  The Managers shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing if any moneys payable by the Owners under this Agreement and/or the owners of any associated vessel, details of which are listed in Annex “D” . shall not have been received in the Managers’ nominated account within ten running days of receipt by the Owners of the Managers written request or if the Vessel is repossessed by the Mortgagees.
(ii)  If the Owners:
(a)  fail to meet their obligations under sub- clauses 5.2 and 5.3 of this Agreement for any reason within their control, or
(b)  proceed with the employment of or continue to employ the Vessel in the carriage of contraband, blockade running, or in an unlawful trade, or on a voyage which in the reasonable opinion of the Managers is unduly hazardous or improper, the Managers may give notice of the default to the Owners, requiring them to remedy it as soon as practically possible.  In the event that the Owners fail to remedy it within a reasonable time to the satisfaction of the Managers   the Managers shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing.
18.2  Managers’ Default
If the Managers fail to meet their obligations under Clauses 3 and 4 of this Agreement for any reason within the control of the Managers, the Owners may give notice to the Managers of the default, requiring them to remedy it as soon as practically possible.  In the event that the Managers fail to remedy it within a reasonable time to the satisfaction of the Owners the Owners shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing.
18.3  Extraordinary Termination
This Agreement shall be deemed to be terminated in the case of the sale of the Vessel or if the Vessel becomes a total loss or is declared as a constructive or compromised or arranged total loss or is requisitioned.
18.4   For the purpose of sub-clause 18.3 hereof
(i)  the date upon which the Vessel is to be treated as having been sold or otherwise disposed or shall be the date on which the Owners cease to be registered as Owners of the Vessel;
(ii)  the Vessel shall not be deemed to be lost unless either she has become an actual total loss or agreement has been reached with her underwriters in respect of her constructive, compromised or arranged total loss or if such agreement with her underwriters is not reached it is adjudged by a competent tribunal that a constructive loss of the Vessel has occurred.
18.5   This Agreement shall terminate forthwith in the event of an order being made or resolution passed for the winding up, dissolution, liquidation or bankruptcy of either party (otherwise than for the purpose of reconstruction or amalgamation) or if a receiver is appointed, or it if suspends payment, ceases to carry on business or makes any special arrangement or composition with its creditors.
18.6  The termination of this Agreement shall be without prejudice to all rights accrued due between the parties prior to the date of termination.
18.7   A change of control of either party shall not terminate this Agreement.
19.  Law and Arbitration
19.1   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration in London in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996 or any statutory modification to re-enactment thereof save to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Clause.
The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) Terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
The reference shall be to three arbitrators.  A party wishing to refer a dispute to arbitration shall appoint its arbitrator and send notice of such appointment in writing to the other party requiring the other party to appoint its own arbitrator within 14 calendar days of that notice and stating that it will appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator unless the other party appoints its own arbitrator and gives notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified.  If the other party does not appoint its own arbitrator and give notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified, the party referring a dispute to arbitration may, without the requirement of any further prior


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“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
notice to the other party, appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator and shall advise the other party accordingly.  The award of a sole arbitrator shall be binding on both parties as if he had been appointed by agreement.
Nothing herein shall prevent the parties agreeing in writing to vary these provisions to provide for the appointment of a sole arbitrator.
In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of USD50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the LMAA Small Claims Procedure current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
19.2   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Title 9 of the United States Code and the Maritime Law of the United States and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to three persons at New York, one to be appointed by each of the parties hereto, and the third by the two so chosen; their decision that of any two of them shall be final, and for the purposes of enforcing any award, judgment may be entered on an award by any court of competent jurisdiction.  The proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc.
In cases where neither the claim not any counterclaim exceeds the sum of USD50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the Shortened Arbitration Procedure of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc, current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
19.3   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the place mutually agreed by the parties and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration at a mutually agreed place, subject to the procedures applicable there.
19.4   If Box 18 in Part I is not appropriately filled in, sub- clause 19.1 of this Clause shall apply.
Note:  19.1 , 19.2 and 19.3 are alternatives; indicate alternative agreed in Box 18 .
20.  Notices
20.1   Any notice to be given by either party to the other party shall be in writing and may be sent by fax, telex, registered or recorded mail or by personal service.
20.2   The address of the Parties for service of such communication shall be as stated in Boxes 19 and 20 , respectively.
Exhibit 4.109
1. Date of Agreement
 
1 st January 2019
 
M/T STENAWECO EXCELLENCE

 
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
CODE NAME: "SHIPMAN 98"
Part I
2. Owners (name, place of registered office and law of registry) ( Cl. 1 )
 
3. Managers (name, place of registered office and law of registry) ( Cl. 1 )
         
 
MONTE CARLO SEVEN SHIPPING COMPANY LTD
   
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.
 
Name
   
Name
         
 
The Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands
   
The Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands
 
Place of registered office
   
Place of registered office
         
 
Marshall Islands
   
Marshall Islands
 
Law of Registry
   
Law of Registry
         
4. Day and year of commencement of Agreement ( Cl. 2 )
 
1 st January 2019
 
5. Crew Management (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.1 )
 
YES
 
 
6. Technical Management (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.2 )
 
YES
 
7. Insurance (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.3 )
 
YES
 
 
8. Insurance Arrangements (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.4 )
 
YES
 
9. Accounting (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.5 )
 
YES
 
 
10. Sale or purchase of the Vessel (state “yes” or “no” as agreed ( Cl. 3.6 )
 
YES
 
11. Provisions (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.7 )
 
YES
 
 
12. Bunkering (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.8 )
 
YES
 
13. Chartering Services (only to be filled in if “yes” in box 7) ( Cl. 3.3(i) )
 
FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION OF THIS AGREEMENT
 
 
14. Managers’ Insurance (state alternative (i), (ii) or (iii) of Cl. 6.3 )
 
(i)
 
15. Annual Management Fee (state annual amount) ( Cl. 8.1 )
 
AS PER ANNEX “E”
 
 
16. Severance Costs (state maximum amount) ( Cl. 8.4(ii) )
 
AT COST AS PER SEAMEN COLLECTIVE
AGREEMENT
 
17. Day and year of termination of Agreement (Cl. 17)
 
Duration 5 years, automatically renewed.
 
 
18. Law and Arbitration (state alternative 19.1 , 19.2 or 19.3 place of arbitration must be stated) ( Cl. 19 )
 
AT COST AS PER CLAUSE 19.1
 
19. Notices (state postal and cable address, telex and telefax number for serving notice and communication to the Owners ) ( Cl. 25 )
TOP SHIPS INC.
1, Vas.Sofias & Meg. Alexandrou Str.,
15124, Maroussi, Athens, Greece
E-mail : vi@topships.org
Fax      : +30 210 6141 276
 
20. Notices (state postal and cable address, telex and telefax number for serving notice and communication to the Managers ) ( Cl. 20 )
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.
c/o CENTRAL MARE INC.
1, Vas. Sofias & Meg. Alexandrou Str.,
15124, Maroussi, Athens, Greece
E-mail: ops@centralmare.com
Fax     : +30 210 8020 364

It is mutually agreed between the party stated in Box 2 and the party stated in Box 3 that this Agreement consisting of PART I and PART II as well as Annexes "A" (Details of Vessel), "B" (Details of Crew), “C” (Budget), and “D” (Associated Vessels) attached hereto, shall be performed subject to the conditions contained herein.  In the event of a conflict of conditions, the provisions of PART I and Annexes “A” , “B” , “C” and “D” shall prevail over those of PART II to the extent of such conflict but no father.
     
Signature(s) (Owners)
 
/s/ Vangelis Ikonomou
Vangelis Ikonomou
 
 
MONTE CARLO SEVEN SHIPPING COMPANY LTD
 
 
 
Signature(s) (Managers)
 
/s/ Andreas M. Louka
Andreas M. Louka
Attorney-in-fact
 
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.


This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “A” (DETAILS OF VESSEL OR VESSELS) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
   
   
Name of Vessel(s):
M/T STENAWECO EXCELLENCE
   
   
 
Particulars of Vessel:
   
   


TYPE OF VESSEL
Oil and Chemicals
Ship Type IMO 2
HULL TYPE
Double Hull
IMO NUMBER
9695834
FLAG
LIBERIA
YEAR & PLACE BUILT
2016 at Khanh Hoa, Vietnam
CLASS SOCIETY
ABS
CALL SIGN
D5HN7
LOA, BREADTH, DEPTH
183.06 M / 32,20 M / 19,10 M
SDWT - DRAFT
50,088 MT @ 13.30 M

This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “B” (DETAILS OF CREW) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Details of Crew:
Rank
Number
Nationality
Master
1
Filipino
Chief Officer
1
Filipino
Second Officer
1
Filipino
Third Officer
1
Filipino
Chief Engineer
1
Filipino
Second Engineer
1
Filipino
Third Engineer
1
Filipino
Electrician
1
Filipino
Pumpman
1
Filipino
Bosun
1
Filipino
Able Seaman
3
Filipino
Ordinary Seaman
2
Filipino
Deck Cadet
1
Filipino
Oiler
1
Filipino
Wiper
1
Filipino
Engine Cadet
1
Filipino
Cook
1
Filipino
Mess Boy
2
Filipino
CREW TOTAL
22
 

This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “C” (ANNUAL MANAGEMENT BUDGET)
TO THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Managers Budget in USD effective from the first year of operations.
Hyundai Vinashin Shipyard MR Oil and Chemical Tanker 50,000 DWT
Proposed Budget for first year of operations
Accounts
Code
Crew
Daily Amount
Annual Amount
Annual Summary
68002
CREW AGENTS/SUBMANAGERS EXPENSES
9,86
$3.600
 
68003
CREW AGENTS/SUBMANAGERS FEES
82,19
$30.000
68004
CREW BONUS (TANK CLEANING, VETTING BONUS, ETC)
41,10
$15.000
68014
CREW INDEMNITIES
0,00
$0
68005
CREW COMPULSORY INSURANCE & CREW INSURANCE FOR P&I DEDUCTIBLE
23,29
$8.500
68006
CREW PRE-JOINING MEDICAL EXPS
9,59
$3.500
68021
CREW MISC CLAIMABLE MATTERS
0,00
$0
68007
ADDITIONAL CREW OVERTIME
0,00
$0
08008
CREW SALARIES & FIXED OVERTIME & OWNERS’ CREW BONUS INCLUDING ADDITIONAL OVERLAPPING USD 20,000
2.608,22
$952.000
68009
CREW TRANSPORTATION EXPS
232,88
$85.000
68010
CREW UNIFORMS/WORKING CLOTHES
8,22
$3.000
68011
CREW PRE-JOINING TRAININGS & CREW VARIOUS EXPENSES
296,58
$90.000
$1.271.600
68019
GREEK CREW MEDICAL EXPS
0,00
$0
68018
GREEK CREW MISC EXPS
0,00
$0
68017
GREEK CREW TRANSPORTATION EXPS
0,00
$0
68016
GREEK CREW WAGES
0,00
$0
68012
PROVISIONS
221,92
$81.000
68020
SHIPOWNERS’ CONTRIBUTIONS
0,00
$0
68022
CREW LEAVE PAY
0,00
$0
 
Crew Subtotal
3.483,84
$1.271.600
Accounts
Code
Insurance
 
64001
HULL & MACHINERY
164,38
$60.000
 
64002
INSURANCE LOSS OF HIRE
0,00
$0
69003
WAR RISKS ANNUAL PREMIUM
15,75
$5.750
64004
P&I
136,99
$50.000
65005
FD D
27,40
$10.000
64006
MARINE INTEREST
0,00
$0
64007
PURCHASERS INTEREST INSURANCE
0,00
$0
$125.750
64008
BACK CALLS-(INSURANCE) SUPPLEMENTARY
0,00
$0
 
Insurance Subtotal
344,52
$125.750
Accounts
Code
Repairs and Maintenance
67001
AUX.MACITINERY REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
27,40
$10.000
 
67003
BOILER REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67005
CHEMICALS & GASES
41,10
$15.000
67013
DECK SPARE PARTS - REPAIR/MAINTENANCE
27,40
$10.000
67006
DIESEL GENERATORS - REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67017
MAIN ENGINE REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67008
PAINTS AT SEA
27,40
$10.000
67010
RADIO ROOM NAVIGATION MAINTENANCE
13,70
$5.000
67011
REPAIRS - MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67012
SLOPS & GARBAGE REMOVAL
0,00
$0
67016
SUPER,ENGIN/PORT CPTN OTHER FEES&EXPS
54,79
$20.000
$135.000
67019
VESSELS IT HARDWARE EQUIPMENT
13,70
$5.000
 
Repairs and Maintenance Subtotal
369,86
$135.000
Accounts
Code
Other Vessel Operating Expenses
66010
SAFETY ITEMS
27,40
$10.000
 
68001
CABIN STORES - ACCOMODATION
27,40
$10.000
68015
GALLEY-KITCHEN EQUIPMENT
13,70
$5.000
68013
WATER SUPPLY
13,70
$5.000
66002
ACCRUALS-OPERATING EXPS
0,00
$0
66001
APPROVAL-SUITABILITY INSPECTIONS
54,79
$20.000
66004
CHARTS/N.PUBLICATIONS
27,40
$10.000
66023
CLASS AND STATUT CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
41,10
$15.000
66005
CLEARING/FORWARDING EXPS
109,59
$40.000
66006
DECK STORES
95,89
$35.000
66007
ELECTR. DEPT-STORES
27,40
$10.000
$348.000
66008
ENGINE STORES
68,49
$25.000
66022
FLAG CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
10,96
$4.000
66026
OTHER CONSULTANCY DOCUMENTATION SERVICES
13,70
$5.000
66021
PORT DUES RELATED TO PROTECTING AGENTS
13,70
$5.000
66018
PROTECTING AGENTS FEES/EXPENSES
13,70
$5.000
66027
QUALITY DPT CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
68,49
$25.000
66024
SAFETY EQUIP MAR CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
27,40
$10.000
66025
SAFETY EQUIP TEC CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
27,40
$10.000
66011
STATIONERY EXPS
27,40
$10.000
66019
SUBSCRIPTIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
13,70
$5.000
66020
TECHNICAL CONSULTANCY DOCUMENTATION SERV
13,70
$5.000
66012
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
134,25
$49.000
66013
TONNAGE TAX
54,79
$20.000
66014
VARIOUS EXPS
27,40
$10.000
 
Other Vessel Operating Expenses Subtotal
953,42
$348.000
66009
Lubricants
438,36
$160.000
$160.000
Accounts
Code
Spares
67002
AUX.MACHINERY SPARE PARTS
41,10
$15.000
 
67004
BOILER SPARES
27,40
$10.000
67014
DECK SPARE PARTS
41,10
$15.000
67007
DIESEL GENERATORS SPARE PARTS
27,40
$10.000
67015
MAIN ENGINE SPARE PARTS
41,10
$15.000
$70.000
67009
RADIO ROOM NAVIGATION-EQUIPMENT SPARES
13,70
$5.000
 
Spares Subtotal
191,78
$70.000
 
Extraordinary Expenses
0,00
   
 
Less corresponding claims
0,00
 
 
TOTAL OPEX WITHOUT DD EXPENSES
 
$2.135.350



 
DAILY OPEX WITHOUT DD EXPENSES
 
$5.850
 
 
DO Adjustments (5y / 2.5y amortization)
0,00
 
$5. 850
 
TOTAL OPEX WITH DD EXPENSE
5.850,27
$2.135,350
 
DAILY OPEX WITH DD EXPENSES
 
$5.850






























This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “D” (ASSOCIATED VESSELS) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

NOTE: PARTIES SHOULD BE AWARE THAT BY COMPLETING THIS ANNEX “D” THEY WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SUB-CLAUSE 18.1(i) OF THIS AGREEMENT.
Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Details of Associated Vessels:
M/T STENAWECO EXCELLENCE
 
 
 
 
 
 










This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX E (Management Fees)
Duration of Contract Five
(5) years, automatically renewed.
   
Services and Relevant Fees:
Accounting, Reporting, Legal and Administrative Services at cost.
 
USD 550 per day per vessel for Technical and Commercial, Crew Management, Insurance, Provisions and Bunkering.  Applicable 3 months prior delivery from the yard.
     
Fee Annual Increase:
Based on total percentage increase in the U.S. Consumer Price Index over the previous year, but not less than 2% and not more than 5%.
   
Commission on all hires / gross freight / demurrage:
1.25%
   
Sales and Purchase Commission:
1% of the Sale or the Purchase Price or the Contract Price of the Newbuilding Contract.
   
N/B Construction – Supervision Fee:
7% of actual cost.
   
Managers’ Superintendent’s Fee beyond 10 days per annum:
USD 500 per day, plus actual expenses.
   
Notice of Termination:
18 months
   
Termination Fees:
Fees for 12 months.

1.
Manager shall be entitled to receive additional remuneration for any increase in administrative costs and expenses resulting from the introduction of a new, or a change in the interpretation of applicable laws and regulations, or concerning ship management services.
2.
Owners to pay the deductible of any insurance claim relating to the vessels, or for any claim that is within such deductible range.  All insurance related rebates to be for the benefit of the Manager.
3.
Owners to pay any tax, dues, or ransom in a case of piracy, or fines imposed on vessel or Manager, due to the operation of the vessel.
4.
The above management fees are agreed on the basis of the number of the associated vessels as per ANNEX D of this agreement.


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
1.  Definitions
In this Agreement save where the context otherwise requires, the following words and expressions shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them.
" Owners " mean the party identified in Box. 2 .
" Managers " mean the party identified in Box 3 .
" Vessel " means the vessel or vessels details of which are set out in Annex "A" attached hereto.
" Crew " means the Master, officers and ratings of the   numbers, rank and nationality specified in Annex “B” attached hereto.
" Crew Support Costs " means all expenses of a general nature which are not particularly referable to any individual vessel for the time being managed by the Managers and which are incurred by the Managers for the purpose of providing an efficient and economic management service and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, shall include the cost of crew standby pay, training schemes for officers and ratings, cadet training schemes, sick pay, recruitment and interviews.
" Severance Costs " means the costs which the employers are legally obliged to pay to or in respect of the Crew as a result of the early termination of any employment contract for service on the Vessel.
" Crew Insurances " means insurances against crew risks which shall include but not limited to death, sickness, repatriation, injury, shipwreck unemployment indemnity and loss of personal effects.
" Management Services " means the services specified in sub-clauses 3.1 to 3.8 as indicated affirmatively in Boxes 5 to 12.
" ISM Code " means the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention as adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) by resolution A.741(18) or any subsequent amendment thereto.
" STCW 95 " means the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended in 1995 or any subsequent amendment thereto.
2.  Appointment of Mangers
With effect from the day and year stated in Box 4 and continuing unless and until terminated as provided herein, the Owners hereby appoint the Managers and the Managers hereby agree to act as the Managers of the Vessel.
3.  Basis of Agreement
Subject to terms and conditions herein provided, during the period of this Agreement, the Managers shall carry out Management Services in respect of the Vessel as agents for and on behalf of the Owners.  The Managers shall have authority to take such actions as they may from time to time in their absolute discretion consider to be necessary to enable them to perform this Agreement in accordance with sound ship management practice.
3.1  Crew Management
( only applicable if agreed according to   Box 5 )
The Managers shall provide suitably qualified Crew for the Vessel as required by the Owners in accordance with the STCW 95 requirements, provision of which includes but it is not limited to the following functions:
(i)  selecting and engaging the Vessel's Crew, including payroll arrangements, pension administration, and insurances for the Crew other than those mentioned in Clause 6 ;
(ii)  ensuring that the applicable requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied in respect of manning levels, rank, qualification and certification of the Crew and employment regulations including Crew's tax, social insurance, discipline and other requirements;
(iii)  ensuring that all members of the Crew have passed a medical examination with a qualified doctor certifying that they are fit for the duties for which they are engaged and are in possession of valid medical certificates issued in accordance with appropriate flag State requirements.  In the absence of applicable flag State requirements the medical certificate shall be dated not more than three months prior to the respective Crew members leaving their country of domicile and maintained for the duration of their service on board the Vessel;
(iv)  ensuring that the Crew shall have a command of the English language of a sufficient standard to enable them to perform their duties safely;
(v)  arranging transportation of the Crew, including repatriation;
(vi)  training the Crew and supervising their efficiency;
(vii)  conducting union negotiations;
(viii)   operating the Managers' drug and alcohol policy unless otherwise agreed.
3.2  Technical Management
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 6 )
The Managers shall provide technical management which includes, but is not limited to, the following functions:
(i)  provision of competent personnel to supervise the maintenance and general efficiency of the Vessel;
(ii)  arrangement and supervision of dry dockings, repairs, alterations and the upkeep of the Vessel to the standards required by the Owners provided that the Managers shall be entitled to incur the necessary expenditure to ensure that the Vessel will comply with the law of the flag of the Vessel and of the places where she trades, and all requirements and recommendations of the classification society;
(iii)  arrangement of the supply of necessary stores, spares and lubricating oil;
(iv)  appointment of surveyors and technical consultants as the Managers may consider from time to time to be necessary;
(v)  development, implementation and maintenance of a Safety Management System (SMS) in accordance with the ISM Code (see sub-clauses 4,2 and 5;3).
3.3  Commercial Management
( only applicable if agreed according to   Box 7 )
The Managers shall provide the commercial operation of the Vessel, as required by the Owners, which includes, but is not limited to, the following functions:
(i)  providing chartering services in accordance with the Owners’ instructions which include, but are not limited to, seeking and negotiating employment for the Vessel and the conclusion (including the execution thereof) of charter parties or other contracts relating to the employment of the Vessel.  If such a contract exceeds twelve months in duration the period stated in Box 13 . consent thereto in writing shall first be obtained from the Owners.
(ii)  arranging of the proper payment to Owners or their nominees of all hire and/or freight revenues or other moneys of whatsoever mature to which Owners may be entitled arising out of the employment of or otherwise in connection with the Vessel.
(iii)  providing voyage estimates and accounts and calculating of hire, freights, demurrage and/or despatch moneys due from or due to the charterers of the Vessel;
(iv)  issuing of voyage instructions;
(v)  appointing agents;
(vi)  appointing stevedores;
(vii)  arranging surveys associated with the commercial operation of the Vessel.
3.4  Insurance Arrangements
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 8 )
The Managers shall arrange insurances in accordance with Clause 6, on such terms and conditions as the Owners shall have instructed or agreed, in particular regarding conditions,


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
insured values, deductibles and franchises.
3.5  Accounting Services
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 9 )
The Managers shall
(i)  establish an accounting system which meets the requirements of the Owners and provide regular accounting services, supply regular reports and records,
(ii)  maintain the records of all costs and expenditure incurred as well as data necessary or proper for the settlement of accounts between the parties.
3.6  Sale or Purchase of the Vessel
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 10 )
The Managers shall, in accordance with the Owners’ instructions, supervise the sale or purchase of the Vessel, including the performance of any sale or purchase agreement, but not negotiation of the same.
3.7  Provisions ( only applicable if agreed according to Box 11 )
The Manager’s shall arrange for the supply of provisions.
3.8  Bunkering   (only applicable if agreed according to Box 12 )
The Managers shall arrange for the provision of bunker fuel of the quality specified by the Owners as required for the Vessel’s trade.
4.  Managers’ Obligations
4.1   The Managers undertake to use their best endeavours to provide the agreed Management Services as agents for and on behalf of the Owners in accordance with sound ship management practice and to protect and promote the interests of the Owners in all matters relating to the provision of services hereunder.  Provided, however, that the Managers in the performance of their management responsibilities under this Agreement shall be entitled to have regard to their overall responsibility in relation to all vessels as may from time to time be entrusted to their management and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Managers shall be entitled to allocate available supplies, manpower and services in such manner as in the prevailing circumstances the Managers in their absolute discretion consider to be fair and reasonable.
4.2  Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , they shall procure that the requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied and they shall in particular be deemed to be the “Company” as defined by the ISM Code, assuming the responsibility for the operation of the Vessel and taking over the duties and responsibilities imposed by the ISM Code when applicable.
5.  Owners’ Obligations
5.1.   The Owners shall pay all sums due to the Managers punctually in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
5.2.  Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , the Owners shall:
(i)  procure that all officers and ratings supplied by them or on their behalf comply with the requirements of STCW 95;
(ii)  instruct such officers and ratings to obey all reasonable orders of the Managers in connection with the operation of the Managers’ safety system.
5.3  Where the Managers are not providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , the Owners shall procure that the requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied and that they, or such other entity as may be appointed by them and identified to the Managers, shall be deemed to be the “Company” as defined by the ISM Code assuming the responsibility for the operation of the Vessel and taking over the duties and responsibilities imposed by the ISM Code when applicable.
6.  Insurance Policies
The Owners shall procure, whether by instructing the Managers under sub-clause 3.4 or otherwise, that throughout the period of this Agreement:
6.1.  at the Owners’ expense, the Vessel is insured for not less than her sound market value or entered for her full gross tonnage, as the case may be for:
(i)  usual hull and machinery marine risks (including crew negligence) and excess liabilities;
(ii)  protection and indemnity risks (including pollution risks and Crew Insurances); and
(iii)  war risks (including protection and indemnity and crew risks) in accordance with the best practice of prudent owners of vessels of a similar type to the Vessel, with first class insurance companies, underwriters or associations (the “Owners’ Insurances”);
6.2.  all premiums and calls on the Owners’ Insurances are paid promptly by their due date,
6.3.  the Owners’ Insurances name the Managers and, subject to underwriters’ agreement, any third party designated by the Managers as a joint assured, with full cover, with the Owners obtaining cover in respect of each of the insurances specified in sub-clause 6.1 :
(i)  on terms whereby the Managers and any such third party are liable in respect of premiums or calls arising in connection with the Owners’ Insurances; or
(ii)  if reasonably obtainable, on terms such that neither the Managers nor any such third party shall be under any liability in respect of premiums or calls arising in connection with the Owners’ insurances; or
(iii)  on such other terms as may be agreed in writing.
Indicate alternative (i), (ii) or (iii) in Box 14 .  If Box 14 is left blank then (i) applies.
6.4   written evidence is provided, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Managers, of their compliance with their obligations under Clause 6 within a reasonable time of the commencement of the Agreement, and of each renewal date and, if specifically requested, of each payment date of the Owners’ Insurances.
7.  Income Collected and Expenses Paid on Behalf of Owners
7.1   All moneys collected by the Managers under the terms of this Agreement (other than moneys payable by the Owners to the Managers) and any interest thereon shall be held to the credit of the Owners in a separate bank account.
7.2  All expenses incurred by the Managers under the terms of this Agreement on behalf of the Owners (including expenses as provided in Clause 8 ) may be debited against the Owners in the account referred to under sub-clause 7J. but shall in any event remain payable by the Owners to the Managers on demand.
8.  Management Fee
8.1   The Owners shall pay to the Managers for their services as Managers under this Agreement an annual DAILY management fee as stated in Box 15 which shall be payable to equal monthly installments in advance, the first installment being payable on the commencement of this Agreement (see Clause 2 and Box 4 ) and subsequent installments being payable every month.
8.2  The management fee shall be subject to an annual review on the anniversary date of the Agreement and the proposed fee shall be presented in the annual budget referred to in sub-clause 9.1.   Please refer to Annex E (Management Fees)
8.3  The Managers shall, at no extra cost to the Owners, provide their own office accommodation, office staff, facilities and stationery.  Without limiting the generality of Clause 7 the Owners shall reimburse the Managers for postage and communication expenses, traveling expenses, and other out of pocket expenses properly incurred by the Managers in pursuance of


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
the Management Services.
8.4  In the event of the appointment of the Managers being terminated by the Owners or the Managers in accordance with the provisions of Clauses 17 and 18 other than by reason of default by the Managers, or if the Vessel is lost, sold or otherwise disposed of, the “management fee” payable to the Managers according to the provisions of sub- clause 8.1, shall continue to be payable for a further period of three calendar months as from the termination date.  In addition, provided that the Managers provide Crew for the Vessel in accordance with sub-clause 3.1;
( i)  the Owners shall continue to pay Crew Support Costs during the said further period of three calendar months and
( ii)  the Owners shall pay an equitable proportion of any Severance Costs which may materialize, not exceeding the amount stated in Box 16 .
Please refer to Annex E (Management Fees)
8.5  If the Owners decide to lay-up the Vessel whilst this Agreement remains in force and such lay-up lasts for more than three months, an appropriate reduction of the management fee for the period exceeding three months until one month before the Vessel is again put into service shall be mutually agreed between the parties.
8.6  Unless otherwise agreed in writing all discounts and commissions obtained by the Managers in the course of the management of the Vessel shall be credited to the Owners.
9.  Budgets and Management of Funds
The Managers shall present to the Owners annually a budget for the following twelve months in such form as the Owners require.  The budget for the first year hereof is set out in Annex “C” hereto.  Subsequent annual budgets shall be prepared by the Managers and submitted to the Owners not less than three months before the anniversary date of the commencement of this Agreement (see Clause 2 and Box 4).
9.1  The Owners shall indicate to the Managers their acceptance and approval of the annual budget within one month of presentation and in the absence of any such indication the Managers shall be entitled to assume that the Owners have accepted the proposed budget.
9.2  Following the agreement of the budget, the Managers shall prepare and present to the Owners their estimate of the working capital requirement of the Vessel and the Managers shall each month update this estimate, based thereon, the Managers shall each month request the Owners in writing for the funds required to run the Vessel for the ensuing month, including the payment of any occasional or extraordinary item of expenditure, such as emergency repair costs, additional insurance premiums, bunkers or provisions.  Such funds shall be received by the Managers within ten running days after the receipt by the Owners of the Managers’ written request and shall be held to the credit of the Owners in a separate bank account.
9.3  The Managers shall produce a comparison between budgeted and actual income and expenditure of the Vessel in such form as required by the Owners monthly or at such other intervals as mutually agreed.
9.4  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Managers shall in no circumstances be required to use or commit their own funds to finance the provision of the Management Services.
10.  Managers’ Right to Sub-Contract
The Managers shall not have the right to sub-contract any of their obligations hereunder , including those mentioned in sub-clause 3.1 without the prior written consent of the Owners which shall not be unreasonably withheld .  In the event of such a sub- contract the Managers shall remain fully liable for the due performance of their obligations under this Agreement.
11.  Responsibilities
11.1  Force Majeure - Neither the Owners nor the Managers shall be under any liability for any failure to perform any of their obligations thereunder by reason of any cause whatsoever of any nature or kind beyond their reasonable control.
11.2  Liability to Owners - (i)   Without prejudice to sub-clause 11.1, the Managers shall be under no liability whatsoever to the Owners for any loss, damage, delay or expense of whatsoever nature, whether direct or indirect, (including but not limited to loss of profit arising out of or in connection with detention of or delay to the Vessel) and howsoever arising in the course of performance of the Management Services UNLESS same is proved to have resulted from the negligence, gross negligence or willful default of the Managers of their employees, or agents or sub-contractors employed by them in connection with the Vessel, in which case (save where loss, damage, delay or expense has resulted from the Managers’ personal act or omission committed with the intent to cause same or recklessly and with knowledge that such loss, damage, delay or expense would probably result) the Managers’ liability for such incident or series of incidents giving rise to a claim or claims shall never exceed a total of ten times the annual Management Fee payable hereunder.
(ii)  Notwithstanding anything that may appear to the contrary in this Agreement, the Managers shall not be liable for any of the actions of the Crew even if such actions are negligent, grossly negligent or willful, except only to the extent that they are shown to have resulted from a failure to the Managers to discharge their obligations under sub-Clause 3.1, in which case their liability shall be limited in accordance with the terms of this Clause 11 .
11.3  Indemnity - Except to the extent and solely for the amount therein set out that the   Managers would be liable under sub- clause 11.2 , the Owners hereby undertake to keep the Managers and their employees, agents and sub-contractors indemnified and to hold them harmless against all actions, proceedings, claims, demands or liabilities whatsoever or howsoever arising which may be brought against them or incurred or suffered by them arising out of or in connection with the performance of the Agreement, and against and in respect of all costs, losses, damages and expenses (including legal costs and expenses on a full indemnity basis) which the Managers may suffer or incur (either directly or indirectly) in the course of the performance of this Agreement.
11.4  “ Himalaya - It is hereby expressly agreed that no employee or agent of the Managers (including every sub-contractor from time to time employed by the Managers) shall in any circumstances whatsoever be under any liability whatsoever to the Owners for any loss, damage or delay of whatsoever kind arising or resulting directly or indirectly from any act, neglect or default on his party while acting in the course of or in connection with his employment and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions in this Clause 11 , every exemption, limitation, condition and liberty herein contained and every right, exemption from liability, defence and immunity of whatsoever nature applicable to the Managers or to which the Managers are entitled hereunder shall also be available and shall extend to protect every such employee or agent of the Managers acting as aforesaid and for the purpose of all the foregoing provisions of this Clause 11 the Managers are or shall be deemed to be acting as agent or trustee on behalf of and for the benefit of all persons who are or might be their servants or agents from time to time (including sub-contractors as aforesaid) and all such persons shall to this extent be or be deemed to be parties to this Agreement.
12.  Documentation
Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 and/or Crew Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.1, they shall make available,


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
upon Owners’ request, all documentation and records related to the Safety Management System (SMS) and/or the Crew which the Owners need in order to demonstrate compliance with the ISM Code and STCW 95 or to defend a claim against a third party.
13.  General Administration
13.1   The Managers shall handle and settle all claims arising out of the Management Services hereunder and keep the Owners informed regarding any incident of which the Managers become aware which gives or may give rise to claims or disputes involving third parties.
13.2   The Managers shall, as instructed by the Owners, bring or defend actions, suits or proceedings in connection with matters entrusted to the Managers according to this Agreement.
13.3   The Managers shall also have power to obtain legal or technical or other outside expert advice in relation to the handling and settlement of claims and disputes or all other matters affecting the interests of the Owners in respect of the Vessel.
13.4   The Owners shall arrange for the provision of any necessary guarantee bond or other security.
13.5   Any costs reasonably incurred by the Managers in carrying out their obligations according to Clause 13 shall be reimbursed by the Owners.
14.  Auditing
The Managers shall at all times maintain and keep true and correct accounts and shall make the same available for inspection and auditing by the Owners at such times as may be mutually agreed.  On the termination, for whatever reasons, of this Agreement the Managers shall release to the Owners, if so requested, the originals when possible, or otherwise certified copies, of all such accounts and all documents specifically relating to the Vessel and her operation.
15.  Inspection of Vessel
The Owners shall have the right at any time after giving reasonable notice to the Managers to inspect the Vessel for any reason they consider necessary.
16.  Compliance with Laws and Regulations
The Managers will not do or permit to be done anything which might cause any breach or infringement of the laws and regulations of the Vessel’s flag, or of the places where she trades.
17.  Duration of the Agreement
This Agreement shall come into effect on the day and year stated in Box 4 and shall continue until the date stated in Box 17 .  Thereafter it shall continue until terminated by either party giving to the other notice to the Managers in writing, in which event the Agreement shall terminate upon the expiration of a period of two   eighteen months from the date upon which such notice was given.  In case Owners wish to terminate the Agreement earlier than the date stated in Box 17 Owners will pay the Managers all fees as per ANNEX “E” for the remaining period until the date stated in Box 17 .
18.  Termination
18.1  Owners’ default
(i)  The Managers shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing if any moneys payable by the Owners under this Agreement and/or the owners of any associated vessel, details of which are listed in Annex “D” . shall not have been received in the Managers’ nominated account within ten running days of receipt by the Owners of the Managers written request or if the Vessel is repossessed by the Mortgagees.
(ii)  If the Owners:
(a)  fail to meet their obligations under sub- clauses 5.2 and 5.3 of this Agreement for any reason within their control, or
(b)  proceed with the employment of or continue to employ the Vessel in the carriage of contraband, blockade running, or in an unlawful trade, or on a voyage which in the reasonable opinion of the Managers is unduly hazardous or improper, the Managers may give notice of the default to the Owners, requiring them to remedy it as soon as practically possible.  In the event that the Owners fail to remedy it within a reasonable time to the satisfaction of the Managers   the Managers shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing.
18.2  Managers’ Default
If the Managers fail to meet their obligations under Clauses 3 and 4 of this Agreement for any reason within the control of the Managers, the Owners may give notice to the Managers of the default, requiring them to remedy it as soon as practically possible.  In the event that the Managers fail to remedy it within a reasonable time to the satisfaction of the Owners the Owners shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing.
18.3  Extraordinary Termination
This Agreement shall be deemed to be terminated in the case of the sale of the Vessel or if the Vessel becomes a total loss or is declared as a constructive or compromised or arranged total loss or is requisitioned.
18.4   For the purpose of sub-clause 18.3 hereof
(i)  the date upon which the Vessel is to be treated as having been sold or otherwise disposed or shall be the date on which the Owners cease to be registered as Owners of the Vessel;
(ii)  the Vessel shall not be deemed to be lost unless either she has become an actual total loss or agreement has been reached with her underwriters in respect of her constructive, compromised or arranged total loss or if such agreement with her underwriters is not reached it is adjudged by a competent tribunal that a constructive loss of the Vessel has occurred.
18.5   This Agreement shall terminate forthwith in the event of an order being made or resolution passed for the winding up, dissolution, liquidation or bankruptcy of either party (otherwise than for the purpose of reconstruction or amalgamation) or if a receiver is appointed, or it if suspends payment, ceases to carry on business or makes any special arrangement or composition with its creditors.
18.6  The termination of this Agreement shall be without prejudice to all rights accrued due between the parties prior to the date of termination.
18.7   A change of control of either party shall not terminate this Agreement.
19.  Law and Arbitration
19.1   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration in London in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996 or any statutory modification to re-enactment thereof save to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Clause.
The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) Terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
The reference shall be to three arbitrators.  A party wishing to refer a dispute to arbitration shall appoint its arbitrator and send notice of such appointment in writing to the other party requiring the other party to appoint its own arbitrator within 14 calendar days of that notice and stating that it will appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator unless the other party appoints its own arbitrator and gives notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified.  If the other party does not appoint its own arbitrator and give notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified, the party referring a dispute to arbitration may, without the requirement of any further prior


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
notice to the other party, appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator and shall advise the other party accordingly.  The award of a sole arbitrator shall be binding on both parties as if he had been appointed by agreement.
Nothing herein shall prevent the parties agreeing in writing to vary these provisions to provide for the appointment of a sole arbitrator.
In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of USD50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the LMAA Small Claims Procedure current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
19.2   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Title 9 of the United States Code and the Maritime Law of the United States and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to three persons at New York, one to be appointed by each of the parties hereto, and the third by the two so chosen; their decision that of any two of them shall be final, and for the purposes of enforcing any award, judgment may be entered on an award by any court of competent jurisdiction.  The proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc.
In cases where neither the claim not any counterclaim exceeds the sum of USD50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the Shortened Arbitration Procedure of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc, current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
19.3   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the place mutually agreed by the parties and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration at a mutually agreed place, subject to the procedures applicable there.
19.4   If Box 18 in Part I is not appropriately filled in, sub- clause 19.1 of this Clause shall apply.
Note:  19.1 , 19.2 and 19.3 are alternatives; indicate alternative agreed in Box 18 .
20.  Notices
20.1   Any notice to be given by either party to the other party shall be in writing and may be sent by fax, telex, registered or recorded mail or by personal service.
20.2   The address of the Parties for service of such communication shall be as stated in Boxes 19 and 20 , respectively.


Exhibit 4.110
1. Date of Agreement
 
1 st January 2019
 
M/T NORD VALIANT
 
 
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
CODE NAME: "SHIPMAN 98"
Part I
2. Owners (name, place of registered office and law of registry) ( Cl. 1 )
 
3. Managers (name, place of registered office and law of registry) ( Cl. 1 )
         
 
MONTE CARLO LAX SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED
   
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.
 
Name
   
Name
         
 
The Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands
   
The Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands
 
Place of registered office
   
Place of registered office
         
 
Marshall Islands
   
Marshall Islands
 
Law of Registry
   
Law of Registry
         
4. Day and year of commencement of Agreement ( Cl. 2 )
 
1 st January 2019
 
5. Crew Management (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.1 )
 
YES
 
 
6. Technical Management (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.2 )
 
YES
 
7. Insurance (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.3 )
 
YES
 
 
8. Insurance Arrangements (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.4 )
 
YES
 
9. Accounting (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.5 )
 
YES
 
 
10. Sale or purchase of the Vessel (state “yes” or “no” as agreed ( Cl. 3.6 )
 
YES
 
11. Provisions (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.7 )
 
YES
 
 
12. Bunkering (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.8 )
 
YES
 
13. Chartering Services (only to be filled in if “yes” in box 7) ( Cl. 3.3(i) )
 
FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION OF THIS AGREEMENT
 
 
14. Managers’ Insurance (state alternative (i), (ii) or (iii) of Cl. 6.3 )
 
(i)
 
15. Annual Management Fee (state annual amount) ( Cl. 8.1 )
 
AS PER ANNEX “E”
 
 
16. Severance Costs (state maximum amount) ( Cl. 8.4(ii) )
 
AT COST AS PER SEAMEN COLLECTIVE
AGREEMENT
 
17. Day and year of termination of Agreement (Cl. 17)
 
Duration 5 years, automatically renewed.
 
 
18. Law and Arbitration (state alternative 19.1 , 19.2 or 19.3 place of arbitration must be stated) ( Cl. 19 )
 
AT COST AS PER CLAUSE 19.1
 
19. Notices (state postal and cable address, telex and telefax number for serving notice and communication to the Owners ) ( Cl. 25 )
TOP SHIPS INC.
1, Vas.Sofias & Meg. Alexandrou Str.,
15124, Maroussi, Athens, Greece
E-mail : vi@topships.org
Fax      : +30 210 6141 276
 
20. Notices (state postal and cable address, telex and telefax number for serving notice and communication to the Managers ) ( Cl. 20 )
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.
c/o CENTRAL MARE INC.
1, Vas. Sofias & Meg. Alexandrou Str.,
15124, Maroussi, Athens, Greece
E-mail: ops@centralmare.com
Fax     : +30 210 8020 364

It is mutually agreed between the party stated in Box 2 and the party stated in Box 3 that this Agreement consisting of PART I and PART II as well as Annexes "A" (Details of Vessel), "B" (Details of Crew), “C” (Budget), and “D” (Associated Vessels) attached hereto, shall be performed subject to the conditions contained herein.  In the event of a conflict of conditions, the provisions of PART I and Annexes “A” , “B” , “C” and “D” shall prevail over those of PART II to the extent of such conflict but no father.
     
Signature(s) (Owners)
 
/s/ Vangelis Ikonomou
Vangelis Ikonomou
 
 
MONTE CARLO LAX SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED
 
 
Signature(s) (Managers)
 
/s/ Andreas M. Louka
Andreas M. Louka
Attorney-in-fact
 
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.


This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “A” (DETAILS OF VESSEL OR VESSELS) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
   
   
Name of Vessel(s):
M/T NORD VALIANT
   
   
 
Particulars of Vessel:
   
   


TYPE OF VESSEL
Oil and Chemicals
Ship Type IMO 2
HULL TYPE
Double Hull
IMO NUMBER
9697909
FLAG
Liberia
YEAR & PLACE BUILT
2016 at Khanh Hoa, Vietnam
CLASS SOCIETY
ABS
CALL SIGN
D5HN8
LOA, BREADTH, DEPTH
183,06 M / 32,20 M / 19,10 M
SDWT - DRAFT
50,088 MT @ 13.30 M

This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “B” (DETAILS OF CREW) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Details of Crew:
Rank
Number
Nationality
Master
1
Filipino
Chief Officer
1
Filipino
Second Officer
1
Filipino
Third Officer
1
Filipino
Chief Engineer
1
Filipino
Second Engineer
1
Filipino
Third Engineer
1
Filipino
Electrician
1
Filipino
Pumpman
1
Filipino
Bosun
1
Filipino
Able Seaman
3
Filipino
Ordinary Seaman
2
Filipino
Deck Cadet
1
Filipino
Oiler
1
Filipino
Wiper
1
Filipino
Engine Cadet
1
Filipino
Cook
1
Filipino
Mess Boy
2
Filipino
CREW TOTAL
22
 

This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “C” (ANNUAL MANAGEMENT BUDGET)
TO THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Managers Budget in USD effective from the first year of operations.
Hyundai Vinashin Shipyard MR Oil and Chemical Tanker 50,000 DWT
Proposed Budget for first year of operations
Accounts
Code
Crew
Daily Amount
Annual Amount
Annual Summary
68002
CREW AGENTS/SUBMANAGERS EXPENSES
9,86
$3.600
 
68003
CREW AGENTS/SUBMANAGERS FEES
82,19
$30.000
68004
CREW BONUS (TANK CLEANING, VETTING BONUS, ETC)
41,10
$15.000
68014
CREW INDEMNITIES
0,00
$0
68005
CREW COMPULSORY INSURANCE & CREW INSURANCE FOR P&I DEDUCTIBLE
23,29
$8.500
68006
CREW PRE-JOINING MEDICAL EXPS
9,59
$3.500
68021
CREW MISC CLAIMABLE MATTERS
0,00
$0
68007
ADDITIONAL CREW OVERTIME
0,00
$0
08008
CREW SALARIES & FIXED OVERTIME & OWNERS’ CREW BONUS INCLUDING ADDITIONAL OVERLAPPING USD 20,000
2.608,22
$952.000
68009
CREW TRANSPORTATION EXPS
232,88
$85.000
68010
CREW UNIFORMS/WORKING CLOTHES
8,22
$3.000
68011
CREW PRE-JOINING TRAININGS & CREW VARIOUS EXPENSES
296,58
$90.000
$1.271.600
68019
GREEK CREW MEDICAL EXPS
0,00
$0
68018
GREEK CREW MISC EXPS
0,00
$0
68017
GREEK CREW TRANSPORTATION EXPS
0,00
$0
68016
GREEK CREW WAGES
0,00
$0
68012
PROVISIONS
221,92
$81.000
68020
SHIPOWNERS’ CONTRIBUTIONS
0,00
$0
68022
CREW LEAVE PAY
0,00
$0
 
Crew Subtotal
3.483,84
$1.271.600
Accounts
Code
Insurance
 
64001
HULL & MACHINERY
164,38
$60.000
 
64002
INSURANCE LOSS OF HIRE
0,00
$0
69003
WAR RISKS ANNUAL PREMIUM
15,75
$5.750
64004
P&I
136,99
$50.000
65005
FD D
27,40
$10.000
64006
MARINE INTEREST
0,00
$0
64007
PURCHASERS INTEREST INSURANCE
0,00
$0
$125.750
64008
BACK CALLS-(INSURANCE) SUPPLEMENTARY
0,00
$0
 
Insurance Subtotal
344,52
$125.750
Accounts
Code
Repairs and Maintenance
67001
AUX.MACITINERY REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
27,40
$10.000
 
67003
BOILER REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67005
CHEMICALS & GASES
41,10
$15.000
67013
DECK SPARE PARTS - REPAIR/MAINTENANCE
27,40
$10.000
67006
DIESEL GENERATORS - REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67017
MAIN ENGINE REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67008
PAINTS AT SEA
27,40
$10.000
67010
RADIO ROOM NAVIGATION MAINTENANCE
13,70
$5.000
67011
REPAIRS - MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67012
SLOPS & GARBAGE REMOVAL
0,00
$0
67016
SUPER,ENGIN/PORT CPTN OTHER FEES&EXPS
54,79
$20.000
$135.000
67019
VESSELS IT HARDWARE EQUIPMENT
13,70
$5.000
 
Repairs and Maintenance Subtotal
369,86
$135.000
Accounts
Code
Other Vessel Operating Expenses
66010
SAFETY ITEMS
27,40
$10.000
 
68001
CABIN STORES - ACCOMODATION
27,40
$10.000
68015
GALLEY-KITCHEN EQUIPMENT
13,70
$5.000
68013
WATER SUPPLY
13,70
$5.000
66002
ACCRUALS-OPERATING EXPS
0,00
$0
66001
APPROVAL-SUITABILITY INSPECTIONS
54,79
$20.000
66004
CHARTS/N.PUBLICATIONS
27,40
$10.000
66023
CLASS AND STATUT CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
41,10
$15.000
66005
CLEARING/FORWARDING EXPS
109,59
$40.000
66006
DECK STORES
95,89
$35.000
66007
ELECTR. DEPT-STORES
27,40
$10.000
$348.000
66008
ENGINE STORES
68,49
$25.000
66022
FLAG CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
10,96
$4.000
66026
OTHER CONSULTANCY DOCUMENTATION SERVICES
13,70
$5.000
66021
PORT DUES RELATED TO PROTECTING AGENTS
13,70
$5.000
66018
PROTECTING AGENTS FEES/EXPENSES
13,70
$5.000
66027
QUALITY DPT CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
68,49
$25.000
66024
SAFETY EQUIP MAR CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
27,40
$10.000
66025
SAFETY EQUIP TEC CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
27,40
$10.000
66011
STATIONERY EXPS
27,40
$10.000
66019
SUBSCRIPTIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
13,70
$5.000
66020
TECHNICAL CONSULTANCY DOCUMENTATION SERV
13,70
$5.000
66012
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
134,25
$49.000
66013
TONNAGE TAX
54,79
$20.000
66014
VARIOUS EXPS
27,40
$10.000
 
Other Vessel Operating Expenses Subtotal
953,42
$348.000
66009
Lubricants
438,36
$160.000
$160.000
Accounts
Code
Spares
67002
AUX.MACHINERY SPARE PARTS
41,10
$15.000
 
67004
BOILER SPARES
27,40
$10.000
67014
DECK SPARE PARTS
41,10
$15.000
67007
DIESEL GENERATORS SPARE PARTS
27,40
$10.000
67015
MAIN ENGINE SPARE PARTS
41,10
$15.000
$70.000
67009
RADIO ROOM NAVIGATION-EQUIPMENT SPARES
13,70
$5.000
 
Spares Subtotal
191,78
$70.000
 
Extraordinary Expenses
0,00
   
 
Less corresponding claims
0,00
 
 
TOTAL OPEX WITHOUT DD EXPENSES
 
$2.135.350



 
DAILY OPEX WITHOUT DD EXPENSES
 
$5.850
 
 
DO Adjustments (5y / 2.5y amortization)
0,00
 
$5. 850
 
TOTAL OPEX WITH DD EXPENSE
5.850,27
$2.135,350
 
DAILY OPEX WITH DD EXPENSES
 
$5.850






























This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “D” (ASSOCIATED VESSELS) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

NOTE: PARTIES SHOULD BE AWARE THAT BY COMPLETING THIS ANNEX “D” THEY WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SUB-CLAUSE 18.1(i) OF THIS AGREEMENT.
Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Details of Associated Vessels:
M/T NORD VALIANT
 
 
 
 
 
 










This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX E (Management Fees)
Duration of Contract Five
(5) years, automatically renewed.
   
Services and Relevant Fees:
USD 550 per day per vessel for Technical and Commercial, Crew Management, Insurance, Provisions and Bunkering.  Applicable 3 months prior delivery from the yard.
 
Accounting, Reporting, Legal and Administrative Services at cost.
     
Fee Annual Increase:
Based on total percentage increase in the U.S. Consumer Price Index over the previous year, but not less than 2% and not more than 5%.
   
Commission on all hires / gross freight / demurrage:
1.25%
   
Sales and Purchase Commission:
1% of the Sale or the Purchase Price or the Contract Price of the Newbuilding Contract.
   
N/B Construction – Supervision Fee:
7% of actual cost.
   
Managers’ Superintendent’s Fee beyond 10 days per annum:
USD 500 per day, plus actual expenses.
   
Notice of Termination:
18 months
   
Termination Fees:
Fees for 12 months.

1.
Manager shall be entitled to receive additional remuneration for any increase in administrative costs and expenses resulting from the introduction of a new, or a change in the interpretation of applicable laws and regulations, or concerning ship management services.
2.
Owners to pay the deductible of any insurance claim relating to the vessels, or for any claim that is within such deductible range.  All insurance related rebates to be for the benefit of the Manager.
3.
Owners to pay any tax, dues, or ransom in a case of piracy, or fines imposed on vessel or Manager, due to the operation of the vessel.
4.
The above management fees are agreed on the basis of the number of the associated vessels as per ANNEX D of this agreement.


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
1.  Definitions
In this Agreement save where the context otherwise requires, the following words and expressions shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them.
" Owners " mean the party identified in Box. 2 .
" Managers " mean the party identified in Box 3 .
" Vessel " means the vessel or vessels details of which are set out in Annex "A" attached hereto.
" Crew " means the Master, officers and ratings of the   numbers, rank and nationality specified in Annex “B” attached hereto.
" Crew Support Costs " means all expenses of a general nature which are not particularly referable to any individual vessel for the time being managed by the Managers and which are incurred by the Managers for the purpose of providing an efficient and economic management service and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, shall include the cost of crew standby pay, training schemes for officers and ratings, cadet training schemes, sick pay, recruitment and interviews.
" Severance Costs " means the costs which the employers are legally obliged to pay to or in respect of the Crew as a result of the early termination of any employment contract for service on the Vessel.
" Crew Insurances " means insurances against crew risks which shall include but not limited to death, sickness, repatriation, injury, shipwreck unemployment indemnity and loss of personal effects.
" Management Services " means the services specified in sub-clauses 3.1 to 3.8 as indicated affirmatively in Boxes 5 to 12.
" ISM Code " means the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention as adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) by resolution A.741(18) or any subsequent amendment thereto.
" STCW 95 " means the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended in 1995 or any subsequent amendment thereto.
2.  Appointment of Mangers
With effect from the day and year stated in Box 4 and continuing unless and until terminated as provided herein, the Owners hereby appoint the Managers and the Managers hereby agree to act as the Managers of the Vessel.
3.  Basis of Agreement
Subject to terms and conditions herein provided, during the period of this Agreement, the Managers shall carry out Management Services in respect of the Vessel as agents for and on behalf of the Owners.  The Managers shall have authority to take such actions as they may from time to time in their absolute discretion consider to be necessary to enable them to perform this Agreement in accordance with sound ship management practice.
3.1  Crew Management
( only applicable if agreed according to   Box 5 )
The Managers shall provide suitably qualified Crew for the Vessel as required by the Owners in accordance with the STCW 95 requirements, provision of which includes but it is not limited to the following functions:
(i)  selecting and engaging the Vessel's Crew, including payroll arrangements, pension administration, and insurances for the Crew other than those mentioned in Clause 6 ;
(ii)  ensuring that the applicable requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied in respect of manning levels, rank, qualification and certification of the Crew and employment regulations including Crew's tax, social insurance, discipline and other requirements;
(iii)  ensuring that all members of the Crew have passed a medical examination with a qualified doctor certifying that they are fit for the duties for which they are engaged and are in possession of valid medical certificates issued in accordance with appropriate flag State requirements.  In the absence of applicable flag State requirements the medical certificate shall be dated not more than three months prior to the respective Crew members leaving their country of domicile and maintained for the duration of their service on board the Vessel;
(iv)  ensuring that the Crew shall have a command of the English language of a sufficient standard to enable them to perform their duties safely;
(v)  arranging transportation of the Crew, including repatriation;
(vi)  training the Crew and supervising their efficiency;
(vii)  conducting union negotiations;
(viii)   operating the Managers' drug and alcohol policy unless otherwise agreed.
3.2  Technical Management
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 6 )
The Managers shall provide technical management which includes, but is not limited to, the following functions:
(i)  provision of competent personnel to supervise the maintenance and general efficiency of the Vessel;
(ii)  arrangement and supervision of dry dockings, repairs, alterations and the upkeep of the Vessel to the standards required by the Owners provided that the Managers shall be entitled to incur the necessary expenditure to ensure that the Vessel will comply with the law of the flag of the Vessel and of the places where she trades, and all requirements and recommendations of the classification society;
(iii)  arrangement of the supply of necessary stores, spares and lubricating oil;
(iv)  appointment of surveyors and technical consultants as the Managers may consider from time to time to be necessary;
(v)  development, implementation and maintenance of a Safety Management System (SMS) in accordance with the ISM Code (see sub-clauses 4,2 and 5;3).
3.3  Commercial Management
( only applicable if agreed according to   Box 7 )
The Managers shall provide the commercial operation of the Vessel, as required by the Owners, which includes, but is not limited to, the following functions:
(i)  providing chartering services in accordance with the Owners’ instructions which include, but are not limited to, seeking and negotiating employment for the Vessel and the conclusion (including the execution thereof) of charter parties or other contracts relating to the employment of the Vessel.  If such a contract exceeds twelve months in duration the period stated in Box 13 . consent thereto in writing shall first be obtained from the Owners.
(ii)  arranging of the proper payment to Owners or their nominees of all hire and/or freight revenues or other moneys of whatsoever mature to which Owners may be entitled arising out of the employment of or otherwise in connection with the Vessel.
(iii)  providing voyage estimates and accounts and calculating of hire, freights, demurrage and/or despatch moneys due from or due to the charterers of the Vessel;
(iv)  issuing of voyage instructions;
(v)  appointing agents;
(vi)  appointing stevedores;
(vii)  arranging surveys associated with the commercial operation of the Vessel.
3.4  Insurance Arrangements
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 8 )
The Managers shall arrange insurances in accordance with Clause 6, on such terms and conditions as the Owners shall have instructed or agreed, in particular regarding conditions,


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“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
insured values, deductibles and franchises.
3.5  Accounting Services
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 9 )
The Managers shall
(i)  establish an accounting system which meets the requirements of the Owners and provide regular accounting services, supply regular reports and records,
(ii)  maintain the records of all costs and expenditure incurred as well as data necessary or proper for the settlement of accounts between the parties.
3.6  Sale or Purchase of the Vessel
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 10 )
The Managers shall, in accordance with the Owners’ instructions, supervise the sale or purchase of the Vessel, including the performance of any sale or purchase agreement, but not negotiation of the same.
3.7  Provisions ( only applicable if agreed according to Box 11 )
The Manager’s shall arrange for the supply of provisions.
3.8  Bunkering   (only applicable if agreed according to Box 12 )
The Managers shall arrange for the provision of bunker fuel of the quality specified by the Owners as required for the Vessel’s trade.
4.  Managers’ Obligations
4.1   The Managers undertake to use their best endeavours to provide the agreed Management Services as agents for and on behalf of the Owners in accordance with sound ship management practice and to protect and promote the interests of the Owners in all matters relating to the provision of services hereunder.  Provided, however, that the Managers in the performance of their management responsibilities under this Agreement shall be entitled to have regard to their overall responsibility in relation to all vessels as may from time to time be entrusted to their management and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Managers shall be entitled to allocate available supplies, manpower and services in such manner as in the prevailing circumstances the Managers in their absolute discretion consider to be fair and reasonable.
4.2  Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , they shall procure that the requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied and they shall in particular be deemed to be the “Company” as defined by the ISM Code, assuming the responsibility for the operation of the Vessel and taking over the duties and responsibilities imposed by the ISM Code when applicable.
5.  Owners’ Obligations
5.1.   The Owners shall pay all sums due to the Managers punctually in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
5.2.  Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , the Owners shall:
(i)  procure that all officers and ratings supplied by them or on their behalf comply with the requirements of STCW 95;
(ii)  instruct such officers and ratings to obey all reasonable orders of the Managers in connection with the operation of the Managers’ safety system.
5.3  Where the Managers are not providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , the Owners shall procure that the requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied and that they, or such other entity as may be appointed by them and identified to the Managers, shall be deemed to be the “Company” as defined by the ISM Code assuming the responsibility for the operation of the Vessel and taking over the duties and responsibilities imposed by the ISM Code when applicable.
6.  Insurance Policies
The Owners shall procure, whether by instructing the Managers under sub-clause 3.4 or otherwise, that throughout the period of this Agreement:
6.1.  at the Owners’ expense, the Vessel is insured for not less than her sound market value or entered for her full gross tonnage, as the case may be for:
(i)  usual hull and machinery marine risks (including crew negligence) and excess liabilities;
(ii)  protection and indemnity risks (including pollution risks and Crew Insurances); and
(iii)  war risks (including protection and indemnity and crew risks) in accordance with the best practice of prudent owners of vessels of a similar type to the Vessel, with first class insurance companies, underwriters or associations (the “Owners’ Insurances”);
6.2.  all premiums and calls on the Owners’ Insurances are paid promptly by their due date,
6.3.  the Owners’ Insurances name the Managers and, subject to underwriters’ agreement, any third party designated by the Managers as a joint assured, with full cover, with the Owners obtaining cover in respect of each of the insurances specified in sub-clause 6.1 :
(i)  on terms whereby the Managers and any such third party are liable in respect of premiums or calls arising in connection with the Owners’ Insurances; or
(ii)  if reasonably obtainable, on terms such that neither the Managers nor any such third party shall be under any liability in respect of premiums or calls arising in connection with the Owners’ insurances; or
(iii)  on such other terms as may be agreed in writing.
Indicate alternative (i), (ii) or (iii) in Box 14 .  If Box 14 is left blank then (i) applies.
6.4   written evidence is provided, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Managers, of their compliance with their obligations under Clause 6 within a reasonable time of the commencement of the Agreement, and of each renewal date and, if specifically requested, of each payment date of the Owners’ Insurances.
7.  Income Collected and Expenses Paid on Behalf of Owners
7.1   All moneys collected by the Managers under the terms of this Agreement (other than moneys payable by the Owners to the Managers) and any interest thereon shall be held to the credit of the Owners in a separate bank account.
7.2  All expenses incurred by the Managers under the terms of this Agreement on behalf of the Owners (including expenses as provided in Clause 8 ) may be debited against the Owners in the account referred to under sub-clause 7J. but shall in any event remain payable by the Owners to the Managers on demand.
8.  Management Fee
8.1   The Owners shall pay to the Managers for their services as Managers under this Agreement an annual DAILY management fee as stated in Box 15 which shall be payable to equal monthly installments in advance, the first installment being payable on the commencement of this Agreement (see Clause 2 and Box 4 ) and subsequent installments being payable every month.
8.2  The management fee shall be subject to an annual review on the anniversary date of the Agreement and the proposed fee shall be presented in the annual budget referred to in sub-clause 9.1.   Please refer to Annex E (Management Fees)
8.3  The Managers shall, at no extra cost to the Owners, provide their own office accommodation, office staff, facilities and stationery.  Without limiting the generality of Clause 7 the Owners shall reimburse the Managers for postage and communication expenses, traveling expenses, and other out of pocket expenses properly incurred by the Managers in pursuance of


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“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
the Management Services.
8.4  In the event of the appointment of the Managers being terminated by the Owners or the Managers in accordance with the provisions of Clauses 17 and 18 other than by reason of default by the Managers, or if the Vessel is lost, sold or otherwise disposed of, the “management fee” payable to the Managers according to the provisions of sub- clause 8.1, shall continue to be payable for a further period of three calendar months as from the termination date.  In addition, provided that the Managers provide Crew for the Vessel in accordance with sub-clause 3.1;
( i)  the Owners shall continue to pay Crew Support Costs during the said further period of three calendar months and
( ii)  the Owners shall pay an equitable proportion of any Severance Costs which may materialize, not exceeding the amount stated in Box 16 .
Please refer to Annex E (Management Fees)
8.5  If the Owners decide to lay-up the Vessel whilst this Agreement remains in force and such lay-up lasts for more than three months, an appropriate reduction of the management fee for the period exceeding three months until one month before the Vessel is again put into service shall be mutually agreed between the parties.
8.6  Unless otherwise agreed in writing all discounts and commissions obtained by the Managers in the course of the management of the Vessel shall be credited to the Owners.
9.  Budgets and Management of Funds
The Managers shall present to the Owners annually a budget for the following twelve months in such form as the Owners require.  The budget for the first year hereof is set out in Annex “C” hereto.  Subsequent annual budgets shall be prepared by the Managers and submitted to the Owners not less than three months before the anniversary date of the commencement of this Agreement (see Clause 2 and Box 4).
9.1  The Owners shall indicate to the Managers their acceptance and approval of the annual budget within one month of presentation and in the absence of any such indication the Managers shall be entitled to assume that the Owners have accepted the proposed budget.
9.2  Following the agreement of the budget, the Managers shall prepare and present to the Owners their estimate of the working capital requirement of the Vessel and the Managers shall each month update this estimate, based thereon, the Managers shall each month request the Owners in writing for the funds required to run the Vessel for the ensuing month, including the payment of any occasional or extraordinary item of expenditure, such as emergency repair costs, additional insurance premiums, bunkers or provisions.  Such funds shall be received by the Managers within ten running days after the receipt by the Owners of the Managers’ written request and shall be held to the credit of the Owners in a separate bank account.
9.3  The Managers shall produce a comparison between budgeted and actual income and expenditure of the Vessel in such form as required by the Owners monthly or at such other intervals as mutually agreed.
9.4  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Managers shall in no circumstances be required to use or commit their own funds to finance the provision of the Management Services.
10.  Managers’ Right to Sub-Contract
The Managers shall not have the right to sub-contract any of their obligations hereunder , including those mentioned in sub-clause 3.1 without the prior written consent of the Owners which shall not be unreasonably withheld .  In the event of such a sub- contract the Managers shall remain fully liable for the due performance of their obligations under this Agreement.
11.  Responsibilities
11.1  Force Majeure - Neither the Owners nor the Managers shall be under any liability for any failure to perform any of their obligations thereunder by reason of any cause whatsoever of any nature or kind beyond their reasonable control.
11.2  Liability to Owners - (i)   Without prejudice to sub-clause 11.1, the Managers shall be under no liability whatsoever to the Owners for any loss, damage, delay or expense of whatsoever nature, whether direct or indirect, (including but not limited to loss of profit arising out of or in connection with detention of or delay to the Vessel) and howsoever arising in the course of performance of the Management Services UNLESS same is proved to have resulted from the negligence, gross negligence or willful default of the Managers of their employees, or agents or sub-contractors employed by them in connection with the Vessel, in which case (save where loss, damage, delay or expense has resulted from the Managers’ personal act or omission committed with the intent to cause same or recklessly and with knowledge that such loss, damage, delay or expense would probably result) the Managers’ liability for such incident or series of incidents giving rise to a claim or claims shall never exceed a total of ten times the annual Management Fee payable hereunder.
(ii)  Notwithstanding anything that may appear to the contrary in this Agreement, the Managers shall not be liable for any of the actions of the Crew even if such actions are negligent, grossly negligent or willful, except only to the extent that they are shown to have resulted from a failure to the Managers to discharge their obligations under sub-Clause 3.1, in which case their liability shall be limited in accordance with the terms of this Clause 11 .
11.3  Indemnity - Except to the extent and solely for the amount therein set out that the   Managers would be liable under sub- clause 11.2 , the Owners hereby undertake to keep the Managers and their employees, agents and sub-contractors indemnified and to hold them harmless against all actions, proceedings, claims, demands or liabilities whatsoever or howsoever arising which may be brought against them or incurred or suffered by them arising out of or in connection with the performance of the Agreement, and against and in respect of all costs, losses, damages and expenses (including legal costs and expenses on a full indemnity basis) which the Managers may suffer or incur (either directly or indirectly) in the course of the performance of this Agreement.
11.4  “ Himalaya - It is hereby expressly agreed that no employee or agent of the Managers (including every sub-contractor from time to time employed by the Managers) shall in any circumstances whatsoever be under any liability whatsoever to the Owners for any loss, damage or delay of whatsoever kind arising or resulting directly or indirectly from any act, neglect or default on his party while acting in the course of or in connection with his employment and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions in this Clause 11 , every exemption, limitation, condition and liberty herein contained and every right, exemption from liability, defence and immunity of whatsoever nature applicable to the Managers or to which the Managers are entitled hereunder shall also be available and shall extend to protect every such employee or agent of the Managers acting as aforesaid and for the purpose of all the foregoing provisions of this Clause 11 the Managers are or shall be deemed to be acting as agent or trustee on behalf of and for the benefit of all persons who are or might be their servants or agents from time to time (including sub-contractors as aforesaid) and all such persons shall to this extent be or be deemed to be parties to this Agreement.
12.  Documentation
Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 and/or Crew Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.1, they shall make available,


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“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
upon Owners’ request, all documentation and records related to the Safety Management System (SMS) and/or the Crew which the Owners need in order to demonstrate compliance with the ISM Code and STCW 95 or to defend a claim against a third party.
13.  General Administration
13.1   The Managers shall handle and settle all claims arising out of the Management Services hereunder and keep the Owners informed regarding any incident of which the Managers become aware which gives or may give rise to claims or disputes involving third parties.
13.2   The Managers shall, as instructed by the Owners, bring or defend actions, suits or proceedings in connection with matters entrusted to the Managers according to this Agreement.
13.3   The Managers shall also have power to obtain legal or technical or other outside expert advice in relation to the handling and settlement of claims and disputes or all other matters affecting the interests of the Owners in respect of the Vessel.
13.4   The Owners shall arrange for the provision of any necessary guarantee bond or other security.
13.5   Any costs reasonably incurred by the Managers in carrying out their obligations according to Clause 13 shall be reimbursed by the Owners.
14.  Auditing
The Managers shall at all times maintain and keep true and correct accounts and shall make the same available for inspection and auditing by the Owners at such times as may be mutually agreed.  On the termination, for whatever reasons, of this Agreement the Managers shall release to the Owners, if so requested, the originals when possible, or otherwise certified copies, of all such accounts and all documents specifically relating to the Vessel and her operation.
15.  Inspection of Vessel
The Owners shall have the right at any time after giving reasonable notice to the Managers to inspect the Vessel for any reason they consider necessary.
16.  Compliance with Laws and Regulations
The Managers will not do or permit to be done anything which might cause any breach or infringement of the laws and regulations of the Vessel’s flag, or of the places where she trades.
17.  Duration of the Agreement
This Agreement shall come into effect on the day and year stated in Box 4 and shall continue until the date stated in Box 17 .  Thereafter it shall continue until terminated by either party giving to the other notice to the Managers in writing, in which event the Agreement shall terminate upon the expiration of a period of two   eighteen months from the date upon which such notice was given.  In case Owners wish to terminate the Agreement earlier than the date stated in Box 17 Owners will pay the Managers all fees as per ANNEX “E” for the remaining period until the date stated in Box 17 .
18.  Termination
18.1  Owners’ default
(i)  The Managers shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing if any moneys payable by the Owners under this Agreement and/or the owners of any associated vessel, details of which are listed in Annex “D” . shall not have been received in the Managers’ nominated account within ten running days of receipt by the Owners of the Managers written request or if the Vessel is repossessed by the Mortgagees.
(ii)  If the Owners:
(a)  fail to meet their obligations under sub- clauses 5.2 and 5.3 of this Agreement for any reason within their control, or
(b)  proceed with the employment of or continue to employ the Vessel in the carriage of contraband, blockade running, or in an unlawful trade, or on a voyage which in the reasonable opinion of the Managers is unduly hazardous or improper, the Managers may give notice of the default to the Owners, requiring them to remedy it as soon as practically possible.  In the event that the Owners fail to remedy it within a reasonable time to the satisfaction of the Managers   the Managers shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing.
18.2  Managers’ Default
If the Managers fail to meet their obligations under Clauses 3 and 4 of this Agreement for any reason within the control of the Managers, the Owners may give notice to the Managers of the default, requiring them to remedy it as soon as practically possible.  In the event that the Managers fail to remedy it within a reasonable time to the satisfaction of the Owners the Owners shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing.
18.3  Extraordinary Termination
This Agreement shall be deemed to be terminated in the case of the sale of the Vessel or if the Vessel becomes a total loss or is declared as a constructive or compromised or arranged total loss or is requisitioned.
18.4   For the purpose of sub-clause 18.3 hereof
(i)  the date upon which the Vessel is to be treated as having been sold or otherwise disposed or shall be the date on which the Owners cease to be registered as Owners of the Vessel;
(ii)  the Vessel shall not be deemed to be lost unless either she has become an actual total loss or agreement has been reached with her underwriters in respect of her constructive, compromised or arranged total loss or if such agreement with her underwriters is not reached it is adjudged by a competent tribunal that a constructive loss of the Vessel has occurred.
18.5   This Agreement shall terminate forthwith in the event of an order being made or resolution passed for the winding up, dissolution, liquidation or bankruptcy of either party (otherwise than for the purpose of reconstruction or amalgamation) or if a receiver is appointed, or it if suspends payment, ceases to carry on business or makes any special arrangement or composition with its creditors.
18.6  The termination of this Agreement shall be without prejudice to all rights accrued due between the parties prior to the date of termination.
18.7   A change of control of either party shall not terminate this Agreement.
19.  Law and Arbitration
19.1   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration in London in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996 or any statutory modification to re-enactment thereof save to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Clause.
The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) Terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
The reference shall be to three arbitrators.  A party wishing to refer a dispute to arbitration shall appoint its arbitrator and send notice of such appointment in writing to the other party requiring the other party to appoint its own arbitrator within 14 calendar days of that notice and stating that it will appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator unless the other party appoints its own arbitrator and gives notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified.  If the other party does not appoint its own arbitrator and give notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified, the party referring a dispute to arbitration may, without the requirement of any further prior


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“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
notice to the other party, appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator and shall advise the other party accordingly.  The award of a sole arbitrator shall be binding on both parties as if he had been appointed by agreement.
Nothing herein shall prevent the parties agreeing in writing to vary these provisions to provide for the appointment of a sole arbitrator.
In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of USD50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the LMAA Small Claims Procedure current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
19.2   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Title 9 of the United States Code and the Maritime Law of the United States and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to three persons at New York, one to be appointed by each of the parties hereto, and the third by the two so chosen; their decision that of any two of them shall be final, and for the purposes of enforcing any award, judgment may be entered on an award by any court of competent jurisdiction.  The proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc.
In cases where neither the claim not any counterclaim exceeds the sum of USD50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the Shortened Arbitration Procedure of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc, current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
19.3   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the place mutually agreed by the parties and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration at a mutually agreed place, subject to the procedures applicable there.
19.4   If Box 18 in Part I is not appropriately filled in, sub- clause 19.1 of this Clause shall apply.
Note:  19.1 , 19.2 and 19.3 are alternatives; indicate alternative agreed in Box 18 .
20.  Notices
20.1   Any notice to be given by either party to the other party shall be in writing and may be sent by fax, telex, registered or recorded mail or by personal service.
20.2   The address of the Parties for service of such communication shall be as stated in Boxes 19 and 20 , respectively.

Exhibit 4.111
1. Date of Agreement
 
1 st January 2019
 
M/T ECO CALIFORNIA

 
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
CODE NAME: "SHIPMAN 98"
Part I
2. Owners (name, place of registered office and law of registry) ( Cl. 1 )
 
3. Managers (name, place of registered office and law of registry) ( Cl. 1 )
         
 
PCH77 SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED
   
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.
 
Name
   
Name
         
 
The Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands
   
The Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands
 
Place of registered office
   
Place of registered office
         
 
Marshall Islands
   
Marshall Islands
 
Law of Registry
   
Law of Registry
         
4. Day and year of commencement of Agreement ( Cl. 2 )
 
1 st January 2019
 
5. Crew Management (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.1 )
 
YES
 
 
6. Technical Management (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.2 )
 
YES
 
7. Insurance (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.3 )
 
YES
 
 
8. Insurance Arrangements (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.4 )
 
YES
 
9. Accounting (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.5 )
 
YES
 
 
10. Sale or purchase of the Vessel (state “yes” or “no” as agreed ( Cl. 3.6 )
 
YES
 
11. Provisions (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.7 )
 
YES
 
 
12. Bunkering (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.8 )
 
YES
 
13. Chartering Services (only to be filled in if “yes” in box 7) ( Cl. 3.3(i) )
 
FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION OF THIS AGREEMENT
 
 
14. Managers’ Insurance (state alternative (i), (ii) or (iii) of Cl. 6.3 )
 
(i)
 
15. Annual Management Fee (state annual amount) ( Cl. 8.1 )
 
AS PER ANNEX “E”
 
 
16. Severance Costs (state maximum amount) ( Cl. 8.4(ii) )
 
AT COST AS PER SEAMEN COLLECTIVE
AGREEMENT
 
17. Day and year of termination of Agreement (Cl. 17)
 
Duration 5 years, automatically renewed.
 
 
18. Law and Arbitration (state alternative 19.1 , 19.2 or 19.3 place of arbitration must be stated) ( Cl. 19 )
 
AT COST AS PER CLAUSE 19.1
 
19. Notices (state postal and cable address, telex and telefax number for serving notice and communication to the Owners ) ( Cl. 25 )
TOP SHIPS INC.
1, Vas.Sofias & Meg. Alexandrou Str.,
15124, Maroussi, Athens, Greece
E-mail : vi@topships.org
Fax      : +30 210 6141 276
 
20. Notices (state postal and cable address, telex and telefax number for serving notice and communication to the Managers ) ( Cl. 20 )
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.
c/o CENTRAL MARE INC.
1, Vas. Sofias & Meg. Alexandrou Str.,
15124, Maroussi, Athens, Greece
E-mail: ops@centralmare.com
Fax     : +30 210 8020 364

It is mutually agreed between the party stated in Box 2 and the party stated in Box 3 that this Agreement consisting of PART I and PART II as well as Annexes "A" (Details of Vessel), "B" (Details of Crew), “C” (Budget), and “D” (Associated Vessels) attached hereto, shall be performed subject to the conditions contained herein.  In the event of a conflict of conditions, the provisions of PART I and Annexes “A” , “B” , “C” and “D” shall prevail over those of PART II to the extent of such conflict but no father.
     
Signature(s) (Owners)
 
/s/ Vangelis Ikonomou
Vangelis Ikonomou
 
 
PCH77 SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED
 
 
 
Signature(s) (Managers)
 
/s/ Andreas M. Louka
Andreas M. Louka
Attorney-in-fact
 
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.


This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “A” (DETAILS OF VESSEL OR VESSELS) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
   
   
Name of Vessel(s):
M/T ECO CALIFORNIA
   
   
 
Particulars of Vessel:
   
   


TYPE OF VESSEL
Oil and Chemicals
Ship Type 2 & 3
HULL TYPE
Double Hull
IMO NUMBER
9843780
FLAG
Marshall Islands
YEAR & PLACE BUILT
2019 at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, Ulsan, Korea
CLASS SOCIETY
DNV-GL
CALL SIGN
V7A2010
LOA, BREADTH, DEPTH
183.00 M / 32.20 M / 19.10 M
SDWT - DRAFT
49,879 MT @ 13.30 M

This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “B” (DETAILS OF CREW) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Details of Crew:
Rank
Number
Nationality
Master
1
Filipino
Chief Officer
1
Filipino
Second Officer
1
Filipino
Third Officer
1
Filipino
Chief Engineer
1
Filipino
Second Engineer
1
Filipino
Third Engineer
1
Filipino
Electrician
1
Filipino
Pumpman
1
Filipino
Bosun
1
Filipino
Able Seaman
3
Filipino
Ordinary Seaman
2
Filipino
Deck Cadet
1
Filipino
Oiler
1
Filipino
Wiper
1
Filipino
Engine Cadet
1
Filipino
Cook
1
Filipino
Mess Boy
2
Filipino
CREW TOTAL
22
 

This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “C” (ANNUAL MANAGEMENT BUDGET)
TO THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Managers Budget in USD effective from the first year of operations.
Hyundai Vinashin Shipyard MR Oil and Chemical Tanker 50,000 DWT
Proposed Budget for first year of operations
Accounts
Code
Crew
Daily Amount
Annual Amount
Annual Summary
68002
CREW AGENTS/SUBMANAGERS EXPENSES
9,86
$3.600
 
68003
CREW AGENTS/SUBMANAGERS FEES
82,19
$30.000
68004
CREW BONUS (TANK CLEANING, VETTING BONUS, ETC)
41,10
$15.000
68014
CREW INDEMNITIES
0,00
$0
68005
CREW COMPULSORY INSURANCE & CREW INSURANCE FOR P&I DEDUCTIBLE
23,29
$8.500
68006
CREW PRE-JOINING MEDICAL EXPS
9,59
$3.500
68021
CREW MISC CLAIMABLE MATTERS
0,00
$0
68007
ADDITIONAL CREW OVERTIME
0,00
$0
08008
CREW SALARIES & FIXED OVERTIME & OWNERS’ CREW BONUS INCLUDING ADDITIONAL OVERLAPPING USD 20,000
2.608,22
$952.000
68009
CREW TRANSPORTATION EXPS
232,88
$85.000
68010
CREW UNIFORMS/WORKING CLOTHES
8,22
$3.000
68011
CREW PRE-JOINING TRAININGS & CREW VARIOUS EXPENSES
296,58
$90.000
$1.271.600
68019
GREEK CREW MEDICAL EXPS
0,00
$0
68018
GREEK CREW MISC EXPS
0,00
$0
68017
GREEK CREW TRANSPORTATION EXPS
0,00
$0
68016
GREEK CREW WAGES
0,00
$0
68012
PROVISIONS
221,92
$81.000
68020
SHIPOWNERS’ CONTRIBUTIONS
0,00
$0
68022
CREW LEAVE PAY
0,00
$0
 
Crew Subtotal
3.483,84
$1.271.600
Accounts
Code
Insurance
 
64001
HULL & MACHINERY
164,38
$60.000
 
64002
INSURANCE LOSS OF HIRE
0,00
$0
69003
WAR RISKS ANNUAL PREMIUM
15,75
$5.750
64004
P&I
136,99
$50.000
65005
FD D
27,40
$10.000
64006
MARINE INTEREST
0,00
$0
64007
PURCHASERS INTEREST INSURANCE
0,00
$0
$125.750
64008
BACK CALLS-(INSURANCE) SUPPLEMENTARY
0,00
$0
 
Insurance Subtotal
344,52
$125.750
Accounts
Code
Repairs and Maintenance
67001
AUX.MACITINERY REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
27,40
$10.000
 
67003
BOILER REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67005
CHEMICALS & GASES
41,10
$15.000
67013
DECK SPARE PARTS - REPAIR/MAINTENANCE
27,40
$10.000
67006
DIESEL GENERATORS - REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67017
MAIN ENGINE REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67008
PAINTS AT SEA
27,40
$10.000
67010
RADIO ROOM NAVIGATION MAINTENANCE
13,70
$5.000
67011
REPAIRS - MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67012
SLOPS & GARBAGE REMOVAL
0,00
$0
67016
SUPER,ENGIN/PORT CPTN OTHER FEES&EXPS
54,79
$20.000
$135.000
67019
VESSELS IT HARDWARE EQUIPMENT
13,70
$5.000
 
Repairs and Maintenance Subtotal
369,86
$135.000
Accounts
Code
Other Vessel Operating Expenses
66010
SAFETY ITEMS
27,40
$10.000
 
68001
CABIN STORES - ACCOMODATION
27,40
$10.000
68015
GALLEY-KITCHEN EQUIPMENT
13,70
$5.000
68013
WATER SUPPLY
13,70
$5.000
66002
ACCRUALS-OPERATING EXPS
0,00
$0
66001
APPROVAL-SUITABILITY INSPECTIONS
54,79
$20.000
66004
CHARTS/N.PUBLICATIONS
27,40
$10.000
66023
CLASS AND STATUT CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
41,10
$15.000
66005
CLEARING/FORWARDING EXPS
109,59
$40.000
66006
DECK STORES
95,89
$35.000
66007
ELECTR. DEPT-STORES
27,40
$10.000
$348.000
66008
ENGINE STORES
68,49
$25.000
66022
FLAG CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
10,96
$4.000
66026
OTHER CONSULTANCY DOCUMENTATION SERVICES
13,70
$5.000
66021
PORT DUES RELATED TO PROTECTING AGENTS
13,70
$5.000
66018
PROTECTING AGENTS FEES/EXPENSES
13,70
$5.000
66027
QUALITY DPT CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
68,49
$25.000
66024
SAFETY EQUIP MAR CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
27,40
$10.000
66025
SAFETY EQUIP TEC CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
27,40
$10.000
66011
STATIONERY EXPS
27,40
$10.000
66019
SUBSCRIPTIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
13,70
$5.000
66020
TECHNICAL CONSULTANCY DOCUMENTATION SERV
13,70
$5.000
66012
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
134,25
$49.000
66013
TONNAGE TAX
54,79
$20.000
66014
VARIOUS EXPS
27,40
$10.000
 
Other Vessel Operating Expenses Subtotal
953,42
$348.000
66009
Lubricants
438,36
$160.000
$160.000
Accounts
Code
Spares
67002
AUX.MACHINERY SPARE PARTS
41,10
$15.000
 
67004
BOILER SPARES
27,40
$10.000
67014
DECK SPARE PARTS
41,10
$15.000
67007
DIESEL GENERATORS SPARE PARTS
27,40
$10.000
67015
MAIN ENGINE SPARE PARTS
41,10
$15.000
$70.000
67009
RADIO ROOM NAVIGATION-EQUIPMENT SPARES
13,70
$5.000
 
Spares Subtotal
191,78
$70.000
 
Extraordinary Expenses
0,00
   
 
Less corresponding claims
0,00
 
 
TOTAL OPEX WITHOUT DD EXPENSES
 
$2.135.350



 
DAILY OPEX WITHOUT DD EXPENSES
 
$5.850
 
 
DO Adjustments (5y / 2.5y amortization)
0,00
 
$5. 850
 
TOTAL OPEX WITH DD EXPENSE
5.850,27
$2.135,350
 
DAILY OPEX WITH DD EXPENSES
 
$5.850






























This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “D” (ASSOCIATED VESSELS) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

NOTE: PARTIES SHOULD BE AWARE THAT BY COMPLETING THIS ANNEX “D” THEY WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SUB-CLAUSE 18.1(i) OF THIS AGREEMENT.
Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Details of Associated Vessels:
M/T ECO CALIFORNIA
 
 
 
 
 
 










This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX E (Management Fees)
Duration of Contract Five
(5) years, automatically renewed.
   
Services and Relevant Fees:
Accounting, Reporting, Legal and Administrative Services at cost.
 
USD 550 per day per vessel for Technical and Commercial, Crew Management, Insurance, Provisions and Bunkering.  Applicable 3 months prior delivery from the yard.
     
Fee Annual Increase:
Based on total percentage increase in the U.S. Consumer Price Index over the previous year, but not less than 2% and not more than 5%.
   
Commission on all hires / gross freight / demurrage:
1.25%
   
Sales and Purchase Commission:
1% of the Sale or the Purchase Price or the Contract Price of the Newbuilding Contract.
   
N/B Construction – Supervision Fee:
7% of actual cost.
   
Managers’ Superintendent’s Fee beyond 10 days per annum:
USD 500 per day, plus actual expenses.
   
Notice of Termination:
18 months
   
Termination Fees:
Fees for 12 months.

1.
Manager shall be entitled to receive additional remuneration for any increase in administrative costs and expenses resulting from the introduction of a new, or a change in the interpretation of applicable laws and regulations, or concerning ship management services.
2.
Owners to pay the deductible of any insurance claim relating to the vessels, or for any claim that is within such deductible range.  All insurance related rebates to be for the benefit of the Manager.
3.
Owners to pay any tax, dues, or ransom in a case of piracy, or fines imposed on vessel or Manager, due to the operation of the vessel.
4.
The above management fees are agreed on the basis of the number of the associated vessels as per ANNEX D of this agreement.


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
1.  Definitions
In this Agreement save where the context otherwise requires, the following words and expressions shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them.
" Owners " mean the party identified in Box. 2 .
" Managers " mean the party identified in Box 3 .
" Vessel " means the vessel or vessels details of which are set out in Annex "A" attached hereto.
" Crew " means the Master, officers and ratings of the   numbers, rank and nationality specified in Annex “B” attached hereto.
" Crew Support Costs " means all expenses of a general nature which are not particularly referable to any individual vessel for the time being managed by the Managers and which are incurred by the Managers for the purpose of providing an efficient and economic management service and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, shall include the cost of crew standby pay, training schemes for officers and ratings, cadet training schemes, sick pay, recruitment and interviews.
" Severance Costs " means the costs which the employers are legally obliged to pay to or in respect of the Crew as a result of the early termination of any employment contract for service on the Vessel.
" Crew Insurances " means insurances against crew risks which shall include but not limited to death, sickness, repatriation, injury, shipwreck unemployment indemnity and loss of personal effects.
" Management Services " means the services specified in sub-clauses 3.1 to 3.8 as indicated affirmatively in Boxes 5 to 12.
" ISM Code " means the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention as adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) by resolution A.741(18) or any subsequent amendment thereto.
" STCW 95 " means the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended in 1995 or any subsequent amendment thereto.
2.  Appointment of Mangers
With effect from the day and year stated in Box 4 and continuing unless and until terminated as provided herein, the Owners hereby appoint the Managers and the Managers hereby agree to act as the Managers of the Vessel.
3.  Basis of Agreement
Subject to terms and conditions herein provided, during the period of this Agreement, the Managers shall carry out Management Services in respect of the Vessel as agents for and on behalf of the Owners.  The Managers shall have authority to take such actions as they may from time to time in their absolute discretion consider to be necessary to enable them to perform this Agreement in accordance with sound ship management practice.
3.1  Crew Management
( only applicable if agreed according to   Box 5 )
The Managers shall provide suitably qualified Crew for the Vessel as required by the Owners in accordance with the STCW 95 requirements, provision of which includes but it is not limited to the following functions:
(i)  selecting and engaging the Vessel's Crew, including payroll arrangements, pension administration, and insurances for the Crew other than those mentioned in Clause 6 ;
(ii)  ensuring that the applicable requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied in respect of manning levels, rank, qualification and certification of the Crew and employment regulations including Crew's tax, social insurance, discipline and other requirements;
(iii)  ensuring that all members of the Crew have passed a medical examination with a qualified doctor certifying that they are fit for the duties for which they are engaged and are in possession of valid medical certificates issued in accordance with appropriate flag State requirements.  In the absence of applicable flag State requirements the medical certificate shall be dated not more than three months prior to the respective Crew members leaving their country of domicile and maintained for the duration of their service on board the Vessel;
(iv)  ensuring that the Crew shall have a command of the English language of a sufficient standard to enable them to perform their duties safely;
(v)  arranging transportation of the Crew, including repatriation;
(vi)  training the Crew and supervising their efficiency;
(vii)  conducting union negotiations;
(viii)   operating the Managers' drug and alcohol policy unless otherwise agreed.
3.2  Technical Management
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 6 )
The Managers shall provide technical management which includes, but is not limited to, the following functions:
(i)  provision of competent personnel to supervise the maintenance and general efficiency of the Vessel;
(ii)  arrangement and supervision of dry dockings, repairs, alterations and the upkeep of the Vessel to the standards required by the Owners provided that the Managers shall be entitled to incur the necessary expenditure to ensure that the Vessel will comply with the law of the flag of the Vessel and of the places where she trades, and all requirements and recommendations of the classification society;
(iii)  arrangement of the supply of necessary stores, spares and lubricating oil;
(iv)  appointment of surveyors and technical consultants as the Managers may consider from time to time to be necessary;
(v)  development, implementation and maintenance of a Safety Management System (SMS) in accordance with the ISM Code (see sub-clauses 4,2 and 5;3).
3.3  Commercial Management
( only applicable if agreed according to   Box 7 )
The Managers shall provide the commercial operation of the Vessel, as required by the Owners, which includes, but is not limited to, the following functions:
(i)  providing chartering services in accordance with the Owners’ instructions which include, but are not limited to, seeking and negotiating employment for the Vessel and the conclusion (including the execution thereof) of charter parties or other contracts relating to the employment of the Vessel.  If such a contract exceeds twelve months in duration the period stated in Box 13 . consent thereto in writing shall first be obtained from the Owners.
(ii)  arranging of the proper payment to Owners or their nominees of all hire and/or freight revenues or other moneys of whatsoever mature to which Owners may be entitled arising out of the employment of or otherwise in connection with the Vessel.
(iii)  providing voyage estimates and accounts and calculating of hire, freights, demurrage and/or despatch moneys due from or due to the charterers of the Vessel;
(iv)  issuing of voyage instructions;
(v)  appointing agents;
(vi)  appointing stevedores;
(vii)  arranging surveys associated with the commercial operation of the Vessel.
3.4  Insurance Arrangements
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 8 )
The Managers shall arrange insurances in accordance with Clause 6, on such terms and conditions as the Owners shall have instructed or agreed, in particular regarding conditions,


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
insured values, deductibles and franchises.
3.5  Accounting Services
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 9 )
The Managers shall
(i)  establish an accounting system which meets the requirements of the Owners and provide regular accounting services, supply regular reports and records,
(ii)  maintain the records of all costs and expenditure incurred as well as data necessary or proper for the settlement of accounts between the parties.
3.6  Sale or Purchase of the Vessel
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 10 )
The Managers shall, in accordance with the Owners’ instructions, supervise the sale or purchase of the Vessel, including the performance of any sale or purchase agreement, but not negotiation of the same.
3.7  Provisions ( only applicable if agreed according to Box 11 )
The Manager’s shall arrange for the supply of provisions.
3.8  Bunkering   (only applicable if agreed according to Box 12 )
The Managers shall arrange for the provision of bunker fuel of the quality specified by the Owners as required for the Vessel’s trade.
4.  Managers’ Obligations
4.1   The Managers undertake to use their best endeavours to provide the agreed Management Services as agents for and on behalf of the Owners in accordance with sound ship management practice and to protect and promote the interests of the Owners in all matters relating to the provision of services hereunder.  Provided, however, that the Managers in the performance of their management responsibilities under this Agreement shall be entitled to have regard to their overall responsibility in relation to all vessels as may from time to time be entrusted to their management and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Managers shall be entitled to allocate available supplies, manpower and services in such manner as in the prevailing circumstances the Managers in their absolute discretion consider to be fair and reasonable.
4.2  Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , they shall procure that the requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied and they shall in particular be deemed to be the “Company” as defined by the ISM Code, assuming the responsibility for the operation of the Vessel and taking over the duties and responsibilities imposed by the ISM Code when applicable.
5.  Owners’ Obligations
5.1.   The Owners shall pay all sums due to the Managers punctually in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
5.2.  Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , the Owners shall:
(i)  procure that all officers and ratings supplied by them or on their behalf comply with the requirements of STCW 95;
(ii)  instruct such officers and ratings to obey all reasonable orders of the Managers in connection with the operation of the Managers’ safety system.
5.3  Where the Managers are not providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , the Owners shall procure that the requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied and that they, or such other entity as may be appointed by them and identified to the Managers, shall be deemed to be the “Company” as defined by the ISM Code assuming the responsibility for the operation of the Vessel and taking over the duties and responsibilities imposed by the ISM Code when applicable.
6.  Insurance Policies
The Owners shall procure, whether by instructing the Managers under sub-clause 3.4 or otherwise, that throughout the period of this Agreement:
6.1.  at the Owners’ expense, the Vessel is insured for not less than her sound market value or entered for her full gross tonnage, as the case may be for:
(i)  usual hull and machinery marine risks (including crew negligence) and excess liabilities;
(ii)  protection and indemnity risks (including pollution risks and Crew Insurances); and
(iii)  war risks (including protection and indemnity and crew risks) in accordance with the best practice of prudent owners of vessels of a similar type to the Vessel, with first class insurance companies, underwriters or associations (the “Owners’ Insurances”);
6.2.  all premiums and calls on the Owners’ Insurances are paid promptly by their due date,
6.3.  the Owners’ Insurances name the Managers and, subject to underwriters’ agreement, any third party designated by the Managers as a joint assured, with full cover, with the Owners obtaining cover in respect of each of the insurances specified in sub-clause 6.1 :
(i)  on terms whereby the Managers and any such third party are liable in respect of premiums or calls arising in connection with the Owners’ Insurances; or
(ii)  if reasonably obtainable, on terms such that neither the Managers nor any such third party shall be under any liability in respect of premiums or calls arising in connection with the Owners’ insurances; or
(iii)  on such other terms as may be agreed in writing.
Indicate alternative (i), (ii) or (iii) in Box 14 .  If Box 14 is left blank then (i) applies.
6.4   written evidence is provided, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Managers, of their compliance with their obligations under Clause 6 within a reasonable time of the commencement of the Agreement, and of each renewal date and, if specifically requested, of each payment date of the Owners’ Insurances.
7.  Income Collected and Expenses Paid on Behalf of Owners
7.1   All moneys collected by the Managers under the terms of this Agreement (other than moneys payable by the Owners to the Managers) and any interest thereon shall be held to the credit of the Owners in a separate bank account.
7.2  All expenses incurred by the Managers under the terms of this Agreement on behalf of the Owners (including expenses as provided in Clause 8 ) may be debited against the Owners in the account referred to under sub-clause 7J. but shall in any event remain payable by the Owners to the Managers on demand.
8.  Management Fee
8.1   The Owners shall pay to the Managers for their services as Managers under this Agreement an annual DAILY management fee as stated in Box 15 which shall be payable to equal monthly installments in advance, the first installment being payable on the commencement of this Agreement (see Clause 2 and Box 4 ) and subsequent installments being payable every month.
8.2  The management fee shall be subject to an annual review on the anniversary date of the Agreement and the proposed fee shall be presented in the annual budget referred to in sub-clause 9.1.   Please refer to Annex E (Management Fees)
8.3  The Managers shall, at no extra cost to the Owners, provide their own office accommodation, office staff, facilities and stationery.  Without limiting the generality of Clause 7 the Owners shall reimburse the Managers for postage and communication expenses, traveling expenses, and other out of pocket expenses properly incurred by the Managers in pursuance of


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
the Management Services.
8.4  In the event of the appointment of the Managers being terminated by the Owners or the Managers in accordance with the provisions of Clauses 17 and 18 other than by reason of default by the Managers, or if the Vessel is lost, sold or otherwise disposed of, the “management fee” payable to the Managers according to the provisions of sub- clause 8.1, shall continue to be payable for a further period of three calendar months as from the termination date.  In addition, provided that the Managers provide Crew for the Vessel in accordance with sub-clause 3.1;
( i)  the Owners shall continue to pay Crew Support Costs during the said further period of three calendar months and
( ii)  the Owners shall pay an equitable proportion of any Severance Costs which may materialize, not exceeding the amount stated in Box 16 .
Please refer to Annex E (Management Fees)
8.5  If the Owners decide to lay-up the Vessel whilst this Agreement remains in force and such lay-up lasts for more than three months, an appropriate reduction of the management fee for the period exceeding three months until one month before the Vessel is again put into service shall be mutually agreed between the parties.
8.6  Unless otherwise agreed in writing all discounts and commissions obtained by the Managers in the course of the management of the Vessel shall be credited to the Owners.
9.  Budgets and Management of Funds
The Managers shall present to the Owners annually a budget for the following twelve months in such form as the Owners require.  The budget for the first year hereof is set out in Annex “C” hereto.  Subsequent annual budgets shall be prepared by the Managers and submitted to the Owners not less than three months before the anniversary date of the commencement of this Agreement (see Clause 2 and Box 4).
9.1  The Owners shall indicate to the Managers their acceptance and approval of the annual budget within one month of presentation and in the absence of any such indication the Managers shall be entitled to assume that the Owners have accepted the proposed budget.
9.2  Following the agreement of the budget, the Managers shall prepare and present to the Owners their estimate of the working capital requirement of the Vessel and the Managers shall each month update this estimate, based thereon, the Managers shall each month request the Owners in writing for the funds required to run the Vessel for the ensuing month, including the payment of any occasional or extraordinary item of expenditure, such as emergency repair costs, additional insurance premiums, bunkers or provisions.  Such funds shall be received by the Managers within ten running days after the receipt by the Owners of the Managers’ written request and shall be held to the credit of the Owners in a separate bank account.
9.3  The Managers shall produce a comparison between budgeted and actual income and expenditure of the Vessel in such form as required by the Owners monthly or at such other intervals as mutually agreed.
9.4  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Managers shall in no circumstances be required to use or commit their own funds to finance the provision of the Management Services.
10.  Managers’ Right to Sub-Contract
The Managers shall not have the right to sub-contract any of their obligations hereunder , including those mentioned in sub-clause 3.1 without the prior written consent of the Owners which shall not be unreasonably withheld .  In the event of such a sub- contract the Managers shall remain fully liable for the due performance of their obligations under this Agreement.
11.  Responsibilities
11.1  Force Majeure - Neither the Owners nor the Managers shall be under any liability for any failure to perform any of their obligations thereunder by reason of any cause whatsoever of any nature or kind beyond their reasonable control.
11.2  Liability to Owners - (i)   Without prejudice to sub-clause 11.1, the Managers shall be under no liability whatsoever to the Owners for any loss, damage, delay or expense of whatsoever nature, whether direct or indirect, (including but not limited to loss of profit arising out of or in connection with detention of or delay to the Vessel) and howsoever arising in the course of performance of the Management Services UNLESS same is proved to have resulted from the negligence, gross negligence or willful default of the Managers of their employees, or agents or sub-contractors employed by them in connection with the Vessel, in which case (save where loss, damage, delay or expense has resulted from the Managers’ personal act or omission committed with the intent to cause same or recklessly and with knowledge that such loss, damage, delay or expense would probably result) the Managers’ liability for such incident or series of incidents giving rise to a claim or claims shall never exceed a total of ten times the annual Management Fee payable hereunder.
(ii)  Notwithstanding anything that may appear to the contrary in this Agreement, the Managers shall not be liable for any of the actions of the Crew even if such actions are negligent, grossly negligent or willful, except only to the extent that they are shown to have resulted from a failure to the Managers to discharge their obligations under sub-Clause 3.1, in which case their liability shall be limited in accordance with the terms of this Clause 11 .
11.3  Indemnity - Except to the extent and solely for the amount therein set out that the   Managers would be liable under sub- clause 11.2 , the Owners hereby undertake to keep the Managers and their employees, agents and sub-contractors indemnified and to hold them harmless against all actions, proceedings, claims, demands or liabilities whatsoever or howsoever arising which may be brought against them or incurred or suffered by them arising out of or in connection with the performance of the Agreement, and against and in respect of all costs, losses, damages and expenses (including legal costs and expenses on a full indemnity basis) which the Managers may suffer or incur (either directly or indirectly) in the course of the performance of this Agreement.
11.4  “ Himalaya - It is hereby expressly agreed that no employee or agent of the Managers (including every sub-contractor from time to time employed by the Managers) shall in any circumstances whatsoever be under any liability whatsoever to the Owners for any loss, damage or delay of whatsoever kind arising or resulting directly or indirectly from any act, neglect or default on his party while acting in the course of or in connection with his employment and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions in this Clause 11 , every exemption, limitation, condition and liberty herein contained and every right, exemption from liability, defence and immunity of whatsoever nature applicable to the Managers or to which the Managers are entitled hereunder shall also be available and shall extend to protect every such employee or agent of the Managers acting as aforesaid and for the purpose of all the foregoing provisions of this Clause 11 the Managers are or shall be deemed to be acting as agent or trustee on behalf of and for the benefit of all persons who are or might be their servants or agents from time to time (including sub-contractors as aforesaid) and all such persons shall to this extent be or be deemed to be parties to this Agreement.
12.  Documentation
Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 and/or Crew Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.1, they shall make available,


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
upon Owners’ request, all documentation and records related to the Safety Management System (SMS) and/or the Crew which the Owners need in order to demonstrate compliance with the ISM Code and STCW 95 or to defend a claim against a third party.
13.  General Administration
13.1   The Managers shall handle and settle all claims arising out of the Management Services hereunder and keep the Owners informed regarding any incident of which the Managers become aware which gives or may give rise to claims or disputes involving third parties.
13.2   The Managers shall, as instructed by the Owners, bring or defend actions, suits or proceedings in connection with matters entrusted to the Managers according to this Agreement.
13.3   The Managers shall also have power to obtain legal or technical or other outside expert advice in relation to the handling and settlement of claims and disputes or all other matters affecting the interests of the Owners in respect of the Vessel.
13.4   The Owners shall arrange for the provision of any necessary guarantee bond or other security.
13.5   Any costs reasonably incurred by the Managers in carrying out their obligations according to Clause 13 shall be reimbursed by the Owners.
14.  Auditing
The Managers shall at all times maintain and keep true and correct accounts and shall make the same available for inspection and auditing by the Owners at such times as may be mutually agreed.  On the termination, for whatever reasons, of this Agreement the Managers shall release to the Owners, if so requested, the originals when possible, or otherwise certified copies, of all such accounts and all documents specifically relating to the Vessel and her operation.
15.  Inspection of Vessel
The Owners shall have the right at any time after giving reasonable notice to the Managers to inspect the Vessel for any reason they consider necessary.
16.  Compliance with Laws and Regulations
The Managers will not do or permit to be done anything which might cause any breach or infringement of the laws and regulations of the Vessel’s flag, or of the places where she trades.
17.  Duration of the Agreement
This Agreement shall come into effect on the day and year stated in Box 4 and shall continue until the date stated in Box 17 .  Thereafter it shall continue until terminated by either party giving to the other notice to the Managers in writing, in which event the Agreement shall terminate upon the expiration of a period of two   eighteen months from the date upon which such notice was given.  In case Owners wish to terminate the Agreement earlier than the date stated in Box 17 Owners will pay the Managers all fees as per ANNEX “E” for the remaining period until the date stated in Box 17 .
18.  Termination
18.1  Owners’ default
(i)  The Managers shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing if any moneys payable by the Owners under this Agreement and/or the owners of any associated vessel, details of which are listed in Annex “D” . shall not have been received in the Managers’ nominated account within ten running days of receipt by the Owners of the Managers written request or if the Vessel is repossessed by the Mortgagees.
(ii)  If the Owners:
(a)  fail to meet their obligations under sub- clauses 5.2 and 5.3 of this Agreement for any reason within their control, or
(b)  proceed with the employment of or continue to employ the Vessel in the carriage of contraband, blockade running, or in an unlawful trade, or on a voyage which in the reasonable opinion of the Managers is unduly hazardous or improper, the Managers may give notice of the default to the Owners, requiring them to remedy it as soon as practically possible.  In the event that the Owners fail to remedy it within a reasonable time to the satisfaction of the Managers   the Managers shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing.
18.2  Managers’ Default
If the Managers fail to meet their obligations under Clauses 3 and 4 of this Agreement for any reason within the control of the Managers, the Owners may give notice to the Managers of the default, requiring them to remedy it as soon as practically possible.  In the event that the Managers fail to remedy it within a reasonable time to the satisfaction of the Owners the Owners shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing.
18.3  Extraordinary Termination
This Agreement shall be deemed to be terminated in the case of the sale of the Vessel or if the Vessel becomes a total loss or is declared as a constructive or compromised or arranged total loss or is requisitioned.
18.4   For the purpose of sub-clause 18.3 hereof
(i)  the date upon which the Vessel is to be treated as having been sold or otherwise disposed or shall be the date on which the Owners cease to be registered as Owners of the Vessel;
(ii)  the Vessel shall not be deemed to be lost unless either she has become an actual total loss or agreement has been reached with her underwriters in respect of her constructive, compromised or arranged total loss or if such agreement with her underwriters is not reached it is adjudged by a competent tribunal that a constructive loss of the Vessel has occurred.
18.5   This Agreement shall terminate forthwith in the event of an order being made or resolution passed for the winding up, dissolution, liquidation or bankruptcy of either party (otherwise than for the purpose of reconstruction or amalgamation) or if a receiver is appointed, or it if suspends payment, ceases to carry on business or makes any special arrangement or composition with its creditors.
18.6  The termination of this Agreement shall be without prejudice to all rights accrued due between the parties prior to the date of termination.
18.7   A change of control of either party shall not terminate this Agreement.
19.  Law and Arbitration
19.1   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration in London in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996 or any statutory modification to re-enactment thereof save to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Clause.
The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) Terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
The reference shall be to three arbitrators.  A party wishing to refer a dispute to arbitration shall appoint its arbitrator and send notice of such appointment in writing to the other party requiring the other party to appoint its own arbitrator within 14 calendar days of that notice and stating that it will appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator unless the other party appoints its own arbitrator and gives notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified.  If the other party does not appoint its own arbitrator and give notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified, the party referring a dispute to arbitration may, without the requirement of any further prior


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
notice to the other party, appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator and shall advise the other party accordingly.  The award of a sole arbitrator shall be binding on both parties as if he had been appointed by agreement.
Nothing herein shall prevent the parties agreeing in writing to vary these provisions to provide for the appointment of a sole arbitrator.
In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of USD50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the LMAA Small Claims Procedure current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
19.2   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Title 9 of the United States Code and the Maritime Law of the United States and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to three persons at New York, one to be appointed by each of the parties hereto, and the third by the two so chosen; their decision that of any two of them shall be final, and for the purposes of enforcing any award, judgment may be entered on an award by any court of competent jurisdiction.  The proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc.
In cases where neither the claim not any counterclaim exceeds the sum of USD50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the Shortened Arbitration Procedure of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc, current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
19.3   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the place mutually agreed by the parties and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration at a mutually agreed place, subject to the procedures applicable there.
19.4   If Box 18 in Part I is not appropriately filled in, sub- clause 19.1 of this Clause shall apply.
Note:  19.1 , 19.2 and 19.3 are alternatives; indicate alternative agreed in Box 18 .
20.  Notices
20.1   Any notice to be given by either party to the other party shall be in writing and may be sent by fax, telex, registered or recorded mail or by personal service.
20.2   The address of the Parties for service of such communication shall be as stated in Boxes 19 and 20 , respectively.
Exhibit 4.112
1. Date of Agreement
 
1 st January 2019
 
M/T ECO REVOLUTION
 
 
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
CODE NAME: "SHIPMAN 98"
Part I
2. Owners (name, place of registered office and law of registry) ( Cl. 1 )
 
3. Managers (name, place of registered office and law of registry) ( Cl. 1 )
         
 
MONTE CARLO 39 SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED
   
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.
 
Name
   
Name
         
 
The Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands
   
The Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands
 
Place of registered office
   
Place of registered office
         
 
Marshall Islands
   
Marshall Islands
 
Law of Registry
   
Law of Registry
         
4. Day and year of commencement of Agreement ( Cl. 2 )
 
1 st January 2019
 
5. Crew Management (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.1 )
 
YES
 
 
6. Technical Management (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.2 )
 
YES
 
7. Insurance (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.3 )
 
YES
 
 
8. Insurance Arrangements (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.4 )
 
YES
 
9. Accounting (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.5 )
 
YES
 
 
10. Sale or purchase of the Vessel (state “yes” or “no” as agreed ( Cl. 3.6 )
 
YES
 
11. Provisions (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.7 )
 
YES
 
 
12. Bunkering (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.8 )
 
YES
 
13. Chartering Services (only to be filled in if “yes” in box 7) ( Cl. 3.3(i) )
 
FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION OF THIS AGREEMENT
 
 
14. Managers’ Insurance (state alternative (i), (ii) or (iii) of Cl. 6.3 )
 
(i)
 
15. Annual Management Fee (state annual amount) ( Cl. 8.1 )
 
AS PER ANNEX “E”
 
 
16. Severance Costs (state maximum amount) ( Cl. 8.4(ii) )
 
AT COST AS PER SEAMEN COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT
 
17. Day and year of termination of Agreement (Cl. 17)
 
Duration 5 years, automatically renewed.
 
 
18. Law and Arbitration (state alternative 19.1 , 19.2 or 19.3 place of arbitration must be stated) ( Cl. 19 )
 
AT COST AS PER CLAUSE 19.1
 
19. Notices (state postal and cable address, telex and telefax number for serving notice and communication to the Owners ) ( Cl. 25 )
TOP SHIPS INC.
1, Vas.Sofias & Meg. Alexandrou Str.,
15124, Maroussi, Athens, Greece
E-mail : vi@topships.org
Fax      : +30 210 6141 276
 
20. Notices (state postal and cable address, telex and telefax number for serving notice and communication to the Managers ) ( Cl. 20 )
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.
c/o CENTRAL MARE INC.
1, Vas. Sofias & Meg. Alexandrou Str.,
15124, Maroussi, Athens, Greece
E-mail: ops@centralmare.com
Fax     : +30 210 8020 364
It is mutually agreed between the party stated in Box 2 and the party stated in Box 3 that this Agreement consisting of PART I and PART II as well as Annexes "A" (Details of Vessel), "B" (Details of Crew), “C” (Budget), and “D” (Associated Vessels) attached hereto, shall be performed subject to the conditions contained herein.  In the event of a conflict of conditions, the provisions of PART I and Annexes “A” , “B” , “C” and “D” shall prevail over those of PART II to the extent of such conflict but no father.
     
Signature(s) (Owners)
 
/s/ Vangelis Ikonomou
Vangelis Ikonomou
 
 
MONTE CARLO 39 SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED
 
Signature(s) (Managers)
 
/s/ Andreas M. Louka
Andreas M. Louka
Attorney-in-fact
 
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.
 


This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “A” (DETAILS OF VESSEL OR VESSELS) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
   
   
Name of Vessel(s):
M/T ECO REVOLUTION
   
   
 
Particulars of Vessel:
   
   


TYPE OF VESSEL
Oil and Chemicals
Ship Type IMO 2
HULL TYPE
Double Hull
IMO NUMBER
9725598
FLAG
Marshall Islands
YEAR & PLACE BUILT
2016 at Khanh Hoa, Vietnam
CLASS SOCIETY
ABS
CALL SIGN
V7HX4
LOA, BREADTH, DEPTH
184 M / 27,40 M / 17,60 M
SDWT - DRAFT
39,136 MT @ 11.90 M

This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “B” (DETAILS OF CREW) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Details of Crew:
Rank
Number
Nationality
Master
1
Filipino
Chief Officer
1
Filipino
Second Officer
1
Filipino
Third Officer
1
Filipino
Chief Engineer
1
Filipino
Second Engineer
1
Filipino
Third Engineer
1
Filipino
Electrician
1
Filipino
Pumpman
1
Filipino
Bosun
1
Filipino
Able Seaman
3
Filipino
Ordinary Seaman
2
Filipino
Deck Cadet
1
Filipino
Oiler
1
Filipino
Wiper
1
Filipino
Engine Cadet
1
Filipino
Cook
1
Filipino
Mess Boy
2
Filipino
CREW TOTAL
22
 

This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “C” (ANNUAL MANAGEMENT BUDGET)
TO THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Managers Budget in USD effective from the first year of operations.
Hyundai Vinashin Shipyard MR Oil and Chemical Tanker 39,000 DWT
Proposed Budget for first year of operations
Accounts
Code
Crew
Daily Amount
Annual Amount
Annual Summary
 
CREW SALARIES & FIXED OVERTIME
2.516,44
$918.500
 
 
ADDITIONAL CREW OVERTIME
0,00
$0
 
OWNERS CREW BONUS
41,10
$15.000
 
CREW TRANSPORTATION EXPS
232,88
$85.000
 
CREW COMPULSORY INSURANCE
6,85
$2.500
 
CREW INSURANCE FOR P&I DEDUCTIBLE
16,44
$6.000
 
CREW PRE-JOINING TRAININGS
27,40
$10.000
 
CREW PRE-JOINING MEDICAL EXPS
9,59
$3.500
 
CREW VARIOUS EXPENSES
219,18
$80.000
 
MANNING AGENT MANAGEMENT FEE
82,19
$30.000
 
MANNING AGENT EXPENSES
9,86
$3.600
 
VICTUALING - PROVISIONS
221,92
$81.000
$1.239.100
 
WATER
10,96
$4.000
 
Crew Subtotal
3.394,79
$1.239.100
Accounts
Code
Insurance
 
64001
HULL & MACHINERY
273,97
$100.000
 
64002
INSURANCE LOSS OF HIRE
0,00
 
64003
WAR RISKS ANNUAL PREMIUM
8,22
$3.000
64004
P&I
135,62
$49.500
64005
FD D
27,40
$10.000
64006
MARINE INTEREST
0,00
 
64007
PURCHASERS INTEREST INSURANCE
0,00
 
$162.500
64008
BACK CALLS-(INSURANCE) SUPPLEMENTARY
0,00
 
 
Insurance Subtotal
445,21
$162.500
Accounts
Code
Repairs and Maintenance
67001
AUX.MACITINERY REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
27,40
$10.000
 
67003
BOILER REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67005
CHEMICALS & GASES
41,10
$15.000
67013
DECK SPARE PARTS - REPAIR/MAINTENANCE
27,40
$10.000
67006
DIESEL GENERATORS - REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67017
MAIN ENGINE REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67008
PAINTS AT SEA
27,40
$10.000
67010
RADIO ROOM NAVIGATION MAINTENANCE
13,70
$5.000
67011
REPAIRS - MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67012
SLOPS & GARBAGE REMOVAL
0,00
$0
67016
SUPER.ENGIN/PORT CPTN OTHER FEES&EXPS
54,79
$20.000
$135.000
67019
VESSELS IT HARDWARE EQUIPMENT
13,70
$5.000
 
Repairs and Maintenance Subtotal
369,86
$135.000
Accounts
Code
Other Vessel Operating Expenses
66010
SAFETY ITEMS
41,10
$15.000
 
68001
CABIN STORES – ACCOMODATION
13,70
$5.000
 
68015
GALLEY-KITCHEN EQUIPMENT
6,85
$2.500
 
68013
WATER SUPPLY
0,00
$0
 
66002
ACCRUALS-OPERATING EXPS
0,00
$0
 
66001
APPROVALS-SUITABILITY INSPECTIONS
82,19
$30.000
 
66004
CHARTS/N.PUBLICATIONS
27,40
$10.000
 
66023
CLASS AND STATUT CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
27,40
$10.000
 
66005
CLEANING/FORWARDING EXPS
68,49
$25.000
 
66006
DECK STORES
41,10
$15.000
 
66007
ELCTR.DEPT-STORES
13,70
$5.000
 
66008
ENGINE STORES
27,40
$10.000
 
66022
FLAG CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
4,11
$1.500
 
66026
OTHER CONSULTANCY DOCUMENTATION SERVICES
41,10
$15.000
 
66021
PORT DUES RELATED TO PROTECTING AGENTS
27,40
$10.000
 
66018
PROTECTING AGENTS FEES/EXPENSES
27,40
$10.000
 
66027
QUALITY DPT CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
27,40
$10.000
 
66024
SAFETY EQUIP MAR CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
27,40
$10.000
 
66025
SAFETY EQUIP TEC CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
41,10
$15.000
 
66011
STATIONERY EXPS
13,70
$5.000
 
66019
SUBSCRIPTIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
6,85
$2.500
 
66020
TECHNICAL CONSULTANCY DOCUMENTATION SERV
27,40
$10.000
 
66012
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
41,10
$15.000
 
66013
TONNAGE TAX
20,55
$7.500
$241.500
66014
VARIOUS EXPS
6,85
$2.500
 
Other Vessel Operating Expenses Subtotal
661,64
$241.50
66009
Lubricants
493,15
$180.000
$180.000
Accounts
Code
Spares
67002
AUX.MACHINERY SPARE PARTS
27,40
$10.000
 
67004
BOILER SPARES
27,40
$10.000
67014
DECK SPARE PARTS
27,40
$10.000
67007
DIESEL GENERATORS SPARE PARTS
27,40
$10.000
67015
MAIN ENGINE SPARE PARTS
41,10
$15.000
67009
RADIO ROOM NAVIGATION-EQUIPMENT SPARES
13,70
$5.000
$60.000
 
Spares Subtotal
164,38
$60.000
 
Extraordinary Expenses
0,00
   
 
Less corresponding claims
0,00
 
 
TOTAL OPEX WITHOUT DD EXPENSES
 
$2.018.100
 
DAILY OPEX WITHOUT DD EXPENSES
 
$5.529
 
DO Adjustments (5y / 2.5y amortization)
0,00
 
$5. 529
 
TOTAL OPEX WITH DD EXPENSE
5.529,04
$2.018.100
 
DAILY OPEX WITH DD EXPENSES
 
$5.529



This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “D” (ASSOCIATED VESSELS) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

NOTE: PARTIES SHOULD BE AWARE THAT BY COMPLETING THIS ANNEX “D” THEY WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SUB-CLAUSE 18.1(i) OF THIS AGREEMENT.
Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Details of Associated Vessels:
M/T ECO REVOLUTION
 
 
 
 
 
 










This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX E (Management Fees)
Duration of Contract Five
(5) years, automatically renewed.
   
Services and Relevant Fees:
USD 550 per day per vessel for Technical and Commercial, Crew Management, Insurance, Provisions and Bunkering.  Applicable 3 months prior delivery from the yard.
  Accounting, Reporting, Legal and Administrative Services at cost.
     
Fee Annual Increase:
Based on total percentage increase in the U.S. Consumer Price Index over the previous year, but not less than 2% and not more than 5%.
   
Commission on all hires / gross freight / demurrage:
1.25%
   
Sales and Purchase Commission:
1% of the Sale or the Purchase Price or the Contract Price of the Newbuilding Contract.
   
N/B Construction – Supervision Fee:
7% of actual cost.
   
Managers’ Superintendent’s Fee beyond 10 days per annum:
USD 500 per day, plus actual expenses.
   
Notice of Termination:
18 months
   
Termination Fees:
Fees for 12 months.

1.
Manager shall be entitled to receive additional remuneration for any increase in administrative costs and expenses resulting from the introduction of a new, or a change in the interpretation of applicable laws and regulations, or concerning ship management services.
2.
Owners to pay the deductible of any insurance claim relating to the vessels, or for any claim that is within such deductible range.  All insurance related rebates to be for the benefit of the Manager.
3.
Owners to pay any tax, dues, or ransom in a case of piracy, or fines imposed on vessel or Manager, due to the operation of the vessel.
4.
The above management fees are agreed on the basis of the number of the associated vessels as per ANNEX D of this agreement.


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
1.  Definitions
In this Agreement save where the context otherwise requires, the following words and expressions shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them.
" Owners " mean the party identified in Box. 2 .
" Managers " mean the party identified in Box 3 .
" Vessel " means the vessel or vessels details of which are set out in Annex "A" attached hereto.
" Crew " means the Master, officers and ratings of the   numbers, rank and nationality specified in Annex “B” attached hereto.
" Crew Support Costs " means all expenses of a general nature which are not particularly referable to any individual vessel for the time being managed by the Managers and which are incurred by the Managers for the purpose of providing an efficient and economic management service and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, shall include the cost of crew standby pay, training schemes for officers and ratings, cadet training schemes, sick pay, recruitment and interviews.
" Severance Costs " means the costs which the employers are legally obliged to pay to or in respect of the Crew as a result of the early termination of any employment contract for service on the Vessel.
" Crew Insurances " means insurances against crew risks which shall include but not limited to death, sickness, repatriation, injury, shipwreck unemployment indemnity and loss of personal effects.
" Management Services " means the services specified in sub-clauses 3.1 to 3.8 as indicated affirmatively in Boxes 5 to 12.
" ISM Code " means the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention as adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) by resolution A.741(18) or any subsequent amendment thereto.
" STCW 95 " means the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended in 1995 or any subsequent amendment thereto.
2.  Appointment of Mangers
With effect from the day and year stated in Box 4 and continuing unless and until terminated as provided herein, the Owners hereby appoint the Managers and the Managers hereby agree to act as the Managers of the Vessel.
3.  Basis of Agreement
Subject to terms and conditions herein provided, during the period of this Agreement, the Managers shall carry out Management Services in respect of the Vessel as agents for and on behalf of the Owners.  The Managers shall have authority to take such actions as they may from time to time in their absolute discretion consider to be necessary to enable them to perform this Agreement in accordance with sound ship management practice.
3.1  Crew Management
( only applicable if agreed according to   Box 5 )
The Managers shall provide suitably qualified Crew for the Vessel as required by the Owners in accordance with the STCW 95 requirements, provision of which includes but it is not limited to the following functions:
(i)  selecting and engaging the Vessel's Crew, including payroll arrangements, pension administration, and insurances for the Crew other than those mentioned in Clause 6 ;
(ii)  ensuring that the applicable requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied in respect of manning levels, rank, qualification and certification of the Crew and employment regulations including Crew's tax, social insurance, discipline and other requirements;
(iii)  ensuring that all members of the Crew have passed a medical examination with a qualified doctor certifying that they are fit for the duties for which they are engaged and are in possession of valid medical certificates issued in accordance with appropriate flag State requirements.  In the absence of applicable flag State requirements the medical certificate shall be dated not more than three months prior to the respective Crew members leaving their country of domicile and maintained for the duration of their service on board the Vessel;
(iv)  ensuring that the Crew shall have a command of the English language of a sufficient standard to enable them to perform their duties safely;
(v)  arranging transportation of the Crew, including repatriation;
(vi)  training the Crew and supervising their efficiency;
(vii)  conducting union negotiations;
(viii)   operating the Managers' drug and alcohol policy unless otherwise agreed.
3.2  Technical Management
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 6 )
The Managers shall provide technical management which includes, but is not limited to, the following functions:
(i)  provision of competent personnel to supervise the maintenance and general efficiency of the Vessel;
(ii)  arrangement and supervision of dry dockings, repairs, alterations and the upkeep of the Vessel to the standards required by the Owners provided that the Managers shall be entitled to incur the necessary expenditure to ensure that the Vessel will comply with the law of the flag of the Vessel and of the places where she trades, and all requirements and recommendations of the classification society;
(iii)  arrangement of the supply of necessary stores, spares and lubricating oil;
(iv)  appointment of surveyors and technical consultants as the Managers may consider from time to time to be necessary;
(v)  development, implementation and maintenance of a Safety Management System (SMS) in accordance with the ISM Code (see sub-clauses 4,2 and 5;3).
3.3  Commercial Management
( only applicable if agreed according to   Box 7 )
The Managers shall provide the commercial operation of the Vessel, as required by the Owners, which includes, but is not limited to, the following functions:
(i)  providing chartering services in accordance with the Owners’ instructions which include, but are not limited to, seeking and negotiating employment for the Vessel and the conclusion (including the execution thereof) of charter parties or other contracts relating to the employment of the Vessel.  If such a contract exceeds twelve months in duration the period stated in Box 13 . consent thereto in writing shall first be obtained from the Owners.
(ii)  arranging of the proper payment to Owners or their nominees of all hire and/or freight revenues or other moneys of whatsoever mature to which Owners may be entitled arising out of the employment of or otherwise in connection with the Vessel.
(iii)  providing voyage estimates and accounts and calculating of hire, freights, demurrage and/or despatch moneys due from or due to the charterers of the Vessel;
(iv)  issuing of voyage instructions;
(v)  appointing agents;
(vi)  appointing stevedores;
(vii)  arranging surveys associated with the commercial operation of the Vessel.
3.4  Insurance Arrangements
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 8 )
The Managers shall arrange insurances in accordance with Clause 6, on such terms and conditions as the Owners shall have instructed or agreed, in particular regarding conditions,


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“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
insured values, deductibles and franchises.
3.5  Accounting Services
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 9 )
The Managers shall
(i)  establish an accounting system which meets the requirements of the Owners and provide regular accounting services, supply regular reports and records,
(ii)  maintain the records of all costs and expenditure incurred as well as data necessary or proper for the settlement of accounts between the parties.
3.6  Sale or Purchase of the Vessel
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 10 )
The Managers shall, in accordance with the Owners’ instructions, supervise the sale or purchase of the Vessel, including the performance of any sale or purchase agreement, but not negotiation of the same.
3.7  Provisions ( only applicable if agreed according to Box 11 )
The Manager’s shall arrange for the supply of provisions.
3.8  Bunkering   (only applicable if agreed according to Box 12 )
The Managers shall arrange for the provision of bunker fuel of the quality specified by the Owners as required for the Vessel’s trade.
4.  Managers’ Obligations
4.1   The Managers undertake to use their best endeavours to provide the agreed Management Services as agents for and on behalf of the Owners in accordance with sound ship management practice and to protect and promote the interests of the Owners in all matters relating to the provision of services hereunder.  Provided, however, that the Managers in the performance of their management responsibilities under this Agreement shall be entitled to have regard to their overall responsibility in relation to all vessels as may from time to time be entrusted to their management and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Managers shall be entitled to allocate available supplies, manpower and services in such manner as in the prevailing circumstances the Managers in their absolute discretion consider to be fair and reasonable.
4.2  Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , they shall procure that the requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied and they shall in particular be deemed to be the “Company” as defined by the ISM Code, assuming the responsibility for the operation of the Vessel and taking over the duties and responsibilities imposed by the ISM Code when applicable.
5.  Owners’ Obligations
5.1.   The Owners shall pay all sums due to the Managers punctually in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
5.2.  Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , the Owners shall:
(i)  procure that all officers and ratings supplied by them or on their behalf comply with the requirements of STCW 95;
(ii)  instruct such officers and ratings to obey all reasonable orders of the Managers in connection with the operation of the Managers’ safety system.
5.3  Where the Managers are not providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , the Owners shall procure that the requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied and that they, or such other entity as may be appointed by them and identified to the Managers, shall be deemed to be the “Company” as defined by the ISM Code assuming the responsibility for the operation of the Vessel and taking over the duties and responsibilities imposed by the ISM Code when applicable.
6.  Insurance Policies
The Owners shall procure, whether by instructing the Managers under sub-clause 3.4 or otherwise, that throughout the period of this Agreement:
6.1.  at the Owners’ expense, the Vessel is insured for not less than her sound market value or entered for her full gross tonnage, as the case may be for:
(i)  usual hull and machinery marine risks (including crew negligence) and excess liabilities;
(ii)  protection and indemnity risks (including pollution risks and Crew Insurances); and
(iii)  war risks (including protection and indemnity and crew risks) in accordance with the best practice of prudent owners of vessels of a similar type to the Vessel, with first class insurance companies, underwriters or associations (the “Owners’ Insurances”);
6.2.  all premiums and calls on the Owners’ Insurances are paid promptly by their due date,
6.3.  the Owners’ Insurances name the Managers and, subject to underwriters’ agreement, any third party designated by the Managers as a joint assured, with full cover, with the Owners obtaining cover in respect of each of the insurances specified in sub-clause 6.1 :
(i)  on terms whereby the Managers and any such third party are liable in respect of premiums or calls arising in connection with the Owners’ Insurances; or
(ii)  if reasonably obtainable, on terms such that neither the Managers nor any such third party shall be under any liability in respect of premiums or calls arising in connection with the Owners’ insurances; or
(iii)  on such other terms as may be agreed in writing.
Indicate alternative (i), (ii) or (iii) in Box 14 .  If Box 14 is left blank then (i) applies.
6.4   written evidence is provided, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Managers, of their compliance with their obligations under Clause 6 within a reasonable time of the commencement of the Agreement, and of each renewal date and, if specifically requested, of each payment date of the Owners’ Insurances.
7.  Income Collected and Expenses Paid on Behalf of Owners
7.1   All moneys collected by the Managers under the terms of this Agreement (other than moneys payable by the Owners to the Managers) and any interest thereon shall be held to the credit of the Owners in a separate bank account.
7.2  All expenses incurred by the Managers under the terms of this Agreement on behalf of the Owners (including expenses as provided in Clause 8 ) may be debited against the Owners in the account referred to under sub-clause 7J. but shall in any event remain payable by the Owners to the Managers on demand.
8.  Management Fee
8.1   The Owners shall pay to the Managers for their services as Managers under this Agreement an annual DAILY management fee as stated in Box 15 which shall be payable to equal monthly installments in advance, the first installment being payable on the commencement of this Agreement (see Clause 2 and Box 4 ) and subsequent installments being payable every month.
8.2  The management fee shall be subject to an annual review on the anniversary date of the Agreement and the proposed fee shall be presented in the annual budget referred to in sub-clause 9.1.   Please refer to Annex E (Management Fees)
8.3  The Managers shall, at no extra cost to the Owners, provide their own office accommodation, office staff, facilities and stationery.  Without limiting the generality of Clause 7 the Owners shall reimburse the Managers for postage and communication expenses, traveling expenses, and other out of pocket expenses properly incurred by the Managers in pursuance of


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“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
the Management Services.
8.4  In the event of the appointment of the Managers being terminated by the Owners or the Managers in accordance with the provisions of Clauses 17 and 18 other than by reason of default by the Managers, or if the Vessel is lost, sold or otherwise disposed of, the “management fee” payable to the Managers according to the provisions of sub- clause 8.1, shall continue to be payable for a further period of three calendar months as from the termination date.  In addition, provided that the Managers provide Crew for the Vessel in accordance with sub-clause 3.1;
( i)  the Owners shall continue to pay Crew Support Costs during the said further period of three calendar months and
( ii)  the Owners shall pay an equitable proportion of any Severance Costs which may materialize, not exceeding the amount stated in Box 16 .
Please refer to Annex E (Management Fees)
8.5  If the Owners decide to lay-up the Vessel whilst this Agreement remains in force and such lay-up lasts for more than three months, an appropriate reduction of the management fee for the period exceeding three months until one month before the Vessel is again put into service shall be mutually agreed between the parties.
8.6  Unless otherwise agreed in writing all discounts and commissions obtained by the Managers in the course of the management of the Vessel shall be credited to the Owners.
9.  Budgets and Management of Funds
The Managers shall present to the Owners annually a budget for the following twelve months in such form as the Owners require.  The budget for the first year hereof is set out in Annex “C” hereto.  Subsequent annual budgets shall be prepared by the Managers and submitted to the Owners not less than three months before the anniversary date of the commencement of this Agreement (see Clause 2 and Box 4).
9.1  The Owners shall indicate to the Managers their acceptance and approval of the annual budget within one month of presentation and in the absence of any such indication the Managers shall be entitled to assume that the Owners have accepted the proposed budget.
9.2  Following the agreement of the budget, the Managers shall prepare and present to the Owners their estimate of the working capital requirement of the Vessel and the Managers shall each month update this estimate, based thereon, the Managers shall each month request the Owners in writing for the funds required to run the Vessel for the ensuing month, including the payment of any occasional or extraordinary item of expenditure, such as emergency repair costs, additional insurance premiums, bunkers or provisions.  Such funds shall be received by the Managers within ten running days after the receipt by the Owners of the Managers’ written request and shall be held to the credit of the Owners in a separate bank account.
9.3  The Managers shall produce a comparison between budgeted and actual income and expenditure of the Vessel in such form as required by the Owners monthly or at such other intervals as mutually agreed.
9.4  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Managers shall in no circumstances be required to use or commit their own funds to finance the provision of the Management Services.
10.  Managers’ Right to Sub-Contract
The Managers shall not have the right to sub-contract any of their obligations hereunder , including those mentioned in sub-clause 3.1 without the prior written consent of the Owners which shall not be unreasonably withheld .  In the event of such a sub- contract the Managers shall remain fully liable for the due performance of their obligations under this Agreement.
11.  Responsibilities
11.1  Force Majeure - Neither the Owners nor the Managers shall be under any liability for any failure to perform any of their obligations thereunder by reason of any cause whatsoever of any nature or kind beyond their reasonable control.
11.2  Liability to Owners - (i)   Without prejudice to sub-clause 11.1, the Managers shall be under no liability whatsoever to the Owners for any loss, damage, delay or expense of whatsoever nature, whether direct or indirect, (including but not limited to loss of profit arising out of or in connection with detention of or delay to the Vessel) and howsoever arising in the course of performance of the Management Services UNLESS same is proved to have resulted from the negligence, gross negligence or willful default of the Managers of their employees, or agents or sub-contractors employed by them in connection with the Vessel, in which case (save where loss, damage, delay or expense has resulted from the Managers’ personal act or omission committed with the intent to cause same or recklessly and with knowledge that such loss, damage, delay or expense would probably result) the Managers’ liability for such incident or series of incidents giving rise to a claim or claims shall never exceed a total of ten times the annual Management Fee payable hereunder.
(ii)  Notwithstanding anything that may appear to the contrary in this Agreement, the Managers shall not be liable for any of the actions of the Crew even if such actions are negligent, grossly negligent or willful, except only to the extent that they are shown to have resulted from a failure to the Managers to discharge their obligations under sub-Clause 3.1, in which case their liability shall be limited in accordance with the terms of this Clause 11 .
11.3  Indemnity - Except to the extent and solely for the amount therein set out that the   Managers would be liable under sub- clause 11.2 , the Owners hereby undertake to keep the Managers and their employees, agents and sub-contractors indemnified and to hold them harmless against all actions, proceedings, claims, demands or liabilities whatsoever or howsoever arising which may be brought against them or incurred or suffered by them arising out of or in connection with the performance of the Agreement, and against and in respect of all costs, losses, damages and expenses (including legal costs and expenses on a full indemnity basis) which the Managers may suffer or incur (either directly or indirectly) in the course of the performance of this Agreement.
11.4  “ Himalaya - It is hereby expressly agreed that no employee or agent of the Managers (including every sub-contractor from time to time employed by the Managers) shall in any circumstances whatsoever be under any liability whatsoever to the Owners for any loss, damage or delay of whatsoever kind arising or resulting directly or indirectly from any act, neglect or default on his party while acting in the course of or in connection with his employment and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions in this Clause 11 , every exemption, limitation, condition and liberty herein contained and every right, exemption from liability, defence and immunity of whatsoever nature applicable to the Managers or to which the Managers are entitled hereunder shall also be available and shall extend to protect every such employee or agent of the Managers acting as aforesaid and for the purpose of all the foregoing provisions of this Clause 11 the Managers are or shall be deemed to be acting as agent or trustee on behalf of and for the benefit of all persons who are or might be their servants or agents from time to time (including sub-contractors as aforesaid) and all such persons shall to this extent be or be deemed to be parties to this Agreement.
12.  Documentation
Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 and/or Crew Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.1, they shall make available,


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“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
upon Owners’ request, all documentation and records related to the Safety Management System (SMS) and/or the Crew which the Owners need in order to demonstrate compliance with the ISM Code and STCW 95 or to defend a claim against a third party.
13.  General Administration
13.1   The Managers shall handle and settle all claims arising out of the Management Services hereunder and keep the Owners informed regarding any incident of which the Managers become aware which gives or may give rise to claims or disputes involving third parties.
13.2   The Managers shall, as instructed by the Owners, bring or defend actions, suits or proceedings in connection with matters entrusted to the Managers according to this Agreement.
13.3   The Managers shall also have power to obtain legal or technical or other outside expert advice in relation to the handling and settlement of claims and disputes or all other matters affecting the interests of the Owners in respect of the Vessel.
13.4   The Owners shall arrange for the provision of any necessary guarantee bond or other security.
13.5   Any costs reasonably incurred by the Managers in carrying out their obligations according to Clause 13 shall be reimbursed by the Owners.
14.  Auditing
The Managers shall at all times maintain and keep true and correct accounts and shall make the same available for inspection and auditing by the Owners at such times as may be mutually agreed.  On the termination, for whatever reasons, of this Agreement the Managers shall release to the Owners, if so requested, the originals when possible, or otherwise certified copies, of all such accounts and all documents specifically relating to the Vessel and her operation.
15.  Inspection of Vessel
The Owners shall have the right at any time after giving reasonable notice to the Managers to inspect the Vessel for any reason they consider necessary.
16.  Compliance with Laws and Regulations
The Managers will not do or permit to be done anything which might cause any breach or infringement of the laws and regulations of the Vessel’s flag, or of the places where she trades.
17.  Duration of the Agreement
This Agreement shall come into effect on the day and year stated in Box 4 and shall continue until the date stated in Box 17 .  Thereafter it shall continue until terminated by either party giving to the other notice to the Managers in writing, in which event the Agreement shall terminate upon the expiration of a period of two   eighteen months from the date upon which such notice was given.  In case Owners wish to terminate the Agreement earlier than the date stated in Box 17 Owners will pay the Managers all fees as per ANNEX “E” for the remaining period until the date stated in Box 17 .
18.  Termination
18.1  Owners’ default
(i)  The Managers shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing if any moneys payable by the Owners under this Agreement and/or the owners of any associated vessel, details of which are listed in Annex “D” . shall not have been received in the Managers’ nominated account within ten running days of receipt by the Owners of the Managers written request or if the Vessel is repossessed by the Mortgagees.
(ii)  If the Owners:
(a)  fail to meet their obligations under sub- clauses 5.2 and 5.3 of this Agreement for any reason within their control, or
(b)  proceed with the employment of or continue to employ the Vessel in the carriage of contraband, blockade running, or in an unlawful trade, or on a voyage which in the reasonable opinion of the Managers is unduly hazardous or improper, the Managers may give notice of the default to the Owners, requiring them to remedy it as soon as practically possible.  In the event that the Owners fail to remedy it within a reasonable time to the satisfaction of the Managers   the Managers shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing.
18.2  Managers’ Default
If the Managers fail to meet their obligations under Clauses 3 and 4 of this Agreement for any reason within the control of the Managers, the Owners may give notice to the Managers of the default, requiring them to remedy it as soon as practically possible.  In the event that the Managers fail to remedy it within a reasonable time to the satisfaction of the Owners the Owners shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing.
18.3  Extraordinary Termination
This Agreement shall be deemed to be terminated in the case of the sale of the Vessel or if the Vessel becomes a total loss or is declared as a constructive or compromised or arranged total loss or is requisitioned.
18.4   For the purpose of sub-clause 18.3 hereof
(i)  the date upon which the Vessel is to be treated as having been sold or otherwise disposed or shall be the date on which the Owners cease to be registered as Owners of the Vessel;
(ii)  the Vessel shall not be deemed to be lost unless either she has become an actual total loss or agreement has been reached with her underwriters in respect of her constructive, compromised or arranged total loss or if such agreement with her underwriters is not reached it is adjudged by a competent tribunal that a constructive loss of the Vessel has occurred.
18.5   This Agreement shall terminate forthwith in the event of an order being made or resolution passed for the winding up, dissolution, liquidation or bankruptcy of either party (otherwise than for the purpose of reconstruction or amalgamation) or if a receiver is appointed, or it if suspends payment, ceases to carry on business or makes any special arrangement or composition with its creditors.
18.6  The termination of this Agreement shall be without prejudice to all rights accrued due between the parties prior to the date of termination.
18.7   A change of control of either party shall not terminate this Agreement.
19.  Law and Arbitration
19.1   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration in London in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996 or any statutory modification to re-enactment thereof save to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Clause.
The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) Terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
The reference shall be to three arbitrators.  A party wishing to refer a dispute to arbitration shall appoint its arbitrator and send notice of such appointment in writing to the other party requiring the other party to appoint its own arbitrator within 14 calendar days of that notice and stating that it will appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator unless the other party appoints its own arbitrator and gives notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified.  If the other party does not appoint its own arbitrator and give notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified, the party referring a dispute to arbitration may, without the requirement of any further prior


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“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
notice to the other party, appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator and shall advise the other party accordingly.  The award of a sole arbitrator shall be binding on both parties as if he had been appointed by agreement.
Nothing herein shall prevent the parties agreeing in writing to vary these provisions to provide for the appointment of a sole arbitrator.
In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of USD50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the LMAA Small Claims Procedure current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
19.2   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Title 9 of the United States Code and the Maritime Law of the United States and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to three persons at New York, one to be appointed by each of the parties hereto, and the third by the two so chosen; their decision that of any two of them shall be final, and for the purposes of enforcing any award, judgment may be entered on an award by any court of competent jurisdiction.  The proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc.
In cases where neither the claim not any counterclaim exceeds the sum of USD50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the Shortened Arbitration Procedure of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc, current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
19.3   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the place mutually agreed by the parties and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration at a mutually agreed place, subject to the procedures applicable there.
19.4   If Box 18 in Part I is not appropriately filled in, sub- clause 19.1 of this Clause shall apply.
Note:  19.1 , 19.2 and 19.3 are alternatives; indicate alternative agreed in Box 18 .
20.  Notices
20.1   Any notice to be given by either party to the other party shall be in writing and may be sent by fax, telex, registered or recorded mail or by personal service.
20.2   The address of the Parties for service of such communication shall be as stated in Boxes 19 and 20 , respectively.

Exhibit 4.113
1. Date of Agreement
 
1 st January 2019
 
HULL S875 tbn ECO BEVERLY HILLS
 
 
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
CODE NAME: "SHIPMAN 98"
Part I
2. Owners (name, place of registered office and law of registry) ( Cl. 1 )
 
3. Managers (name, place of registered office and law of registry) ( Cl. 1 )
         
 
MALIBU WARRIOR INC.
   
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.
 
Name
   
Name
         
 
The Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands
   
The Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands
 
Place of registered office
   
Place of registered office
         
 
Marshall Islands
   
Marshall Islands
 
Law of Registry
   
Law of Registry
         
4. Day and year of commencement of Agreement ( Cl. 2 )
 
1 st January 2019
 
5. Crew Management (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.1 )
 
YES
 
 
6. Technical Management (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.2 )
 
YES
 
7. Insurance (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.3 )
 
YES
 
 
8. Insurance Arrangements (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.4 )
 
YES
 
9. Accounting (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.5 )
 
YES
 
 
10. Sale or purchase of the Vessel (state “yes” or “no” as agreed ( Cl. 3.6 )
 
YES
 
11. Provisions (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.7 )
 
YES
 
 
12. Bunkering (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.8 )
 
YES
 
13. Chartering Services (only to be filled in if “yes” in box 7) ( Cl. 3.3(i) )
 
FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION OF THIS AGREEMENT
 
 
14. Managers’ Insurance (state alternative (i), (ii) or (iii) of Cl. 6.3 )
 
(i)
 
15. Annual Management Fee (state annual amount) ( Cl. 8.1 )
 
AS PER ANNEX “E”
 
 
16. Severance Costs (state maximum amount) ( Cl. 8.4(ii) )
 
AT COST AS PER SEAMEN COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT
 
17. Day and year of termination of Agreement (Cl. 17)
 
Duration 5 years, automatically renewed.
 
 
18. Law and Arbitration (state alternative 19.1 , 19.2 or 19.3 place of arbitration must be stated) ( Cl. 19 )
 
AT COST AS PER CLAUSE 19.1
 
19. Notices (state postal and cable address, telex and telefax number for serving notice and communication to the Owners ) ( Cl. 25 )
TOP SHIPS INC.
1, Vas.Sofias & Meg. Alexandrou Str.,
15124, Maroussi, Athens, Greece
E-mail : vi@topships.org
Fax      : +30 210 6141 276
 
20. Notices (state postal and cable address, telex and telefax number for serving notice and communication to the Managers ) ( Cl. 20 )
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.
c/o CENTRAL MARE INC.
1, Vas. Sofias & Meg. Alexandrou Str.,
15124, Maroussi, Athens, Greece
E-mail: ops@centralmare.com
Fax     : +30 210 8020 364

It is mutually agreed between the party stated in Box 2 and the party stated in Box 3 that this Agreement consisting of PART I and PART II as well as Annexes "A" (Details of Vessel), "B" (Details of Crew), “C” (Budget), and “D” (Associated Vessels) attached hereto, shall be performed subject to the conditions contained herein.  In the event of a conflict of conditions, the provisions of PART I and Annexes “A” , “B” , “C” and “D” shall prevail over those of PART II to the extent of such conflict but no father.
     
Signature(s) (Owners)
 
/s/ Vangelis Ikonomou
Vangelis Ikonomou
 
 
MALIBU WARRIOR INC.
 
Signature(s) (Managers)
 
/s/ Andreas M. Louka
Andreas M. Louka
Attorney-in-fact
 
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.
 


This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “A” (DETAILS OF VESSEL OR VESSELS) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
   
   
Name of Vessel(s):
Hull Number S875 tbn ECO BEVERLY HILLS
   
   
 
Particulars of Vessel:
   
   


TYPE OF VESSEL
Oil Carrier
HULL TYPE
Double Hull
IMO NUMBER
9794068
FLAG
Marshall Islands
YEAR & PLACE BUILT
2019 at Hyundai Shipyard, Korea
CLASS SOCIETY
DNV GL
CALL SIGN
V7A2273
LOA, BREADTH, DEPTH
277 M / 48 M / 23,2 M
SDWT - DRAFT
157,275 MT @ 17.15 M

This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “B” (DETAILS OF CREW) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Details of Crew:
Rank
Number
Nationality
Master
1
Filipino
Chief Officer
1
Filipino
Second Officer
1
Filipino
Third Officer
1
Filipino
Chief Engineer
1
Filipino
Second Engineer
1
Filipino
Third Engineer
1
Filipino
Electrician
1
Filipino
Pumpman
1
Filipino
Bosun
1
Filipino
Able Seaman
3
Filipino
Ordinary Seaman
2
Filipino
Deck Cadet
1
Filipino
Oiler
1
Filipino
Wiper
1
Filipino
Engine Cadet
1
Filipino
Cook
1
Filipino
Mess Boy
2
Filipino
CREW TOTAL
22
 

This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “C” (ANNUAL MANAGEMENT BUDGET)
TO THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Managers Budget in USD effective from the first year of operations.
Hull S875 / 157,200 DWT Suezmax Tanker
BUDGET Estimation Proposal 2019
Accounts
Code
Crew
Daily Amount
Annual Amount
Annual Summary
68002
CREW AGENTS/SUBMANAGERS EXPENSES
12,33
$4.500
 
68003
CREW AGENTS/SUBMANAGERS FEES
82,19
$30.000
68004
CREW BONUS (TANK CLEANING, VETTING BONUS, ETC)
54,79
$20.000
68014
CREW INDEMNITIES
0,00
$0
68005
CREW COMPULSORY INSURANCE & CREW INSURANCE FOR P&I DEDUCTIBLE
27,40
$10.000
68006
CREW PRE-JOINING MEDICAL EXPS
13,70
$5.000
68021
CREW MISC CLAIMABLE MATTERS
0,00
$0
68007
ADDITIONAL CREW OVERTIME
0,00
$0
08008
CREW SALARIES & FIXED OVERTIME & OWNERS’ CREW BONUS INCLUDING ADDITIONAL OVERLAPPING USD 20,000
2.805,48
$1.024.000
68009
CREW TRANSPORTATION EXPS
232,88
$85.000
68010
CREW UNIFORMS/WORKING CLOTHES
13,70
$5.000
68011
CREW PRE-JOINING TRAININGS & CREW VARIOUS EXPENSES
273,97
$100.000
68019
GREEK CREW MEDICAL EXPS
0,00
$0
68018
GREEK CREW MISC EXPS
0,00
$0
68017
GREEK CREW TRANSPORTATION EXPS
0,00
$0
68016
GREEK CREW WAGES
0,00
$0
68012
PROVISIONS
239,73
$87.500
$1.371.000
68020
SHIPOWNERS’ CONTRIBUTIONS
0,00
$0
68022
CREW LEAVE PAY
0,00
$0
 
Crew Subtotal
3.756,16
$1.371.000
Accounts
Code
Insurance
 
64001
HULL & MACHINERY
301,37
$100.000
 
64002
INSURANCE LOSS OF HIRE
0,00
$0
69003
WAR RISKS ANNUAL PREMIUM
41,10
$15.000
64004
P&I
301,37
$110.000
65005
FD D
27,40
$10.000
64006
MARINE INTEREST
0,00
$0
64007
PURCHASERS INTEREST INSURANCE
0,00
$0
$245.000
64008
BACK CALLS-(INSURANCE) SUPPLEMENTARY
0,00
$0
 
Insurance Subtotal
671,23
$245.000
Accounts
Code
Repairs and Maintenance
67001
AUX.MACITINERY REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
27,40
$10.000
 
67003
BOILER REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
27,40
$10.000
67005
CHEMICALS & GASES
54,79
$20.000
67013
DECK SPARE PARTS - REPAIR/MAINTENANCE
54,79
$20.000
67006
DIESEL GENERATORS - REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67017
MAIN ENGINE REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
27,40
$10.000
67008
PAINTS AT SEA
54,79
$20.000
67010
RADIO ROOM NAVIGATION MAINTENANCE
8,22
$3.000
67011
REPAIRS - MAINTENANCE
13,70
$5.000
67012
SLOPS & GARBAGE REMOVAL
13,70
$5.000
67016
SUPER.ENGIN/PORT CPTN OTHER FEES&EXPS
82,19
$30.000
$153.000
 
$346.000
67019
VESSELS IT HARDWARE EQUIPMENT
13,70
$5.000
 
Repairs and Maintenance Subtotal
419,18
$153.000
 
Other Vessel Operating Expenses Subtotal
947,95
$346.000
66009
Lubricants
547,95
$200.000
$200.000
$65.000
 
Spares Subtotal
178,08
$65.000
 
Extraordinary Expenses
0,00
   
 
Less corresponding claims
0,00
 
 
TOTAL OPEX WITHOUT DD EXPENSES
 
$2.380.000
 
DAILY OPEX WITHOUT DD EXPENSES
 
$6.521
 
 
DO Adjustments (5y / 2.5y amortization)
0,00
 
$6. 521
 
TOTAL OPEX WITH DD EXPENSE
6.520,55
$2.380.000
 
DAILY OPEX WITH DD EXPENSES
 
$6.521



This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “D” (ASSOCIATED VESSELS) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

NOTE: PARTIES SHOULD BE AWARE THAT BY COMPLETING THIS ANNEX “D” THEY WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SUB-CLAUSE 18.1(i) OF THIS AGREEMENT.
Date of Agreement:
1 st January 2019
Details of Associated Vessels:
Hull S875 tbn ECO BEVERLY HILLS
 
 
 
 
 
 










This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX E (Management Fees)
Duration of Contract Five
(5) years, automatically renewed.
   
Services and Relevant Fees:
USD 550 per day per vessel for Technical and Commercial, Crew Management, Insurance, Provisions and Bunkering.  Applicable 3 months prior delivery from the yard.
 
Accounting, Reporting, Legal and Administrative Services at cost.
     
Fee Annual Increase:
Based on total percentage increase in the U.S. Consumer Price Index over the previous year, but not less than 2% and not more than 5%.
   
Commission on all hires / gross freight / demurrage:
1.25%
   
Sales and Purchase Commission:
1% of the Sale or the Purchase Price or the Contract Price of the Newbuilding Contract.
   
N/B Construction – Supervision Fee:
7% of actual cost.
   
Managers’ Superintendent’s Fee beyond 10 days per annum:
USD 500 per day, plus actual expenses.
   
Notice of Termination:
18 months
   
Termination Fees:
Fees for 12 months.

1.
Manager shall be entitled to receive additional remuneration for any increase in administrative costs and expenses resulting from the introduction of a new, or a change in the interpretation of applicable laws and regulations, or concerning ship management services.
2.
Owners to pay the deductible of any insurance claim relating to the vessels, or for any claim that is within such deductible range.  All insurance related rebates to be for the benefit of the Manager.
3.
Owners to pay any tax, dues, or ransom in a case of piracy, or fines imposed on vessel or Manager, due to the operation of the vessel.
4.
The above management fees are agreed on the basis of the number of the associated vessels as per ANNEX D of this agreement.


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
1.  Definitions
In this Agreement save where the context otherwise requires, the following words and expressions shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them.
" Owners " mean the party identified in Box. 2 .
" Managers " mean the party identified in Box 3 .
" Vessel " means the vessel or vessels details of which are set out in Annex "A" attached hereto.
" Crew " means the Master, officers and ratings of the   numbers, rank and nationality specified in Annex “B” attached hereto.
" Crew Support Costs " means all expenses of a general nature which are not particularly referable to any individual vessel for the time being managed by the Managers and which are incurred by the Managers for the purpose of providing an efficient and economic management service and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, shall include the cost of crew standby pay, training schemes for officers and ratings, cadet training schemes, sick pay, recruitment and interviews.
" Severance Costs " means the costs which the employers are legally obliged to pay to or in respect of the Crew as a result of the early termination of any employment contract for service on the Vessel.
" Crew Insurances " means insurances against crew risks which shall include but not limited to death, sickness, repatriation, injury, shipwreck unemployment indemnity and loss of personal effects.
" Management Services " means the services specified in sub-clauses 3.1 to 3.8 as indicated affirmatively in Boxes 5 to 12.
" ISM Code " means the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention as adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) by resolution A.741(18) or any subsequent amendment thereto.
" STCW 95 " means the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended in 1995 or any subsequent amendment thereto.
2.  Appointment of Mangers
With effect from the day and year stated in Box 4 and continuing unless and until terminated as provided herein, the Owners hereby appoint the Managers and the Managers hereby agree to act as the Managers of the Vessel.
3.  Basis of Agreement
Subject to terms and conditions herein provided, during the period of this Agreement, the Managers shall carry out Management Services in respect of the Vessel as agents for and on behalf of the Owners.  The Managers shall have authority to take such actions as they may from time to time in their absolute discretion consider to be necessary to enable them to perform this Agreement in accordance with sound ship management practice.
3.1  Crew Management
( only applicable if agreed according to   Box 5 )
The Managers shall provide suitably qualified Crew for the Vessel as required by the Owners in accordance with the STCW 95 requirements, provision of which includes but it is not limited to the following functions:
(i)  selecting and engaging the Vessel's Crew, including payroll arrangements, pension administration, and insurances for the Crew other than those mentioned in Clause 6 ;
(ii)  ensuring that the applicable requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied in respect of manning levels, rank, qualification and certification of the Crew and employment regulations including Crew's tax, social insurance, discipline and other requirements;
(iii)  ensuring that all members of the Crew have passed a medical examination with a qualified doctor certifying that they are fit for the duties for which they are engaged and are in possession of valid medical certificates issued in accordance with appropriate flag State requirements.  In the absence of applicable flag State requirements the medical certificate shall be dated not more than three months prior to the respective Crew members leaving their country of domicile and maintained for the duration of their service on board the Vessel;
(iv)  ensuring that the Crew shall have a command of the English language of a sufficient standard to enable them to perform their duties safely;
(v)  arranging transportation of the Crew, including repatriation;
(vi)  training the Crew and supervising their efficiency;
(vii)  conducting union negotiations;
(viii)   operating the Managers' drug and alcohol policy unless otherwise agreed.
3.2  Technical Management
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 6 )
The Managers shall provide technical management which includes, but is not limited to, the following functions:
(i)  provision of competent personnel to supervise the maintenance and general efficiency of the Vessel;
(ii)  arrangement and supervision of dry dockings, repairs, alterations and the upkeep of the Vessel to the standards required by the Owners provided that the Managers shall be entitled to incur the necessary expenditure to ensure that the Vessel will comply with the law of the flag of the Vessel and of the places where she trades, and all requirements and recommendations of the classification society;
(iii)  arrangement of the supply of necessary stores, spares and lubricating oil;
(iv)  appointment of surveyors and technical consultants as the Managers may consider from time to time to be necessary;
(v)  development, implementation and maintenance of a Safety Management System (SMS) in accordance with the ISM Code (see sub-clauses 4,2 and 5;3).
3.3  Commercial Management
( only applicable if agreed according to   Box 7 )
The Managers shall provide the commercial operation of the Vessel, as required by the Owners, which includes, but is not limited to, the following functions:
(i)  providing chartering services in accordance with the Owners’ instructions which include, but are not limited to, seeking and negotiating employment for the Vessel and the conclusion (including the execution thereof) of charter parties or other contracts relating to the employment of the Vessel.  If such a contract exceeds twelve months in duration the period stated in Box 13 . consent thereto in writing shall first be obtained from the Owners.
(ii)  arranging of the proper payment to Owners or their nominees of all hire and/or freight revenues or other moneys of whatsoever mature to which Owners may be entitled arising out of the employment of or otherwise in connection with the Vessel.
(iii)  providing voyage estimates and accounts and calculating of hire, freights, demurrage and/or despatch moneys due from or due to the charterers of the Vessel;
(iv)  issuing of voyage instructions;
(v)  appointing agents;
(vi)  appointing stevedores;
(vii)  arranging surveys associated with the commercial operation of the Vessel.
3.4  Insurance Arrangements
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 8 )
The Managers shall arrange insurances in accordance with Clause 6, on such terms and conditions as the Owners shall have instructed or agreed, in particular regarding conditions,


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
insured values, deductibles and franchises.
3.5  Accounting Services
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 9 )
The Managers shall
(i)  establish an accounting system which meets the requirements of the Owners and provide regular accounting services, supply regular reports and records,
(ii)  maintain the records of all costs and expenditure incurred as well as data necessary or proper for the settlement of accounts between the parties.
3.6  Sale or Purchase of the Vessel
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 10 )
The Managers shall, in accordance with the Owners’ instructions, supervise the sale or purchase of the Vessel, including the performance of any sale or purchase agreement, but not negotiation of the same.
3.7  Provisions ( only applicable if agreed according to Box 11 )
The Manager’s shall arrange for the supply of provisions.
3.8  Bunkering   (only applicable if agreed according to Box 12 )
The Managers shall arrange for the provision of bunker fuel of the quality specified by the Owners as required for the Vessel’s trade.
4.  Managers’ Obligations
4.1   The Managers undertake to use their best endeavours to provide the agreed Management Services as agents for and on behalf of the Owners in accordance with sound ship management practice and to protect and promote the interests of the Owners in all matters relating to the provision of services hereunder.  Provided, however, that the Managers in the performance of their management responsibilities under this Agreement shall be entitled to have regard to their overall responsibility in relation to all vessels as may from time to time be entrusted to their management and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Managers shall be entitled to allocate available supplies, manpower and services in such manner as in the prevailing circumstances the Managers in their absolute discretion consider to be fair and reasonable.
4.2  Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , they shall procure that the requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied and they shall in particular be deemed to be the “Company” as defined by the ISM Code, assuming the responsibility for the operation of the Vessel and taking over the duties and responsibilities imposed by the ISM Code when applicable.
5.  Owners’ Obligations
5.1.   The Owners shall pay all sums due to the Managers punctually in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
5.2.  Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , the Owners shall:
(i)  procure that all officers and ratings supplied by them or on their behalf comply with the requirements of STCW 95;
(ii)  instruct such officers and ratings to obey all reasonable orders of the Managers in connection with the operation of the Managers’ safety system.
5.3  Where the Managers are not providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , the Owners shall procure that the requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied and that they, or such other entity as may be appointed by them and identified to the Managers, shall be deemed to be the “Company” as defined by the ISM Code assuming the responsibility for the operation of the Vessel and taking over the duties and responsibilities imposed by the ISM Code when applicable.
6.  Insurance Policies
The Owners shall procure, whether by instructing the Managers under sub-clause 3.4 or otherwise, that throughout the period of this Agreement:
6.1.  at the Owners’ expense, the Vessel is insured for not less than her sound market value or entered for her full gross tonnage, as the case may be for:
(i)  usual hull and machinery marine risks (including crew negligence) and excess liabilities;
(ii)  protection and indemnity risks (including pollution risks and Crew Insurances); and
(iii)  war risks (including protection and indemnity and crew risks) in accordance with the best practice of prudent owners of vessels of a similar type to the Vessel, with first class insurance companies, underwriters or associations (the “Owners’ Insurances”);
6.2.  all premiums and calls on the Owners’ Insurances are paid promptly by their due date,
6.3.  the Owners’ Insurances name the Managers and, subject to underwriters’ agreement, any third party designated by the Managers as a joint assured, with full cover, with the Owners obtaining cover in respect of each of the insurances specified in sub-clause 6.1 :
(i)  on terms whereby the Managers and any such third party are liable in respect of premiums or calls arising in connection with the Owners’ Insurances; or
(ii)  if reasonably obtainable, on terms such that neither the Managers nor any such third party shall be under any liability in respect of premiums or calls arising in connection with the Owners’ insurances; or
(iii)  on such other terms as may be agreed in writing.
Indicate alternative (i), (ii) or (iii) in Box 14 .  If Box 14 is left blank then (i) applies.
6.4   written evidence is provided, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Managers, of their compliance with their obligations under Clause 6 within a reasonable time of the commencement of the Agreement, and of each renewal date and, if specifically requested, of each payment date of the Owners’ Insurances.
7.  Income Collected and Expenses Paid on Behalf of Owners
7.1   All moneys collected by the Managers under the terms of this Agreement (other than moneys payable by the Owners to the Managers) and any interest thereon shall be held to the credit of the Owners in a separate bank account.
7.2  All expenses incurred by the Managers under the terms of this Agreement on behalf of the Owners (including expenses as provided in Clause 8 ) may be debited against the Owners in the account referred to under sub-clause 7J. but shall in any event remain payable by the Owners to the Managers on demand.
8.  Management Fee
8.1   The Owners shall pay to the Managers for their services as Managers under this Agreement an annual DAILY management fee as stated in Box 15 which shall be payable to equal monthly installments in advance, the first installment being payable on the commencement of this Agreement (see Clause 2 and Box 4 ) and subsequent installments being payable every month.
8.2  The management fee shall be subject to an annual review on the anniversary date of the Agreement and the proposed fee shall be presented in the annual budget referred to in sub-clause 9.1.   Please refer to Annex E (Management Fees)
8.3  The Managers shall, at no extra cost to the Owners, provide their own office accommodation, office staff, facilities and stationery.  Without limiting the generality of Clause 7 the Owners shall reimburse the Managers for postage and communication expenses, traveling expenses, and other out of pocket expenses properly incurred by the Managers in pursuance of


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
the Management Services.
8.4  In the event of the appointment of the Managers being terminated by the Owners or the Managers in accordance with the provisions of Clauses 17 and 18 other than by reason of default by the Managers, or if the Vessel is lost, sold or otherwise disposed of, the “management fee” payable to the Managers according to the provisions of sub- clause 8.1, shall continue to be payable for a further period of three calendar months as from the termination date.  In addition, provided that the Managers provide Crew for the Vessel in accordance with sub-clause 3.1;
( i)  the Owners shall continue to pay Crew Support Costs during the said further period of three calendar months and
( ii)  the Owners shall pay an equitable proportion of any Severance Costs which may materialize, not exceeding the amount stated in Box 16 .
Please refer to Annex E (Management Fees)
8.5  If the Owners decide to lay-up the Vessel whilst this Agreement remains in force and such lay-up lasts for more than three months, an appropriate reduction of the management fee for the period exceeding three months until one month before the Vessel is again put into service shall be mutually agreed between the parties.
8.6  Unless otherwise agreed in writing all discounts and commissions obtained by the Managers in the course of the management of the Vessel shall be credited to the Owners.
9.  Budgets and Management of Funds
The Managers shall present to the Owners annually a budget for the following twelve months in such form as the Owners require.  The budget for the first year hereof is set out in Annex “C” hereto.  Subsequent annual budgets shall be prepared by the Managers and submitted to the Owners not less than three months before the anniversary date of the commencement of this Agreement (see Clause 2 and Box 4).
9.1  The Owners shall indicate to the Managers their acceptance and approval of the annual budget within one month of presentation and in the absence of any such indication the Managers shall be entitled to assume that the Owners have accepted the proposed budget.
9.2  Following the agreement of the budget, the Managers shall prepare and present to the Owners their estimate of the working capital requirement of the Vessel and the Managers shall each month update this estimate, based thereon, the Managers shall each month request the Owners in writing for the funds required to run the Vessel for the ensuing month, including the payment of any occasional or extraordinary item of expenditure, such as emergency repair costs, additional insurance premiums, bunkers or provisions.  Such funds shall be received by the Managers within ten running days after the receipt by the Owners of the Managers’ written request and shall be held to the credit of the Owners in a separate bank account.
9.3  The Managers shall produce a comparison between budgeted and actual income and expenditure of the Vessel in such form as required by the Owners monthly or at such other intervals as mutually agreed.
9.4  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Managers shall in no circumstances be required to use or commit their own funds to finance the provision of the Management Services.
10.  Managers’ Right to Sub-Contract
The Managers shall not have the right to sub-contract any of their obligations hereunder , including those mentioned in sub-clause 3.1 without the prior written consent of the Owners which shall not be unreasonably withheld .  In the event of such a sub- contract the Managers shall remain fully liable for the due performance of their obligations under this Agreement.
11.  Responsibilities
11.1  Force Majeure - Neither the Owners nor the Managers shall be under any liability for any failure to perform any of their obligations thereunder by reason of any cause whatsoever of any nature or kind beyond their reasonable control.
11.2  Liability to Owners - (i)   Without prejudice to sub-clause 11.1, the Managers shall be under no liability whatsoever to the Owners for any loss, damage, delay or expense of whatsoever nature, whether direct or indirect, (including but not limited to loss of profit arising out of or in connection with detention of or delay to the Vessel) and howsoever arising in the course of performance of the Management Services UNLESS same is proved to have resulted from the negligence, gross negligence or willful default of the Managers of their employees, or agents or sub-contractors employed by them in connection with the Vessel, in which case (save where loss, damage, delay or expense has resulted from the Managers’ personal act or omission committed with the intent to cause same or recklessly and with knowledge that such loss, damage, delay or expense would probably result) the Managers’ liability for such incident or series of incidents giving rise to a claim or claims shall never exceed a total of ten times the annual Management Fee payable hereunder.
(ii)  Notwithstanding anything that may appear to the contrary in this Agreement, the Managers shall not be liable for any of the actions of the Crew even if such actions are negligent, grossly negligent or willful, except only to the extent that they are shown to have resulted from a failure to the Managers to discharge their obligations under sub-Clause 3.1, in which case their liability shall be limited in accordance with the terms of this Clause 11 .
11.3  Indemnity - Except to the extent and solely for the amount therein set out that the   Managers would be liable under sub- clause 11.2 , the Owners hereby undertake to keep the Managers and their employees, agents and sub-contractors indemnified and to hold them harmless against all actions, proceedings, claims, demands or liabilities whatsoever or howsoever arising which may be brought against them or incurred or suffered by them arising out of or in connection with the performance of the Agreement, and against and in respect of all costs, losses, damages and expenses (including legal costs and expenses on a full indemnity basis) which the Managers may suffer or incur (either directly or indirectly) in the course of the performance of this Agreement.
11.4  “ Himalaya - It is hereby expressly agreed that no employee or agent of the Managers (including every sub-contractor from time to time employed by the Managers) shall in any circumstances whatsoever be under any liability whatsoever to the Owners for any loss, damage or delay of whatsoever kind arising or resulting directly or indirectly from any act, neglect or default on his party while acting in the course of or in connection with his employment and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions in this Clause 11 , every exemption, limitation, condition and liberty herein contained and every right, exemption from liability, defence and immunity of whatsoever nature applicable to the Managers or to which the Managers are entitled hereunder shall also be available and shall extend to protect every such employee or agent of the Managers acting as aforesaid and for the purpose of all the foregoing provisions of this Clause 11 the Managers are or shall be deemed to be acting as agent or trustee on behalf of and for the benefit of all persons who are or might be their servants or agents from time to time (including sub-contractors as aforesaid) and all such persons shall to this extent be or be deemed to be parties to this Agreement.
12.  Documentation
Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 and/or Crew Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.1, they shall make available,


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
upon Owners’ request, all documentation and records related to the Safety Management System (SMS) and/or the Crew which the Owners need in order to demonstrate compliance with the ISM Code and STCW 95 or to defend a claim against a third party.
13.  General Administration
13.1   The Managers shall handle and settle all claims arising out of the Management Services hereunder and keep the Owners informed regarding any incident of which the Managers become aware which gives or may give rise to claims or disputes involving third parties.
13.2   The Managers shall, as instructed by the Owners, bring or defend actions, suits or proceedings in connection with matters entrusted to the Managers according to this Agreement.
13.3   The Managers shall also have power to obtain legal or technical or other outside expert advice in relation to the handling and settlement of claims and disputes or all other matters affecting the interests of the Owners in respect of the Vessel.
13.4   The Owners shall arrange for the provision of any necessary guarantee bond or other security.
13.5   Any costs reasonably incurred by the Managers in carrying out their obligations according to Clause 13 shall be reimbursed by the Owners.
14.  Auditing
The Managers shall at all times maintain and keep true and correct accounts and shall make the same available for inspection and auditing by the Owners at such times as may be mutually agreed.  On the termination, for whatever reasons, of this Agreement the Managers shall release to the Owners, if so requested, the originals when possible, or otherwise certified copies, of all such accounts and all documents specifically relating to the Vessel and her operation.
15.  Inspection of Vessel
The Owners shall have the right at any time after giving reasonable notice to the Managers to inspect the Vessel for any reason they consider necessary.
16.  Compliance with Laws and Regulations
The Managers will not do or permit to be done anything which might cause any breach or infringement of the laws and regulations of the Vessel’s flag, or of the places where she trades.
17.  Duration of the Agreement
This Agreement shall come into effect on the day and year stated in Box 4 and shall continue until the date stated in Box 17 .  Thereafter it shall continue until terminated by either party giving to the other notice to the Managers in writing, in which event the Agreement shall terminate upon the expiration of a period of two   eighteen months from the date upon which such notice was given.  In case Owners wish to terminate the Agreement earlier than the date stated in Box 17 Owners will pay the Managers all fees as per ANNEX “E” for the remaining period until the date stated in Box 17 .
18.  Termination
18.1  Owners’ default
(i)  The Managers shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing if any moneys payable by the Owners under this Agreement and/or the owners of any associated vessel, details of which are listed in Annex “D” . shall not have been received in the Managers’ nominated account within ten running days of receipt by the Owners of the Managers written request or if the Vessel is repossessed by the Mortgagees.
(ii)  If the Owners:
(a)  fail to meet their obligations under sub- clauses 5.2 and 5.3 of this Agreement for any reason within their control, or
(b)  proceed with the employment of or continue to employ the Vessel in the carriage of contraband, blockade running, or in an unlawful trade, or on a voyage which in the reasonable opinion of the Managers is unduly hazardous or improper, the Managers may give notice of the default to the Owners, requiring them to remedy it as soon as practically possible.  In the event that the Owners fail to remedy it within a reasonable time to the satisfaction of the Managers   the Managers shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing.
18.2  Managers’ Default
If the Managers fail to meet their obligations under Clauses 3 and 4 of this Agreement for any reason within the control of the Managers, the Owners may give notice to the Managers of the default, requiring them to remedy it as soon as practically possible.  In the event that the Managers fail to remedy it within a reasonable time to the satisfaction of the Owners the Owners shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing.
18.3  Extraordinary Termination
This Agreement shall be deemed to be terminated in the case of the sale of the Vessel or if the Vessel becomes a total loss or is declared as a constructive or compromised or arranged total loss or is requisitioned.
18.4   For the purpose of sub-clause 18.3 hereof
(i)  the date upon which the Vessel is to be treated as having been sold or otherwise disposed or shall be the date on which the Owners cease to be registered as Owners of the Vessel;
(ii)  the Vessel shall not be deemed to be lost unless either she has become an actual total loss or agreement has been reached with her underwriters in respect of her constructive, compromised or arranged total loss or if such agreement with her underwriters is not reached it is adjudged by a competent tribunal that a constructive loss of the Vessel has occurred.
18.5   This Agreement shall terminate forthwith in the event of an order being made or resolution passed for the winding up, dissolution, liquidation or bankruptcy of either party (otherwise than for the purpose of reconstruction or amalgamation) or if a receiver is appointed, or it if suspends payment, ceases to carry on business or makes any special arrangement or composition with its creditors.
18.6  The termination of this Agreement shall be without prejudice to all rights accrued due between the parties prior to the date of termination.
18.7   A change of control of either party shall not terminate this Agreement.
19.  Law and Arbitration
19.1   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration in London in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996 or any statutory modification to re-enactment thereof save to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Clause.
The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) Terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
The reference shall be to three arbitrators.  A party wishing to refer a dispute to arbitration shall appoint its arbitrator and send notice of such appointment in writing to the other party requiring the other party to appoint its own arbitrator within 14 calendar days of that notice and stating that it will appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator unless the other party appoints its own arbitrator and gives notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified.  If the other party does not appoint its own arbitrator and give notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified, the party referring a dispute to arbitration may, without the requirement of any further prior


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
notice to the other party, appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator and shall advise the other party accordingly.  The award of a sole arbitrator shall be binding on both parties as if he had been appointed by agreement.
Nothing herein shall prevent the parties agreeing in writing to vary these provisions to provide for the appointment of a sole arbitrator.
In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of USD50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the LMAA Small Claims Procedure current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
19.2   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Title 9 of the United States Code and the Maritime Law of the United States and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to three persons at New York, one to be appointed by each of the parties hereto, and the third by the two so chosen; their decision that of any two of them shall be final, and for the purposes of enforcing any award, judgment may be entered on an award by any court of competent jurisdiction.  The proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc.
In cases where neither the claim not any counterclaim exceeds the sum of USD50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the Shortened Arbitration Procedure of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc, current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
19.3   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the place mutually agreed by the parties and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration at a mutually agreed place, subject to the procedures applicable there.
19.4   If Box 18 in Part I is not appropriately filled in, sub- clause 19.1 of this Clause shall apply.
Note:  19.1 , 19.2 and 19.3 are alternatives; indicate alternative agreed in Box 18 .
20.  Notices
20.1   Any notice to be given by either party to the other party shall be in writing and may be sent by fax, telex, registered or recorded mail or by personal service.
20.2   The address of the Parties for service of such communication shall be as stated in Boxes 19 and 20 , respectively.

Exhibit 4.114
1. Date of Agreement
 
11 th January 2019
 
M/T ECO PALM DESERT
 
 
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
CODE NAME: "SHIPMAN 98"
Part I
2. Owners (name, place of registered office and law of registry) ( Cl. 1 )
 
3. Managers (name, place of registered office and law of registry) ( Cl. 1 )
         
 
ASTARTE INTERNATIONAL INC.
   
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.
 
Name
   
Name
         
 
The Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands
   
The Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands
 
Place of registered office
   
Place of registered office
         
 
Marshall Islands
   
Marshall Islands
 
Law of Registry
   
Law of Registry
         
4. Day and year of commencement of Agreement ( Cl. 2 )
 
11 th January 2019
 
5. Crew Management (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.1 )
 
YES
 
 
6. Technical Management (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.2 )
 
YES
 
7. Insurance (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.3 )
 
YES
 
 
8. Insurance Arrangements (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.4 )
 
YES
 
9. Accounting (state "yes" or "no" as agreed) ( Cl. 3.5 )
 
YES
 
 
10. Sale or purchase of the Vessel (state “yes” or “no” as agreed ( Cl. 3.6 )
 
YES
 
11. Provisions (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.7 )
 
YES
 
 
12. Bunkering (state “yes” or “no” as agreed) ( Cl. 3.8 )
 
YES
 
13. Chartering Services (only to be filled in if “yes” in box 7) ( Cl. 3.3(i) )
 
FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION OF THIS AGREEMENT
 
 
14. Managers’ Insurance (state alternative (i), (ii) or (iii) of Cl. 6.3 )
 
(i)
 
15. Annual Management Fee (state annual amount) ( Cl. 8.1 )
 
AS PER ANNEX “E”
 
 
16. Severance Costs (state maximum amount) ( Cl. 8.4(ii) )
 
AT COST AS PER SEAMEN COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT
 
17. Day and year of termination of Agreement (Cl. 17)
 
Duration 5 years, automatically renewed.
 
 
18. Law and Arbitration (state alternative 19.1 , 19.2 or 19.3 place of arbitration must be stated) ( Cl. 19 )
 
AT COST AS PER CLAUSE 19.1
 
19. Notices (state postal and cable address, telex and telefax number for serving notice and communication to the Owners ) ( Cl. 25 )
TOP SHIPS INC.
1, Vas.Sofias & Meg. Alexandrou Str.,
15124, Maroussi, Athens, Greece
E-mail : vi@topships.org
Fax      : +30 210 6141 276
 
20. Notices (state postal and cable address, telex and telefax number for serving notice and communication to the Managers ) ( Cl. 20 )
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.
c/o CENTRAL MARE INC.
1, Vas. Sofias & Meg. Alexandrou Str.,
15124, Maroussi, Athens, Greece
E-mail: ops@centralmare.com
Fax     : +30 210 8020 364

It is mutually agreed between the party stated in Box 2 and the party stated in Box 3 that this Agreement consisting of PART I and PART II as well as Annexes "A" (Details of Vessel), "B" (Details of Crew), “C” (Budget), and “D” (Associated Vessels) attached hereto, shall be performed subject to the conditions contained herein.  In the event of a conflict of conditions, the provisions of PART I and Annexes “A” , “B” , “C” and “D” shall prevail over those of PART II to the extent of such conflict but no father.

     
Signature(s) (Owners)
 
/s/ ___________________
 
 
ASTARTE INTERNATIONAL INC.
 
 
Signature(s) (Managers)
 
/s/ Andreas M. Louka
Andreas M. Louka
Attorney-in-fact
 
CENTRAL SHIPPING INC.


This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “A” (DETAILS OF VESSEL OR VESSELS) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
11 th January 2019
   
   
Name of Vessel(s):
M/T ECO PALM DESERT
   
   
 
Particulars of Vessel:
   
   


TYPE OF VESSEL
Oil and Chemicals
Ship Type IMO 2 & 3
HULL TYPE
Double Hull
IMO NUMBER
9828912
FLAG
Marshall Islands
YEAR & PLACE BUILT
2018 at Hyundai Vinashin Shipyard, Vietnam
CLASS SOCIETY
Lloyd’s Register
CALL SIGN
V7BP9
LOA, BREADTH, DEPTH
183 M / 32,20 M / 19,10 M
SDWT - DRAFT
49,932 MT @ 13.30 M

This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “B” (DETAILS OF CREW) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
11 th January 2019
Details of Crew:
Rank
Number
Nationality
Master
1
Filipino
Chief Officer
1
Filipino
Second Officer
1
Filipino
Third Officer
1
Filipino
Chief Engineer
1
Filipino
Second Engineer
1
Filipino
Third Engineer
1
Filipino
Electrician
1
Filipino
Pumpman
1
Filipino
Bosun
1
Filipino
Able Seaman
3
Filipino
Ordinary Seaman
2
Filipino
Deck Cadet
1
Filipino
Oiler
1
Filipino
Wiper
1
Filipino
Engine Cadet
1
Filipino
Cook
1
Filipino
Mess Boy
2
Filipino
CREW TOTAL
22
 

This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “C” (ANNUAL MANAGEMENT BUDGET)
TO THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

Date of Agreement:
11 th January 2019
Managers Budget in USD effective from the first year of operations.
Hyundai Vinashin Shipyard MR Oil and Chemical Tanker 50,000 DWT
Proposed Budget for first year of operations
Accounts
Code
Crew
Daily Amount
Annual Amount
Annual Summary
68002
CREW AGENTS/SUBMANAGERS EXPENSES
9,86
$3.600
 
68003
CREW AGENTS/SUBMANAGERS FEES
82,19
$30.000
68004
CREW BONUS (TANK CLEANING, VETTING BONUS, ETC)
41,10
$15.000
68014
CREW INDEMNITIES
0,00
$0
68005
CREW COMPULSORY INSURANCE & CREW INSURANCE FOR P&I DEDUCTIBLE
23,29
$8.500
68006
CREW PRE-JOINING MEDICAL EXPS
9,59
$3.500
68021
CREW MISC CLAIMABLE MATTERS
0,00
$0
68007
ADDITIONAL CREW OVERTIME
0,00
$0
08008
CREW SALARIES & FIXED OVERTIME & OWNERS’ CREW BONUS INCLUDING ADDITIONAL OVERLAPPING USD 20,000
2.608,22
$952.000
68009
CREW TRANSPORTATION EXPS
232,88
$85.000
68010
CREW UNIFORMS/WORKING CLOTHES
8,22
$3.000
68011
CREW PRE-JOINING TRAININGS & CREW VARIOUS EXPENSES
296,58
$90.000
$1.271.600
68019
GREEK CREW MEDICAL EXPS
0,00
$0
68018
GREEK CREW MISC EXPS
0,00
$0
68017
GREEK CREW TRANSPORTATION EXPS
0,00
$0
68016
GREEK CREW WAGES
0,00
$0
68012
PROVISIONS
221,92
$81.000
68020
SHIPOWNERS’ CONTRIBUTIONS
0,00
$0
68022
CREW LEAVE PAY
0,00
$0
 
Crew Subtotal
3.483,84
$1.271.600
Accounts
Code
Insurance
 
64001
HULL & MACHINERY
164,38
$60.000
 
64002
INSURANCE LOSS OF HIRE
0,00
$0
69003
WAR RISKS ANNUAL PREMIUM
15,75
$5.750
64004
P&I
136,99
$50.000
65005
FD D
27,40
$10.000
64006
MARINE INTEREST
0,00
$0
64007
PURCHASERS INTEREST INSURANCE
0,00
$0
$125.750
64008
BACK CALLS-(INSURANCE) SUPPLEMENTARY
0,00
$0
 
Insurance Subtotal
344,52
$125.750
Accounts
Code
Repairs and Maintenance
67001
AUX.MACITINERY REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
27,40
$10.000
 
67003
BOILER REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67005
CHEMICALS & GASES
41,10
$15.000
67013
DECK SPARE PARTS - REPAIR/MAINTENANCE
27,40
$10.000
67006
DIESEL GENERATORS - REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67017
MAIN ENGINE REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67008
PAINTS AT SEA
27,40
$10.000
67010
RADIO ROOM NAVIGATION MAINTENANCE
13,70
$5.000
67011
REPAIRS - MAINTENANCE
41,10
$15.000
67012
SLOPS & GARBAGE REMOVAL
0,00
$0
67016
SUPER,ENGIN/PORT CPTN OTHER FEES&EXPS
54,79
$20.000
$135.000
67019
VESSELS IT HARDWARE EQUIPMENT
13,70
$5.000
 
Repairs and Maintenance Subtotal
369,86
$135.000
Accounts
Code
Other Vessel Operating Expenses
66010
SAFETY ITEMS
27,40
$10.000
 
68001
CABIN STORES - ACCOMODATION
27,40
$10.000
68015
GALLEY-KITCHEN EQUIPMENT
13,70
$5.000
68013
WATER SUPPLY
13,70
$5.000
66002
ACCRUALS-OPERATING EXPS
0,00
$0
66001
APPROVAL-SUITABILITY INSPECTIONS
54,79
$20.000
66004
CHARTS/N.PUBLICATIONS
27,40
$10.000
66023
CLASS AND STATUT CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
41,10
$15.000
66005
CLEARING/FORWARDING EXPS
109,59
$40.000
66006
DECK STORES
95,89
$35.000
66007
ELECTR. DEPT-STORES
27,40
$10.000
$348.000
66008
ENGINE STORES
68,49
$25.000
66022
FLAG CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
10,96
$4.000
66026
OTHER CONSULTANCY DOCUMENTATION SERVICES
13,70
$5.000
66021
PORT DUES RELATED TO PROTECTING AGENTS
13,70
$5.000
66018
PROTECTING AGENTS FEES/EXPENSES
13,70
$5.000
66027
QUALITY DPT CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
68,49
$25.000
66024
SAFETY EQUIP MAR CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
27,40
$10.000
66025
SAFETY EQUIP TEC CERTIFICATES/INSPECTION
27,40
$10.000
66011
STATIONERY EXPS
27,40
$10.000
66019
SUBSCRIPTIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
13,70
$5.000
66020
TECHNICAL CONSULTANCY DOCUMENTATION SERV
13,70
$5.000
66012
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
134,25
$49.000
66013
TONNAGE TAX
54,79
$20.000
66014
VARIOUS EXPS
27,40
$10.000
 
Other Vessel Operating Expenses Subtotal
953,42
$348.000
66009
Lubricants
438,36
$160.000
$160.000
Accounts
Code
Spares
67002
AUX.MACHINERY SPARE PARTS
41,10
$15.000
 
67004
BOILER SPARES
27,40
$10.000
67014
DECK SPARE PARTS
41,10
$15.000
67007
DIESEL GENERATORS SPARE PARTS
27,40
$10.000
67015
MAIN ENGINE SPARE PARTS
41,10
$15.000
$70.000
67009
RADIO ROOM NAVIGATION-EQUIPMENT SPARES
13,70
$5.000
 
Spares Subtotal
191,78
$70.000
 
Extraordinary Expenses
0,00
   
 
Less corresponding claims
0,00
 
 
TOTAL OPEX WITHOUT DD EXPENSES
 
$2.135.350



 
DAILY OPEX WITHOUT DD EXPENSES
 
$5.850
 
 
DO Adjustments (5y / 2.5y amortization)
0,00
 
$5. 850
 
TOTAL OPEX WITH DD EXPENSE
5.850,27
$2.135,350
 
DAILY OPEX WITH DD EXPENSES
 
$5.850






























This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX “D” (ASSOCIATED VESSELS) TO
THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO)
STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’

NOTE: PARTIES SHOULD BE AWARE THAT BY COMPLETING THIS ANNEX “D” THEY WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SUB-CLAUSE 18.1(i) OF THIS AGREEMENT.
Date of Agreement:
11 th January 2019
Details of Associated Vessels:
M/T ECO PALM DESERT
 
 
 
 
 
 










This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the test of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.


ANNEX E (Management Fees)
Duration of Contract Five
(5) years, automatically renewed.
   
Services and Relevant Fees:
Accounting, Reporting, Legal and Administrative Services at cost.
 
USD 550 per day per vessel for Technical and Commercial, Crew Management, Insurance, Provisions and Bunkering.  Applicable 3 months prior delivery from the yard.
     
Fee Annual Increase:
Based on total percentage increase in the U.S. Consumer Price Index over the previous year, but not less than 2% and not more than 5%.
   
Commission on all hires / gross freight / demurrage:
1.25%
   
Sales and Purchase Commission:
1% of the Sale or the Purchase Price or the Contract Price of the Newbuilding Contract.
   
N/B Construction – Supervision Fee:
7% of actual cost.
   
Managers’ Superintendent’s Fee beyond 10 days per annum:
USD 500 per day, plus actual expenses.
   
Notice of Termination:
18 months
   
Termination Fees:
Fees for 12 months.

1.
Manager shall be entitled to receive additional remuneration for any increase in administrative costs and expenses resulting from the introduction of a new, or a change in the interpretation of applicable laws and regulations, or concerning ship management services.
2.
Owners to pay the deductible of any insurance claim relating to the vessels, or for any claim that is within such deductible range.  All insurance related rebates to be for the benefit of the Manager.
3.
Owners to pay any tax, dues, or ransom in a case of piracy, or fines imposed on vessel or Manager, due to the operation of the vessel.
4.
The above management fees are agreed on the basis of the number of the associated vessels as per ANNEX D of this agreement.


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
1.  Definitions
In this Agreement save where the context otherwise requires, the following words and expressions shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them.
" Owners " mean the party identified in Box. 2 .
" Managers " mean the party identified in Box 3 .
" Vessel " means the vessel or vessels details of which are set out in Annex "A" attached hereto.
" Crew " means the Master, officers and ratings of the   numbers, rank and nationality specified in Annex “B” attached hereto.
" Crew Support Costs " means all expenses of a general nature which are not particularly referable to any individual vessel for the time being managed by the Managers and which are incurred by the Managers for the purpose of providing an efficient and economic management service and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, shall include the cost of crew standby pay, training schemes for officers and ratings, cadet training schemes, sick pay, recruitment and interviews.
" Severance Costs " means the costs which the employers are legally obliged to pay to or in respect of the Crew as a result of the early termination of any employment contract for service on the Vessel.
" Crew Insurances " means insurances against crew risks which shall include but not limited to death, sickness, repatriation, injury, shipwreck unemployment indemnity and loss of personal effects.
" Management Services " means the services specified in sub-clauses 3.1 to 3.8 as indicated affirmatively in Boxes 5 to 12.
" ISM Code " means the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention as adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) by resolution A.741(18) or any subsequent amendment thereto.
" STCW 95 " means the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended in 1995 or any subsequent amendment thereto.
2.  Appointment of Mangers
With effect from the day and year stated in Box 4 and continuing unless and until terminated as provided herein, the Owners hereby appoint the Managers and the Managers hereby agree to act as the Managers of the Vessel.
3.  Basis of Agreement
Subject to terms and conditions herein provided, during the period of this Agreement, the Managers shall carry out Management Services in respect of the Vessel as agents for and on behalf of the Owners.  The Managers shall have authority to take such actions as they may from time to time in their absolute discretion consider to be necessary to enable them to perform this Agreement in accordance with sound ship management practice.
3.1  Crew Management
( only applicable if agreed according to   Box 5 )
The Managers shall provide suitably qualified Crew for the Vessel as required by the Owners in accordance with the STCW 95 requirements, provision of which includes but it is not limited to the following functions:
(i)  selecting and engaging the Vessel's Crew, including payroll arrangements, pension administration, and insurances for the Crew other than those mentioned in Clause 6 ;
(ii)  ensuring that the applicable requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied in respect of manning levels, rank, qualification and certification of the Crew and employment regulations including Crew's tax, social insurance, discipline and other requirements;
(iii)  ensuring that all members of the Crew have passed a medical examination with a qualified doctor certifying that they are fit for the duties for which they are engaged and are in possession of valid medical certificates issued in accordance with appropriate flag State requirements.  In the absence of applicable flag State requirements the medical certificate shall be dated not more than three months prior to the respective Crew members leaving their country of domicile and maintained for the duration of their service on board the Vessel;
(iv)  ensuring that the Crew shall have a command of the English language of a sufficient standard to enable them to perform their duties safely;
(v)  arranging transportation of the Crew, including repatriation;
(vi)  training the Crew and supervising their efficiency;
(vii)  conducting union negotiations;
(viii)   operating the Managers' drug and alcohol policy unless otherwise agreed.
3.2  Technical Management
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 6 )
The Managers shall provide technical management which includes, but is not limited to, the following functions:
(i)  provision of competent personnel to supervise the maintenance and general efficiency of the Vessel;
(ii)  arrangement and supervision of dry dockings, repairs, alterations and the upkeep of the Vessel to the standards required by the Owners provided that the Managers shall be entitled to incur the necessary expenditure to ensure that the Vessel will comply with the law of the flag of the Vessel and of the places where she trades, and all requirements and recommendations of the classification society;
(iii)  arrangement of the supply of necessary stores, spares and lubricating oil;
(iv)  appointment of surveyors and technical consultants as the Managers may consider from time to time to be necessary;
(v)  development, implementation and maintenance of a Safety Management System (SMS) in accordance with the ISM Code (see sub-clauses 4,2 and 5;3).
3.3  Commercial Management
( only applicable if agreed according to   Box 7 )
The Managers shall provide the commercial operation of the Vessel, as required by the Owners, which includes, but is not limited to, the following functions:
(i)  providing chartering services in accordance with the Owners’ instructions which include, but are not limited to, seeking and negotiating employment for the Vessel and the conclusion (including the execution thereof) of charter parties or other contracts relating to the employment of the Vessel.  If such a contract exceeds twelve months in duration the period stated in Box 13 . consent thereto in writing shall first be obtained from the Owners.
(ii)  arranging of the proper payment to Owners or their nominees of all hire and/or freight revenues or other moneys of whatsoever mature to which Owners may be entitled arising out of the employment of or otherwise in connection with the Vessel.
(iii)  providing voyage estimates and accounts and calculating of hire, freights, demurrage and/or despatch moneys due from or due to the charterers of the Vessel;
(iv)  issuing of voyage instructions;
(v)  appointing agents;
(vi)  appointing stevedores;
(vii)  arranging surveys associated with the commercial operation of the Vessel.
3.4  Insurance Arrangements
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 8 )
The Managers shall arrange insurances in accordance with Clause 6, on such terms and conditions as the Owners shall have instructed or agreed, in particular regarding conditions,


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
insured values, deductibles and franchises.
3.5  Accounting Services
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 9 )
The Managers shall
(i)  establish an accounting system which meets the requirements of the Owners and provide regular accounting services, supply regular reports and records,
(ii)  maintain the records of all costs and expenditure incurred as well as data necessary or proper for the settlement of accounts between the parties.
3.6  Sale or Purchase of the Vessel
(only applicable if agreed according to Box 10 )
The Managers shall, in accordance with the Owners’ instructions, supervise the sale or purchase of the Vessel, including the performance of any sale or purchase agreement, but not negotiation of the same.
3.7  Provisions ( only applicable if agreed according to Box 11 )
The Manager’s shall arrange for the supply of provisions.
3.8  Bunkering   (only applicable if agreed according to Box 12 )
The Managers shall arrange for the provision of bunker fuel of the quality specified by the Owners as required for the Vessel’s trade.
4.  Managers’ Obligations
4.1   The Managers undertake to use their best endeavours to provide the agreed Management Services as agents for and on behalf of the Owners in accordance with sound ship management practice and to protect and promote the interests of the Owners in all matters relating to the provision of services hereunder.  Provided, however, that the Managers in the performance of their management responsibilities under this Agreement shall be entitled to have regard to their overall responsibility in relation to all vessels as may from time to time be entrusted to their management and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Managers shall be entitled to allocate available supplies, manpower and services in such manner as in the prevailing circumstances the Managers in their absolute discretion consider to be fair and reasonable.
4.2  Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , they shall procure that the requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied and they shall in particular be deemed to be the “Company” as defined by the ISM Code, assuming the responsibility for the operation of the Vessel and taking over the duties and responsibilities imposed by the ISM Code when applicable.
5.  Owners’ Obligations
5.1.   The Owners shall pay all sums due to the Managers punctually in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
5.2.  Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , the Owners shall:
(i)  procure that all officers and ratings supplied by them or on their behalf comply with the requirements of STCW 95;
(ii)  instruct such officers and ratings to obey all reasonable orders of the Managers in connection with the operation of the Managers’ safety system.
5.3  Where the Managers are not providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 , the Owners shall procure that the requirements of the law of the flag of the Vessel are satisfied and that they, or such other entity as may be appointed by them and identified to the Managers, shall be deemed to be the “Company” as defined by the ISM Code assuming the responsibility for the operation of the Vessel and taking over the duties and responsibilities imposed by the ISM Code when applicable.
6.  Insurance Policies
The Owners shall procure, whether by instructing the Managers under sub-clause 3.4 or otherwise, that throughout the period of this Agreement:
6.1.  at the Owners’ expense, the Vessel is insured for not less than her sound market value or entered for her full gross tonnage, as the case may be for:
(i)  usual hull and machinery marine risks (including crew negligence) and excess liabilities;
(ii)  protection and indemnity risks (including pollution risks and Crew Insurances); and
(iii)  war risks (including protection and indemnity and crew risks) in accordance with the best practice of prudent owners of vessels of a similar type to the Vessel, with first class insurance companies, underwriters or associations (the “Owners’ Insurances”);
6.2.  all premiums and calls on the Owners’ Insurances are paid promptly by their due date,
6.3.  the Owners’ Insurances name the Managers and, subject to underwriters’ agreement, any third party designated by the Managers as a joint assured, with full cover, with the Owners obtaining cover in respect of each of the insurances specified in sub-clause 6.1 :
(i)  on terms whereby the Managers and any such third party are liable in respect of premiums or calls arising in connection with the Owners’ Insurances; or
(ii)  if reasonably obtainable, on terms such that neither the Managers nor any such third party shall be under any liability in respect of premiums or calls arising in connection with the Owners’ insurances; or
(iii)  on such other terms as may be agreed in writing.
Indicate alternative (i), (ii) or (iii) in Box 14 .  If Box 14 is left blank then (i) applies.
6.4   written evidence is provided, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Managers, of their compliance with their obligations under Clause 6 within a reasonable time of the commencement of the Agreement, and of each renewal date and, if specifically requested, of each payment date of the Owners’ Insurances.
7.  Income Collected and Expenses Paid on Behalf of Owners
7.1   All moneys collected by the Managers under the terms of this Agreement (other than moneys payable by the Owners to the Managers) and any interest thereon shall be held to the credit of the Owners in a separate bank account.
7.2  All expenses incurred by the Managers under the terms of this Agreement on behalf of the Owners (including expenses as provided in Clause 8 ) may be debited against the Owners in the account referred to under sub-clause 7J. but shall in any event remain payable by the Owners to the Managers on demand.
8.  Management Fee
8.1   The Owners shall pay to the Managers for their services as Managers under this Agreement an annual DAILY management fee as stated in Box 15 which shall be payable to equal monthly installments in advance, the first installment being payable on the commencement of this Agreement (see Clause 2 and Box 4 ) and subsequent installments being payable every month.
8.2  The management fee shall be subject to an annual review on the anniversary date of the Agreement and the proposed fee shall be presented in the annual budget referred to in sub-clause 9.1.   Please refer to Annex E (Management Fees)
8.3  The Managers shall, at no extra cost to the Owners, provide their own office accommodation, office staff, facilities and stationery.  Without limiting the generality of Clause 7 the Owners shall reimburse the Managers for postage and communication expenses, traveling expenses, and other out of pocket expenses properly incurred by the Managers in pursuance of


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
the Management Services.
8.4  In the event of the appointment of the Managers being terminated by the Owners or the Managers in accordance with the provisions of Clauses 17 and 18 other than by reason of default by the Managers, or if the Vessel is lost, sold or otherwise disposed of, the “management fee” payable to the Managers according to the provisions of sub- clause 8.1, shall continue to be payable for a further period of three calendar months as from the termination date.  In addition, provided that the Managers provide Crew for the Vessel in accordance with sub-clause 3.1;
( i)  the Owners shall continue to pay Crew Support Costs during the said further period of three calendar months and
( ii)  the Owners shall pay an equitable proportion of any Severance Costs which may materialize, not exceeding the amount stated in Box 16 .
Please refer to Annex E (Management Fees)
8.5  If the Owners decide to lay-up the Vessel whilst this Agreement remains in force and such lay-up lasts for more than three months, an appropriate reduction of the management fee for the period exceeding three months until one month before the Vessel is again put into service shall be mutually agreed between the parties.
8.6  Unless otherwise agreed in writing all discounts and commissions obtained by the Managers in the course of the management of the Vessel shall be credited to the Owners.
9.  Budgets and Management of Funds
The Managers shall present to the Owners annually a budget for the following twelve months in such form as the Owners require.  The budget for the first year hereof is set out in Annex “C” hereto.  Subsequent annual budgets shall be prepared by the Managers and submitted to the Owners not less than three months before the anniversary date of the commencement of this Agreement (see Clause 2 and Box 4).
9.1  The Owners shall indicate to the Managers their acceptance and approval of the annual budget within one month of presentation and in the absence of any such indication the Managers shall be entitled to assume that the Owners have accepted the proposed budget.
9.2  Following the agreement of the budget, the Managers shall prepare and present to the Owners their estimate of the working capital requirement of the Vessel and the Managers shall each month update this estimate, based thereon, the Managers shall each month request the Owners in writing for the funds required to run the Vessel for the ensuing month, including the payment of any occasional or extraordinary item of expenditure, such as emergency repair costs, additional insurance premiums, bunkers or provisions.  Such funds shall be received by the Managers within ten running days after the receipt by the Owners of the Managers’ written request and shall be held to the credit of the Owners in a separate bank account.
9.3  The Managers shall produce a comparison between budgeted and actual income and expenditure of the Vessel in such form as required by the Owners monthly or at such other intervals as mutually agreed.
9.4  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Managers shall in no circumstances be required to use or commit their own funds to finance the provision of the Management Services.
10.  Managers’ Right to Sub-Contract
The Managers shall not have the right to sub-contract any of their obligations hereunder , including those mentioned in sub-clause 3.1 without the prior written consent of the Owners which shall not be unreasonably withheld .  In the event of such a sub- contract the Managers shall remain fully liable for the due performance of their obligations under this Agreement.
11.  Responsibilities
11.1  Force Majeure - Neither the Owners nor the Managers shall be under any liability for any failure to perform any of their obligations thereunder by reason of any cause whatsoever of any nature or kind beyond their reasonable control.
11.2  Liability to Owners - (i)   Without prejudice to sub-clause 11.1, the Managers shall be under no liability whatsoever to the Owners for any loss, damage, delay or expense of whatsoever nature, whether direct or indirect, (including but not limited to loss of profit arising out of or in connection with detention of or delay to the Vessel) and howsoever arising in the course of performance of the Management Services UNLESS same is proved to have resulted from the negligence, gross negligence or willful default of the Managers of their employees, or agents or sub-contractors employed by them in connection with the Vessel, in which case (save where loss, damage, delay or expense has resulted from the Managers’ personal act or omission committed with the intent to cause same or recklessly and with knowledge that such loss, damage, delay or expense would probably result) the Managers’ liability for such incident or series of incidents giving rise to a claim or claims shall never exceed a total of ten times the annual Management Fee payable hereunder.
(ii)  Notwithstanding anything that may appear to the contrary in this Agreement, the Managers shall not be liable for any of the actions of the Crew even if such actions are negligent, grossly negligent or willful, except only to the extent that they are shown to have resulted from a failure to the Managers to discharge their obligations under sub-Clause 3.1, in which case their liability shall be limited in accordance with the terms of this Clause 11 .
11.3  Indemnity - Except to the extent and solely for the amount therein set out that the   Managers would be liable under sub- clause 11.2 , the Owners hereby undertake to keep the Managers and their employees, agents and sub-contractors indemnified and to hold them harmless against all actions, proceedings, claims, demands or liabilities whatsoever or howsoever arising which may be brought against them or incurred or suffered by them arising out of or in connection with the performance of the Agreement, and against and in respect of all costs, losses, damages and expenses (including legal costs and expenses on a full indemnity basis) which the Managers may suffer or incur (either directly or indirectly) in the course of the performance of this Agreement.
11.4  “ Himalaya - It is hereby expressly agreed that no employee or agent of the Managers (including every sub-contractor from time to time employed by the Managers) shall in any circumstances whatsoever be under any liability whatsoever to the Owners for any loss, damage or delay of whatsoever kind arising or resulting directly or indirectly from any act, neglect or default on his party while acting in the course of or in connection with his employment and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions in this Clause 11 , every exemption, limitation, condition and liberty herein contained and every right, exemption from liability, defence and immunity of whatsoever nature applicable to the Managers or to which the Managers are entitled hereunder shall also be available and shall extend to protect every such employee or agent of the Managers acting as aforesaid and for the purpose of all the foregoing provisions of this Clause 11 the Managers are or shall be deemed to be acting as agent or trustee on behalf of and for the benefit of all persons who are or might be their servants or agents from time to time (including sub-contractors as aforesaid) and all such persons shall to this extent be or be deemed to be parties to this Agreement.
12.  Documentation
Where the Managers are providing Technical Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.2 and/or Crew Management in accordance with sub-clause 3.1, they shall make available,


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
upon Owners’ request, all documentation and records related to the Safety Management System (SMS) and/or the Crew which the Owners need in order to demonstrate compliance with the ISM Code and STCW 95 or to defend a claim against a third party.
13.  General Administration
13.1   The Managers shall handle and settle all claims arising out of the Management Services hereunder and keep the Owners informed regarding any incident of which the Managers become aware which gives or may give rise to claims or disputes involving third parties.
13.2   The Managers shall, as instructed by the Owners, bring or defend actions, suits or proceedings in connection with matters entrusted to the Managers according to this Agreement.
13.3   The Managers shall also have power to obtain legal or technical or other outside expert advice in relation to the handling and settlement of claims and disputes or all other matters affecting the interests of the Owners in respect of the Vessel.
13.4   The Owners shall arrange for the provision of any necessary guarantee bond or other security.
13.5   Any costs reasonably incurred by the Managers in carrying out their obligations according to Clause 13 shall be reimbursed by the Owners.
14.  Auditing
The Managers shall at all times maintain and keep true and correct accounts and shall make the same available for inspection and auditing by the Owners at such times as may be mutually agreed.  On the termination, for whatever reasons, of this Agreement the Managers shall release to the Owners, if so requested, the originals when possible, or otherwise certified copies, of all such accounts and all documents specifically relating to the Vessel and her operation.
15.  Inspection of Vessel
The Owners shall have the right at any time after giving reasonable notice to the Managers to inspect the Vessel for any reason they consider necessary.
16.  Compliance with Laws and Regulations
The Managers will not do or permit to be done anything which might cause any breach or infringement of the laws and regulations of the Vessel’s flag, or of the places where she trades.
17.  Duration of the Agreement
This Agreement shall come into effect on the day and year stated in Box 4 and shall continue until the date stated in Box 17 .  Thereafter it shall continue until terminated by either party giving to the other notice to the Managers in writing, in which event the Agreement shall terminate upon the expiration of a period of two   eighteen months from the date upon which such notice was given.  In case Owners wish to terminate the Agreement earlier than the date stated in Box 17 Owners will pay the Managers all fees as per ANNEX “E” for the remaining period until the date stated in Box 17 .
18.  Termination
18.1  Owners’ default
(i)  The Managers shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing if any moneys payable by the Owners under this Agreement and/or the owners of any associated vessel, details of which are listed in Annex “D” . shall not have been received in the Managers’ nominated account within ten running days of receipt by the Owners of the Managers written request or if the Vessel is repossessed by the Mortgagees.
(ii)  If the Owners:
(a)  fail to meet their obligations under sub- clauses 5.2 and 5.3 of this Agreement for any reason within their control, or
(b)  proceed with the employment of or continue to employ the Vessel in the carriage of contraband, blockade running, or in an unlawful trade, or on a voyage which in the reasonable opinion of the Managers is unduly hazardous or improper, the Managers may give notice of the default to the Owners, requiring them to remedy it as soon as practically possible.  In the event that the Owners fail to remedy it within a reasonable time to the satisfaction of the Managers   the Managers shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing.
18.2  Managers’ Default
If the Managers fail to meet their obligations under Clauses 3 and 4 of this Agreement for any reason within the control of the Managers, the Owners may give notice to the Managers of the default, requiring them to remedy it as soon as practically possible.  In the event that the Managers fail to remedy it within a reasonable time to the satisfaction of the Owners the Owners shall be entitled to terminate the Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing.
18.3  Extraordinary Termination
This Agreement shall be deemed to be terminated in the case of the sale of the Vessel or if the Vessel becomes a total loss or is declared as a constructive or compromised or arranged total loss or is requisitioned.
18.4   For the purpose of sub-clause 18.3 hereof
(i)  the date upon which the Vessel is to be treated as having been sold or otherwise disposed or shall be the date on which the Owners cease to be registered as Owners of the Vessel;
(ii)  the Vessel shall not be deemed to be lost unless either she has become an actual total loss or agreement has been reached with her underwriters in respect of her constructive, compromised or arranged total loss or if such agreement with her underwriters is not reached it is adjudged by a competent tribunal that a constructive loss of the Vessel has occurred.
18.5   This Agreement shall terminate forthwith in the event of an order being made or resolution passed for the winding up, dissolution, liquidation or bankruptcy of either party (otherwise than for the purpose of reconstruction or amalgamation) or if a receiver is appointed, or it if suspends payment, ceases to carry on business or makes any special arrangement or composition with its creditors.
18.6  The termination of this Agreement shall be without prejudice to all rights accrued due between the parties prior to the date of termination.
18.7   A change of control of either party shall not terminate this Agreement.
19.  Law and Arbitration
19.1   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration in London in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996 or any statutory modification to re-enactment thereof save to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Clause.
The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) Terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
The reference shall be to three arbitrators.  A party wishing to refer a dispute to arbitration shall appoint its arbitrator and send notice of such appointment in writing to the other party requiring the other party to appoint its own arbitrator within 14 calendar days of that notice and stating that it will appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator unless the other party appoints its own arbitrator and gives notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified.  If the other party does not appoint its own arbitrator and give notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified, the party referring a dispute to arbitration may, without the requirement of any further prior


PART II
“SHIPMAN 98” Standard Ship Management Agreement”
notice to the other party, appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator and shall advise the other party accordingly.  The award of a sole arbitrator shall be binding on both parties as if he had been appointed by agreement.
Nothing herein shall prevent the parties agreeing in writing to vary these provisions to provide for the appointment of a sole arbitrator.
In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of USD50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the LMAA Small Claims Procedure current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
19.2   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Title 9 of the United States Code and the Maritime Law of the United States and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to three persons at New York, one to be appointed by each of the parties hereto, and the third by the two so chosen; their decision that of any two of them shall be final, and for the purposes of enforcing any award, judgment may be entered on an award by any court of competent jurisdiction.  The proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc.
In cases where neither the claim not any counterclaim exceeds the sum of USD50,000 (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the Shortened Arbitration Procedure of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc, current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.
19.3   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the place mutually agreed by the parties and any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration at a mutually agreed place, subject to the procedures applicable there.
19.4   If Box 18 in Part I is not appropriately filled in, sub- clause 19.1 of this Clause shall apply.
Note:  19.1 , 19.2 and 19.3 are alternatives; indicate alternative agreed in Box 18 .
20.  Notices
20.1   Any notice to be given by either party to the other party shall be in writing and may be sent by fax, telex, registered or recorded mail or by personal service.
20.2   The address of the Parties for service of such communication shall be as stated in Boxes 19 and 20 , respectively.

Exhibit 4.115
FIFTH AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENTS FOR PROVISION OF PERSONNEL
DATED JANUARY 1, 2019
THIS ADDENDUM (the “Addendum”) is entered into between Top Ships Inc. a Marshall Islands corporation (“TOPS”) and Central Mare Inc., a Marshall Islands corporation (“CENTRAL”), effective as of January 1, 2019.
WITNESSETH THAT:
WHEREAS.  TOPS and CENTRAL have previously entered into separate agreements dated September 1, 2010 pursuant to which CENTRAL furnishes TOPS with its executive officers namely Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer (the “Agreements”);
WHEREAS, TOPS and CENTRAL have previously entered into an agreement dated March 1, 2011 pursuant to which CENTRAL furnishes TOPS with certain employees including Corporate Development Officer, Internal Auditor as well as certain administrative employees;
. WHEREAS, TOPS and CENTRAL have previously entered into an amendment agreement dated July 1, 2012 pursuant to which CENTRAL would not provide a Corporate Development Officer to TOPS and also monetary remuneration payable to CENTRAL for the provision of TOPS officers and other personnel was reduced;
WHEREAS, TOPS and CENTRAL have previously entered into an amendment agreement dated January 1, 2014 pursuant to which monetary remuneration payable to CENTRAL for the provision of TOPS officers and other personnel was further reduced;
WHEREAS, TOPS and CENTRAL have previously entered into an amendment agreement dated July 1, 2014 pursuant to which monetary remuneration payable to CENTRAL for the provision of TOPS officers and other personnel was increased;
WHEREAS, TOPS and CENTRAL have previously entered into an amendment agreement dated January 1, 2016 pursuant to which monetary remuneration payable to CENTRAL for the provision of TOPS officers and other personnel was increased;
WHEREAS, TOPS and CENTRAL have previously entered into an addendum to the amendment agreement of January 1, 2016 dated June 30, 2016 pursuant to which monetary remuneration payable to CENTRAL for the provision of TOPS officers and other personnel was temporarily decreased;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises set forth above, the, undersigned hereby agree to amend the fourth amendment to the Agreements as follows:
A.  Monetary remuneration for the provision of Executive Officers, including base salary and incentive compensation, as stipulated in the Agreements dated September 1, 2010, as amended by the abovementioned amendment agreements is hereby agreed to be set to USD 30,000 per month.
B.  All other terms stipulated in the January 1, 2016 amendment remain unchanged.


IN WITNESS whereof the parties to this Agreement have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.
SIGNED for and on behalf of:

   
Top Ships Inc.
 
       
     
By:
/s/ Alexandros Tsirikos
 
           
     
Name:
Alexandros Tsirikos
 
           
     
Title:
DIRECTOR
 


   
Central Mare Inc.
 
       
     
By:
/s/ Stylianos Giamanis
 
           
     
Name:
STYLIANOS GIAMANIS
 
           
     
Title:
PRESIDENT/TREASURER/DIRECTOR
 






Page 2 of 2
Exhibit 4.116


CENTRAL SHIPPING INC
TRUST COMPANY COMPLEX AJELTAKE ROAD, AJELTAKE ISLAND MAJURO, MARSHALL ISLANDS MU 96960

Private and Confidential
The Board of Directors
Top Ships Inc.
1 Vas. Sofias & Meg. Alexandrou Str.
15124 Maroussi
For the attention of Mr. Alexandros Tsirikos
January 1, 2019
Subject:
Offer letter for the provision of management services
Dear Sir(s)
This offer letter outlines the management services that Central Shipping Inc (the “Company”) is in a position to offer Top Ships Inc. and the relevant fees for these services for Top Ships Inc current fleet as per Annex "A" and will apply to all vessels acquired by Top Ships Inc subsequent to the date of this offer letter and for as long as this management agreement is in place.
Introduction:
Central Shipping Inc is a company established in Marshal Islands, dedicated to provide quality ship management services for both tanker and dry bulk vessels.  The “Company” has assembled a team of senior shipping executives and key employees who have been working together for over ten years, accumulating extensive experience and expertise in the technical and commercial management of large, diversified fleets.  Our “Company” is financially strong, viable and is committed to provide world-class Shipmanagement services that meet or exceed safety and environmental requirements, our mission is to set the standards for safe and environmentally friendly sea transportation of goods with ships, crewed and operated by motivated, professional and well-trained seaborne and shore personnel.
Below is our proposed fees and commissions for the services that we are able to provide you with.



Trust Company Complex Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island Majuro, Marshall Islands MH 96960
Phone:  30 210 8128260




CENTRAL SHIPPING INC
TRUST COMPANY COMPLEX AJELTAKE ROAD, AJELTAKE ISLAND MAJURO, MARSHALL ISLANDS MU 96960

Type of management services:
Technical, Operations, Insurance, Bunkering, Crew, Provisions, Accounting & Reporting, Commercial, Chartering, Sale and Purchase, Newbuilding supervision, Legal and administrative services.
   
Duration of Contract:
Five (5) years, automatically renewed.
   
Services and Relevant Fees:
     USD 550 per day per vessel for Technical, Commercial, Crew Management, Insurance, Provisions and Bunkering.
Applicable 3 months prior delivery from the yard.
    Accounting, Reporting, Legal and Administrative Services at cost.
   
Fee Annual Increase:
Based on total percentage increase in the U.S. Consumer Price Index over the previous year, but not less than 2% and not more than 5%.  Applicable for the signing of this agreement for all vessels in Annex “A” and will apply to all vessels acquired by Top Ships Inc subsequent to the date of this offer letter and for as long as this management agreement is in place.
   
Commission on all hires / gross freight / demurrage:
1.25%
   
Sales and Purchase Commission:
1% of the Sale or the Purchase Price, or the contract price of the Newbuilding Contract.
   
N/B Construction - Supervision Fee:
7% of actual cost.
   
Managers' Superintendent’s Fee
USD 500 per day, plus actual expenses.



Trust Company Complex Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island Majuro, Marshall Islands MH 96960
Phone:  30 210 8128260


CENTRAL SHIPPING INC
TRUST COMPANY COMPLEX AJELTAKE ROAD, AJELTAKE ISLAND MAJURO, MARSHALL ISLANDS MU 96960

beyond 10 days per annum:
 
   
Financial Consultancy Fee on derivative agreements, loan financing and refinancing:
0.20% on the total transaction amount.
   
Annual Performance Incentive Fee:
At your discretion.
   
Notice of Termination:
18 months
   
Termination Fees:
Fees for 12 months.
   

1.
Manager shall be entitled to receive additional remuneration for any increase in administrative costs and expenses resulting from the introduction of a new, or a change in the interpretation of applicable laws and regulations, or concerning ship management services.
2.
Owners to pay the deductible of any insurance claim relating to the vessels, or for any claim that is within such deductible range.  All insurance related rebates to be for the benefit of the Manager.
3.
Owners to pay any tax, dues, or ransom in a case of piracy, or fines imposed on vessel or Manager, due to the operation of the vessel.
4.
The above management fees are agreed on the basis of the number of the associated vessels as per Annex “A” of this agreement and will apply to all vessels acquired by Top Ships Inc subsequent to the date of this offer letter and for as long as this management agreement is in place.







Trust Company Complex Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island Majuro, Marshall Islands MH 96960
Phone:  30 210 8128260




CENTRAL SHIPPING INC
TRUST COMPANY COMPLEX AJELTAKE ROAD, AJELTAKE ISLAND MAJURO, MARSHALL ISLANDS MU 96960

Attached herewith is the (BIMCO) Standard Ship Management Agreement (Shipman 98) as amended, which shall be the basis of the individual management agreements to be entered into among each of Top’s vessel-owning companies and the Company.
Acknowledgment and Acceptance
Please acknowledge your acceptance of the terms of our offer by signing the confirmation below and kindly return a copy of this letter and initialize a copy of the (BIMCO) Standard Ship Management Agreement (Shipman 98) as amended and attached herewith.  After acceptance of this offer letter and attached management agreement, same shall be binding upon the parties hereof Top Ships Inc. and the Company and shall not be terminated by reason of a change of control of either Top Ships Inc. and the Company.
Yours Faithfully
 
   
/s/ Stylianos Giamanis
 
Stylianos Giamanis
 
   
Central Shipping Inc.
Accepted:  Top Ships Inc.
   
 
Signature:  /s/ Alexandros Tsirikos
   
 
Name:  Alexandros Tsirikos
   
 
Title:  CFO
   
 
Date:  1/1/2019











Trust Company Complex Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island Majuro, Marshall Islands MH 96960
Phone:  30 210 8128260


CENTRAL SHIPPING INC
TRUST COMPANY COMPLEX AJELTAKE ROAD, AJELTAKE ISLAND MAJURO, MARSHALL ISLANDS MU 96960

ANNEX “A” (ASSOCIATED VESSELS) TO THE BALTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL (BIMCO) STANDARD SHIP MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT - CODE NAME: “SHIPMAN 98’
NOTE:  PARTIES SHOULD BE AWARE THAT BY COMPLETING THIS ANNEX “A” THEY WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SUBCLAUSE 18.1(i) OF THIS AGREEMENT.
Date of Agreement:     1/1/2019
Details of Associated Vessels:
 
 
M/T Stenaweco Energy
 
 
 
 
M/T Stenaweco Evolution
 
 
 
 
M/T Eco Fleet
 
 
 
 
M/T Eco Revolution
 
 
 
 
M/T Stenaweco Excellence
 
 
 
 
M/T Nord Valiant
 
 
 
 
M/T Stenaweco Elegance
 
 
 
 
M/T Eco Palm Desert
 
 
 
 
Hull Number H8218 (TBN M/T Eco California)
 
 
 
 
Hull Number H8242 (TBN M/T Eco Marina Del Ray)
 
 
 
 
Hull Number S874 (TBN M/T Eco Bel Air)
 
 
 

Hull Number S875 (TBN M/T Eco Beverly Hills)
 
 

This document is a computer generated SHIPMAN 98 form printed by authority of BIMCO.  Any insertion or deletion to the form must be clearly visible.  In the event of any modification made to the pre-printed text of this document which is not clearly visible, the text of the original BIMCO approved document shall apply.  BIMCO assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or expense as a result of discrepancies between the original BIMCO approved document and this computer generated document.
Trust Company Complex Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island Majuro, Marshall Islands MH 96960
Phone:  30 210 8128260

Exhibit 4.117

Confidential

Dated 28 January 2019











TOP SHIPS INC .
as Borrower

arranged by
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N . V .

with

AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N . V .
as Agent

AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N . V .
as Security Agent

and
ASTARTE INTERNATIONAL INC .
as Guarantor



FACILITY AGREEMENT
for up to $10,500,000 Revolving Credit Facility






Contents

Clause
Page
   
Section 1 -  Interpretation
1
   
1 Definitions and interpretation
1
   
Section 2 -  The Facility
25
   
2 The Facility
25
   
3 Purpose
25
   
4 Conditions of Utilisation
26
   
Section 3 -  Utilisation
28
   
5 Utilisation
28
   
Section 4 -   Repayment, Prepayment and Cancellation
29
   
6 Repayment
29
   
7  Illegality, prepayment and cancellation
30
   
8  Restrictions
32
   
Section 5 -  Costs of Utilisation
34
   
9    Interest
34
   
10  Interest Periods
34
   
11  Changes to the calculation of interest
35
   
12     Fees
36
   
Section 6 -   Additional Payment Obligations
37
   
13  Tax gross-up and indemnities
37
   
14  Increased Costs
41
   
15  Other indemnities
42
   
16  Mitigation by the Lenders
46
   
17  Costs and expenses
46
   
Section 7 -  Guarantee
48
   
18   Guarantee and indemnity
48
   
Section 8 - Representations, Undertakings and Events of Default
51
   
19  Representations
51
   
20  Information undertakings
58
   
21  Financial covenants
60
   
22  General undertakings
62
   
23  Dealings with Collateral Ship
66
   
24  Condition and operation of Collateral Ship
68
   
25  Insurance
72
   
26  Chartering undertakings
75
   
27  Bank accounts
76
   

28   Business restrictions
78
   
29   Events of Default
81
   
Section 9 -   Changes to Parties
87
   
30    Changes to the Lenders
87
   
31    Changes to the Obligors
90
   
Section 10 -   The Finance Parties
91
   
32  Roles of Agent, Security Agent and Arranger
91
   
33  Trust and security matters
102
   
34   Enforcement of Transaction Security
106
   
35    Application of proceeds
107
   
36     Conduct of business by the Finance Parties
110
   
37    Sharing among the Finance Parties
110
   
Section 11 -   Administration
112
   
38   Payment mechanics
112
   
39   Set-off
115
   
40   Notices
116
   
41  Calculations and certificates
118
   
42    Partial invalidity
118
   
43     Remedies and waivers
118
   
44   Amendments and waivers
118
   
45    Confidential Information
124
   
46    Confidentiality of Funding Rates
126
   
47   Counterparts
127
   
48    Contractual recognition of bail-in
127
   
Section 12 -   Governing Law and Enforcement
128
   
49     Governing law
128
   
50    Enforcement
128
   
Schedule 1 The original parties
129
   
Schedule 2 Ship information
133
   
Schedule 3 Conditions precedent
135
   
Schedule 4 Utilisation Request
140
   
Schedule 5 Form of Transfer Certificate
141
   
Schedule 6 Forms of Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction Notice
144
   
Schedule 7 Form of Compliance Certificate
146






THIS AGREEMENT is dated 28 January 2019 and made between:
(1)
TOP SHIPS INC .   (the Borrower );
(2)
ASTARTE INTERNATIONAL INC .   (the Guarantor );
(3)
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N . V .   as mandated lead arranger (the Arranger ) ;
(4)
THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS listed in Schedule 1 as lenders (the Original Lenders );
(5)
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N . V .   as agent of the other Finance Parties (the Agent );   and
(6)
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N . V .   as security trustee for the Finance Parties (the Security Agent ).
IT IS AGREED as follows:
Section 1 - Interpretation
1.
Definitions and interpretation
1.1
Definit i ons
In this Agreement and (unless otherwise defined in the relevant Finance Document) the other Finance Documents:
Acceptable Bank means :

(a)
a bank or financial institution which has a rating for its long-term unsecured and non-credit - enhanced debt obligations of A- or higher by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services or Fitch Ratings Ltd or Baa1 or higher by Moody’s Investors Service Limited or a comparable rating from an internationally recognised credit rating agency ; or

(b)
any other bank or financial institution approved by the Agent and the Borrower .
Account means any bank account, deposit or certificate of deposit opened, made or established in accordance with clause 27 ( Bank accounts ).
Account Bank means , i n relation to any Account , e i ther the bank or financial institution specified as such in Schedule 1 (The original parties) or another bank or financial institution approved by the Majority Lenders at the request of the Borrower .
Account Holder(s )   means , in relat i on to any Account , each Obligor in whose name that Account is held .
Account Security means, in relation to an Account , a first priority (or, in the case of an Account of the Guarantor, second priority) deed or other instrument executed by the relevant Account Holder(s) in favour of the Security Agent in an agreed form conferring a Security Interest over that Account.
Accounting Reference Date means 31 December or such other date as may be approved by the Lenders.
Active Facility means , at any relevant t i me , such part of the Total Commitments (whether drawn or undrawn) as i s then available for borrowing under this Agreement at such time in accordance with clause 4 (Conditions of Utilisation) to the extent that such part of the Total Commitments is not cancelled or reduced under this Agreement.
1

Affiliate means, in relation to any person, a Subsidiary of that person or a Holding Company of that person or any other Subsidiary of that Holding Company.
Agent includes any person who may be appointed as such under the Finance Documents.
Auditors means one of PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, KPMG or Deloitte & Touché or another firm proposed by the Borrower and approved by the Majority Lenders (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
Authorisation means any authorisation, consent , concession, approval, resolution, licence , exemption, filing, notarisation or registration.
Available Commitment means a Lender’s Commitment minus the amount of its participation in any outstanding Loans.
Available Facility means the aggregate for the time being of all the Lenders’ Available Commitments.
Bail-In Action means the exercise of any Write-down and Conversion Powers .
Bail-In Legislation means:

(a)
in relation to an EEA Member Country which has implemented , or which at any time implements, Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU establishing a framework for the recovery and resolution of credit institutions and investment firms, the relevant implementing law or regulation as described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule from time to time; and

(b)
in relation to any other state, any analogous law or regulation from time to time which requires contractual recognition of any Write-down and Conversion Powers contained in that law or regulation.
Basel II Accord means the “International Convergence of Capital Measurement and Capital Standards , a Revised Framework” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in June 2004 as updated prior to , and in the form existing on , the date of this Agreement, excluding any amendment thereto aris i ng out of the Basel III Accord or Reformed Basel III.
Basel II Approach means, in relation to any Finance Party, either the Standardised Approach or the relevant Internal Ratings Based Approach (each as defined in the Basel II Regulations applicable to such Finance Party) adopted by that Finance Party (or any of its Affiliates) for the purposes of implementing or complying with the Basel II Accord.
Basel II Regulation means:

(a)
any law or regulation in force as at the date hereof implementing the Basel II Accord , (including the relevant provisions of CRD IV and CRR) to the extent only that such law or regulation re-enacts and/or implements the requirements of the Basel II Accord but excluding any provision of such law or regulation implementing the Basel III Accord; and

(b)
any Basel II Approach adopted by a Finance Party or any of its Affiliates .
Basel III Accord means , together:

(a)
the agreements on capital requirements, a leverage ratio and liquidity standards contained in Basel III: A global regulatory framework for more resilient banks and banking systems ”, Basel III: International framework for liquidity risk measurement, standards and monitoring and Guidance for national authorities operating the countercyclical capital buffer” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in December 2010, each as amended, supplemented or restated;
2


(b)
the rules for global systemically important banks contained in “Global systemically important banks : assessment methodology and the additional loss absorbency requirement - Rules text published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in November 2011, as amended, supplemented or restated; and

(c)
any further guidance or standards published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision relating to “Basel III ” other than, in each such case, the agreements, rules, guidance and standards set out in Reformed Basel III.
Basel III Increased Cost means an Increased Cost which is attributable to the implementation or application of or compliance with any Basel III Regulation in force as at the date hereof (whether such implementation, application or compliance is by a government, regulator, Finance Party or any of its Affiliates).
Basel III Regulation means any law or regulation implementing the Basel III Accord (including the relevant provisions of CRD IV and CRR) save to the extent that such law or regulation re-enacts a Basel II Regulation and excluding any such law or regulation which implements Reformed Basel III.
Borrower Affiliate means the Borrower, each of its Affiliates, any trust of which the Borrower or any of its Affiliates is a trustee, any partnership of which the Borrower or any of its Affiliates is a partner and any trust, fund or other entity which is managed by , or is under the control of, the Borrower or any of its Affiliates.
Break Costs means the amount (if any) by which:

(a)
the interest (excluding the Margin) which a Lender should have received for the period from the date of receipt of all or any part of its participation in a Loan or Unpaid Sum to the last day of the current Interest Period in respect of that Loan or Unpaid Sum, had the relevant principal amount or Unpaid Sum received been paid on the last day of that Interest Period;
exceeds :

(b)
the amount which that Lender would be able to obtain by placing an amount equal to the relevant principal amount or Unpaid Sum received by it on deposit with a leading bank for a period starting on the Business Day following receipt or recovery and ending on the last day of that Interest Period.
Builder means, in relation to the vessels set out in Schedule 2 (Ship information), the person specified as such in Schedule 2 (Ship information).
Business Day means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in London, Amsterdam and New York.
Charged Property means all of the assets of the Obligors which from time to time are, or are expressed or intended to be, the subject of the Transaction Security.
Charter means the charter commitment for the Collateral Ship details of which are provided in Schedule 2 ( Ship information).
Charter Assignment means a second priority assignment by the Guarantor of its interest in the Charter Documents in favour of the Security Agent in the agreed form.
Charter Documents means the Charter , any documents supplementing it and any guarantee or security given by any person to the Guarantor for the Charterer’s obligations under it.
Charterer means the entity details of which are provided in Schedule 2 ( Ship information) as charterer of the Collateral Ship.
3



Classification means the classification specified in respect of the Collateral Ship in Schedule 2 (Ship information) with the Classification Society or another classification approved by the Majority Lenders as its classification, at the request of the Guarantor.
Classification Society means the classification society specified in respect of the Collateral Ship in Schedule 2 ( Ship information ) or another classification society approved by the Majority Lenders as its Classification Society, at the request of the Guarantor.
Code means the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986 .
Collateral Documents means, together the Mortgage, the General Assignment , the Account Security by the Guarantor, the Charter Assignment, the Share Security and the Manager s Undertaking.
Collateral Loan means, at any relevant time, the principal amount outstanding for the time being under the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement.
Collateral Ship means the vessel described as such in Schedule 2 ( Ship information) and owned by the Guarantor.
Commitment means :

(a)
in relation to an Original Lender , the amount set opposite its name under the heading “Commitment” in Schedule 1 (The original parties) and the amount of any other Commitment assigned to it under this Agreement; and

(b)
in relation to any other Lender, the amount of any Commitment assigned to it under this Agreement,
to the extent not cancelled, reduced or assigned by it under this Agreement.
Compliance Certificate means a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule 7 (Form of Compliance Certificate) or otherwise approved.
Confidential Information means all information relating to an Obligor (other than the Charterer), the Group, the Finance Documents or the Facility of which a Finance Party becomes aware in its capacity as, or for the purpose of becoming, a Finance Party or which is received by a Finance Party in relation to, or for the purpose of becoming a Finance Party under, the Finance Documents or the Facility from either:

(a)
any member of the Group or any of its advisers; or

(b)
another Finance Party , if the information was obtained by that Finance Party directly or indirectly from any member of the Group or any of its advisers,
in whatever form, and includes information given orally and any document, electronic file or any other way of representing or recording information which contains or is derived or copied from such information but excludes:

(i)
information that:

(A)
is or becomes public information other than as a direct or indirect result of any breach by that Finance Party of clause 45 (Confidential Information); or

(B)
is identified in writing or orally if given orally at the time of delivery as non-confidential by any member of the Group or any of its advisers; or

(C)
is known by that Finance Party before the date the information is disclosed to it in accordance with paragraphs (a) or (b) above or is lawfully obtained by that Finance Party after that date, from a source which is, as far as that
4



Finance Party is aware, unconnected with the Group and which , in either case, as far as that Finance Party is aware, has not been obtained in breach of , and is not otherwise subject to, any obligation of confidentiality; and

(ii)
any Funding Rate.
Confidentiality Undertaking means a confidentiality undertaking substantially in a recommended form of the Loan Market Association or in any other form agreed between the Borrower and the Agent.
Constitutional Documents means , in respect of an Obligor (other than the Charterer), such Obligor’s articles of incorporation , bye-laws or other constitutional documents including as referred to in any certificate relating to an Obligor delivered pursuant to Schedule 3 (Conditions precedent).
CRD IV means the directive 2013/36/EU of the European Union on access to the activity of credit institutions and the prudential supervision of credit institutions and investment firms.
CRR means the regulation 575/2013 of the European Union on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms .
Debt Purchase Transaction means, in relation to a person, a transaction where such person :

(a)
purchases by way of assignment or transfer;

(b)
enters into any sub-participation in respect of ; or

(c)
enters into any other agreement or arrangement having an economic effect substantially similar to a sub-participation in respect of ,
any Commitment or amount outstanding under this Agreement.
Default means an Event of Default or any event or circumstance specified in clause 29 (Events of Default) which would (with the expiry of a grace period , the giving of notice, the making of any determinat i on under the Finance Documents or any combination of any of the foregoing) be an Event of Default.
Defaulting Lender means any Lender (other than a Lender which is a Borrower Affiliate):

(a)
which has failed to make its participation in a Loan available (or has notified the Agent or the Borrower (which has notified the Agent) that it will not make its participation in a Loan available) by the Utilisation Date of that Loan in accordance with clause 5.4 (Lenders’ participation);

(b)
which has otherwise rescinded or repudiated a Finance Document; or

(c)
with respect to which an Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing,

unless, in the case of paragraph (a) above:

(i)
its failure to pay is caused by:

(A)
administrative or technical error ; or

(B)
a Disruption Event ; and,
payment is made within five Business Days of its due date; or
5




(ii)
the Lender is disputing in good faith whether it is contractually obliged to make the payment in question .
Delegate means any delegate , agent, attorney, additional trustee or co-trustee appointed by the Security Agent under the terms of the Finance Documents.
Disclosed Persons means the person or persons disclosed to the Agent in writing pursuant to paragraph 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 3.
Disruption Event means either or both of :

(a)
a mater i al disruption to those payment or communications systems or to those financial markets which are , in each case, required to operate in order for payments to be made in connection with the Facility (or otherwise in order for the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents to be carried out) which disruption is not caused by, and is beyond the control of, any of the Parties; or

(b)
the occurrence of any other event which results in a disruption (of a technical or systems-related nature) to the treasury or payments operations of a Party preventing that, or any other Party :

(i)
from performing its paymen t obligat i ons under the Finance Documents ; or

(ii)
from communicating with other Parties in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents ,
and which (in either such case) is not caused by , and is beyond the control of, the Party whose operations are disrupted.
Earnings means :

(a)
in relation to the Borrower, all money at any time payable to the Borrower for or in relation to its operat i on or otherwise including div i dends or damages for breach and payments for termination or variation of any contractual commitment or otherwise; and

(b)
in relation to the Collateral Ship and a person, all money at any time payable to that person for or in relation to the use or operation of the Collateral Ship, including freight, hire and passage moneys, money payable to that person for the provision of services by or from the Collateral Ship or under any charter commitment, requisition for hire compensation, remuneration for salvage and towage services , demurrage and detention moneys and damages for breach and payments for termination or variation of any charter commitment.
Eco California Ship means the vessel described as such in Schedule 2 ( Ship information ).
Eco Marina Del Ray Ship means the vessel described as such in Schedule 2 ( Ship information ).
Eco Bel Air Ship means the vessel described as such in Schedule 2 ( Ship information ).
Eco Beverley Hills Ship means the vessel described as such in Schedule 2 ( Ship information ).
EEA Member Country means any member state of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
Eligible Institution means any Lender or other bank, financial institution, trust, fund or other entity selected by the Borrower and which, in each case, is not a Borrower Affiliate or an Obligor or another Group Member.
6



Environmental Claims means:

(a)
enforcement , clean-up , removal or other governmental or regulatory action or orders or claims instituted or made pursuant to any Environmental Laws or resulting from a Spill; or

(b)
any claim made by any other person relating to a Spill.
Environmental Incident means any Spill from any vessel in circumstances where :

(a)
any Fleet Vessel or its owner , operator or manager is liable for Environmental Claims arising from the Spill (other than Environmental Claims arising and fully satisfied before the date of this Agreement); and/or

(b)
any Fleet Vessel is arrested or attached i n connection with any such Environmental Claim.
Environmental Laws means all laws , regulations and conventions concerning pollution or protection of human health or the env i ronment.
EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule means the document described as such and published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person) from time to time.
Event of Default means any event or c i rcumstance specified as such in clause 29 (Events of Default).
Existing Facility Agreement means the $10,140 , 000 term loan facility agreement dated 1 June 2018 made between (inter alios) the PCH77 Borrower, as borrower, the Arranger, the Agent, the Security Agent and the Original Lenders.
Facility means the revolving loan facility made available under this Agreement as described in clause 2 (The Facility) .
Facility Office means :

(a)
in respect of a Lender, the office or offices notified by that Lender to the Agent in writing on or before the date it becomes a Lender (or, following that date, by not less than five Business Days’ written notice) as the office or offices through which it will perform its obligations under this Agreement; or

(b)
in respect of any other Finance Party, the office in the jurisdiction in which it is resident for tax purposes.
Facility Period means the period from and including the date of this Agreement to and including the date on which the Total Commitments have reduced to zero and all indebtedness of the Obligors under the Finance Documents has been fully paid and discharged .
FATCA means:

(a)
sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code or any associated regulations ;

(b)
any treaty, law or regulation of any other jurisdiction, or relating to an intergovernmental agreement between the US and any other jurisdiction , which (in either case) facilitates the implementation of any law or regulation referred to in paragraph (a) above; or

(c)
any agreement pursuant to the implementation of any treaty , law or regulat i on referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b) above with the US Internal Revenue Service, the US government or any governmental or taxation authority in any other jurisdiction.
7



FATCA Application Date means:

(a)
in relation to a “withholdable payment” described in section 1473(1)(A)(i) of the Code (which relates to payments of interest and certain other payments from sources within the US), 1 July 2014;

(b)
in relation to a “withholdable payment” described in section 1473(1)(A)(ii) of the Code (which relates to “gross proceeds” from the disposition of property of a type that can produce interest from sources within the US), 1 January 2019; or

(c)
in relation to a “passthru payment” described in section 1471(d)(7) of the Code not falling within paragraphs (a) or (b) above, 1 January 2019,
or, in each case, such other date from which such payment may become subject to a deduction or withholding required by FATCA as a result of any change in FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
FATCA Deduction means a deduction or withholding from a payment under a Finance Document required by FATCA.
FATCA Exempt Party means a Party that is entitled to receive payments free from any FATCA Deduction.
Family Trading Facility means the term loan agreement dated 23 December 2015 (as amended, supplemented and/or restated from time to time) made between the Borrower and Family Trading Inc. for an amount not less than $25,000,000.
Fee Letter means any letter or letters dated on the date of this Agreement between the Arranger and the Borrower (or the Agent and the Borrower) setting out any of the fees referred to in clause 12 (Fees) and includes any agreement setting out any fees payable to a Finance Party under any other Finance Document.
Finance Documents means this Agreement, any Fee Letter, the Security Documents, the Subordination Deed and any deed of accession supplemental to it and any other document designated as such by the Agent and the Borrower.
Finance Party means the Agent, the Security Agent, the Arranger or a Lender.
Financial Indebtedness means any indebtedness for or in respect of:

(a)
moneys borrowed and debit balances at banks or other financial institutions;

(b)
any amount raised under any acceptance under any acceptance credit or bill discounting facility (or dematerialised equivalent);

(c)
any amount raised pursuant to any note purchase facility or the issue of bonds, notes, debentures, loan stock or any similar instrument;

(d)
the amount of any liability in respect of any lease or hire purchase contract which would, in accordance with GAAP be treated as a finance or capital lease;

(e)
receivables sold or discounted (other than any receivables to the extent they are sold on a non-recourse basis and meet any requirement for de-recognition under GAAP);

(f)
any Treasury Transaction (and, when calculating the value of that Treasury Transaction, only the marked to market value (or, if any actual amount is due as a result of the termination or close-out of that Treasury Transaction, that amount) shall be taken into account);
8




(g)
any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a guarantee, indemnity, bond, standby or documentary letter of credit or any other instrument issued by a bank or financial institution;

(h)
in respect of the Borrower only, any amount raised by the issue of shares which are redeemable (other than at the option of the issuer) before the Reduction Date or are otherwise classified as borrowings under GAAP);

(i)
any amount of any liability under an advance or deferred purchase agreement if (i) one of the primary reasons behind entering into the agreement is to raise finance or to finance the acquisition or construction of the asset or service in question or (ii) the agreement is in respect of the supply of assets or services and payment is due more than 180 days after the date of supply;

(j)
any amount raised under any other transaction (including any forward sale or purchase, sale and sale back or sale and leaseback agreement) of a type not referred to in any other paragraph of this definition having the commercial effect of a borrowing or otherwise classified as borrowings under GAAP;   and

(k)
the amount of any liability in respect of any guarantee or indemnity for any of the items referred to in paragraphs (a) to (j) above .
Financial Year means the annual accounting period of the Borrower ending on the Accounting Reference Date in each year.
Flag State means the country specified in respect of the Collateral Ship in Schedule 2 (Ship information), or such other state or territory as may be approved by the Lenders, at the request of the Guarantor, as being the Flag State   of the Collateral Ship for the purposes of the Finance Documents.
Fleet Vessel means the Collateral Ship, the vessels listed in Schedule 2 (Ship information) and any other vessel owned by any Group Member .
Funding Rate means any individual rate notified by a Lender to the Agent pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii) of clause 11.3 (Cost of funds) .
GAAP means general accounting principles and standards as applying in the United States of America from time to time.
General Assignment means a second priority assignment of, and/or (as the case may be) a second priority deed of covenant in relation to the Insurances, Earnings of the Collateral Ship and Requisition Compensation by the Guarantor in favour of the Security Agent in the agreed form .
Group means the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the time being and, for the purposes of clause 20.3 (Financial statements) and clause 21 (Financial covenants), any other entity required to be treated as a subsidiary in its consolidated accounts in accordance with GAAP and/or any applicable law.
Group Member means any Obligor and any other entity which is part of the Group.
Holding Company means , in relation to a person, any other person in respect of which it is a Subsidiary.
Impaired Agent means the Agent at any time when:

(a)
it has failed to make (or has notified a Party that it will not make) a payment required to be made by it under the Finance Documents by the due date for payment;

(b)
the Agent otherwise rescinds or repudiates a Finance Document;
9




(c)
(if the Agent is also a Lender) it is a Defaulting Lender under paragraphs (a) or (b) of the definition of “Defaulting Lender ; or

(d)
an Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Agent,

unless, in the case of paragraph (a) above :

(i)
its failure to pay is caused by:

(A)
administrative or technical error ; or

(B)
a Disruption Event; and
payment is made within five Business Days of its due date; or


(ii)
the Agent is disputing in good faith whether it is contractually obliged to make the payment in question.
Increased Costs has the meaning given to that term in paragraph (b) of clause 14.1 (Increased costs).
Indemnified Person means :

(a)
each Finance Party, each Receiver, any Delegate and any attorney, agent or other person appointed by them under the Finance Documents;

(b)
each Affiliate of those persons; and

(c)
any officers, directors, employees, advisers, representatives or agents of any of the above persons.
Insolvency Event in relation to an entity means that the entity:

(a)
is dissolved (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger);

(b)
becomes insolvent or is unable to pay its debts or fails or admits in writing its inability generally to pay its debts as they become due;

(c)
makes a general assignment, arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of its creditors;

(d)
institutes or has instituted against it, by a regulator, supervisor or any similar official with primary insolvency, rehabilitative or regulatory jurisdiction over it in the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organisation or the jurisdiction of its head or home office, a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or a petition is presented for its winding-up or liquidation by it or such regulator, supervisor or similar official;

(e)
has instituted against it a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or a petition is presented for its winding-up or liquidation, and, in the case of any such proceeding or petition instituted or presented against it, such proceeding or petition is instituted or presented by a person or entity not described in paragraph (d) above and:

(i)
results in a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or the entry of an order for relief or the making of an order for its winding up or liquidation; or

(ii)
is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained in each case within 30 days of the institution or presentation thereof;
10




(f)
has a resolution passed for its winding-up, official management or liquidation (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger);

(g)
seeks or becomes subject to the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all its assets (other than, for so long as it is required by law or regulation not to be publicly disclosed, any such appointment which is to be made, or is made, by a person or entity described in paragraph (d) above);

(h)
has a secured party take possession of all or substantially all its assets or has a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other enforcement action or legal process levied, enforced, taken or sued on or against all or substantially all its assets and such secured party maintains possession, or any such process is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained, in each case within 30 days thereafter;


(i) causes or is subject to any event with respect to it which, under the applicable laws of any jurisdiction, has an analogous effect to any of the events specified in paragraphs (a) to (h) above; or

(j)
takes any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing acts.
Insurance Notice means a notice of assignment in the form scheduled to the General Assignment or in another approved form.
Insurances means:

(a)
all policies and contracts of insurance; and

(b)
all entries in a protection and indemnity or war risks or other mutual insurance association,
in the name of the Guarantor or the joint names of the Guarantor and any other person in respect of or in connection with the Collateral Ship and/or its Earnings and includes all benefits thereof (including the right to receive claims and to return of premiums).
Interbank Market means the London interbank market.
Interest Period means, in relation to a Loan, each period determined in accordance with clause 10 (Interest Periods) and, in relation to an Unpaid Sum, each period determined in accordance with clause 9.3 (Default interest).
Interpolated Screen Rate means, in relation to LIBOR for an Interest Period with respect to any Loan or any Unpaid Sum, the rate (rounded to the same number of decimal places as the two relevant Screen Rates) which results from interpolating on a linear basis between:

(a)
the applicable Screen Rate for the longest period (for which that Screen Rate is available) which is less than the relevant Interest Period; and

(b)
the applicable Screen Rate for the shortest period (for which that Screen Rate is available) which exceeds the relevant Interest Period,
each as of 11:00 a.m. on the relevant Quotation Day .
Joint Venture means any joint venture entity, whether a company, unincorporated firm, undertaking, association, joint venture or partnership or any other entity.
Last Availability Date means 30 January 2020 (or such later date as may be approved by the Lenders).
11



Legal Opinion means any legal opinion delivered to the Agent under clause 4 (Conditions of Utilisation).
Legal Reservations means:

(a)
the principle that equitable remedies may be granted or refused at the discretion of a court and the limitation of enforcement by laws relating to insolvency, reorganisation and other laws generally affecting the rights of creditors;

(b)
the time barring of claims under the Limitation Act 1980 and the Foreign Limitation Periods Act 1984, the possibility that an undertaking to assume liability for, or indemnify a person against, non-payment of UK stamp duty may be void and defences of set-off or counterclaim; and

(c)
similar principles, rights and defences under the laws of any Relevant Jurisdiction.
Lender means:

(a)
any Original Lender; and

(b)
any bank, financial institution, trust, fund or other entity which has become a Party as a Lender in accordance with clause 30 (Changes to the Lenders),
which in each case has not ceased to be a Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
LIBOR means, in relation to any Loan or any Unpaid Sum:

(a)
the applicable Screen Rate as of 11:00 a.m. on the relevant Quotation Day for a period equal in length to the Interest Period of that Loan or Unpaid Sum; or

(b)
as otherwise determined pursuant to clause 11.1 ( Unavailability of Screen Rate),
and if, in either case, that rate is less than zero, LIBOR shall be deemed to be zero.
Loan means a loan made or to be made under the Facility or the principal amount outstanding for the time being of that loan.
Loss Payable Clauses means the provisions concerning payment of claims under the Collateral Ship’s Insurances in the form scheduled to the General Assignment or in another approved form.
Losses means any costs, expenses, payments, charges, losses, demands, liabilities, claims, actions, proceedings, penalties, fines, damages, judgments, orders or other sanctions.
Major Casualty means any casualty to the Collateral Ship for which the total insurance claim, inclusive of any deductible, exceeds or is reasonably expected to exceed the Major Casualty Amount.
Major Casualty Amount means the amount specified as such against the name of the Collateral Ship in Schedule 2 (Ship information) or the equivalent in any other currency.
Majority Lenders means a Lender or Lenders whose Commitments aggregate more than 66 2/3 per cent of the Total Commitments (or, if the Total Commitments have been reduced to zero, aggregated more than 66 2/3 per cent of the Total Commitments immediately prior to that reduction).
Manager’s Undertaking means a second priority undertaking by any manager of the Collateral Ship to the Security Agent in the agreed form pursuant to clause 23.9 (Manager).
12



Margin means 6 per cent per annum .
Material Adverse Effect means, in the reasonable opinion of the Majority Lenders, a material adverse effect on :

(a)
the business or financial condition of an Obligor; or

(b)
the ability of an Obligor to perform its obligations under the Finance Documents ; or

(c)
the legal i ty , val i dity or enforceabil i ty of , or the effect i veness or rank i ng of any Security Interest granted or purporting to be granted pursuant to any of , the Finance Documents or the rights or remed i es of any Finance Party under any of the Finance Documents.
Month means a period starting on one day in a calendar month and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the next calendar month , except that:

(a)
(subject to paragraph (c) below) if the numerically corresponding day is not a Business Day, that period shall end on the next Business Day in the calendar month in which that period is to end (if there is one) or on the immediately preceding Business Day (if there is not);

(b)
if there is no numer i cally corresponding day in the calendar month in which tha t period is to end , that period shall end on the last Business Day in that calendar month ; and

(c)
if an Interest Period begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month , that Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day in the calendar month in which that Interest Period is to end .
The above rules will only apply to the last Month of any period .
Mortgage means a second preferred or (as the case may be) a second pr i ority mortgage of the Collateral Ship in the agreed form by the Guarantor in favour of the Security Agent and/or the Finance Parties.
Mortgage Period means the period from the date the Mortgage is executed and registered until the date such Mortgage is released and discharged or, if earlier, its Total Loss Date.
New Lender has the meaning given to that term in clause 30 (Changes to the Lenders).
Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction has the meaning given to that term in clause 44 . 9 (Disenfranchisement of Borrower Affiliates) .
Obligors means the parties to the Finance Documents (other than the Finance Parties) and Obligor means any one of them .
Operating Account means any Account designated as an “ Operating Account   under clause 27 (Bank accounts).
Original Jurisdiction means , in relation to an Original Obligor, the jurisdiction under whose laws that Obligor i s incorporated as at the date of this Agreement or , in the case of any other Obligor , as at the date on which that Obligo r becomes an Obl i gor.
Original Obligor means each party to th i s Agreement and the Or i g i nal Security Documents (other than a F i nance Party).
Original Security Documents means:

(a)
the Share Security;
13




(b)
the Account Security in relation to each Operating Account;

(c)
the Mortgage;

(d)
the General Assignment;

(e)
the Charter Assignment; and

(f)
any Manager’s Undertaking if required under clause 23.9 (Manager).
Participating Member State means any member state of the European Union that has the euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Union relating to Economic and Monetary Union.
Party means a party to this Agreement.
PCH77 Borrower means PCH77 Shipping Company Limited of Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960 .
Permitted Maritime Liens means :

(a)
any ship repairer’s or outfitter’s possessory lien in respect of the Collateral Ship for an amount not exceeding the Major Casualty Amount;

(b)
any lien on the Collateral Ship for master’s, officer’s or crew’s wages outstanding in the ordinary course of its trading;

(c)
any lien on the Collateral Ship for salvage or general average; and

(d)
any other lien on the Collateral Ship arising by operation of law for claims incurred in the ordinary course of the operation , repair or maintenance of the Collateral Ship and which are outstanding for not longer than thirty (30) days or for an aggregate amount not exceeding the Major Casualty Amount.
Permitted Security Interests means, in relation to, any Security Interest over the Collateral Ship which is:

(a)
granted by the Finance Documents ; or

(b)
approved by the Majority Lenders; or

(c)
a Permitted Maritime Lien; or

(d)
granted by the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement and any Post-Delivery Finance Documents .
Pollutant means and includes crude oil and its products, any other polluting, toxic or hazardous substance and any other substance whose release into the environment is regulated or penalised by Environmental Laws.
Post-Delivery Events means each one of the events described in clauses 7.1 (Illegality), 7.7 (Total Loss), 7 . 9 (Mandatory Cancellation) and 31 (Events of Default) of the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement.
Post-Delivery Facility Agreement means the facility agreement dated 5 September 2017 (as amended and/or supplemented from time to time) between (among others) the Guarantor as borrower, the financial institutions listed therein as lenders and Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V. as agent and security agent in respect of a loan of up to $23,500,000.
14



Post-Delivery Finance Documents has the meaning given to Finance Documents in the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement.
Quasi-Security has the meaning given to that term in clause 28.2 (General negative pledge).
Quotation Day means, in relation to any period for which an interest rate is to be determined , two Business Days before the first day of that period unless market practice in the Interbank Market differs , in which case the Quotation Day shall be determined by the Agent in accordance with market practice in the Interbank Market (and if quotations would norma l ly be given on more than one day , the Quotat i on Day will be the last of those days) .
Receiver means a receiver or receiver and manager or administrative receiver of the whole or any part of the Charged Property appointed under any Security Document.
Reduction Date means, subject to clause 38 . 8 (Business Days), 31 January 2020 (or such later date as may be approved by the Lenders) .
Reformed Basel III means the agreements contained in “Basel III: Finalising post-crisis reforms” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in December 2017, as amended, supplemented or restated .
Reformed Basel III Increased Cost means an Increased Cost which is attributable to the implementation or application of or compliance with any other law or regulation which implements Reformed Basel III (whether such implementation , application or compliance is by a government, regulator, Finance Party or any of its Affiliates.
Registry means such registrar, commissioner or representative of the relevant Flag State who is duly authorised and empowered to register the Collateral Ship , the Guarantor’s title to the Collateral Ship and the Mortgage under the laws of its Flag State.
Related Fund in relation to a fund (the first fund ) , means a fund which i s managed or advised by the same investment manager or investment adviser as the first fund or, if it is managed by a different investment manager or investment adviser, a fund whose investment manager or investment adviser is an Affiliate of the investment manager or investment adviser of the first fund.
Relevant Jurisdiction means, in relation to an Obligor:

(a)
its Original Jurisdiction;

(b)
any jurisdiction where any Charged Property owned by it is situated;

(c)
any jurisd i ction where it conducts its bus i ness ; and

(d)
any jurisdiction whose laws govern the perfection of any of the Security Documents entered into by it.
Relevant Nominating Body means any applicable central bank, regulator or other supervisory authority or a group of them, or any working group or committee sponsored or chaired by, or constituted at the request of , any of them or the Financial Stability Board .
Repeating Representations means each of the representations set out in clauses 19.1 (Status) to clause 19.10 (Centre of main interests and establishments ).
Replacement Benchmark means a benchmark rate which is:

(b)
formally designated, nominated or recommended as the replacement for the Screen Rate by:

(i)
the administrator of that Screen Rate; or
15




(ii)
any Relevant Nominating Body,
and if replacements have, at the relevant time, been formally designated, nominated or recommended under both paragraphs, the “Replacement Benchmark” will be the replacement under paragraph (ii) above;

(c)
in the opinion of the Majority Lenders and the Borrower, generally accepted in the international or any relevant domestic syndicated loan markets as the appropriate successor to the Screen Rate; or

(d)
in the opinion of the Majority Lenders and the Borrower, an appropriate successor to the Screen Rate.
Representative means any delegate, agent, manager, administrator, nominee, attorney, trustee or custodian.
Requisition Compensation means any compensation paid or payable by a government entity for the requisition for title, confiscation or compulsory acquisition of the Collateral Ship.
Resolution Authority means any body which has authority to exercise any Write-down and Conversion Powers.
Rollover Loan means one or more Loans:

(a)
made or to be made on the same day that a maturing Loan is due to be repaid;

(b)
the aggregate amount of which is equal or less than the amount of the maturing Loan; and

(c)
made or to be made for the purpose of refinancing a maturing Loan.
Restricted Person means a person that:

(a)
is listed on any Sanctions List (whether designated by name or by reason of being included in a class of person) or otherwise a target of Sanctions;

(b)
is domiciled, registered as located or having its main place of business in, or is incorporated under the laws of or, such country or territory which is, or whose government is, subject to Sanctions broadly prohibiting dealings with such government, country or territory;

(c)
is directly or indirectly owned by or controlled by a person referred to in (a) and/or (b) above; or

(d)
owns or controls a person referred to in (a) and/or (b) above.
Sanctions means any economic sanctions laws, sanctions regulations, embargoes or restrictive measures administered enacted or enforced by:

(a)
the United States of America;

(b)
the United Nations Security Council;

(c)
the United Kingdom;

(d)
the European Union or any of its member states;

(e)
any country to which any Obligor or any Affiliate of any of them is bound; or
16




(f)
the respective governmental institutions and agencies of any of the foregoing, including without limitation , the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of Treasury (OFAC), the United States Department of State and Her Majesty’s Treasury (HMT) (together Sanctions Authorities ).
Sanctions List means the “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” list issued by OFAC, the Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets and Investment Ban List” issued by HMT, the “Consolidated Sanctions List (including the Sectoral Sanctions Identifications” list) both issued by OFAC, or any similar list issued or maintained or made public by any of the Sanctions Authorit i es.
Screen Rate means the London interbank offered rate administered by ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (or any other person which takes over the administration of that rate) for dollars and the relevant period displayed (before any correction, recalculation or republication by the administrator) on pages LIBOR01 or LIBOR02 of the Thomson Reuters screen (or any replacement Thomson Reuters page which displays that rate), or on the appropriate page of such other information service which publishes that rate from time to time in place of Thomson Reuters. If such page or service ceases to be available, the Agent may specify another page or service displaying the relevant rate with the agreement of the Borrower and the Lenders.
Screen Rate Replacement Event means, in relation to the Screen Rate :

(a)
the methodology, formula or other means of determining that Screen Rate has , in the opinion of the Majority Lenders, and the Borrower materially changed; or
(b)
(i)

(A)
the administrator of that Screen Rate or its supervisor publicly announces that such administrator is i nsolvent ; or

(B)
information is published i n any order, decree, notice, petition or filing, however described, of or filed with a court, tribunal, exchange, regulatory authority or similar administrative, regulatory or judicial body which reasonably confirms that the administrator of that Screen Rate is insolvent, provided that, in each case, at that time, there is no successor administrator to continue to provide that Scree Rate; or

(ii)
the administrator of that Screen Rate publicly announces that it has ceased or will cease , to provide that Screen Rate permanently or indefinitely and, at that time, there is no successor administrator to continue to provide that Screen Rate; or

(iii)
the supervisor of the administrator of that Screen Rate publicly announces that the Screen Rate has been or will be permanently or indefinitely discontinued; or

(c)
the administrator of the Screen Rate determines that the Screen Rate should be calculated in accordance with its reduced submissions or other contingency or fallback policies or arrangements and either:

(i)
the circumstance(s) or event(s) leading to such determination are not (in the op i nion of the Majority Lenders and the Borrower) temporary ; or

(ii)
that Screen Rate is calculated in accordance with any such policy or arrangement for a period no less than 15 Business Days; or

(d)
in the opinion of the Majority Lenders and the Borrower, the Screen Rate is otherwise no longer appropriate for the purposes of calculating interest under this Agreement.
17



Secured Liabilities means all indebtedness and obligations at any time of any Obligor to any Finance Party (whether for its own account or as agent or trustee for itself and/or other Finance Parties) under, or related to, the Finance Documents.
Secured Obligations means all the Secured Liabilities and all other indebtedness and obligations at any time due, owing or incurred by each Obligor to any Finance Party under the Finance Documents.
Security Agent includes any person as may be appointed as such under the Finance Documents and includes any separate trustee or co-trustee appointed under clause 33.8 (Additional trustees)).
Security Documents means:

(a)
the Original Security Documents; and

(b)
any other document as may be executed to guarantee and/or secure any amounts owing to the Finance Parties under this Agreement or any other Finance Document.
Security Interest means a mortgage, charge, pledge, lien, assignment, trust , hypothecation or other security interest of any kind securing any obligation of any person or any other agreement or arrangement having a similar effect.
Security Property means:

(a)
the Transaction Security expressed to be granted in favour of the Security Agent as trustee for the Finance Parties and all proceeds of that Transaction Security;

(b)
all obligations expressed to be undertaken by any Obligor to pay amounts in respect of the Secured Liabilities to the Security Agent as trustee for the Finance Parties and secured by the Transaction Security together with all representations and warranties expressed to be given by an Obligor in favour of the Security Agent as trustee for the Finance Parties; and

(c)
any other amounts or property, whether rights, entitlements, choses in action or otherwise, actual or contingent, which the Security Agent is required by the terms of the Finance Documents to hold as trustee on trust for the Finance Parties.
Separate Loan has the meaning given to it in clause 6 . 1 (Repayment) .
Share Security means the document constituting a second Security Interest executed by the Borrower in favour of the Security Agent in the agreed form in respect of all of the shares in the Guarantor .
Ship Representations means each of the representations and warranties set out in clauses 19.36 ( Collateral Ship status ) and 19.37 ( Collateral Ship’s employment ).
Spill means any actual or threatened spill, release or discharge of a Pollutant into the environment.
Subordination Deed means the subordination agreement between (inter alios) the Finance Parties and Family Trading Inc. in an agreed from .
Subsidiary of a person means any other person:

(a)
directly or indirectly controlled by such person ; or

(b)
of whose dividends or distributions on ordinary voting share capital such person is beneficially entitled to receive more than 50 per cent,
18



and a person is a   wholly-owned Subsidiary   of another person if it has no members except tha t other person and that other person’s wholly-owned Subsidiar i es or persons acting on behalf of that other person or its wholly-owned Subsidiaries .
Tax means any tax, levy, impost, duty or other charge or withholding of a similar nature (including any penalty or interest payable in connection with any failure to pay or any delay in paying any of the same) .
Total Commitments means the aggregate of the Commitments .
Total Loss means in relation to the Collateral Ship, its :

(a)
actual, constructive, compromised or arranged total loss ; or

(b)
requisition for title , confiscation or other compulsory acquisition by a government entity ; or

(c)
hijacking, theft, condemnation, capture, seizure, arrest or detention for more than 90 days or in the case of p i racy for more than 180 days .
Total Loss Date means and the Total Loss of the Collateral Ship :

(a)
in the case of an actual total loss, the date it happened or , if such date is not known , the date on which the Collateral Ship was last reported ;

(b)
in the case of a constructive, compromised, agreed or arranged total loss, the earliest of:

(i)
the date notice of abandonment of the Collateral Ship is given to its insurers; or

(ii)
if the insurers do not admit such a claim , the date later determined by a competent court of law to have been the date on which the total loss happened ; or

(iii)
the date upon which a binding agreement as to such compromised or arranged total loss has been entered into by the Collateral Sh i p’s insurers ;

(c)
in the case of a requisition for title, confiscation or compulsory acquisition, the date it happened; and

(d)
in the case of hijacking, theft , condemnation, capture , se i zure , arrest or detention, the date 90 days after the date upon which it happened or in the case of piracy, the date falling 180 days after the date it happened .
Transaction Document means:

(a)
each of the Finance Documents ; and

(b)
each Charter Document.
Transaction Security means the Security Interests created or evidenced or expressed to be created or evidenced under or pursuant to the Security Documents .
Transfer Certificate means a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule 5 (Form of Transfer Certificate) or any other form agreed between the Agent and the Borrower .
Transfer Date means , in relation to an assignment pursuant to a Transfer Certificate , the later of:

(a)
the proposed Transfer Date specified in the Transfer Certificate; and

(b)
the date on which the Agent executes the Transfer Certificate .
19



Treasury Transaction means any derivative transaction entered into in connection with protection against or benefit from fluctuation in any rate or price.
Unpaid Sum means any sum due and payable but unpaid by an Obligor under the Finance Documents.
US means the United States of America.
US Tax Obligor means:

(a)
the Borrower if it is resident for tax purposes in the US; or

(b)
an Obligor some or all of whose payments under the Finance Documents are from sources within the US for US federal income tax purposes.
Utilisation means the making of a Loan.
Utilisation Date means the date on which a Utilisation is to be made .
Utilisation Request means a notice substantially in the form set out in Schedule 4 ( Utilisation Request).
VAT means:

(a)
any tax imposed in compliance with the Council Directive of 28 November 2006 on the common system of value added tax (EC Directive 2006/112); and

(b)
any other tax of a similar nature, imposed in a member state of the European Union in substitution for, or levied in addition to , such tax referred to in paragraph (a) above , or imposed elsewhere .
Write-down and Conversion Powers means:

(a)
in relation to any Bail-In Legislation described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule from time to time, the powers described as such in relation to that Bail-In Legislation in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule; and

(b)
in relation to any other applicable Bail-In Legislation:

(i)
any powers under that Bail-In Legislation to cancel, transfer or dilute shares issued by a person that is a bank or investment firm or other financial institution or affiliate of a bank, investment firm or other financial institution, to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of such a person or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers; and

(ii)
any similar or analogous powers under that Bail-In Legislation.
1.2
Construction

(a)
Unless a contrary indication appears, a reference in any of the Finance Documents to :

(i)
Sections, clauses and Schedules are to be construed as references to the Sections and clauses of, and the Schedules to, the relevant Finance Document and references to a Finance Document include its Schedules;
20




(ii)
a Finance Document or any other agreement or instrument is a reference to that Finance Document or other agreement or instrument as it may from time to time be amended, restated, novated or replaced, however fundamentally;

(iii)
words importing the plural shall include the singular and vice versa;

(iv)
a time of day is to London time;

(v)
any person includes its successors in title, permitted assignees or transferees ;

(vi)
a document in agreed form means:

(A)
where a Finance Document has already been executed by all of the relevant parties, such Finance Document in its executed form;

(B)
prior to the execution of a Finance Document, the form of such Finance Document separately agreed in writing between the Agent and the Borrower as the form in which that Finance Document is to be executed or another form approved at the request of the Borrower or, if not so agreed or approved, is in the form specified by the Agent;

(vii)
approved by the Majority Lenders or approved by the Lenders means approved in writing by the Agent acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders or, as the case may be, all of the Lenders (on such conditions as they may respectively impose) and otherwise approved means approved in writing by the Agent (on such conditions as the Agent may impose) and approval and approve shall be construed accordingly;


(vii)
assets includes present and future properties , revenues and rights of every description;


(ix)
charter commitment means, in relation to a vessel, any charter or contract for the use, employment or operation of that vessel or the carriage of people and/or cargo or the provision of services by or from it and includes any agreement for pooling or sharing income derived from any such charter or contract;

(x)
control of an entity means :

(A)
the power (whether by way of ownership of shares, proxy, contract, agency or otherwise) to:

(1)
cast, or control the casting of, more than 50 per cent of the maximum number of votes that might be cast at a general meeting of that entity; or

(2)
appoint or remove all, or the majority, of the directors or other equivalent officers of that entity; or

(3)
give directions with respect to the operating and financial policies of that entity with which the directors or other equivalent officers of that entity are obliged to comply; or

(B)
the holding beneficially of more than 50 per cent of the issued share capital of that entity (excluding any part of that issued share capital that carries no right to participate beyond a specified amount in a distribution of either profits or capital) (and, for this purpose, any Security Interest over share capital shall be disregarded in determining the beneficial ownership of such share capital);
and controlled shall be construed accordingly;
21



(xi)
the term disposal or dispose means a sale , transfer or other disposal (including by way of lease or loan but not including by way of loan of money) by a person of all or part of its assets, whether by one transaction or a series of transactions and whether at the same time or over a period of time , but not the creation of a Security Interest;

(xii)
the equivalent of an amount specified in a particular currency (the specified currency amount )   shall be construed as a reference to the amount of the other relevant currency which can be purchased with the specified currency amount in the London fore i gn exchange market at or about 11 a . m . on the date the calculation falls to be made for spot delivery , as conclusively determined by the Agent (with the relevant exchange rate of any such purchase being the Agent’s spot rate of exchange );

(xiii)
a government entity means any government, state or agency of a state;

(xiv)
a group of Lenders or a group of Finance Parties includes all the Lenders or (as the case may be) all the Finance Parties;

(xv)
a guarantee means (other than in clause 18 (Guarantee and indemnity)) any guarantee , letter of credit , bond , indemnity or similar assurance against loss , or any obl i gation , direct or indirect , actual or contingent, to purchase or assume any indebtedness of any person or to make an investment in or loan to any person or to purchase assets of any person where , in each case, such obligation is assumed in order to maintain or assist the ability of such person to meet its indebtedness;

(xvi)
indebtedness includes any obligation (whether incurred as principal or as surety) for the payment or repayment of money , whether present or future, actual or contingent;

(xvii)
an obligation means any duty , obligat i on or l i ability o f any kind ;

(xviii)
something being in the ordinary course of business of a person means something that is in the ordinary course of that person’s current day-to-day operational business (and not merely anything which that person is entitled to do under its Constitutional Documents);

(xix)
pay or repay in clause 28 (Business restrictions) includes by way of set-off, combination of accounts or otherwise;

(xx)
a person includes any individual, firm, company, corporation, government entity or any assoc i ation , trust, jo i nt venture , consort i um, partnership or other entity (whether or not having separate legal personality) ;

(xxi)
a regulation includes any regulation, rule , official direct i ve, request or guideline (whether or not having the force of law but if not having the force of law , one with which a person habitually complies) of any governmental, intergovernmental or supranational body, agency , department or regulatory , self-regulatory or other authority or organisation and, in relation to any Lender , includes (without limitation) any Basel II Regulation or Basel III Regulation or any law or regulation which implements Reformed Basel III , in each case which is applicable to that Lender;

(xxii)
right means any right , privilege , power or remedy , any proprietary interest in any asset and any other interest or remedy of any kind , whether actual or contingent , present or future, arising under contract or law, or in equity;

(xxiii)
trustee, fiduciary and fiduciary duty has in each case the meaning given to such term under applicable law;


22



(xxiv)
(i) the liquidation , winding up , dissolution , or administration of person or (ii) a receiver or administrative receiver or administrator in the context of insolvency proceedings or security enforcement actions in respect of a person shall be construed so as to include any equivalent or analogous proceedings or any equivalent and analogous person or appointee (respectively) under the law of the jurisdiction in which such person is established or incorporated or any jurisdiction in which such person carries on business including (in respect of proceedings) the seeking or occurrences of l i quidation , winding-up, reorganisation , dissolution , admin i strat i on , arrangement , adjustment , protection or rel i ef of debtors ; and

(xxv)
a provision of law is a reference to that provision as amended or re-enacted .

(b)
The determination of the extent to which a rate is “ for a period equal in length   to an Interest Per i od shall disregard any inconsistency arising from the last day of that Interest Period being determined pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

(c)
Where in this Agreement a provision includes a monetary reference level in one currency , unless a contrary indication appears , such reference level is intended to apply equally to its equivalent in other currencies as of the relevant time for the purposes of applying such reference level to any other currencies .

(d)
Section , clause and Schedule head i ngs are for ease of reference only .

(e)
Unless a contrary indication appears , a term used in any other Finance Document or in any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document has the same meaning in that Finance Document or notice as in this Agreement.

(f)
A Default is continuing if it has not been remedied or waived .
1.3
Currency symbols and definitions
$ , USD and dollars denote the lawful currency of the United States of America .
1.4
Third party rights

(a)
Unless expressly provided to the contrary in a Finance Document for the benefit of a Finance Party or another Indemnified Person, a person who is not a party to a Finance Document has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 (the Third Parties Act )   to enforce or enjoy the benefit of any term of the relevant Finance Document.

(b)
Any Finance Document may be rescinded or var i ed by the part i es to it without the consent of any person who is not a party to i t (unless otherwise prov i ded by this Agreement) .

(c)
An Indemnified Person who is not a party to a Finance Document may only enforce its rights under that Finance Document through a Finance Party and if and to the extent and in such manner as the Finance Party may determine.
1.5
Finance Documents
Where any other Finance Documen t provides tha t th i s clause 1 . 5 shall apply to that Finance Document , any other provision of this Agreement which , by its terms, purports to apply to all or any of the Finance Documents and/or any Obliger shall apply to that Finance Document as if set out in it but with all necessary changes.
1.6
Conflict of documents
The terms of the Finance Documents (other than as relates to the creation and/or perfection of security) are subject to the terms of this Agreement and, in the event of any conflict between
23



any provision of this Agreement and any provision of any Finance Document (other than in relation to the creation and/or perfection of security) the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail.
24




Section 2 - The Facility
2.
The Facility
2.1
The Facility
Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Lenders make available to the Borrower a revolving loan facility in an aggregate amount equal to the Total Commitments .
2.2
Finance Parties’ rights and obligations

(a)
The obligations of each Finance Party under the Finance Documents are several. Failure by a Finance Party to perform its obligations under the Finance Documents does not affect the obligations of any other Party under the Finance Documents. No Finance Party is responsible for the obligations of any other Finance Party under the Finance Documents.

(b)
The rights of each Finance Party under or in connection w i th the Finance Documents are separate and independent rights and any debt arising under the Finance Documents to a Finance Party from an Obligor shall be a separate and independent debt in respect of which a Finance Party shall be entitled to enforce its rights in accordance with paragraph (c) below . The rights of each Finance Party include any debt owing to that Finance Party under the Finance Documents and, for the avoidance of doubt , any part of a Loan or any other amount owed by an Obligor which relates to a Finance Party’s participation in a Facility or its role under a Finance Document (including any such amount payable to the Agent on its behalf) is a debt owing to that Finance Party by that Obligor.

(c)
A Finance Party may, except as otherwise stated in the Finance Documents, separately enforce its rights under the Finance Documents .
2.3
Reduction of Total Commitments
The Total Commitments shall be reduced as follows :

(a)
by $3,000,000 for as long as the Eco Bel Air Ship or the Eco Beverly Hills Ship is not subject to committed arrangements for its post-delivery financing in form and substance approved by the Lenders. It is only after the Lenders confirm that they have approved any such arrangements for both these ships and only whilst such arrangements remain effective that the said $3,000 , 000 shall be available for Utilisation in accordance with this Agreement; and

(b)
by an amount equal to any prepayment made under clause 7.7 (Mandatory prepayment),
provided always that any reduction made to the Total Commitments in accordance with paragraph (b) above shall be permanent in nature and shall not be reinstated for any reason whatsoever . In case of a reduction to the Total Commitments in accordance with this Agreement, the Commitment of each Lender shall be reduced proportionately.
3.
Purpose
3.1
Purpose
The Borrower shall apply all amounts borrowed under the Facility in accordance with this clause 3.
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3.2
Refinancing
The Total Commitments shall initially be made available for the purpose of assisting the Borrower to fund the PCH77 Borrower to refinance all amounts owing under the Existing Facility Agreement.
3.3
Subsequent Loans
After that , the Active Facility may be used for general corporate purposes and to repay maturing Loans .
3.4
Monitoring
No Finance Party is bound to monitor or verify the application of any amount borrowed pursuant to this Agreement.
4.
Conditions of Utilisation
4.1
Initial conditions precedent
The Lenders will only be obliged to comply with clause 5.4 (Lenders participation) in relation to any Utilisation if on or before the Utilisation Date for that Utilisation, the Agent , or its duly authorised representat i ve , has received all of the documents and other evidence listed in Part 1 of Schedule 3 (Conditions precedent to any Utilisation) in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.
4.2
Conditions precedent before first Utilisation
A Loan may only be borrowed under this Agreement if the Agent, or i ts duly authorised representative , has received all of the documents and evidence listed in Part 2 of Schedule 3 (Conditions precedent to any Loan) in relation to that Loan in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.
4.3
Notice of satisfaction of conditions
The Agent shall notify the Lenders and the Borrower promptly after receipt by it of the documents and evidence referred to in this clause 4 in form and substance satisfactory to it. Other than to the extent that the Majority Lenders notify the Agent in writ i ng to the contrary before the Agent gives any such not i fication , the Lenders authorise (but do not require) the Agent to give that notification . The Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses whatsoever as a result of giving any such notification.
4.4
Further conditions precedent
The Lenders will only be obliged to comply with clause 5.4 (Lenders participation) if:

(a)
in the case of a Rollover Loan , on the date of the Utilisation Request and on the proposed Utilisation Date, no Default is continuing or would result from the proposed Loan;

(b)
in the case of any other Utilisation , on the date of the Utilisat i on Request and on the proposed Utilisation Date , no Default is continuing or would result from the proposed Utilisation;

(c)
on the date of the f i rst Utilisation Request and on the proposed Utilisat i on Date , all of the representations set out in clause 19 (Representations) (except the Ship Representations) are true ; and

(d)
where the proposed Utilisation Date is to be the first day of the Mortgage Period, the Ship Representations are true on the proposed Utilisation Date .
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4.5
Maximum number of Loans
The Borrower may not deliver a Utilisation Request if, as a result of the proposed Utilisation, 22 or more Loans would be outstanding. Any Separate Loan shall not be taken into account in this clause 4.5 .
4.6
Waiver of conditions precedent
The conditions in this clause 4 are inserted solely for the benefit of the Finance Parties and may be waived on their behalf in whole or in part and with or without conditions by the Agent acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders.
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Section 3 - Utilisation
5.
Utilisation
5.1
Delivery of a Utilisation Request
The Borrower may utilise the Facility by delivery to the Agent of a duly completed Utilisation Request not later than 11 : 00 a.m. three Business Days before the proposed Utilisation Date .
5.2
Completion of a Utilisation Request

(a)
A Utilisation Request is irrevocable and will not be regarded as having been duly completed unless:

(i)
the proposed Utilisation Date is a Business Day falling on or before the Last Availability Date;

(ii)
the currency and amount of the Utilisation comply with clause 5.3 (Currency and amount);

(iii)
the proposed Interest Period complies with clause 10 (Interest Periods); and

(iv)
it identifies the purpose for the Utilisation and that purpose complies with clause 3 (Purpose) .

(b)
Only one Loan may be requested in each Utilisation Request.
5.3
Currency and amount

(a)
The currency specified in a Utilisation Request must be dollars.

(b)
The amount of the proposed Loan must be a minimum of $500,000 or, if less, the amount of the Active Facility less the aggregate amount of the outstanding Loans and must not exceed (when aggregated with the outstanding Loans) the Active Facility.
5.4
Lenders’ participation

(a)
If the conditions set out in this Agreement have been met and subject to clause 6.1 (Repayment), each Lender shall make its participation in each Loan available by the Utilisation Date through its Facility Office.

(b)
The amount of each Lender’s participation in each Loan will be equal to the proportion borne by its Available Commitment to the Available Facility immediately prior to making that Loan.

(c)
The Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the amount of each Loan and the amount of its participation in that Loan and, if different, the amount of that participation to be made available in accordance with clause 38.1 (Payment to the Agent), in each case by 11:00 a.m. on the relevant Quotation Day.

(d)
The Agent shall pay all amounts received by it in respect of each Loan (and its own participation in it, if any) to the Borrower or for its account, in each case in accordance with the instructions contained in the Utilisation Request.
28



Section 4 - Repayment, Prepayment and Cancellation
6.
Repayment
6.1
Repayment

(a)
The Borrower shall, subject to paragraph (c) below, repay each Loan on the last day of its Interest Period .

(b)
Without prejudice to the Borrower s obligation under paragraph (a) above, if one or more Loans are to be made available to the Borrower on the same day that a maturing Loan is due to be repaid by the Borrower and the proportion borne by each Lender’s participation in the maturing Loan to the amount of that maturing Loan is the same as the proportion borne by that Lender’s participation in the new Loans shall be treated as of applied in or towards repayment of the maturing Loan so that:

(i)
if the amount of the maturing Loan exceeds the aggregate amount of the new Loans :

(A)
the Borrower will only be required to make a payment under clause 38.1 (Payments to the Agent) in an amount equal to that excess; and

(B)
each Lender’s participation in the new Loans shall be treated as having been made available and applied by the Borrower in or towards repayment of that Lender’s participation in the maturing Loan and that Lender will not be required to make a payment under clause 38.1 (Payments to the Agent) in respect of its participation in the new Loans; and

(ii)
if the amount of the maturing Loan is equal to or less than the aggregate amount of the new Loans :

(A)
the Borrower will not be required to make a payment under clause 38.1 (Payments to the Agent); and

(B)
each Lender will be required to make a payment under clause 38.1 (Payments to the Agent) in respect of its participation in the new Loans only to the extent that its participation in the new Loans exceeds that Lender’s participation in the maturing Loan and the remainder of that Lender’s participation in the new Loans shall be treated as having been made available and applied by the Borrower in or towards repayment of that Lender s participation in the maturing Loan .

(c)
At any time when a Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, the maturity date of each of the participations of that Lender in the Loans then outstanding will be automatically extended to the Reduction Date and will be treated as separate Loans (the Separate Loans ).

(d)
The Borrower may prepay that Loan by giving not less than five Business Days   prior notice to the Agent. The Agent will forward a copy of a prepayment notice received in accordance with this paragraph (d) to the Defaulting Lender concerned as soon as practicable on receipt.

(e)
Interest in respect of a Separate Loan will accrue for successive Interest Periods selected by the Borrower by the time and date specified by the Agent (acting reasonably) and will be payable by that Borrower to the Agent (for the account of that Defaulting Lender) on the last day of each such Interest Period.

(f)
The terms of this Agreement relating to Loans generally shall continue to apply to Separate Loans other than to the extent inconsistent with paragraphs (c) to (e) above, in which case those paragraphs shall prevail in respect of any Separate Loan.
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(g)
All Loans shall be repaid in full on the Reduction Date .
7.
Illegality, prepayment and cancellation
7.1
Illegality
If, in any applicable jurisdiction, it becomes unlawful for a Lender to perform any of its obligations as contemplated by this Agreement or to fund or maintain its participation in any Loan or it becomes unlawful for any Affiliate of a Lender for that Lender to do so :

(a)
that Lender shall promptly notify the Agent upon becoming aware of that event;

(b)
upon the Agent notifying the Borrower, the Available Commitment of that Lender will be immediately cancelled; and

(c)
to the extent that the Lender’s participation has not been assigned pursuant to clause 7.6 (Replacement of Lender), the Borrower shall repay that Lender’s participation in the Loans on the last day of the Interest Period for each Loan occurring after the Agent has notified the Borrower or, if earlier, the date specified by the Lender in the notice delivered to the Agent (being no earlier than the last day of any applicable grace period permitted by law) and that Lender’s correspond i ng Comm i tment shall be cancelled in the amount of the participation repaid.
7.2
Voluntary cancellation
The Borrower may , if it gives the Agent not less than 15 Business Days’ (or such shorter period as the Majority Lenders may agree) prior notice , cancel the whole or any part (being a minimum amount of $500 , 000 or a multiple of $500,000) of the Available Facility. Any cancellation under this clause 7.2 shall reduce the Commitments of the Lenders rateably . If such a cancellation (and consequent reduction in the Commitments) results in the Active Facility exceeding the Total Commitments as reduced by such cancellation , the Active Facility shall be reduced to correspond to the Total Commitments as so reduced .
7.3
Voluntary prepayment
The Borrower may, if it gives the Agent not less than 15 Business Days’ (or such shorter period as the Majority Lenders may agree) prior notice, prepay the whole or any part of a Loan (but if in part, being an amount that reduces the amount of the Loan by a minimum amount of $500,000 or a multiple of $500,000), on the last day of an Interest Period in respect of the amount to be prepaid or, together with Break Costs (if any), at any other time.
7.4
Right of cancellation and prepayment in relation to a single Lender

(a)
If:

(i)
any sum payable to any Lender by an Obligor is required to be increased under clause 13.2 (Tax gross-up); or

(ii)
any Lender claims indemnification from the Borrower under clause 13.3 (Tax indemnity) or clause 14.1 (Increased costs),
the Borrower may , whilst the circumstance giving rise to the requirement for that increase or indemnification continues, give the Agent notice of cancellation of the Commitment of that Lender and its intention to procure the repayment of that Lender’s participation in the Loans.

(b)
On receipt of a notice referred to in paragraph (a) above, the Commitment of that Lender shall immediately be reduced to zero.
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(c)
On the last day of each Interest Period which ends after the Borrower has given notice under paragraph (a) above in relation to a Lender (or, if earlier , the date specified by the Borrower in that notice), the Borrower shall repay that Lender’s participation in the relevant Loan together with all interest and other amounts accrued under the Finance Documents which is then owing to it.
7.5
Right of cancellation in relation to a Defaulting Lender

(a)
If any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, the Borrower may, at any time whilst the Lender continues to be a Defaulting Lender give the Agent 15 Business Days’ notice of cancellation of the Available Commitment of that Lender .

(b)
On such notice becoming effective, the Available Commitment of the Defaulting Lender shall immediately be reduced to zero and the Agent shall as soon as practicable after receipt of such notice, notify all the Lenders.
7.6
Replacement of Lender

(a)
If:

(i)
the Borrower becomes obliged to repay any amount in accordance with clause 7.1 (Illegality) to any Lender; or

(ii)
any of the circumstances set out in paragraph (a) of clause 7.4 (Right of cancellation and prepayment in relation to a single Lender) apply to a Lender,
the Borrower may, on 15 Business Days’ prior notice to the Agent and such Lender, replace that Lender by requiring such Lender to assign (and, to the extent permitted by law , such Lender shall assign) pursuant to clause 30 (Changes to the Lenders) all (and not part only) of its rights under this Agreement (and any Security Document to which such Lender is a party in its capacity as a Lender) to an Eligible Institution (a Replacement Lender )   which confirms its willingness to undertake and does undertake all the obligations of the assigning Lender in accordance with clause 30 (Changes to the Lenders) for a purchase price in cash payable at the time of the assignment in an amount equal to the aggregate of:

(A)
the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s participation in the Loan;

(B)
all accrued interest owing to such Lender;

(C)
the Break Costs which would have been payable to such Lender pursuant to clause 11.5 (Break Costs) had the Borrower prepaid in full that Lender s participation in the Loan on the date of the assignment; and

(D)
all other amounts payable to that Lender under the Finance Documents on the date of the assignment.

(b)
The replacement of a Lender pursuant to this clause 7.6 shall be subject to the following conditions:

(i)
the Borrower shall have no right to replace the Agent or the Security Agent;

(ii)
neither the Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to find a Replacement Lender;

(iii)
in no event shall the Lender replaced under this clause 7.6 be required to pay or surrender any of the fees received by such Lender pursuant to the Finance Documents; and
31




(iv)
the Lender shall only be obliged to assign its rights pursuant to paragraph (a) above once it is satisfied that it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to that assignment.

(c)
A Lender shall perform the checks described in paragraph (b)(iv) above as soon as reasonably practicable following delivery of a notice referred to in paragraph (a) above and shall notify the Agent and the Borrower when it is satisfied that it has complied with those checks .
7.7
Mandatory prepayment

(a)
Each time that the Borrower, after the date of this Agreement, raises equity capital from its shareholders (other than by means of converting any then current Financial Indebtedness into common shares in the Borrower or preferred shares in the Borrower not paying any cash dividend) or otherwise, it shall make a prepayment of the Loans in an aggregate amount in dollars equal to the lesser of (i) the aggregate of the Loans outstanding at the time and (ii) the higher of (A) 25 per cent of the equity capital so raised and (B) the amount by which the Family Trading Facility is reduced by the proceeds of any such equity capital so raised.

(b)
Each time that the Borrower, after the date of this Agreement, incurs any Financial Indebtedness (other than (i) from its shareholders, (ii) debt finance incurred for the sole purpose of refinancing any existing indebtedness of the Group and secured by means of a mortgage over a Fleet Vessel and (iii) debt finance incurred for the purposes of clause 28.13 (Capital Expenditure)) , it shall make a prepayment of the Loans in an aggregate amount equal to the lesser of (i) the aggregate of the Loans outstanding at the time and (ii) the Financial Indebtedness so incurred.

(c)
Any prepayment made in accordance with paragraphs (a) or (b) above, shall be applied pro rata against the Loans outstanding at the time.
7.8
Automatic cancellation
Any part of the Total Commitments which has not become available by the Last Availability Date shall be automatically cancelled at close of business in London on the Last Availability Date .
8.
Restrictions
8.1
Notices of cancellation and prepayment
Any notice of cancellation or prepayment given by any Party under clause 7 shall be irrevocable and, unless a contrary indication appears in this Agreement, shall specify the date or dates upon which the relevant cancellation or prepayment is to be made and the amount of that cancellation or prepaymen t.
8.2
Interest and other amounts
Any prepayment under this Agreement shall be made together with accrued interest on the amount prepaid and, subject to any Break Costs (if payment is not made on the last day of an Interest Period), without premium or penalty.
8.3
Reborrowing
Unless a contrary intention appears in this Agreement, any part of the Facility which is prepaid or repaid may be re-borrowed in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
32

8.4
Prepayment in accordance with Agreement
The Borrower shall not repay or prepay all or any part of the Loans or cancel all or any part of the Commitments except at the times and in the manner expressly provided for in this Agreement.
8.5
No reinstatement of Commitments
No amount of the Total Commitments cancelled under this Agreement may be subsequently reinstated .
8.6
Agent’s receipt of notices
If the Agent receives a notice under clause 7 it shall promptly forward a copy of that notice to either the Borrower or the affected Lender, as appropriate.
8.7
Application of cancellations
If the Total Commitments are partially reduced under this Agreement (other than under clause 7.1 ( Illegality ) and clause 7.4 ( Right of cancellation and prepayment in relation to a single Lender )), the Commitments of the Lenders shall be reduced rateably.
8.8
Application of prepayments

(a)
Any prepayment required as a result of a cancellation in full of an individual Lender’s Commitment under clause 7 . 1 (Illegality) or clause 7.4 (Right of cancellation and prepayment in relation to a single Lender) shall be applied in prepaying the relevant Lender’s participation in each of the Loans .

(b)
Any other prepayment shall be applied pro rata to each Lender’s participation in each of the Loans.
8.9
Removal of Lender from security
Upon cancellation and prepayment in full of an individual Lender’s Commitment under clause 7.1 (Illegality) or clause 7.4 (Right of cancellation and prepayment in relation to a single Lender) , that Lender and the other Parties must promptly take (and the Borrower shall ensure that any other relevant Obligor promptly takes) whatever action the Agent may, in its reasonable opinion, deem necessary for the purpose of removing that Lender as a party to and beneficiary of any Security Documents granted in favour of (among others) the Lenders.
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Section 5 - Costs of Utilisation
9.
Interest
9.1
Calculation of interest
The rate of interest on each Loan for its Interest Period is the percentage rate per annum which is the aggregate of the applicable:

(a)
Margin ; and

(b)
LIBOR for the relevant Interest Period.
9.2
Payment of interest
The Borrower shall pay accrued interest on each Loan on the last day of each Interest Period.
9.3
Default interest

(a)
If an Obligor fails to pay any amount payable by it under a Finance Document to a Finance Party on its due date , interest shall accrue on the overdue amount from the due date up to the date of actual payment (both before and after judgment) at a rate which , subject to paragraph (c) below, is 2 per cent per annum higher than the rate which would have been payable if the overdue amount had, during the period of non-payment, constituted a Loan for successive Interest Periods, each of a duration selected by the Agent (acting reasonably).

(b)
Any interest accruing under this clause 9 . 3 shall be immediately payable by the Obligor on demand by the Agent.

(c)
If any overdue amount consists of all or part of a Loan which became due on a day which was not the last day of an Interest Period relating to that Loan :

(i)
the first Interest Period for that overdue amount shall have a duration equal to the unexpired portion of the current Interest Period relating to that Loan; and

(ii)
the rate of interest applying to the overdue amount during that first Interest Period shall be 2 per cent per annum higher than the rate which would have applied if the overdue amount had not become due.

(d)
Default interest payable under this clause 9 . 3 (if unpaid) arising on an overdue amount will be compounded w i th the overdue amount at the end of each Interest Period applicable to that overdue amount but will remain immediately due and payable.
9.4
Notification of rates of interest

(a)
The Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders and the Borrower of the determination of a rate of interest under this Agreement.

(b)
The Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower of each Funding Rate relating to a Loan.
10.
Interest Periods
10.1
Interest Periods

(a)
Subject to the other provisions of this clause 10, the Interest Period for a Loan shall start on its Utilisation Date and shall have a duration of three months.
34



(b)
The Interest Period for a Loan (other than the first Loan to be utilised) shall end on the last day of the then current Interest Period for the previous Loan(s) utilised.

(c)
No Interest Period for a Loan shall extend beyond the Reduction Date.

(d)
A Loan has one Interest Period only .
10.2
Non-Business Days
If an Interest Period would otherwise end on a day which is not a Bus i ness Day , that Interest Period will instead end on the next Business Day in that calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not).
11.
Changes to the calculation of interest
11.1
Unavailability of Screen Rate

(a)
If no Screen Rate is available for LIBOR for an Interest Period, LIBOR shall be the Interpolated Screen Rate for a period equal in length to that Interest Period.

(b)
If no Screen Rate is available for LIBOR for :

(i)
dollars ; or

(ii)
the relevant Interest Period and it is not possible to calculate the Interpolated Screen Rate,
there shall be no LIBOR for that Interest Period and clause 11 . 3 (Cost of funds) shall apply for that Interest Period.
11.2
Market disruption
If before close of business in London on the Quotation Day for an Interest Period the Agent receives notifications from a Lender or Lenders (whose participations in a Loan exceed 30 per cent. Of that Loan) that the cost to it of funding its participation in that Loan from whatever source it may reasonably select would be in excess of LIBOR then clause 11 . 3 (Cost of funds) shall apply to that Loan for the relevant Interest Period.
11.3
Cost of funds

(a)
If this clause 11 . 3 applies, the rate of interest on each Lender’s share of that Loan for the Interest Period shall be the percentage rate per annum which i s the sum of:

(i)
the Margin;

(ii)
the rate notified to the Agent by that Lender as soon as practicable and in any event within ten Business Days of the first day of that Interest Period (or, if earlier , on the date falling ten Business Days before the date on which interest is due to be paid in respect of that Interest Period), to be that which expresses as a percentage rate per annum the cost to the relevant Lender of funding its participation in that Loan from whatever source it may reasonably select.

(b)
If this clause 11 . 3 applies and the Agent or the Borrower so require, the Agent and the Borrower shall enter into negotiations (for a period of not more than thirty days) with a view to agreeing a substitute basis for determining the rate of interest.

(c)
Any alternative basis agreed pursuant to paragraph (b) above shall , with the prior consent of all the Lenders and the Borrower, be binding on all Parties.
35




(d)
If this clause 11 . 3 applies pursuant to clause 11 . 2 (Market disruption) and :

(i)
a Lender s Funding Rate is less than LIBOR; or

(ii)
a Lender does not supply a quotation by the time specified in paragraph (a)(ii) above ,
the cost to that Lender of funding its participation in that Loan for that Interest Period shall be deemed , for the purposes of paragraph (a) above , to be LIBOR.
11.4
Notification to Borrower
If clause 11 . 3 (Cost of funds) applies, the Agent shall, as soon as is practicable, notify the Borrower and provide to the Borrower evidence of the cost in relation to a Lender of funding its participation in any Loan for the purpose of determining the rate of interest under clause 11.3(d) (such evidence to not be contested by the Borrower).
11.5
Break Costs

(a)
The Borrower shall, within five Business Days of demand by a Finance Party, pay to that Finance Party i ts Break Costs attributable to all or any part of a Loan or Unpaid Sum be i ng paid by the Borrower on a day other than the last day of an Interest Period for that Loan or Unpaid Sum.

(b)
Each Lender shall , as soon as reasonably practicable after a demand by the Agent, provide a certificate confirming the amount and basis of calculation of its Break Costs for any Interest Period in which they accrue .
12.
Fees
12.1
Commitment commission

(a)
The Borrower shall pay to the Agent (for the account of each Lender) a fee in dollars computed at the rate of 2.25 per cent per annum on that Lender’s Available Commitment calculated from the date of this Agreement (the start date ).

(b)
The Borrower shall pay the accrued commitment commission on the date falling three Months after the start date, on the earlier of (a) the last day of each successive period of three Months thereafter or (b) the last day of the current Interest Period in respect of a Loan, on the Reduction Date and , if cancelled in full , on the cancelled amount of the relevant Lender’s Available Commitment at the time the cancellation is effective.

(c)
No commitment fee is payable to the Agent (for the account of a Lender) on any Available Commitment of that Lender for any day on which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender.
12.2
Arrangement fee
The Borrower shall pay to the Agent (for the account of the Lenders) an arrangement fee in the amount and at the times agreed in a Fee Letter .
12.3
Termination fee
The Borrower shall pay to the Agent (for the account of the Lenders) a termination fee in the amount and at the times agreed in a Fee Letter .
36



Section 6 - Additional Payment Obligations
13.
Tax gross-up and indemnities
13.1
Definitions

(a)
In this Agreement:
Protected Party means a Finance Party or, in relation to clause 15.4 (Indemnity concerning security) and clause 15.7 (Interest) insofar as it relates to interest on any amount demanded by that Indemnified Person under clause 15.4 (Indemnity concerning security), any Indemnified Person, which is or will be subject to any liability, or required to make any payment, for or on account of Tax in relation to a sum received or receivable (or any sum deemed for the purposes of Tax to be received or receivable) under a Finance Document.
Tax Deduction means a deduction or withholding for or on account of Tax from a payment under a Finance Document other than a FATCA Deduction .

(b)
Unless a contrary indication appears, in this clause 13 a reference to determines   or determined   means a determination made in the absolute discretion of the person making the determination.
13.2
Tax gross-up

(a)
Each Obligor shall make all payments to be made by it under any Finance Document without any Tax Deduction, unless a Tax Deduction is required by law.

(b)
The Borrower shall, promptly upon becoming aware that an Obliger must make a Tax Deduction (or that there is any change in the rate or the basis of a Tax Deduction), notify the Agent accordingly. Similarly, a Lender shall notify the Agent on becoming so aware in respect of a payment payable to that Lender. If the Agent receives such notification from a Lender it shall notify the Borrower and that Obligor .

(c)
If a Tax Deduction is required by law to be made by an Obligor, the amount of the payment due from that Obligor under the relevant Finance Document shall be increased to an amount which (after making any Tax Deduction) leaves an amount equal to the payment which would have been due if no Tax Deduction had been required.

(d)
If an Obligor is required to make a Tax Deduction, that Obliger shall make that Tax Deduction and any payment required in connection with that Tax Deduction within the time allowed and in the minimum amount required by law.

(e)
Within 30 days of making either a Tax Deduction or any payment required in connection with that Tax Deduction, the Obligor making that Tax Deduction shall deliver to the Agent for the Finance Party entitled to the payment evidence reasonably satisfactory to that Finance Party that the Tax Deduction has been made or (as applicable) any appropriate payment paid to the relevant taxing authority.
13.3
Tax indemnity

(a)
Each Obligor who is a Party shall (within five Business Days of demand by the Agent) pay to a Protected Party an amount equal to the loss, liability or cost which that Protected Party determines will be or has been (directly or indirectly) suffered for or on account of Tax by that Protected Party in respect of a Finance Document.

(b)
Paragraph (a) above shall not apply:

(i)
with respect to any Tax assessed on a Finance Party:
37




(A)
under the law of the jurisdiction in which that Finance Party is incorporated or, if different, the jurisdiction (or jurisdictions) in which that Finance Party is treated as resident for tax purposes; or

(B)
under the law of the jurisdiction in which that Finance Party’s Facility Office is located in respect of amounts received or receivable in that jurisdiction,
if that Tax is imposed on or calculated by reference to the net income received or receivable (but not any sum deemed to be received or receivable) by that Finance Party; or

(ii)
to the extent a loss, liability or cost:

(A)
is compensated for by an increased payment under clause 13.2 (Tax gross-up); or

(B)
relates to a FATCA Deduction required to be made by a Party or any Obligor which is not a Party.

(c)
A Protected Party making, or intending to make a claim under paragraph (a) above shall promptly notify the Agent of the event which will give, or has given, rise to the claim, following which the Agent shall notify the Borrower .

(d)
A Protected Party shall, on receiving a payment from an Obligor under this clause 13.3, notify the Agent.
13.4
Indemnities on after Tax basis

(a)
If and to the extent that any sum payable to any Protected Party by the Borrower under any Finance Document by way of indemnity or reimbursement proves to be insufficient, by reason of any Tax suffered thereon, for that Protected Party to discharge the corresponding liability to a third party, or to reimburse that Protected Party for the cost incurred by it in discharging the corresponding liability to a third party, the Borrower shall pay that Protected Party such additional sum as (after taking into account any Tax suffered by that Protected Party on such additional sum) shall be required to make up the relevant deficit.

(b)
If and to the extent that any sum (the Indemnity Sum )   constituting (directly or indirectly) an indemnity to any Protected Party but paid by the Borrower to any person other than that Protected Party, shall be treated as taxable in the hands of the Protected Party, the Borrower shall pay to that Protected Party such sum (the Compensating Sum )   as (after taking into account any Tax suffered by that Protected Party on the Compensating Sum) shall reimburse that Protected Party for any Tax suffered by it in respect of the Indemnity Sum.

(c)
For the purposes of paragraphs (a) and (b) above, a sum shall be deemed to be taxable in the hands of a Protected Party if it falls to be taken into account in computing the profits or gains of that Protected Party for the purposes of Tax and, if so, that Protected Party shall be deemed to have suffered Tax on the relevant sum at the rate of Tax applicable to that Protected Party’s profits or gains for the period in which the payment of the relevant sum falls to be taken into account for the purposes of such Tax.
13.5
Stamp taxes
The Borrower shall pay and, within five Business Days of demand, indemnify each Finance Party against any cost, loss or liability that Finance Party incurs in relation to all stamp duty, registration and other similar Taxes payable in respect of any Finance Document.
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13.6
Value added tax

(a)
All amounts expressed in a Finance Document to be payable by any party to a Finance Party which (in whole or in part) constitute the consideration for any supply for VAT purposes are deemed to be exclusive of any VAT which is chargeable on that supply, and accordingly, subject to paragraph (b) below, if VAT is or becomes chargeable on any supply made by any Finance Party to any party under a Finance Document, and such Finance Party is required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT , that party must pay to such Finance Party (in addition to and at the same time as paying any other consideration for such supply) an amount equal to the amount of the VAT (and such Finance Party must promptly provide an appropriate VAT invoice to that party).

(b)
If VAT is or becomes chargeable on any supply made by any Finance Party (the Supplier )   to any other Finance Party (the Recipient )   under a Finance Document, and any party to a Finance Document other than the Recipient (the Subject Party )   is required by the terms of any Finance Document to pay an amount equal to the consideration for that supply to the Supplier (rather than being required to reimburse or indemnify the Recipient in respect of that consideration) :

(i)
(where the Supplier is the person required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT) the Subject Party must also pay to the Supplier (at the same time as paying that amount) an additional amount equal to the amount of the VAT. The Recipient must (where this paragraph (i) applies) promptly pay to the Subject Party an amount equal to any credit or repayment the Recipient receives from the relevant tax authority which the Recipient reasonably determines relates to the VAT chargeable on that supply; and

(ii)
(where the Recipient is the person required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT) the Subject Party must promptly , following demand from the Recipient, pay to the Recipient an amount equal to the VAT chargeable on that supply but only to the extent that the Recipient reasonably determines that it is not entitled to credit or repayment from the relevant tax authority in respect of that VAT .

(c)
Where a Finance Document requires any party to it to reimburse or indemnify a Finance Party for any cost or expense, that party shall reimburse or indemnify (as the case may be) such Finance Party for the full amount of such cost or expense, including such part thereof as represents VAT save to the extent that such Finance Party reasonably determines that it is entitled to credit or repayment in respect of such VAT from the relevant tax authority.

(d)
Any reference in this clause 13.6 to any party shall , at any time when such party is treated as a member of a group for VAT purposes, include (where appropriate and unless the context otherwise requires) a reference to the representative member of such group at such time (the term representative member to have the same meaning as in the Value Added Tax Act 1994).

(e)
In relation to any supply made by a Finance Party to any party under a Finance Document, if reasonably requested by such Finance Party, that party must promptly provide such Finance Party with details of that party’s VAT registration and such other information as is reasonably requested in connection with such Finance Party s VAT reporting requirements in relation to such supply.
13.7
FATCA Information

(a)
Subject to paragraph (c) below , each Party shall, within ten Business Days of a reasonable request by another Party:

(i)
confirm to that other Party whether it is :
39




(A)
a FATCA Exempt Party; or

(B)
not a FATCA Exempt Party;

(ii)
supply to that other Party such forms, documentation and other information relating to its status under FATCA as that other Party reasonably requests for the purposes of that other Party’s compliance with FATCA; and

(iii)
supply to that other Party such forms, documentation and other information relating to its status as that other Party reasonably requests for the purposes of that other Party’s compliance with any other law, regulation , or exchange of information regime.

(b)
If a Party confirms to another Party pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) above that it is a FATCA Exempt Party and it subsequently becomes aware that it is not or has ceased to be a FATCA Exempt Party, that Party shall notify that other Party reasonably promptly.

(c)
Paragraph (a) above shall not oblige any Finance Party to do anything, and paragraph (a)(iii) above shall not oblige any other Party to do anything, which would or might in its reasonable opinion constitute a breach of:

(i)
any law or regulation;

(ii)
any fiduciary duty; or

(iii)
any duty of confidentiality .

(d)
If a Party fails to confirm whether or not it is a FATCA Exempt Party or to supply forms, documentation or other information requested in accordance with paragraphs (a)(i) or (a)(ii) above (including, for the avoidance of doubt, where paragraph (c) above applies), then such Party shall be treated for the purposes of the Finance Documents (and payments under them) as if it is not a FATCA Exempt Party until such time as the Party in question provides the requested confirmation , forms, documentation or other information.

(e)
If the Borrower is a US Tax Obligor or the Agent reasonably believes that its obligations under FATCA or any other applicable law or regulation require it, each Lender shall, within ten Business Days of:

(i)
where the Borrower is a US Tax Obligor and the relevant Lender is an Original Lender, the date of this Agreement;

(ii)
where the Borrower is a US Tax Obligor on a date on which any other Lender becomes a Party as a Lender, that date; or

(iii)
where the Borrower is not a US Tax Obligor, the date of a request from the Agent,
supply to the Agent:

(A)
a withholding certificate on Form W-8, Form W-9 or any other relevant form; or

(B)
any withholding statement or other document, authorisation or waiver as the Agent may require to certify or establish the status of such Lender under FATCA or that other law or regulation .

(f)
The Agent shall provide any withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver it receives from a Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) above to the Borrower.
40




(g)
If any withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver provided to the Agent by a Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) above is or becomes materially inaccurate or incomplete, that Lender shall promptly update it and provide such updated withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver to the Agent unless it is unlawful for the Lender to do so (in which case the Lender shall promptly notify the Agent) . The Agent shall provide any such updated withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver to the Borrower .

(h)
The Agent may rely on any withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver it receives from a Lender pursuant to paragraphs (e) or (g) above without further verification . The Agent shall not be liable for any action taken by it under or in connection with paragraphs (e), (f) or (g) above.
13.8
FATCA Deduction

(a)
Each Party may make any FATCA Deduction it is required to make by FATCA, and any payment required in connection with that FATCA Deduction, and no Party shall be required to increase any payment in respect of which it makes such a FATCA Deduction or otherwise compensate the recipient of the payment for that FATCA Deduction.

(b)
Each Party shall promptly, upon becoming aware that it must make a FATCA Deduction (or that there is any change in the rate or the basis of such FATCA Deduction), notify the Party to whom it is making the payment and, in addition, shall notify the Borrower and the Agent and the Agent shall notify the other Finance Parties.
14.
Increased Costs
14.1
Increased costs

(a)
Subject to clause 14 . 3 (Exceptions), the Borrower shall, within five Business Days of a demand by the Agent, pay for the account of a Finance Party the amount of any Increased Cost incurred by that Finance Party or any of its Affiliates which:

(i)
arises as a result of (i) the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any law or regulation or (ii) compliance with any law or regulation made after the date of this Agreement; and/or

(ii)
is a Basel III Increased Cost; and/or

(iii)
is a Reformed Basel III Increased Cost.

(b)
In this Agreement Increased Costs means:

(i)
a reduction in the rate of return from the Facility or on a Finance Party’s (or its Affiliate’s) overall capital ;

(ii)
an additional or increased cost; or

(iii)
a reduction of any amount due and payable under any Finance Document,
which is incurred or suffered by a Finance Party or any of its Affiliates to the extent that it is attributable to that Finance Party having entered into its Commitment or funding or performing its obligations under any Finance Document.
14.2
Increased cost claims

(a)
A Finance Party intending to make a claim pursuant to clause 14.1 (Increased costs) shall notify the Agent of the event giving rise to the claim, following which the Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower .
41




(b)
Each Finance Party shall, as soon as practicable after a demand by the Agent and/or the Borrower through the Agent, provide a certificate confirming the amount of its Increased Costs and the basis of calculation of such amount.
14.3
Exceptions

(a)
Clause 14.1 (Increased costs) does not apply to the extent any Increased Cost is:

(i)
attributable to a Tax Deduction required by law to be made by an Obligor;

(ii)
attributable to a FATCA Deduction required to be made by a Party;

(iii)
compensated for by clause 13 . 3 (Tax indemnity) (or would have been compensated for under clause 13.3 (Tax indemnity) but was not so compensated solely because any of the exclusions in paragraph (b) of clause 13.3 (Tax indemnity) applied);

(iv)
compensated for by the payment to a Lender under clause 15.10 (Mandatory Cost); and

(v)
attributable to the wilful breach by the relevant Finance Party or its Affiliates of any law or regulation.

(b)
In paragraph (a) above, a reference to a Tax Deduction has the same meaning given to the term in clause 13.1 (Definitions).
15.
Other indemnities
15.1
Currency indemnity

(a)
If any sum due from an Obligor under the Finance Documents (a Sum ) , or any order, judgment or award given or made in relation to a Sum, has to be converted from the currency (the First Currency )   in which that Sum is payable into another currency (the Second Currency )   for the purpose of :

(i)
making or filing a claim or proof against that Obligor; and/or

(ii)
obtaining or enforcing an order, judgment or award in relation to any litigation or arbitration proceedings,
that Obligor shall, as an independent obligation, within three Business Days of demand by a Finance Party, indemnify each Finance Party to whom that Sum is due against any Losses arising out of or as a result of the conversion including any discrepancy between (i) the rate of exchange used to convert that Sum from the First Currency into the Second Currency and (ii) the rate or rates of exchange available to that person at the time of its receipt of that Sum.

(b)
Each Obligor waives any right it may have in any jurisdiction to pay any amount under the Finance Documents in a currency or currency unit other than that in which it is expressed to be payable .
15.2
Other indemnities
The Borrower shall, within five Business Days of demand by a Finance Party, indemnify each Finance Party against any and all Losses incurred by that Finance Party as a result of:

(a)
the occurrence of any Event of Default;
42



(b)
a failure by an Obligor to pay any amount due under a Finance Document on its due date, including without limitation, any and all Losses arising as a result of clause 37 (Sharing among the Finance Parties) ;

(c)
funding , or making arrangements to fund , its participation in a Utilisation requested by the Borrower in a Utilisation Request but not made by reason of the operation of any one or more of the provisions of th i s Agreement (other than by reason of default or negligence by that Finance Party alone); or

(d)
a Loan (or part of a Loan) not being prepaid in accordance with a notice of prepayment given by the Borrower .
15.3
Indemnity to the Agent and the Security Agent
The Borrower shall promptly indemnify the Agent and the Security Agent against:

(a)
any and all Losses (together with a n y applicable VAT) incurred by the Agent or the Security Agent (act i ng reasonably) as a result of :

(i)
investigating any event which it reasonably believes is a Default ;

(ii)
acting or relying on any notice , request or instruction which it reasonably believes to be genuine , correct and appropriately authorised;

(iii)
instructing lawyers, accountants, tax advisers , insurance consultants, ship managers, valuers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts as permitted under the Finance Documents; or

(iv)
any action taken by the Agent or the Security Agent or any of its or their representatives, agents or contractors in connection with any powers conferred by any Security Document to remedy any breach of any Obligor s obligations under the Finance Documents, and

(b)
any and all Losses (including, without limitation, in respect of liability for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever) (together with any applicable VAT) incurred by the Agent or the Security Agent (otherwise than by reason of the Agent’s or the Security Agent’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct) (or , in the case of any cost , loss or liability pursuant to clause 38 . 11 (Disruption to payment systems etc.) notwithstanding the Agent’s or the Security Agent’s negligence, gross negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Agent in acting as Agent or the Security Agent under the Finance Documents .
15.4
Indemnity concerning security

(a)
The Borrower shall (or shall procure that another Obligor will) promptly indemnify each Indemnified Person against any and all Losses (together with any appl i cable VAT) incurred by it as a result of:

(i)
any failure by the Borrower to comply with i ts obligations under clause 17 (Costs and expenses) or any similar provision in any other Finance Document;

(ii)
acting or relying on any notice , request or instruction which it reasonably believes to be genuine , correct and appropriately authorised ;

(iii)
the taking , holding, protection or enforcement of the Transaction Security ;

(iv)
the exercise or purported exercise of any of the rights, powers , discretions, authorities and remedies vested in the Security Agent and/or any other Finance Party and each Receiver and each Delegate by the Finance Documents or by law (otherwise , in each case , than by reason of the relevant Security Agent’s and/or
43



other Finance Party’s, Receiver’s or Delegate’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct);

(v)
any default by any Obligor in the performance of any of the obligations expressed to be assumed by it in the Finance Documents;

(vi)
any claim (whether relating to the environment or otherwise) made or asserted against the Indemnified Person which would not have arisen but for the execution or enforcement of one or more Finance Documents (unless and to the extent it is caused by the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of that Indemnified Person);

(vii)
instructing lawyers, accountants , tax advisers, insurance consultants, ship managers , valuers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts as permitted under the Finance Documents; or

(viii)
(in the case of the Security Agent and/or any other Finance Party, any Receiver and any Delegate) acting as Security Agent and/or as holder of any of the Transaction Security, Receiver or Delegate under the Finance Documents or which otherwise relates to the Charged Property (otherwise, in each case, than by reason of the relevant Security Agent’s and/or other Finance Party s, Receiver s or Delegate’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct).

(b)
The Security Agent may , in priority to any payment to the other Finance Parties , indemnify itself out of the Charged Property in respect of, and pay and retain, all sums necessary to give effect to the indemnity in this clause 15.4 and shall have a lien on the Transaction Security and the proceeds of the enforcement of the Transaction Security for all moneys payable to it.
15.5
Continuation of indemnities
The indemnities by the Borrower in favour of any Indemnified Persons contained in this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any breach by any Finance Party or the Borrower of the terms of this Agreement, the repayment or prepayment of the Loans, the cancellation of the Total Commitments or the repudiation by any Finance Party or the Borrower of this Agreement.
15.6
Third Parties Act

(a)
Each Indemnified Person may rely on the terms of clause 15.4 (Indemnity concerning security) and clauses 13 (Tax gross-up and indemnities) and 15.7 (Interest) insofar as it relates to interest on, or the calculation of, any amount demanded by that Indemnified Person under clause 15.4 (Indemnity concerning security), subject to clause 1.4 (Third party rights) and the provisions of the Third Parties Act.

(b)
Where an Indemnified Person (other than a Finance Party) (the Relevant Beneficiary )   who is:

(i)
appointed by a Finance Party under the Finance Documents;
an Affiliate of any such person or that Finance Party ; or

(ii)
an officer, director, employee, adviser, representative or agent of any of the above persons or that Finance Party,
is entitled to receive any amount (a Third Party Claim )   under any of the provisions referred to in paragraph (a) above :

(A)
the Borrower shall at the same time as the relevant Third Party Claim is due to the Relevant Beneficiary pay to that Finance Party a sum in the amount of that Third Party Claim;
44



(B)
payment of such sum to that Finance Party shall, to the extent of that payment, satisfy the corresponding obligations of the Borrower to pay the Third Party Claim to the Relevant Beneficiary; and

(C)
if the Borrower pays the Third Party Claim direct to the Relevant Beneficiary, such payment shall, to the extent of that payment, satisfy the corresponding obligations of the Borrower to that Finance Party under sub-paragraph (A) above.
15.7
Interest
Moneys becoming due by the Borrower to any Indemnified Person under the indemnities contained in this clause 15 (Other indemnities) or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be paid on demand made by such Indemnified Person and shall be paid together with interest on the sum demanded from the date of demand therefor to the date of reimbursement by the Borrower to such Indemnified Person (both before and after judgment) at the rate referred to in clause 9.3 (Default interest).
15.8
Exclusion of liability
Without prejudice to any other provision of the Finance Documents excluding or limiting the liability of any Indemnified Person, no Indemnified Person will be in any way liable or responsible to any Obligor (whether as mortgagee in possession or otherwise) who is a Party or is a party to a Finance Document to which this clause applies for any loss or liability arising from any act, default, omission or misconduct of that Indemnified Person, except to the extent caused by its own gross negligence or wilful misconduct. Any Indemnified Person may rely on this clause 15.8 subject to clause 1.4 (Third party rights) and the provisions of the Third Parties Act.
15.9
Sanctions

(a)
Each Obligor shall, within five Business Days of demand by a Finance Party, indemnify such Finance Party against any cost, loss or liability incurred by it as a result of any civil penalty or fine against, and all costs and expenses (including counsel fees and disbursements) incurred in connection with the defence thereof by, the Agent or the relevant Finance Party as a result of conduct of any Obligor or any of its partners, directors, officers, employees, agents or advisors, that violates any applicable Sanctions.

(b)
The indemnity in clause 15.9(a) shall cover any Losses incurred by each Finance Party in any jurisdiction arising or asserted under or in connection with any law relating to any applicable Sanctions.
15.10
Mandatory Cost
The Borrower shall, within five Business Days of demand by the Agent, pay to the Agent for the account of the relevant Lender, such amount which such Lender certifies in a notice to the Agent to be its good faith determination of the amount necessary to compensate it for complying with:

(a)
in the case of a Lender lending from a Facility Office in a Participating Member State, the minimum reserve requirements (or other requirements having the same or similar purpose) of the European Central Bank or any other authority or agency which replaces all or any of its functions) in respect of loans made from that Facility Office; and

(b)
in the case of any Lender lending from a Facility Office in the United Kingdom, any reserve asset, special deposit or liquidity requirements (or other requirements having the same or similar purpose) of the Bank of England (or any other governmental authority or agency) and/or paying any fees to the Financial Conduct Authority and/or the Prudential Regulation Authority (or any other governmental authority or agency which replaces all or any of their functions),
45


which, in each case , is referable to that Lender’s participation in the Loan .
16.
Mitigation by the Lenders
16.1
Mitigation

(a)
Each Finance Party shall, in consultation with the Borrower, take all reasonable steps to mitigate any circumstances which arise and which would result in the Facility ceasing to be available or any amount becoming payable under or pursuant to , or cancelled pursuant to , any of clause 7 . 1 (Illegality), clause 13 (Tax gross-up and indemnities),   clause 14 (Increased costs) or clause 15 . 10 (Mandatory Cost) including (but not limited to) assigning its rights under the Finance Documents to another Affiliate or Facility Office.

(b)
Paragraph (a) above does not in any way limit the obligations of any Obligor under the Finance Documents.
16.2
Limitation of liability

(a)
The Borrower shall promptly indemnify each Finance Party for all costs and expenses incurred by that Finance Party as a result of steps taken by it under clause 16.1 (Mitigation) .

(b)
A Finance Party is not obliged to take any steps under clause 16 . 1 (Mitigation) if, in the opinion of that Finance Party (acting reasonably), to do so might be prejudicial to it.
17.
Costs and expenses
17.1
Transaction expenses
The Borrower shall , promptly on demand , pay the Agent, the Security Agent and the Arranger the amount of all reasonable and documented costs and expenses (including fees , costs and expenses of lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, insurance consultants, ship managers, valuers , surveyors or other professional advisers or experts) (together with any applicable VAT) reasonably incurred by any of them (and, in the case of the Security Agent, by any Receiver or Delegate) in connection with the negotiation, preparation, printing, execution, registration and perfection and any release, discharge or reassignment of:

(a)
this Agreement and any other documents referred to in this Agreement and the Security Documents;

(b)
any other Finance Documents executed or proposed to be executed after the date of this Agreement ; or

(c)
any Security Interest expressed or intended to be granted by a Finance Document.
17.2
Amendment costs
If:

(a)
an Obligor requests an amendment, waiver or consent; or

(b)
an amendment is required pursuant to clause 38.10 (Change of currency) ,
the Borrower shall, within five days of demand, reimburse each of the Agent and the Security Agent for the amount of all reasonable and documented costs and expenses (including all reasonable and documented fees, costs and expenses of lawyers , accountants, tax advisers, insurance consultants, ship managers, valuers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts) (together with any applicable VAT) reasonably incurred by the Agent and the Security
46



Agent (and in the case of the Security Agent by any Receiver or Delegate) in responding to, evaluating, negotiating or complying with that request or requirement.
17.3
Enforcement, preservation and other costs
The Borrower shall , on demand by a Finance Party, pay to each Finance Party the amount of all documented costs and expenses (including fees, costs and expenses of lawyers, accountants , tax advisers, insurance consultants , ship managers, valuers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts) (together with any appl i cable VAT) incurred by that Finance Party in connect i on with :

(a)
the enforcement of, or the preservation of any rights under , any Finance Document and the Transaction Security and any proceedings instituted by or against any Indemnified Person as a consequence of taking or holding the Security Documents or enforcing those rights; or

(b)
any inspection carried out under clause 24.9 (Inspection and notice of dry-docking) or any survey carried out under clause 24 . 17 (Survey report) at the times provided under each such clause that the relevant costs must be borne by the Borrower .
47



Section 7 - Guarantee
18.
Guarantee and indemnity
18.1
Guarantee and indemnity
The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally:

(a)
guarantees to the Security Agent (as trustee for the Finance Parties) and the other Finance Parties punctual performance by each other Obligor of all such Obligor’s obligations under the Finance Documents;

(b)
undertakes with the Security Agent (as trustee for the Finance Parties) and the other Finance Parties that whenever another Obligor (other than the Charterer) does not pay any amount when due under or in connection with any Finance Document, it shall immediately on demand pay that amount as if it was the principal obligor; and

(c)
agrees with the Security Agent (as trustee for the Finance Parties) and the other Finance Parties that if any obligation guaranteed by it is or becomes unenforceable, invalid or illegal, it will, as an independent and primary obligation indemnify that Finance Party immediately on demand against any cost, loss or liability it incurs as a result of another Obligor (other than the Charterer) not paying any amount which would, but for such unenforceability, invalidity or illegality, have been payable by such Obligor under any Finance Document on the date when it would have been due. The amount payable by the Guarantor under this indemnity will not exceed the amount the Guarantor would have had to pay under this clause 18.1 if the amount claimed had been recoverable on the basis of a guarantee.
18.2
Continuing guarantee
This guarantee is a continuing guarantee and will extend to the ultimate balance of sums payable by any Obligor (other than the Charterer) under the Finance Documents, regardless of any intermediate payment or discharge in whole or in part.
18.3
Reinstatement
If any discharge, release or arrangement (whether in respect of the obligations of any Obligor or any security for those obligations or otherwise) is made by a Finance Party in whole or in part on the basis of any payment, security or other disposition which is avoided or must be restored in insolvency, liquidation, administration or otherwise, without limitation, then the liability of the Guarantor under this clause 18 will continue or be reinstated as if the discharge, release or arrangement had not occurred .
18.4
Waiver of defences
The obligations of the Guarantor under this clause 18 will not be affected by an act, omission, matter or thing (whether or not known to it or any Finance Party) which, but for this clause 18, would reduce, release or prejudice any of its obligations under this clause 18 including (without limitation):

(a)
any time, waiver or consent granted to, or composition with, any Obligor or other person;

(b)
the release of any other Obligor or any other person under the terms of any composition or arrangement with any creditor of any other Obligor;

(c)
the taking, variation, compromise, exchange, renewal or release of, or refusal or neglect to perfect, take up or enforce, any rights against, or security over assets of, any Obligor or other person or any non-presentation or non-observance of any formality or other
48



requirement in respect of any instrument or any failure to realise the full value of any security;

(d)
any incapacity or lack of power, authority or legal personality of or dissolution or change in the members or status of an Obligor or any other person;

(e)
any amendment, novation, supplement, extension, restatement (however fundamental and whether or not more onerous) or replacement of any Finance Document or any other document or security including without limitation any change in the purpose of, any extension of or any increase in any facility or the addition of any new facility under any Finance Document or other document or security;

(f)
any unenforceability, illegality or invalidity of any obligation of any person under any Finance Document or any other document or security; or

(g)
any insolvency or similar proceedings .
18.5
Guarantor’s intent
Without prejudice to the generality of clause 18.4 (Waiver of defences), the Guarantor expressly confirms that it intends that this guarantee shall extend from time to time to any (however fundamental) variation, increase, extension or addition of or to any of the Finance Documents and/or any facility or amount made available under any of the Finance Documents.
18.6
Immediate recourse
The Guarantor waives any right it may have of first requiring any Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) to proceed against or enforce any other rights or security or claim payment from any person before claiming from the Guarantor under this clause 18. This waiver applies irrespective of any law or any provision of a Finance Document to the contrary.
18.7
Appropriations
Until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Obligors (other than the Charterer) under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full, each Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) may:

(a)
refrain from applying or enforcing any other moneys, security or rights held or received by that Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) in respect of those amounts, or apply and enforce the same in such manner and order as it sees fit (whether against those amounts or otherwise) and the Guarantor shall not be entitled to the benefit of the same; and

(b)
hold in an interest-bearing suspense account any moneys received from the Guarantor or on account of the Guarantor’s liability under this clause 18.
18.8
Deferral of Guarantor’s rights

(a)
Until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Obligors (other than the Charterer) under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full and unless the Agent otherwise directs, the Guarantor will not exercise any rights which it may have by reason of performance by it of its obligations under the Finance Documents or by reason of any amount being payable, or liability arising, under this clause 18:

(i)
to be indemnified by another Obliger;

(ii)
to claim any contribution from any other guarantor of any Obliger’s obligations under the Finance Documents;
49




(iii)
to take the benefit (in whole or in part and whether by way of subrogation or otherwise) of any rights of the Finance Parties under the Finance Documents or of any other guarantee or security taken pursuant to, or in connection with, the Finance Documents by any Finance Party;

(iv)
to bring legal or other proceedings for an order requiring any Obligor to make any payment, or perform any obligation, in respect of which the Guarantor has given a guarantee, undertaking or indemnity under this clause 18;

(v)
to exercise any right of set-off against any other Obligor; and/or

(vi)
to claim or prove as a creditor of any other Obligor in competition with any Finance Party .

(b)
If the Guarantor receives any benefit, payment or distribution in relation to such rights it will promptly pay an equal amount to the Agent for application in accordance with clause 38 (Payment mechanics). This only applies until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full.
18.9
Additional security
This guarantee is in addition to and is not in any way prejudiced by any other guarantee or security now or subsequently held by any Finance Party.
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Section 8 - Representations, Undertakings and Events of Default
19.
Representations
Each Obligor who is a Party makes and repeats the representations and warranties set out in this clause 19 to each Finance Party at the times specified in clause 19.34 (Times when representations are made).
19.1
Status

(a)
Each Obligor is a corporation, duly incorporated and validly existing under the law of its Original Jurisdiction.

(b)
Each Obligor has power and authority to own its assets and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted within the scope of its purpose.
19.2
Binding obligations
Subject to the Legal Reservations:

(a)
the obl i gations expressed to be assumed by each Obligor in each Transaction Document to which it is, or is to be, a party are or, when entered into by it, will be legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations; and

(b)
(without limiting the generality of paragraph (a) above) each Security Document to which an Obligor is , or will be , a party, creates or will create the Security Interests which that Security Document purports to create and those Security Interests are or will be valid and effective.
19.3
Non-conflict
The entry into and performance by each Obligor of, and the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and the granting of the Transaction Security do not and will not conflict with:

(a)
any law or regulation applicable to any Obligor;

(b)
the Constitutional Documents of any Obligor; or

(c)
any agreement or other instrument binding upon any Obligor or its assets,
or constitute a default or termination event (however described) under any such agreement or instrument or result in the creation of any Security Interest (save for a Permitted Security Interest or under a Security Document) on any Obligor’s assets, rights or revenues.
19.4
Power and authority

(a)
Each Obligor has the power to enter into , perform and deliver and comply with its obligations under , and has taken all necessary actions to authorise its entry into, performance and delivery of, and compliance with, each Transaction Document to which it is, or is to be, a party and each of the transactions contemplated by those documents .

(b)
No limitation on any Obligor s powers to borrow , create security or give guarantees will be exceeded as a result of any transaction under, or the entry into of, any Transaction Document to which such Obligor is, or is to be, a party.
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19.5
Validity and admissibility in evidence

(a)
All Authorisations required :

(i)
to enable each Obligor lawfully to enter into, exercise its rights and comply with its obligations under each Transaction Document to which it is a party;

(ii)
to make each Transaction Document to which it is a party admissible in evidence in its Relevant Jurisdictions ; and

(iii)
to ensure that the Transaction Security has the priority and ranking contemplated in the Security Documents,
have been obtained or effected or (as the case may be) will be obtained or effected when required and are or (as the case may be) will be when required in full force and effect except any Authorisation or filing referred to in clause 19.13 (No filing or stamp taxes), which Authorisation or filing will be promptly obtained or effected within any applicable period .

(b)
All Authorisations necessary for the conduct of the business, trade and ordinary activities of each Obligor have been obtained or effected and are in full force and effect, if failure to obtain or effect those Authorisations is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.
19.6
Governing law and enforcement

(a)
The choice of governing law of any Transaction Document will be recognised and enforced in each Obligor s Relevant Jurisdictions .

(b)
Any judgment obtained in relation to any Transaction Document in the jurisdiction of the governing law of that Transaction Document will be recognised and enforced in the relevant Obligor’s Relevant Jurisdictions.
19.7
No misleading information

(a)
Any factual information contained in the Information Package is true and accurate in all material respects as at the date of the relevant report or document containing the information or (as the case may be) as at the date the information is expressed to be given .

(b)
Any financial projection or forecast contained in the Information Package has been prepared on the basis of recent historical information and on the basis of reasonable assumptions and was fair (as at the date of the relevant report or document containing the projection or forecast) and arrived at after careful consideration.

(c)
The expressions of opinion or intention provided by or on behalf of an Obligor for the purposes of the Information Package were made after careful consideration and (as at the date of the relevant report or document containing the expression of opinion or intention) were fair and based on reasonable grounds .

(d)
No event or circumstance has occurred or arisen and no information has been omitted from the Information Package and no information has been given or withheld that results in the information, opinions, intentions, forecasts or projections contained in the Information Package being untrue or misleading in any material respect.

(e)
For the purposes of this clause 19.7, Information Package means any information provided by any Obligor to any of the Finance Parties in connection with the Transaction Documents or the transactions referred to in them.
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19.8
Pari passu ranking
Each Obligor’s (other than the Charterer’s) payment obligations under the Finance Documents to which it is, or is to be, a party rank at least pari passu with all its other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated payment obligations, except for obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally .
19.9
Ranking and effectiveness of security
Subject to the Legal Reservations and any filing, registration or notice requirements which is referred to in any legal opinion delivered to the Agent under clause 4.1 (Initial conditions precedent) :

(a)
the Transaction Security has (or will have when the relevant Security Documents have been executed) the priority which it is expressed to have in the Security Documents;

(b)
the Charged Property is not subject to any Security Interest other than Permitted Security Interests; and

(c)
the Transaction Security will constitute perfected security on the assets described in the Security Documents.
19.10
Centre of main interests and establishments
For the purposes of The Council of the European Union Regulation No . 1346/2000 on Insolvency Proceedings (the Regulation ),   each Obligor’s (other than the Charterer’s) centre of main interest (as that term is used in Article 3(1) of the Regulation) is situated in Greece and it has no “establishment” (as that term is used in Article 2(h) of the Regulation) in any other jurisdiction .
19.11
Ownership of Charged Property
Each Obligor (other than the Charterer) is the sole legal and beneficial owner of the Charged Property over which it purports to grant a Security Interest under the Security Documents .
19.12
No insolvency
No corporate action, legal proceeding or other procedure or step described in clause 29 . 8 (Insolvency proceedings) or creditors process descr i bed in clause 29 . 9 (Creditors’ process) has been taken or, to the knowledge of any Obligor, threatened in relation to a Group Member and none of the circumstances described in clause 29.7 (Insolvency) applies to any Obligor.
19.13
No filing or stamp taxes
Under the laws of each Obligor s Relevant Jurisdictions it is not necessary that any Finance Document to which it is, or is to be, party be filed, recorded or enrolled with any court or other authority in that jurisdiction or that any stamp, registration, notarial or similar Taxes or fees be paid on or in relation to any such Finance Document or the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents except registration of the Mortgage with the relevant Registry and any filing, recording or enrolling or any tax or fee payable in relation to any Finance Document which is referred to in any Legal Opinion and which will be made or paid promptly after the date of the relevant Finance Document.
19.14
Deduction of Tax
No Obligor (other than the Charterer) is required to make any Tax Deduction (as defined in clause 13 . 1 (Definitions)) from any payment it may make under any Finance Document to which it is, or is to be, a party and no other party is required to make any such deduction from any payment it may make under any other Transaction Document.
53



19.15
Tax compliance

(a)
No Obligor (other than the Charterer) is materially overdue in the filing of any Tax returns or overdue in the payment of any amount in respect of Tax exceeding $500,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency).

(b)
No claims or investigations are being, or are reasonably likely to be, made or conducted against any Obligor (other than the Charterer) with respect to Taxes such that a liability of, or claim against, any Obligor (other than the Charterer) is reasonably likely to arise for an amount for which adequate reserves have not been provided and which are reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(c)
Each Obligor (other than the Charterer) is resident for Tax purposes only in its Original Jurisdiction .
19.16
Other Tax matters
The execution or delivery or performance by any Party of the Finance Documents will not result in any Finance Party having or being deemed to have a place of business in any Relevant Jurisdiction of any Obligor.
19.17
Pension exposure
No Obligor (other than the Charterer) is, or may be, liable to contribute funds to any form of pension scheme or similar arrangement except as required under applicable law or regulation (other than a scheme or arrangement where the benefits conferred by it on its members are calculated solely by reference to a payment or payments made by the relevant member or by any other person in respect of that member) .
19.18
No Default

(a)
No Default is continuing or is reasonably expected to result from the making of any Utilisation or the entry into, the performance of, or any transaction contemplated by, any Transaction Document.

(b)
No other event or circumstance is outstanding which constitutes (or, with the expiry of a grace period, the giving of notice, the making of any determination or any combination of any of the foregoing, would constitute) a default or termination event (however described) under any other agreement or instrument which is binding on any Obligor or to which any Obligor’s assets are subject which is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.
19.19
No proceedings

(a)
Except as advised in writing to the Agent prior to the date of this Agreement, no litigation , arbitration or administrative proceedings or investigations of, or before, any court, arbitral body or agency which, if adversely determined, might reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect has or have (to the best of any Obligor’s knowledge and belief (having made due and careful enquiry)) been started or threatened against any Obligor.

(b)
No judgment or order of a court, arbitral tribunal or other tribunal or any order or sanction of any governmental or other regulatory body which is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect has (to the best of any Obliger’s knowledge and belief (having made due and careful enquiry)) been made against any Obligor or any other Group Member .
19.20
No breach of laws

(a)
No Obligor or other Group Member has breached any law or regulation.
54




(b)
No labour dispute is current or, to the best of any Obligor’s knowledge and belief (having made due and careful enquiry), threatened against any Obligor or other Group Member which is reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
19.21
Anti-corruption law
Each Obligor has conducted its businesses in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws and has instituted and maintained policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.
19.22
Security and Financial Indebtedness

(a)
No Security Interest exists over all or any of the present or future assets of any Obligor in breach of this Agreement.

(b)
No Obligor has any Financial Indebtedness outstanding in breach of this Agreement.
19.23
Shares

(a)
The shares of the Guarantor are fully paid and not subject to any option to purchase or similar rights.

(b)
The Constitutional Documents of the Guarantor do not and could not restrict or inhibit any transfer of those shares on creation or enforcement of the Security Documents.

(c)
There are no agreements in force which provide for the issue or allotment of, or grant any person the right to call for the issue or allotment of, any share or loan capital of the Guarantor (including any option or right of pre-emption or conversion).
19.24
Ownership of Guarantor
The Guarantor is a wholly owned direct Subsidiary of the Borrower.
19.25
Listing
The shares of the Borrower are listed and trading on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange.
19.26
Accounting Reference Date
The Financial Year-end of each Obligor (other than the Charterer) is the Accounting Reference Date.
19.27
No adverse consequences

(a)
It is not necessary under the laws of the Relevant Jurisdictions of any Obligor:

(i)
in order to enable any Finance Party to enforce its rights under any Finance Document to which it is, or is to be, a party; or

(ii)
by reason of the execution of any Finance Document or the performance by any Obligor of its obligations under any Finance Document,
that any Finance Party should be licensed , qualified or otherwise entitled to carry on business in any of such Relevant Jurisdictions .

(b)
No Finance Party is or will be deemed to be resident, domiciled or carrying on business in any Relevant Jurisdiction of any Obligor by reason only of the execution, performance and/or enforcement of any Finance Document.
55



19.28
Copies of documents
The copies of the Constitutional Documents of the Obligors (other than the Charterer) delivered to the Agent under clause 4 (Conditions of Utilisation) will be true, complete and accurate copies of such documents and include all amendments and supplements to them as at the time of such delivery and no other agreements or arrangements exist between any of the parties to those Transaction Documents which would materially affect the transactions or arrangements contemplated by them or modify or release the obligations of any party under them .
19.29
No breach, etc of any shipbuilding contract or related refund guarantee

(a)
No Group Member nor (so far as the Obligors are aware) any other person is in breach of any shipbuilding contract to which it is a party nor has anything occurred which entitles or may entitle any party to rescind or terminate it or decline to perform their obligations under it or which would render it illegal, invalid or unenforceable.

(b)
No dispute has occurred under any shipbuilding contract relating to the construction of any vessel of any Group Member or any Obligor’s Affiliate by the relevant Builder or under any refund guarantee issued in respect of the obligations of the relevant Builder under that shipbuilding contract.
19.30
No immunity
No Obligor or any of its assets is immune to any legal action or proceeding.
19.31
Address commission
There are no rebates, commissions or other payments in connection with the Charter other than those referred to in it.
19.32
Sanctions

(a)
No Obligor, nor any of its Affiliates nor any of their respective directors, officers, employees , agents or representatives :

(i)
has breached any Sanctions;

(ii)
is a Restricted Person; or

(iii)
has received notice of or is aware of any claim, action, suit , proceeding or investigation against it with respect to Sanctions.

(b)
No proceeds of the Loan:

(i)
shall be made available, directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of a Restricted Person nor shall they be otherwise directly or indirectly, applied in a manner or for a purpose prohibited by applicable Sanctions; or

(ii)
will be used by any Obliger:

(A)
to finance equipment or sectors under embargo decisions of the United Nations or the World Bank; or

(B)
in breach of the provisions of any Sanctions .
19.33
No Money Laundering
In relation to the borrowing by the Borrower of the Loan or any part of it, the performance and discharge of the Obligors’ obligations and liabilities under the Finance Documents, and the transactions and other arrangements effected or contemplated by this Agreement and the other
56



Finance Documents , the Obligors are acting for their own account and the foregoing will not involve or lead to a contravention of any law, official requirement or other regulatory measure or procedure which has been implemented by any relevant regulatory authority or otherwise to combat Money Laundering (as defined in clause 22.6 (Bribery and corruption)).
19.34
Environmental matters

(a)
No Environmental Law app l icable to any Fleet Vessel and/or any Obligor or other Group Member has been violated.

(b)
All consents, licences and approvals required under such Environmental Laws have been obtained and are currently in force .

(c)
No Environmental Claim has been made or , to the best of any Obligor s knowledge and belief (having made due and careful enquiry), is threatened or pending against any Obligor or other Group Member or any Fleet Vessel where that claim might have a Material Adverse Effect and there has been no Environmental Incident which has given, or is reasonably expected to give, rise to such a claim .
19.35
No breach of any Charter Document
No Obliger nor (so far as the Obligors are aware) any other person is in breach of any Charter Document to wh i ch it is a party nor has anything occurred which entitles or may entitle any party to rescind or terminate i t or decline to perform its obl i gations under it.
19.36
Collateral Ship status
The Collateral Ship will on the first day of the Mortgage Period be :

(a)
registered in the name of the Guarantor through the relevant Registry as a ship under the laws and flag of the relevant Flag State;

(b)
operationally seaworthy and in every way fit for service;

(c)
classed with the relevant Classification free of all requirements and recommendations of the relevant Classification Society; and

(d)
insured in the manner required by the Finance Documents .
19.37
Collateral Ship’s employment
The Collateral Ship shall within five days of the Mortgage Period :

(a)
have been delivered, and accepted for service , under the relevant Charter ; and

(b)
save for the relevant Charter, be free of any other charter commitment which, if entered into after that date, would require approval under the Finance Documents .
19.38
Times when representations are made

(a)
All of the representations and warranties set out in this clause 19 are deemed to be made on the dates of:

(i)
this Agreement;

(ii)
the first Utilisation Request; and

(iii)
the first Utilisation.
57




(b)
The Repeating Representations are deemed to be made on the dates of each subsequent Utilisation Request and each subsequent Utilisation Date and the first day of each Interest Period.

(c)
Each representation or warranty deemed to be made after the date of this Agreement shall be deemed to be made by reference to the facts and circumstances existing at the date the representation or warranty is deemed to be made.
20.
Information undertakings
20.1
Undertaking to comply
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this clause 20 will be complied with throughout the Facility Period except as approved by the Majority Lenders (or where specified, all the Lenders).
20.2
Definitions
In this clause 20:
Annual Financial Statements means the financial statements for a Financial Year delivered pursuant to paragraph (a) of clause 20.3 (Financial statements).
Semi-annual Financial Statements means the financial statements for the first financial half-year of each Financial Year delivered pursuant to paragraph (b) of clause 20.3 (Financial statements).
20.3
Financial statements

(a)
The Borrower shall supply to the Agent as soon as the same become available, but in any event within 120 days after the end of each Financial Year (but commencing with the Financial Year ending 31 December 2018) the audited consolidated financial statements of the Borrower for that Financial Year.

(b)
The Borrower shall supply to the Agent as soon as the same become available, but in any event within 90 days after the end of the first financial half-year of each of its Financial Years (but commencing with the financial half-year ending 30 June 2019):

(i)
the unaudited (or audited if available) financial statements of the Borrower for that financial half-year; and

(ii)
the unaudited (or audited if available) consolidated financial statements of the Borrower for that financial half-year.
20.4
Provision and contents of Compliance Certificate

(a)
The Borrower shall supply a Compliance Certificate to the Agent with each set of Annual Financial Statements and each set of Semi-Annual Financial Statements, in each case, delivered pursuant to clause 20.3 (Financial statements).

(b)
Each Compliance Certificate shall set out (in reasonable detail) computations as to compliance with clause 21 (Financial covenants).

(c)
Each Compliance Certificate shall be signed by a duly authorised signatory of the Borrower.
20.5
Requirements as to financial statements

(a)
The Borrower shall procure that each set of Annual Financial Statements and Semi-annual Financial Statements includes a profit and loss account, a balance sheet and a
58


cashflow statement and that, in addition, each set of Annual Financial Statements shall be audited by the Auditors .

(b)
Each set of financial statements delivered pursuant to clause 20 . 3 (Financial statements) shall:

(i)
be prepared in accordance with GAAP; and

(ii)
fairly present, and be certified by a director of the relevant company as fairly presenting, its financial condition and operations as at the date as at which those financial statements were drawn up and, in the case of the Annual Financial Statements, shall be accompanied by any letter addressed to the management of the relevant company by the Auditors and accompanying those Annual Financial Statements; and

(iii)
in the case of Annual Financial Statements, not be the subject of any qualification in the Auditors’ opinion.
20.6
Year-end
The Borrower shall procure that each Financial Year-end of each Obligor (other than the Charterer) and each Group Member falls on the Accounting Reference Date.
20.7
Information: miscellaneous
The Borrower shall supply to the Agent:

(a)
whilst an Event of Default is continuing and as soon as practicable after the time when they are dispatched, copies of all documents dispatched by any Obligor to its creditors generally (or any class of them);

(b)
promptly upon becoming aware of them, the details of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings which are current, threatened or pending against any Obligor or other Group Member, and which , if adversely determined, might have a Material Adverse Effect;

(c)
promptly upon becoming aware of them, the details of any judgment or order of a court, arbitral tribunal or other tribunal or any order or sanction of any governmental or other regulatory body which is made against any Obligor or other Group Member and which is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(d)
promptly upon becoming aware of them, the details of any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation with respect to Sanctions against any Obligor or any of its Affiliates or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives;

(e)
promptly, such information as the Agent or the Security Agent may reasonably require about the Charged Property and compliance of the Obligors with the terms of any Security Documents; and

(f)
promptly on request, such further information regarding the financial condition, assets and operations of any Obligor as any Finance Party through the Agent may reasonably request,
provided always that the supply of such information would not result in a breach of any confidentiality undertaking of an Obligor.
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20.8
Notification of Default

(a)
The Borrower shall notify the Agent of any Default (and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it) promptly upon any Obligor becoming aware of its occurrence (unless that Obligor is aware that a notification has already been provided by another Obligor).

(b)
Promptly upon a request by the Agent, the Borrower shall supply to the Agent a certificate signed by two of its directors certifying that no Default is continuing (or if a Default is continuing, specifying the Default and the steps, if any , being taken to remedy it) .
20.9
Sufficient copies
The Borrower, if so requested by the Agent, shall deliver sufficient copies of each document to be supplied under the Finance Documents to the Agent to distribute to each of the Lenders.
20.10
“Know your customer” checks

(a)
If :

(i)
the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation , administration or application of) any law or regulation made after the date of this Agreement;

(ii)
any change in the status of an Obligor or the compos i tion of the shareholders of an Obligor after the date of this Agreement; or

(iii)
a proposed assignment by a Lender of any of its rights under this Agreement to a party that is not already a Lender prior to such assignment,
obliges the Agent or any Lender (or , in the case of paragraph (iii) above , any prospect i ve new Lender) to comply with know your customer or similar identification procedures in circumstances where the necessary information is not already available to it, each Obligor shall within seven Business Days after the request of the Agent or any Lender supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent (for itself or on behalf of any Lender) or any Lender (for itself or, in the case of the event described in paragraph (iii) above, on behalf of any prospective new Lender) in order for the Agent, such Lender or, in the case of the event described in paragraph (iii) above, any prospective new Lender to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents.

(b)
Each Finance Party shall, promptly upon the request of the Agent or the Security Agent, supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent or the Security Agent (for itself) in order for it to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents.
21.
Financial covenants
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this clause 21 will be complied with throughout the Facility Period.
21.1
Financial definitions
In clauses 21 . 2 ( Financial condition ) and 21.3 ( Financial testing ) :
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Cash and Cash Equivalents means, at any relevant time, the aggregate of:

(a)
cash in hand or on deposit with any bank; and

(b)
any other instrument, security or investment approved by the Majority Lenders,
which are free from any Security Interest and/or restrictions (other than any restriction arising exclusively from any covenant to maintain a minimum level of free liquidity and/or for the purposes of any debt service reserve account) and to which any Group Member is beneficially entitled at that time and which are readily available to Group Members and capable of being applied against Financial Indebtedness, as demonstrated by the then most recent Financial Statements.
Chartered Vessel means, at any relevant time, any vessel chartered in (the “ charter-in commitment ”)   by a Group Member for a period of six months or longer and which vessel at that time has not been chartered out by such Group Member to a third party on terms at least equal to the terms of the charter-in commitment for such vessel.
Financial Statements means any of the Annual Financial Statements or the Semi-annual Financial Statements referred to and defined as such in clause 20.2 (Definitions).
Fleet Market Value means, as of the date of calculation, the aggregate market value of all:

(a)
Fleet Vessels; and

(b)
JV Vessels, as adjusted to reflect the relevant ownership percentage in such JV Vessels of the relevant Group Member,
in each case as most recently determined pursuant to valuations of such vessels provided to the Agent and made in accordance with the provisions of clause 27 (Minimum security value) of the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement which shall apply for the purposes of this definition mutatis mutandis to each Fleet Vessel and JV Vessel as if each such vessel were the Ship (as defined in the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement) save that such valuations may be set out in one valuation listing each one such vessel and prepared by one (1) Approved Valuer nominated and appointed by the Borrower.
Fleet Vessels means each vessel owned or leased under a capital lease by a Group Member from time to time.
JV Vessel means each vessel owned by a Joint Venture into which a Group Member participates from time to time and Joint Vessels means all or any of them.
Measurement Period means each Financial Year and the first financial half-year of each Financial Year for which Financial Statements are to be delivered to the Agent under clause 20.3 ( Financial statements ).
Total Debt means, at any time, the sum (without duplication) of:

(a)
the Group’s liabilities in respect of principal under any Financial Indebtedness (provided however that any principal under any Financial Indebtedness incurred only by the Borrower which is not secured by security provided over an asset of the Group, shall not be taken into account); and

(b)
all liabilities of all Joint Ventures in respect of principal under any Financial Indebtedness secured by security provided over a JV Vessel, each such liability adjusted to reflect the relevant Group Member’s ownership percentage in such JV Vessel.
Total Net Debt means, at any time and in relation to any Measurement Period, Total Debt in relation to that Measurement Period minus Cash and Cash Equivalents, each as demonstrated by the then most recent Financial Statements .
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21.2
Financial condition
Each Obligor who is a Party shall ensure that:

(a)
Leverage ratio: the ratio of Total Net Debt to Fleet Market Value shall, at all times during and in respect of each Measurement Period, be not higher than 0.75:1.00.

(b)
Minimum liquidity : at all times the Cash and Cash Equivalents shall not be less than the aggregate of:

(i)
$750,000 multiplied by the number of the Fleet Vessels; and

(ii)
$500,000 multiplied by the number of the Chartered Vessels.
21.3
Financial testing
The financial covenants set out in clause 21.2 (Financial condition) shall be calculated in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis and tested by reference to each of the Financial Statements delivered pursuant to , and defined as such in , clause 20.3 (Financial statements).
22.
General undertakings
22.1
Undertaking to comply
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this clause 22 will be complied with by and in respect of each Obligor throughout the Facility Period except as approved by the Majority Lenders (or where specified, all the Lenders).
22.2
Use of proceeds
The proceeds of Utilisations shall be used exclusively for the purposes specified in clause 3 (Purpose).
22.3
Authorisations
Each Obligor shall promptly:

(a)
obtain, comply with and do all that is necessary to maintain i n full force and effect; and

(b)
supply certified copies to the Agent of,
any Authorisation required under any law or regulation of a Relevant Jurisdiction to:

(i)
enable it to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents ;

(ii)
ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of any Transaction Document; and

(iii)
carry on its business where failure to do so has, or i s reasonably likely to have , a Material Adverse Effect.
22.4
Compliance with laws
Each Obligor shall (and shall ensure that each other Group Member will) , comply in all respects with all laws and regulations (including Environmental Laws) to which it may be subject. Each Obligor shall (and shall ensure that each other Group Member will), comply in all respects with all Sanctions to the extent applicable to them.
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22.5
Anti-corruption law

(a)
No Obligor shall (and shall ensure that no other Group Member will) directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the Facility for any purpose which would breach the Bribery Act 2010, the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or other similar legislation in other jurisdictions.

(b)
Each Obligor shall :

(i)
conduct its businesses in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws; and

(ii)
maintain policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws .
22.6
Bribery and corruption

(a)
No Obligor nor any of its agents, employees, directors or officers has engaged or shall engage (and shall ensure that none of its Affiliates nor any of its agents , employees , directors or officers has engaged or will engage) in any Relevant Jurisdiction in:

(i)
Corrupt Practices, Fraudulent Practices, Collusive Practices or Coercive Practices, including the procurement or the execution of any contract for goods or works relating to its functions;

(ii)
Money Laundering or acted in breach of any applicable law relating to Money Laundering; or

(iii)
the Financing of Terrorism .

(b)
Without prejudice to the generality of clause 22 . 6(a):

(i)
No Obligor nor any of its agents, employees, directors or officers will (and shall ensure that none of its Affiliates nor any of its agents, employees, directors or officers will) directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the Facility for any purpose which would breach the Bribery Act 2010, the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or other similar legislation in other jurisdictions;

(ii)
each Obligor shall (and shall ensure that each of its Affiliates) and any of their agents, employees , directors or officers :

(A)
conducts its businesses in compliance with the Bribery Act 2010 and the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977; and

(B)
maintains policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.

(c)
For the purposes of this clause 22.6 and clause 19.33 (No Money Laundering), the following definitions shall apply:
Collusive Practice means an arrangement between two or more parties without the knowledge, but designed to improperly influence the actions, of another party .
Corrupt Practice means the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting, directly or indirectly, anything of value to improperly influence the actions of another party .
Coercive Practice means impairing or harming or threatening to impair or harm, directly or indirectly, any party or its property or to improperly influence the actions of that party .
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Financing of Terrorism means the act of providing or collecting funds with the intention that they be used , or in the knowledge that they are to be used, in order to carry out terrorist acts .
Fraudulent Practice means any action , including misrepresentation, to obtain a financial or other benefit or avoid an obligation , by deception.
Money Laundering means:

(i)
the conversion or transfer of property , knowing it i s der i ved from a crim i nal offence , for the purpose of concealing or disguising its illegal origin or of assisting any person who is involved in the commission of the crime to evade the legal consequences of its actions;

(ii)
the concealment or disguise of the true nature, source, location, disposition, movement, rights with respect to, or ownership of, property knowing that it is derived from a criminal offence ; or

(iii)
the acquisition, possession or use of property knowing at the time of its receipt that i t is derived from a criminal offence.
22.7
Tax compliance

(a)
Each Obliger (other than the Charterer) shall (and shall ensure that each other Group Member will) pay and discharge all Taxes imposed upon it or its assets within the time period allowed without incurring penalties in excess of $500 , 000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) in aggregate, unless and only to the extent that:

(i)
such payment is being contested in good faith;

(ii)
adequate reserves are being maintained for those Taxes and the costs requ i red to contest them which have been d i sclosed in its latest financial statements delivered to the Agent under clause 20 . 3 (Financial statements); and

(iii)
such payment can be lawfully withheld .

(b)
Except as approved by the Majority Lenders, each Obligor (other than the Charterer) shall maintain its residence for Tax purposes in its Original Jurisdiction and ensure that it is not resident for Tax purposes in any other jurisdiction.
22.8
Change of business
Except as approved by the Majority Lenders , no substantial change will be made to the general nature of the bus i ness of any Obligor (other than the Charterer) from that carried on at the date of this Agreement.
22.9
Merger
Except as approved by the Majority Lenders, no Obligor (other than the Charterer) shall enter into any amalgamation , demerger, merger, consolidation , redomiciliation , legal migration or corporate reconstruction .
22.10
Pension exposure
No Obligor (other than the Charterer) is liable to contribute funds to any form of pension scheme or similar arrangement except as required by applicable law (other than a scheme or arrangement where the benefits conferred by it on its members are calculated solely by reference to a payment or payments made by the relevant member or by any other person in respect of that member).
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22.11
Further assurance

(a)
Each Obligor shall promptly do all such acts or execute all such documents (including assignments , transfers, mortgages , charges , notices and instructions) as the Agent may reasonably specify (and in such form as the Agent or the Security Agent may reasonably require in favour of the Security Agent or its nominee(s)) :

(i)
to perfect the Security Interests created or intended to be created by that Obligor under , or ev i denced by, the Security Documents (which may include the execution of a mortgage, charge , assignment or other security over all or any of the assets which are , or are i ntended to be , the subject of the Security Documents) or for the exercise of any rights, powers and remedies of the Security Agent and/or any other Finance Parties provided by or pursuant to the Finance Documents or by law;

(ii)
to confer on the Security Agent and/or any other Finance Parties Security Interests over any property and assets of that Obligor located in any jurisdiction equivalent or similar to the Security Interest intended to be conferred by or pursuant to the Security Documents;

(iii)
to facilitate the realisation of the assets which are , or are intended to be , the subject of the Secur i ty Documents ; and/or

(iv)
to facilitate the accession by a New Lender to any Security Document following an assignment in accordance with clause 30.1 (Assignments by the Lenders).

(b)
Each Obligor shall take all such action as is available to it (including making all filings and registrations) as may be necessary for the purpose of the creation , perfection, protection or maintenance of any Security Interest conferred or intended to be conferred on the Security Agent and/or any other Finance Parties by or pursuant to the Finance Documents .
22.12
Negative pledge in respect of Charged Property and Obligor shares
Except as approved by the Majority Lenders and except for Permitted Security Interests, no Obligor will grant or allow to exist any Security Interest over any Charged Property or (except for the Transaction Security) the shares in any of the Obligors (other than the Borrower or the Charterer) or any rights deriving from, or related to, such shares.
22.13
Sanctions

(a)
Each Obligor shall, and shall procure that any Affiliate of each Obliger shall, ensure that none of the i r respect i ve directors, off i cers , agents , employees or persons acting on behalf of the forego i ng , is a Restricted Person or acts d i rectly or indirect l y on behalf of a Restricted Person .

(b)
No Obligor shall , and shall procure that none of its Affiliates shall , use any revenue or benefit derived from any activity or dealing with a Restricted Person in discharging any obligation due or owing to the Finance Parties .

(c)
Each Obligor shall not , and shall procure that each of its Affiliates will not , credit proceeds from any activity or dealing with a Restricted Person to any bank account held with any Finance Party in its name or in the name of any other person .

(d)
Each Obligor shall , and shall ensure that each of its Affiliates take measures to ensure compliance with Sanctions.

(e)
Each Obligor shall, and shall procure that each of its Affiliates shall, to the extent permitted by law, promptly upon becoming aware of them, supply to the Agent details of any claim , action, suit, proceedings or investigation against it with respect to Sanctions by any Sanct i ons Authority .
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(f)
Without prejudice to this clause 22 . 13 and clause 29 . 20 (Sanctions), each Obligor shall , and shall procure that each of its Affiliates and the Collateral Ship shall, not do any business relating to Iran or any Iranian owned or incorporated, unless the Agent approves so in writing .
22.14
Environmental matters

(a)
The Agent will be notified as soon as reasonably practicable of any Environmental Claim being made against any Obligor or other Group Member or any Fleet Vessel which, if successful to any extent , is reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and of any Environmental Incident wh i ch may give rise to such a claim and will be kept regularly and promptly informed in reasonable detail of the nature of , and response to, any such Environmental Incident and the defence to any such claim.

(b)
Environmental Laws (and any consents, licences or approvals obtained under them) applicable to Fleet Vessels will not be violated.
23.
Dealings with Collateral Ship
23.1
Undertaking to comply
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this clause 23 will be complied with in relation to the Collateral Ship throughout the Mortgage Period except, as otherwise approved by the Majority Lenders (or where specified , all the Lenders).
23.2
Sale or other disposal of Collateral Ship
Except with approval, the Guarantor will not sell , or agree to, transfer , abandon or otherwise dispose of the Collateral Ship or any share or interest in unless it is so permitted under the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement and the relevant Post-Delivery Finance Documents and then only in accordance with the Post-Del i very Facility Agreement and the relevant Post-Delivery Finance Documents.
23.3
Chartering
Except with approval, the Guarantor shall not enter into any charter commitment for the Collateral Ship (except for the Charter), which is:

(a)
a bareboat or demise charter or passes possession and operational control of the Collateral Ship to another person;

(b)
of a fixed duration exceeding 13 calendar months;

(c)
on terms as to payment or amount of hire which are materially less beneficial to it than the terms which at that time could reasonably be expected to be obtained on the open market for vessels of the same age and type as the Collateral Ship under charter commitments of a similar type and period ; or

(d)
to another Obligor or Group Member .

(e)
Further , without pre j ud i ce to the r i ghts of the F i nance Parties under the provisions of this clause 23 . 3 and any other prov i sions of the F i nance Documents , the Guarantor shall advise the Agent promptly of any proposed charter comm i tment in respect of the Collateral Ship of a fixed duration exceeding 13 calendar months , and :

(i)
deliver a copy of each such charter commitment to the Agent forthwith after it has been entered into;
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(ii)
forthwith following a demand made by the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders):

(A)
execute a charter assignment in the form similar to the relevant Charter Assignment of any such charter commitment in favour of the Security Agent and any notice of assignment required in connection therewith; and

(B)
procure the service of any such notice of assignment on the relevant charterer and, unless expressly freely assignable, the acknowledgement of such notice by the relevant charterer ;

(iii)
deliver to the Agent such documents and evidence of the type referred to in Schedule 3 (Conditions precedent) of the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement, in relation to any such charter assignment or any other related matter referred to in this clause 23.3(e) as the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders in their sole discretion) shall require; and

(iv)
pay on the Agent’s demand all documented legal costs and other costs incurred by the Agent and/or any other Finance Party in connection with or in relation to any such charter assignment or any other related matter referred to in this clause 23.3(e) .
23.4
Sharing of Earnings
Except with approval, the Guarantor shall not enter into any arrangement under which its Earnings may be shared with anyone else .
23.5
Payment of Earnings

(a)
The Guarantor s Earnings from the Collateral Ship shall be paid in the way required by the General Assignment.

(b)
If any Earnings in respect of the Collateral Ship are held by brokers or other agents, they shall be paid to the Security Agent, if it requires this after the Earnings have become payable to it under the General Assignment.
23.6
Evidence of payments
The Agent shall be allowed proper and reasonable access to those accounting records when it reasonably requests it and, when it reasonably requires it, shall be given satisfactory evidence of the payments made by the Borrower and/or the Guarantor during the Facility Period.
23.7
Collateral Ship’s name and registration

(a)
The Collateral Ship’s name shall only be changed with the prior written consent of the Agent.

(b)
The Collateral Ship shall be registered with the relevant Registry under the laws of its Flag State . Except with approval, the Collateral Ship shall not be registered under any other flag or at any other port or fly any other flag (other than that of its Flag State). If that registration is for a limited period, it shall be renewed at least 45 days before the date it is due to expire and the Agent shall be notified of that renewal at least 30 days before that date .

(c)
Nothing will be done and no action will be omitted if that might result in such registration being forfeited or imperilled or the Collateral Ship being required to be registered under the laws of another state of registry.
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23.8
Lay up
Except with approval , the Collaterals Ship shall not be laid up or deactivated .
23.9
Manager
A manager of the Collateral Ship shall not be appointed unless that manager and the terms of its appointment are approved (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld) (which approval of such manager shall not be required for as long as such manager is Central Shipping Inc . ) by the Lenders and that manager has delivered a duly executed Manager’s Undertaking to the Security Agent. There shall be no material change to the terms of appointment of a manager whose appointment has been approved unless such change is also approved .
23.10
Copy of Mortgage on board
A properly certified copy of the Mortgage shall be kept on board the Collateral Ship with its papers and shown to anyone having business with the Collateral Ship which might create or imply any commitment or Security Interest over or in respect of the Collateral Ship (other than a lien for crew’s wages and salvage) and to any representative of the Agent or the Security Agent.
23.11
Notice of Mortgage
Subject to the terms of the Mortgage, a framed printed notice of the Mortgage shall be prominently displayed in the navigation room and in the Master’s cabin of the Collateral Ship. Subject to the terms of the Mortgage, the notice must be in plain type and read as follows:
“NOTICE OF MORTGAGE
This Ship is subject to a second mortgage in favour of [here insert name of mortgagee] of [here insert address of mortgagee] .   Under the said mortgage and related documents, neither the owner nor any charterer nor the Master of this Ship has any right, power or authority to create, incur or permit to be imposed upon this Ship any commitments or encumbrances whatsoever other than for crew’s wages and salvage”.
No-one will have any right, power or authority to create, incur or permit to be imposed upon the Collateral Ship any lien whatsoever other than for crew’s wages and salvage.
23.12
Conveyance on default
Where the Collateral Ship is (or is to be) sold in exercise of any power conferred by the Security Documents, the Guarantor shall , upon the Agent’s request, immediately execute such form of transfer of title to the Collateral Ship as the Agent may require.
24.
Condition and operation of Collateral Ship
24.1
Undertaking to comply
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this clause 24 will be complied with in relation to the Collateral Ship throughout the Mortgage Period except as approved by the Majority Lenders (or , where specified , all the Lenders).
24.2
Defined terms
In this clause 24 :
applicable code means any code or prescribed procedures required to be observed by the Collateral Ship or the persons responsible for its operation under any applicable law (including but not limited to those currently known as the ISM Code and the ISPS Code).
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applicable law means all laws and regulations applicable to vessels registered in the Flag State or which for any other reason apply to the Collateral Ship or to its condition or operation at any relevant time.
applicable operating certificate means any certificates, vessel response plans, or other document relating to the Collateral Ship or its condition or operation required to be in force under any applicable law or any applicable code.
24.3
Repair
The Collateral Ship shall be kept in a good, safe and efficient state of repair. The quality of workmanship and materials used to repair the Collateral Ship or replace any damaged, worn or lost parts or equipment shall be sufficient to ensure that the Collateral Ship’s value is not reduced.
24.4
Modification
Except with approval, the structure, type or performance characteristics of the Collateral Ship shall not be modified in a way which materially alters the Collateral Ship or materially reduces its value.
24.5
Removal of parts
Except with approval, no material part of the Collateral Ship or any equipment shall be removed from the Collateral Ship if to do so would materially reduce its value (unless at the same time it is replaced with equivalent parts or equipment owned by the Guarantor free of any Security Interests except under the Security Documents).
24.6
Third party owned equipment
Except with approval, equipment owned by a third party shall not be installed on the Collateral Ship if it cannot be removed without risk of causing damage to the structure or fabric of the Collateral Ship or incurring significant expense.
24.7
Maintenance of class; compliance with laws and codes
The Collateral Ship’s class shall be the relevant Classification. The Collateral Ship and every person who owns, operates or manages the Collateral Ship shall comply with all applicable laws and the requirements of all applicable codes. There shall be kept in force and on board the Collateral Ship or in such person’s custody any applicable operating certificates which are required by applicable laws or applicable codes to be carried on board the Collateral Ship or to be in such person’s custody.
24.8
Surveys
The Collateral Ship shall be submitted to any surveys which are required for it to maintain the Classification as its class. Copies of reports of those surveys shall be provided promptly to the Agent if it so requests.
24.9
Inspection and notice of dry-docking
The Agent and/or surveyors or other persons appointed by it for such purpose shall be allowed to board the Collateral Ship at all reasonable times to inspect it without interfering with the Collateral Ship’s operation or trading and after giving reasonable advance notice to the Guarantor in writing and given all proper facilities needed for that purpose. The Agent shall be given reasonable advance notice of any intended dry-docking of the Collateral Ship (whatever the purpose of that dry-docking). The Guarantor shall bear the cost of only one such inspection per calendar year so long as there is no Event of Default which is continuing in which case, the cost of all such inspections shall be borne by the Guarantor.
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24.10
Prevention of arrest
All debts , damages , liab i lities and outgoings (due and payable and not contested by the Guarantor in good faith) which have given, or are reasonably expected to give, rise to maritime, statutory or possessory liens on, or claims enforceable against, the Collateral Ship, its Earnings or Insurances shall be paid as soon as reasonably practicable and , in any event , discharged by their respective due dates .
24.11
Release from arrest
The Collateral Ship , its Earnings and Insurances shall be released from any arrest , detention, attachment or levy, and any legal process against the Collateral Ship shall be discharged, by whatever action is required to achieve that release or discharge in each case within 5 Business Days of the occurrence of any such event.
24.12
Information about Collateral Ship
The Agent shall promptly be given any information which it may reasonably require about the Collateral Ship or its employment , position , use or operation , including details of towages and salvages, and copies of all its charter commitments entered into by or on behalf of any Obligor whose duration exceeds three months and copies of any appl i cable operating certificates.
24.13
Notification of certain events
The Agent shall promptly be notified of :

(a)
any damage to the Collateral Ship where the cost of the resulting repairs is reasonably likely to exceed the relevant Major Casualty Amount ;

(b)
any occurrence which is reasonably likely to result in the Collateral Ship becoming a Total Loss ;

(c)
any requisition of the Collateral Ship for hire;

(d)
any Environmental Incident involving the Collateral Ship and Environmental Claim being made in relation to such an incident;

(e)
any withdrawal of any appl i cable operating certificate;

(f)
the receipt of notification that any application for such a certificate has been refused ;

(g)
any requirement or recommendation made in relation to the Collateral Ship by any insurer or the relevant Classification Society or by any competent authority which is not, or cannot be , complied with in the manner or time required or recommended; and

(h)
any arrest or detention of the Collateral Ship or any exercise or purported exercise of a lien or other claim on the Collateral Ship or its Earnings or Insurances.
24.14
Payment of outgoings
All tolls, dues and other outgoings whatsoever in respect of the Collateral Ship and its Earnings and Insurances shall be paid promptly . Proper accounting records shall be kept of the Collateral Ship and its Earnings.
24.15
Evidence of payments
The Agent shall be allowed proper and reasonable access to those accounting records when it reasonably requests it and, when it reasonably requires it, shall be given satisfactory evidence that:
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(a)
the wages and allotments and the insurance and pension contributions of the Collateral Ship s crew are being timely and regularly paid ;

(b)
all deductions from its crew’s wages in respect of any applicable Tax liability are being properly accounted for; and

(c)
the Collateral Ship’s master has no claim for disbursements other than those incurred by him or her in the ordinary course of trading on the voyage then in progress.
24.16
Repairers’ liens
The Collateral Ship shall not be put into any other person’s possession for work to be done on the Collateral Ship if the cost of that work will exceed or is likely to exceed the Major Casualty Amount for the Collateral Ship unless the Guarantor has established to the reasonable satisfaction of the Agent that it has sufficient reserves with the Account Bank to pay for such works or that person gives the Security Agent a written undertaking in approved terms not to exercise any lien on the Collateral Ship or its Earnings for any of the cost of such work.
24.17
Survey report
As soon as reasonably practicable after the Agent requests it, the Agent shall be given a report on the seaworthiness condition and/or safe operation of the Collateral Ship, from approved surveyors or inspectors appointed by the Agent. If any recommendations are made in such a report they shall be complied with in the way and by the time recommended in the report if failure to do so could result in breach of any Finance Document. The Guarantor shall bear the costs of only one such report of the Collateral Ship per calendar year unless there is an Event of Default.
24.18
Lawful use
The Collateral Ship shall not be employed:

(a)
in any way or in any activity which is unlawful under international law or the domestic laws of any relevant country;

(b)
in carrying illicit or prohibited goods;

(c)
in a way which may make it liable to be condemned by a prize court or destroyed, seized or confiscated; or

(d)
if there are hostilities in any part of the world (whether war has been declared or not), in carrying contraband goods,
and the persons responsible for the operation of the Collateral Ship shall take all necessary and proper precautions to ensure that this does not happen, including participation in industry or other voluntary schemes available to the Collateral Ship and in which leading operators of ships operating under the same flag or engaged in similar trades generally participate at the relevant time.
24.19
War zones
The Collateral Ship shall not enter or remain in any zone which has been declared a war zone by any government entity or the Collateral Ship’s war risk insurers unless the Guarantor has satisfied any requirements of the Collateral Ship’s insurers necessary to ensure that the Collateral Ship remains properly insured in accordance with the Finance Documents (including any requirement for the payment of extra insurance premiums) and has provided to the Agent in advance a report prepared by BankServe Insurance Services Ltd. confirming that the Collateral Ship is properly insured as set out in this clause 24.19. The cost of such report shall be borne by the Guarantor.
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25.
Insurance
25.1
Undertaking to comply
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this clause 25 shall be complied with in relation to the Collateral Ship and its Insurances throughout the Mortgage Period except as approved by the Majority Lenders (or , where specified, all the Lenders) .
25.2
Insurance terms
In this clause 25 :
excess risks means the proportion (if any) of claims for general average, salvage and salvage charges not recoverable under the hull and machinery insurances of the Collateral Ship in consequence of the value at which the Collateral Ship is assessed for the purpose of such claims exceeding its insured value.
Excess war risk P&I cover means cover for claims only in excess of amounts recoverable under the usual war risk cover including (but not limited to) hull and machinery , crew and protection and indemnity risks.
Hull cover means insurance cover against the risks identified in paragraph (a) of clause 25 . 3 ( Coverage required) .
Minimum hull cover means an amount equal at the relevant time to 120 per cent of the Collateral Loan at the relevant time .
P&I risks means the usual risks (including liability for oil pollution, excess war risk P&I cover) covered by a protection and indemnity association which is a member of the International Group of protection and indemnity associations (or, if the International Group ceases to exist, any other leading protection and indemnity association or other leading provider of protection and indemnity insurance) (including, without limitation, the proportion (if any) of any collision liability not covered under the terms of the hull cover) .
25.3
Coverage required
The Collateral Ship shall at all times be insured:

(a)
against fire and usual marine r i sks (including excess risks) and war risks (including war protection and indemnity risks and terrorism risks) on an agreed value basis , for at least its minimum hull cover and no less than its market value;

(b)
against P&I risks for the highest amount then available in the insurance market for vessels of similar age , size and type as the Collateral Sh i p (but, in relation to liability for oil pollution, for an amount of not less than $1,000,000,000);

(c)
against such other risks (excluding loss of hire) and matters which the Agent notifies it that it considers reasonable for a prudent shipowner or operator to insure against at the time of that notice (having regard to general insurance market practice and law at the time but always excluding any loss of earnings cover) ; and

(d)
on terms which comply with the other provisions of this clause 26.
25.4
Placing of cover
The insurance coverage required by clause 25.3 (Coverage required) shall be:

(a)
in the name of the Guarantor and no other person (other than the Security Agent (and any other Finance Party required by the Agent) if required by the Agent) (unless such
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other person is approved and, if so required by the Agent, has duly executed and delivered a second priority assignment of its interest in the Collateral Ship’s Insurances to the Security Agent (and any other Finance Party required by the Agent) in an approved form and provided such supporting documents and opinions in relation to that assignment as the Agent requires);

(b)
if the Agent so requests, in the joint names of the Guarantor and the Security Agent (and any other Finance Party required by the Agent) (and , to the extent reasonably practicable in the insurance market, without liability on the part of the Security Agent or such Finance Party for premiums or calls);

(c)
in dollars or another approved currency;

(d)
arranged through approved brokers or direct with approved insurers or protection and indemnity or war risks associations;

(e)
in full force and effect; and

(f)
on approved terms and with approved insurers or associations .
25.5
Deductibles
The aggregate amount of any excess or deductible under the Collateral Ship’s hull cover shall not exceed the Major Casualty Amount.
25.6
Mortgagee’s insurance
The Guarantor shall within 5 Business Days reimburse to the Agent the cost (as conclusively certified by the Agent) of taking out and keeping in force in respect of the Collateral Ship on approved terms, or in considering or making claims under:

(a)
a mortgagee’s interest insurance and a mortgagee’s additional perils (all P&I risks) cover for the benefit of the Finance Parties for an amount up to 120 per cent of the Collateral Loan; and

(b)
any other insurance cover which the Agent reasonably requires (having regard to general insurance market practice and law at the time) in respect of any Finance Party’s interests and potential liabilities (whether as mortgagee of the Collateral Ship or beneficiary of the Security Documents).
25.7
Fleet liens, set off and cancellations
If the Collateral Ship’s hull cover also insures other vessels, the Security Agent shall either be given an undertaking in approved terms by the brokers or (if such cover is not placed through brokers or the brokers do not, under any applicable laws or insurance terms, have such rights of set off and cancellation) the relevant insurers that the brokers or (if relevant) the insurers will not:

(a)
set off against any claims in respect of the Collateral Ship any premiums due in respect of any of such other vessels insured; or

(b)
cancel that cover because of non-payment of premiums in respect of such other vessels,
or the Guarantor shall ensure that hull cover for the Collateral Ship is provided under a separate policy from any other vessels.
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25.8
Payment of premiums
All premiums , calls, contributions or other sums payable in respect of the Insurances shall be paid punctually and the Agent shall be provided with all relevant receipts or other evidence of payment upon request.
25.9
Details of proposed renewal of Insurances
At least 14 days (or such shorter period acceptable to the Agent) before any of the Insurances are due to expire , the Agent shall be notified of the names of the brokers , insurers and associations proposed to be used for the renewal of such Insurances and the amounts , risks and terms in , against and on which the Insurances are proposed to be renewed.
25.10
Instructions for renewal
At least seven days (or such shorter period acceptable to the Agent) before any of the Insurances are due to expire, instructions shall be given to brokers , insurers and associations for them to be renewed or replaced on or before their expiry.
25.11
Confirmation of renewal
The Insurances shall be renewed upon their expiry in a manner and on terms which comply with this clause 25 and confirmation of such renewal given by approved brokers or insurers to the Agent at least five days (or such shorter period as may be approved) before such expiry.
25.12
P&I guarantees
Any guarantee or undertaking required by any protection and indemnity or war risks association in relation to the Collateral Ship shall be provided when required by the association.
25.13
Insurance documents
The Agent shall be provided with pro forma copies of all insurance policies and other documentation issued by brokers, insurers and associations in connection with the Insurances as soon as they are available after they have been placed or renewed and all insurance policies and other documents relating to the Insurances shall be deposited with any approved brokers or (if not deposited with approved brokers) the Agent or some other approved person .
25.14
Letters of undertaking
Unless otherwise approved where the Agent is satisfied that equivalent protection is afforded by the terms of the relevant Insurances and/or any applicable law and/or a letter of undertaking provided by another person, on each placing or renewal of the Insurances, the Agent shall be provided promptly with letters of undertaking in an approved form (having regard to general insurance market practice and law at the time of issue of such letter of undertaking) from the relevant brokers , insurers and associations .
25.15
Insurance Notices and Loss Payable Clauses
The interest of the Security Agent as assignee of the Insurances shall be endorsed on all insurance policies and other documents by the incorporation of a Loss Payable Clause and an Insurance Notice in respect of the Collateral Ship and its Insurances signed by the Guarantor and , unless otherwise approved , each other person assured under the relevant cover (other than the Security Agent if it is itself an assured).
25.16
Insurance correspondence
If so required by the Agent, the Agent shall promptly be provided with copies of all written communications between the assureds and brokers, insurers and assoc i ations relating to any of the Insurances as soon as they are available .
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25.17
Qualifications and exclusions
All requirements applicable to the Insurances shall be complied with and the Insurances shall only be subject to approved exclusions or qualifications.
25.18
Independent report
If the Agent asks the Guarantor for a detailed report from an approved independent firm of marine insurance brokers giving their opinion on the adequacy of the Insurances then the Agent shall be provided promptly with such a report at no cost to the Agent or (if the Agent obtains such a report itself) the Guarantor shall reimburse the Agent for the cost of obtaining that report . The Guarantor shall not bear the cost of more than one such report per calendar year, unless there is an Event of Default.
25.19
Collection of claims
All documents and other information and all assistance required by the Agent to assist it and/or the Security Agent in trying to collect or recover any claims under the Insurances shall be provided promptly (having regard to general market practice and law at the time).
25.20
Employment of Collateral Ship
The Collateral Ship shall only be employed or operated in conformity with the terms of the Insurances (including any express or implied warranties) and not in any other way (unless the insurers have consented and any additional requirements of the insurers have been satisfied).
25.21
Declarations and returns
If any of the Insurances are on terms that require a declaration, certificate or other document to be made or filed before the Collateral Ship sails to, or operates within, an area, those terms shall be complied with within the time and in the manner required by those Insurances.
25.22
Application of recoveries
All sums paid under the Insurances to anyone other than the Security Agent shall be applied in repairing the damage and/or in discharging the liability in respect of which they have been paid except to the extent that the repairs have already been paid for and/or the liability already discharged.
25.23
Settlement of claims
Any claim under the Insurances for a Total Loss or Major Casualty shall only be settled, compromised or abandoned with prior approval.
25.24
Change in insurance requirements
If the Agent gives notice to the Guarantor to change the terms and requirements of this clause 25 (which the Agent may only do, in such manner as it reasonably considers appropriate, as a result of changes of circumstances or practice after the date of this Agreement), this clause 25 shall be modified in the manner so notified by the Agent on the date 14 days after such notice from the Agent is received.
26.
Chartering undertakings
26.1
Undertaking to comply
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this clause 26 will be complied with in relation to the Collateral Ship and its Charter Documents throughout the Mortgage Period except as approved by the Majority Lenders (or where specified, all the Lenders).
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26.2
Variations
Except with approval, the Charter Documents shall not be materially varied .
26.3
Releases and waivers
Except with approval, there shall be no release by the Guarantor (and the Guarantor shall procure that there will be no release by the Charterer) of any obligation of any other person under the Charter Documents (including by way of novation or assignment), no waiver of any breach of any such obligation and no consent to anything which would otherwise be such a breach.
26.4
Termination of Charter
Except with approval, the Guarantor shall not (and it shall procure that the Charterer will not) terminate or rescind any Charter Document or withdraw the Collateral Ship from service under the Charter or take any similar action.
26.5
Charter performance
The Guarantor shall (and it shall procure that the Charterer will) perform its obligations under the Charter Documents and it shall (and it shall procure that the Charterer will) use its best endeavours to ensure that each other party to them performs its obligations under the Charter Documents.
26.6
Payment of Charter Earnings
All Earnings which the Guarantor or (as the case may be) the relevant Charterer is entitled to receive under the Charter Documents shall be paid in the manner required by the relevant Security Documents in relation to the Collateral Ship.
26.7
Notice of assignment
The Guarantor shall give notice of assignment of the Charter Documents to the other parties to them in the form specified by the Charter Assignment and:

(a)
subject to paragraph (b) below, shall ensure that the Agent receives a copy of that notice acknowledged by the relevant addressee; or

(b)
if such Charter Documents are freely assignable, the Guarantor shall (and it shall procure that the Charterer will) use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the Agent receives a copy of that notice acknowledged by the relevant addressee,
in each case, in the form specified therein as soon as practically possible after the Charter Assignment has been executed.
27.
Bank accounts
27.1
Undertaking to comply
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this clause 27 will be complied with throughout the Facility Period except as approved by the Majority Lenders (or where specified, all the Lenders).
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27.2
Operating Account

(a)
The Borrower and the Guarantor shall each be the holder of one Account with an Account Bank which is designated as the “Operating Account” for the purposes of the Finance Documents.

(b)
The Earnings of the Guarantor shall be paid by the persons from whom they are due to the Operating Account of the Guarantor and any dividends and capital returns payable by the Guarantor to the Borrower shall be paid to the Operating Account of the Borrower unless, in each case, required to be paid to the Security Agent under the relevant Finance Documents.

(c)
The Borrower shall not withdraw amounts standing to the credit of its Operating Account except as permitted by paragraph (e) below.

(d)
The Guarantor shall not withdraw amounts standing to the credit of its Operating Account except as permitted by paragraph (e) below.

(e)
If there is no continuing Event of Default, the Borrower may withdraw the following amounts from the relevant Operating Account for:

(i)
payments then due to Finance Parties under the Finance Documents (other than payments due in respect of a prepayment (unless it is a voluntary prepayment under clause 7.3 (Voluntary prepayment)); and

(ii)
payments in the ordinary course of its business which are permitted (or not prohibited) by this Agreement and/or the other Finance Documents.

(f)
If there is no continuing Event of Default, the Guarantor may withdraw any amounts from the relevant Operating Account for any purpose which is permitted (or not prohibited) by this Agreement and the relevant Post-Delivery Finance Documents.
27.3
Other provisions

(a)
An Account may only be designated for the purposes described in this clause 27 if :

(i)
such designation is made in writing by the Agent and acknowledged by the relevant Account Holder(s) and specifies the name and address of the Account Bank and the number and any designation or other reference attributed to the Account;

(ii)
an Account Security has been duly executed and delivered by the relevant Account Holder(s) in favour of the Security Agent (and any other Finance Party required by the Agent);

(iii)
any notice required by the Account Security to be given to an Account Bank has been given to, and acknowledged by, the Account Bank in the form required by the relevant Account Security; and

(iv)
the Agent, or its duly authorised representative, has received such documents and evidence it may require in relation to the Account and the relevant Account Security including documents and evidence of the type referred to in Schedule 3 (Conditions precedent) in relation to the Account and the relevant Account Security.

(b)
The rates of payment of interest and other terms regulating any Account will be a matter of separate agreement between the relevant Account Holder(s) and an Account Bank.
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(c)
If an Account is a fixed term deposit account, the relevant Account Holder(s) may select the terms of deposits until the relevant Account Security has become enforceable and the Security Agent directs otherwise.

(d)
The relevant Account Holder(s) shall not close any Account or alter the terms of any Account from those in force at the time it is designated for the purposes of this clause 27 or waive any of its rights in relation to an Account except with approval.

(e)
The relevant Account Holder(s) shall deposit with the Security Agent all certificates of deposit, receipts or other instruments or securities relating to any Account, notify the Security Agent of any claim or notice relating to an Account from any other party and provide the Agent with any other information it may reasonably request concerning any Account.

(f)
Each of the Agent and the Security Agent agrees that if it is an Account Bank in respect of an Account then there will be no restrictions on creating a Security Interest over that Account as contemplated by this Agreement and it shall not (except with the approval of the Majority Lenders) exercise any right of combination, consolidation or set-off which it may have in respect of that Account in a manner adverse to the rights of the other Finance Parties.
28.
Business restrictions
28.1
Undertaking to comply
Except as otherwise approved by the Majority Lenders, each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this clause 28 will be complied with by and in respect of each person to which each relevant provision of this clause is expressed to apply throughout the Facility Period.
28.2
General negative pledge

(a)
In this clause 28.2, Quasi-Security means an arrangement or transaction described in paragraph (c) below.

(b)
The Borrower shall not create or permit to subsist any Security Interest over any of its shares in the Guarantor.

(c)
(Without prejudice to clauses 28.3 (Financial Indebtedness) and 28.7 (Disposals)), the Borrower shall not:

(i)
sell, transfer, factor or otherwise dispose of any of its receivables on recourse terms;

(ii)
enter into any arrangement under which money or the benefit of a bank or other account may be applied, set-off or made subject to a combination of accounts; or

(iii)
enter into any other preferential arrangement having a similar effect,
in circumstances where the arrangement or transaction is entered into primarily as a method of raising Financial Indebtedness or of financing the acquisition of an asset.

(d)
Paragraphs (b) and (c) above do not apply to any Security Interest or (as the case may be) Quasi-Security, those granted or expressed to be granted by any of the Security Documents;
28.3
Financial Indebtedness
The Borrower shall not incur or permit to exist, any Financial Indebtedness owed by it to anyone else except:
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(a)
Financial Indebtedness incurred under the Finance Documents;

(b)
Financial Indebtedness incurred under the Family Trading Facility or any other shareholders’ loan, provided always that such Financial Indebtedness:

(i)
is not guaranteed by any Group Member (other than the Borrower) nor is it secured by means of a Security Interest over an asset of a Group Member (including a Fleet Vessel);

(ii)
is subject to a duly executed subordination agreement between the Finance Parties and the relevant creditor(s) in an agreed form;

(iii)
without prejudice to the generality of sub-paragraph (ii) above:

(A)
is fully subordinate in all respects to this Agreement;

(B)
does not provide under its terms for any cash repayment or prepayment obligations of the relevant Group Member prior to the Reduction Date (other than the prepayment obligation/right set out in clause 28.12 (Family Trading Facility));

(C)
does not provide for the payment of interest in cash or preferred shares which provide for the payment of cash dividends, in each case prior to the Reduction Date; and

(D)
does not provide for its conversion into preferred shares of the Borrower or of any other Group Member on terms which provide for such preferred shares paying a cash dividend to their holders, in each case prior to the Reduction Date;

(c)
Financial Indebtedness permitted under clause 28.4 (Guarantees); and

(d)
Financial Indebtedness permitted under clause 28.5 (Loans and credit).
28.4
Guarantees
The Guarantor shall not give or permit to exist, any guarantee by it in respect of indebtedness of any person or allow any of its indebtedness to be guaranteed by anyone other than in the normal course of chartering the Collateral Ship. The Borrower shall not give or permit to exist, any guarantee by it in respect of indebtedness of any person or allow any of its indebtedness to be guaranteed by anyone other than in the normal course of its business and/or in relation to financing obtained by a Group Member in connection with its Fleet Vessel.
28.5
Loans and credit
The Borrower shall not be a creditor in respect of Financial Indebtedness other than in respect of trade credit on normal commercial terms in the ordinary course of its trading activities.
28.6
Bank accounts, operating leases and other financial transactions
The Guarantor shall not:

(a)
maintain any current or deposit account with a bank or financial institution except for the relevant Operating Account and the deposit of money, operation of current accounts and the conduct of electronic banking operations through the relevant Operating Account;

(b)
hold cash in any account (other than the relevant Operating Account) over or in respect of which any set-off, combination of accounts, netting or Security Interest exists;

(c)
enter into any obligations under operating leases relating to assets; or
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(d)
be party to any transaction , whether on o r off balance sheet , that is not expressly permitted under this Agreement.
28.7
Disposals
The Guarantor shall not enter i nto a single transaction or a series of transactions , whether related or not and whether voluntarily or involuntarily, to sell , lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any asset.
28.8
Contracts and arrangements with Affiliates
The Borrower shall not be party to any arrangement or contract with any of its Affiliates unless such arrangement or contract is on an arm s length basis or has been disclosed in writing to the Agent prior to the date of th i s Agreement or any cash payment due under such arrangement or contract is payable after the Reduction Date.
28.9
Acquisitions and investments
The Guarantor shall not acqui r e any person, business , assets or liabilities or make any investment in any person or business or undertaking or enter into any joint-venture arrangement except:

(a)
the incurrence of liabilities in the ordinary course of its business ; and

(b)
pursuant to any Finance Document.
28.10
Reduction of capital
The Borrower shall not redeem or purchase or otherwise reduce any of its equity or any other share capital or any uncalled or unpaid liability in respect of any of them or reduce the amount (if any) for the time being standing to the credit of its share premium account or capital redemption or other undistributable reserve in any manner .
28.11
Increase in capital
The Guarantor shall not issue shares or other equity interests to anyone who is not the Borrower .
28.12
Family Trading Facility
Each time that the Borrower, after the date of this Agreement, raises equity capital from its shareholders (other than through the conversion of debt to common or preferred shares of the Borrower , provided any such preferred shares do not provide for the payment of cash div i dends prior to the Reduction Date) or otherwise, it shall make a prepayment of the amounts outstanding under the Family Trading Facility at the time (including for the avoidance of doubt , principal, interest and fees) in an aggregate amount in dollars equal to the lesser of (i) the aggregate of the amounts outstanding at the time under the Family Trading Facility and (ii) 25 per cent of the equity capital so raised. Furthermore , the Borrower may , at its sole discretion, further reduce the amount outstanding under the Family Trading Facility at the time by making a prepayment thereunder of an additional amount in dollars equal to 25 per cent of the equity capital so raised.
28.13
Capital Expenditures
The Borrower shall (or shall procure that its subsidiaries will) have committed financing i nstruments in place , readily available and unut i l i sed to cover any capital expenditures o f the Group incurred pursuant to contracts entered into after the date of this Agreement but due for payment (to the extent due) prior to the Reduction Date . For the avoidance of doubt:
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(a)
any cash at hand of the Group accumulated over time in the ordinary course of business shall be excluded from any assessment to be made as regards the existence or not of committed financing instruments ; and

(b)
an increase in the amount available under the Family Trading Facility shall be deemed to satisfy the requirement of having committed financing instruments in place.
28.14
Distributions and other payments
Neither the Borrower nor the Guarantor shall :

(a)
declare or pay ( i ncluding by way of set-off, combination of accounts or otherwise) any dividend , charge , fee or other distribution (or interest on any unpaid dividend, charge, fee or other distribution) (whether in cash or in kind (other than in the form of common or preferred shares of the Borrower, provided any such common or preferred shares do not provide for the payment of cash dividends prior to the Reduction Date)) on or in respect of its share capital (or any class of its share capital) or any warrants for the time being in issue, provided however that the Borrower shall be entitled to declare, but not to pay to its shareholders, a cash dividend for the Fiscal Year ending on 31 December 2019 ;

(b)
repay or distribute any dividend or share premium reserve ;

(c)
pay any management , advisory or other fee to or to the order of any its shareholders , unless such fee has been disclosed in writing to the Agent prior to the date of this Agreement;

(d)
redeem, repurchase, defease, retire or repay any of its share capital or resolve to do so; or

(e)
make any payment (including by way of set-off, combination of accounts or otherwise) by way of interest , or repayment, redemption, purchase or other payment , in respect of any shareholder loan , loan stock or similar instrument, other than in accordance with clause 28 . 3(b);
to any other person.
29.
Events of Default
29.1
Each of the events or circumstances set out i n this clause 29 (except clause 29 . 24 (Acceleration) ) is an Event of Default.
29.2
Non-payment
An Obligor does not pay on the due date any amount payable pursuant to a Finance Document at the place at and in the currency in which it is expressed to be payable unless :

(a)
its failure to pay is caused by administrative or technical error or by a Disruption Event; and

(b)
payment is made within three (3) Business Days of its due date .
29.3
Financial covenants
The Obligors do not comply with clause 21 (Financial covenants).
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29.4
Other obligations

(a)
An Obligor does not comply with any provision of the Finance Documents (other than those referred to in clause 29.2 (Non-payment), clause 29.3 (Financial covenants) and the other provisions of this clause 29).

(b)
No Event of Default under paragraph (a) above will occur if the Agent considers that the failure to comply is capable of remedy and the failure is remedied within five Business Days of the earlier of (A) the Agent giving notice to the Borrower and (B) the Borrower or any other Obligor becoming aware of the failure to comply.
29.5
Misrepresentation
Any representation or statement made or deemed to be made by an Obligor in the Finance Documents or any other document delivered by or on behalf of any Obligor under or in connection with any Finance Document is or proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed to be made .
29.6
Cross default

(a)
Any Financial Indebtedness of any Obligor (other than the Charterer) is not paid when due nor within any originally applicable grace period.

(b)
Any Financial Indebtedness of any Obligor (other than the Charterer) is declared to be or otherwise becomes due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (however described).

(c)
Any commitment for any Financial Indebtedness of any Obligor (other than the Charterer) is cancelled or suspended by a creditor of that Obligor as a result of an event of default (however described).

(d)
The counterparty to a Treasury Transaction entered into by the Borrower becomes entitled to terminate that Treasury Transaction early by reason of an event of default (however described).

(e)
An Event of Default will only occur under this clause 29.6 if the aggregate amount of Financial Indebtedness or commitment for Financial Indebtedness falling within this clause 29.6 is more than $5,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency).

(f)
Any creditor of any Obligor (other than the Charterer) becomes entitled to declare any Financial Indebtedness of that Obligor due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (however described).
29.7
Insolvency

(a)
An Obligor:

(i)
is unable or admits inability to pay its debts as they fall due;

(ii)
is deemed to , or is declared to, be unable to pay its debts under applicable law;

(iii)
suspends without the consent of the affected creditor(s) or threatens to suspend making payments on any of its debts; or

(iv)
by reason of actual or anticipated financial difficulties , commences negotiations with one or more of its creditors (excluding any Finance Party in its capacity as such) with a view to rescheduling all or substantially all of its Financial Indebtedness.
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(b)
The value of the assets of any Obligor (other than the Charterer) is less than its Total Debt.

(c)
A moratorium is declared in respect of any indebtedness of any Obligor exceeding $1,500 , 000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) in aggregate .
29.8
Insolvency proceedings

(a)
Any co r porate action, legal proceedings or other procedure or s t ep is taken in re l ation to :

(i)
the suspension of payments, a moratorium of any indebtedness , winding-up, dissolution, administration or reorganisation (by way of voluntary arrangement, scheme of arrangement or otherwise) of any Obligor;

(ii)
a composition, compromise , assignment or arrangement with any creditor of any Obligor;

(iii)
the appointment of a liquidator, receiver, administrative receiver , administrator, compulsory manager or other similar officer in respect of any Obligor or any of its assets (including the d i rectors of any Obliger requesting a person to appoint any such officer in relat i on to it or any of i ts assets) ; or

(iv)
enforcement of any Security Interest over any assets of any Obligor (having in the case of the Borrower a value in excess of $1,500 , 000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) in aggregate),
or any analogous procedure or step is taken in any jurisdiction .

(b)
Paragraph (a) above shall not apply to any winding-up petition (or analogous procedure or step) which is frivolous or vexatious and is discharged, stayed or dismissed with i n seven days of commencement or , if earl i er , the date on wh i ch i t i s advert i sed .
29.9
Creditors’ process

(a)
Any expropriation, attachment, sequestration, distress, execution or any other analogous process or enforcement action (including enforcement by a landlord) affects any asset or assets of any Obligor (other than the Charterer) (having in the case of the Borrower a value in excess of $1,500,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) in aggregate) and is not discharged within seven days.

(b)
Any judgment or order is made against any Obligor (other than the Charterer) or any other Group Member and i s not stayed or complied w i th w i thin fifteen days .
29.10
Unlawfulness and invalidity

(a)
It is or becomes unlawful for an Obligor to perform any of its obligations under the Finance Documents or any Transaction Security ceases to be effective.

(b)
Any obligation or obligations of any Obligor under any Finance Documents are not (subject to the Legal Reservations) or cease to be legal, valid, binding or enforceable and the cessation individually or cumulatively materially and adversely affects the interests of the Lenders under the Finance Documents .

(c)
Any Finance Document or any Transaction Security ceases to be in full force and effect or ceases to be legal, valid, binding , enforceable or effective or is alleged by a party to it (other than a Finance Party) to be ineffective for any reason .

(d)
Any Security Document does not create legal, valid, binding and enforceable security over the assets charged under that Security Document or the ranking or priority of such security is adversely affected.
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29.11
Cessation of business
Any Obligor suspends or ceases to carry on (or threatens to suspend or cease to carry on) all or a material part of its business unless, in the case of the manager of the Collateral Ship from time to time, such manager is substituted by another manager approved in accordance with clause 23.9 (Manager).
29.12
Ownership of the Guarantor
The Guarantor is not or ceases to be a wholly-owned direct Subsidiary of the Borrower .
29.13
Expropriation
The authority or ability of any Obligor or any other Group Member to conduct its business is limited or wholly or substantially curtailed by any seizure, expropriation, nationalisation, intervention, restriction or other action by or on behalf of any governmental, regulatory or other authority or other person in relation to any Obligor or any other Group Member or any assets of any Obligor or any other Group Member unless, in the case of the manager of the Collateral Ship from time to time, such manager is substituted by another manager approved in accordance with clause 23.9 (Manager).
29.14
Repudiation and rescission of Finance Documents
An Obligor rescinds or purports to rescind or repudiates or purports to repudiate a Finance Document or any of the Transaction Security or evidences an intention to rescind or repudiate a Finance Document or any Transaction Security.
29.15
Litigation
Either :

(a)
any litigation, alternative dispute resolution, arbitration or administrative, governmental, regulatory or other investigations, proceedings or disputes are commenced or threatened; or

(b)
any judgment or order of a court, arbitral tribunal or other tribunal or any order or sanction of any governmental or other regulatory body is made,
in relation to any Transaction Document or the transactions contemplated in the Transaction Documents or against any Obligor or any of its assets, rights or revenues which has or might have a Material Adverse Effect.
29.16
Material Adverse Effect
Any event or circumstance (including any change of law) occurs which the Majority Lenders reasonably believe has, or is reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect.
29.17
Security enforceable
Any Security Interest (other than a Permitted Maritime Lien) in respect of Charged Property becomes enforceable .
29.18
Political risk

(a)
Either (1) any Relevant Jurisdiction of an Obligor becomes involved in hostilities or civil war or (2) there is a seizure of power in any such Relevant Jurisdiction by unconstitutional means and (in either such case) in the opinion of the Agent such event or circumstance, has or is reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

(b)
No Event of Default under paragraph (a) above will occur if :
84




(i)
in the opinion of the Agent it is practicable for action to be taken by the Borrower to prevent the relevant event or circumstance having a Material Adverse Effect ; and

(ii)
the Borrower takes such action to the Agent’s satisfaction within 14 days of notice from the Agent (specifying the relevant action to be taken) to do so .
29.19
Post-Delivery Events
A Post-Delivery Event occurs.
29.20
Sanctions

(a)
Any of the Obligors or any Affiliate of any of them or any of their respective directors , officers, agents, employees or other persons acting on behalf of the foregoing, becomes a Restricted Person or becomes owned or controlled by, or acts directly or indirectly on behalf of, a Restricted Person or any of such persons becomes the owner or controller of a Prohibited Person; or

(b)
Any proceeds of the Loan are made available , directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of a Restricted Person or otherwise is, directly or indirectly , applied in a manner or for a purpose prohibited by applicable Sanctions; or

(c)
Any Obligor or any of their respective Affiliates or any of their respective directors, officers, agents, employees or other persons acting on behalf of the foregoing, is not in compliance with all applicable Sanctions.
29.21
Insurance

(a)
The Insurances of the Collateral Ship are not placed and kept in force in the manner required by clause 25 (Insurance) .

(b)
Any insurer either:

(i)
cancels any such Insurances; or

(ii)
disclaims liability under them or asserts that its liability under them is or should be reduced by reason of any mis-statement or failure or default by any person.
29.22
De-listing or suspension of trading
The shares of the Borrower are de-listed from, or suspended from trading (whether permanently or temporarily for a period of at least five (5) consecutive days) on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange.
29.23
Total Loss or sale
The Collateral Ship is sold or becomes a Total Loss .
29.24
Acceleration
On and at any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing the Agent may, and shall if so directed by the Majority Lenders:

(a)
by notice to the Borrower:

(i)
declare that no withdrawals be made from any Account;

(ii)
cancel the Total Commitments at which time they shall immediately be cancelled;
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(iii)
declare that all or part of the Loans, together with accrued interest, and all other amounts accrued or outstanding under the Finance Documents be immediately due and payable , at which time they shall become immediately due and payable; and/or

(iv)
declare that all or part of the Loans be payable on demand, at which time they shall immediately become payable on demand by the Agent on the instructions of the Majority Lenders; and/or

(b)
exercise or direct the Security Agent and/or any other beneficiary of the Security Documents to exercise any or all of its rights , remedies , powers or discretions under the Finance Documents .
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Section 9 - Changes to Parties
30.
Changes to the Lenders
30.1
Assignments by the Lenders
Subject to this clause 30, a Lender (the Existing Lender )   may assign any of its rights under any Finance Document to another bank or financial institution or to a trust, fund or other entity which is regularly engaged in or established for the purpose of making, purchasing or investing in loans , securities or other financial assets (the New Lender )   always at the cost of the Existing Lender (including any assignment taking place in the context of any syndication).
30.2
Other conditions of assignment

(a)
An assignment will only be effective:

(i)
on receipt by the Agent of written confirmation from the New Lender (in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent) that the New Lender will assume the same obligations to the Borrower and the other Finance Parties as it would have been under if it was an Original Lender ;

(ii)
on the New Lender entering into any documentation required for it to accede as a party to the Subordination Deed and any Security Document to which the Existing Lender is a party in its capacity as a Lender and, in relation to such Security Documents, completing any filing, registration or notice requirements;

(iii)
on the performance by the Agent of all necessary know your customer” or similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations relating to any person that it is required to carry out in relation to such assignment to a New Lender, the completion of which the Agent shall promptly notify to the Existing Lender and the New Lender; and

(iv)
if that Existing Lender assigns equal fractions of its Commitment and participation in the Loans and each Utilisation (if any) under the Facility .

(b)
Each New Lender, by executing the relevant Transfer Certificate, confirms, for the avoidance of doubt, that the Agent has authority to execute on its behalf any amendment or waiver that has been approved by or on behalf of the requisite Lender or Lenders in accordance with the Finance Documents on or prior to the date on which the assignment becomes effective in accordance with the Finance Documents and that it is bound by that decision to the same extent as the Existing Lender would have been had it remained a Lender.
30.3
Fee and expenses
The New Lender shall, on the date upon which an assignment takes effect, promptly on demand , pay the Agent and the Security Agent the amount of:

(a)
all costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by the Agent or the Security Agent in connection with any such assignment; and

(b)
any cost , loss or liability the Agent or the Security Agent incurs in relation to all stamp duty, registration and other similar Taxes payable in respect of any such assignment.
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30.4
Transfer costs and expenses relating to security
The New Lender shall, promptly on demand , pay the Agent and the Security Agent the amount of:

(a)
all costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by the Agent or the Security Agent to facilitate the accession by the New Lender to , or assignment or transfer to the New Lender of, any Security Document and/or the benefit of any Security Document and any appropriate registration of any such accession or assignment or transfer ; and

(b)
any cost , loss or liability the Agent or the Security Agent incurs in relation to all stamp duty, registration and other similar Taxes payable in respect of any such accession, assignment or transfer.
30.5
Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders

(a)
Unless expressly agreed to the contrary, an Existing Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility to a New Lender for:

(i)
the legality, validity , effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of the Finance Documents , the Transaction Security or any other documents ;

(ii)
the financial condition of any Obligor ;

(iii)
the performance and observance by any Obligor or any other person of its obligations under the Finance Documents or any other documents;

(iv)
the application of any Basel II Regulation or Basel III Regulation to the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents; or

(v)
the accuracy of any statements (whether written or oral) made in or in connection with any Finance Document or any other document,
and any representations or warranties implied by law are excluded.

(b)
Each New Lender confirms to the Existing Lender and the other Finance Parties that it:

(i)
has made (and shall continue to make) its own independent investigation and assessment of:

(A)
the financial condition and affairs of the Obligors and their related entities in connection with its part i cipation in this Agreement; and

(B)
the application of any Basel II Regulation or Basel III Regulation to the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents ;
and has not relied exclusively on any information provided to it by the Existing Lender or any other Finance Party in connection with any Transaction Document or the Transaction Security;

(ii)
w i ll continue to make i ts own independent appraisal of the application of any Basel II Regulation or Basel III Regulation to the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents; and

(iii)
will continue to make its own independent appraisal of the creditworthiness of each Obligor and its related entities whilst any amount is or may be outstanding under the Finance Documents or any Commitment is in force .
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(c)
Nothing in any Finance Document obliges an Existing Lender to:

(i)
accept a re-assignment from a New Lender of any of the rights assigned under this clause 30; or

(ii)
support any losses directly or indirectly incurred by the New Lender by reason of the non-performance by any Obligor of its obligations under any Transaction Document or by reason of the application of any Basel II Regulation to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents or otherwise.
30.6
Procedure available for assignment

(a)
Subject to the conditions set out in clause 30.2 (Other conditions of assignment) an assignment may be effected in accordance with paragraph (d) below when (a) the Agent executes an otherwise duly completed Transfer Certificate and (b) the Agent executes any document required under paragraph (a) of clause 30.2 (Other conditions of assignment) which it may be necessary for it to execute in each case delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender duly executed by them and, in the case of any such other document, any other relevant person. The Agent shall, subject to paragraph (b) below, as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt by it of a Transfer Certificate and any such other document each duly completed, appearing on its face to comply with the terms of this Agreement and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, execute that Transfer Certificate and such other document.

(b)
The Agent shall only be obliged to execute a Transfer Certificate delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender once it is satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to the assignment to such New Lender.

(c)
The Obligors who are Parties and the other Finance Parties irrevocably authorise the Agent to execute any Transfer Certificate on their behalf without any consultation with them.

(d)
On the Transfer Date:

(i)
the Existing Lender will assign absolutely to the New Lender the rights under the Finance Documents expressed to be the subject of the assignment in the Transfer Certificate;

(ii)
the Existing Lender will be released by each Obligor and the other Finance Parties from the obligations owed by it (the Relevant Obligations )   and expressed to be the subject of the release in the Transfer Certificate (but the obligations owed by the Obligors under the Finance Documents shall not be released); and

(iii)
the New Lender shall become a Party as a “Lender” and will be bound by obligations equivalent to the Relevant Obligations.

(e)
Lenders may utilise procedures other than those set out in this clause 30.6 to assign their rights under the Finance Documents (but not, without the consent of the relevant Obligor or unless in accordance with this clause 30.6 to obtain a release by that Obligor from the obligations owed to that Obligor by the Lenders nor the assumption of equivalent obligations by a New Lender) provided that they comply with the conditions set out in clause 30.2 (Other conditions of assignment).
30.7
Copy of Transfer Certificate to Borrower
The Agent shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after it has executed a Transfer Certificate and any other document required under paragraph (a) of clause 30.2 (Other conditions of
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assignment), send a copy of that Transfer Certificate and such other documents to the Borrower.
30.8
Security over Lenders’ rights
In addition to the other rights provided to Lenders under this clause 30, each Lender may without consulting with or obtaining consent from any Obligor, at any time charge, assign or otherwise create a Security Interest in or over (whether by way of collateral or otherwise) all or any of its rights under any Finance Document to secure obligations of that Lender including, without limitation:

(a)
any charge, assignment or other Security Interest to secure obligations to a federal reserve or central bank; and

(b)
any charge, assignment or other Security Interest granted to any holders (or trustee or representatives of holders) of obligations owed, or securities issued, by that Lender as security for those obligations or securities,
except that no such charge, assignment or other Security Interest shall :

(i)
release a Lender from any of its obligations under the Finance Documents or substitute the beneficiary of the relevant charge, assignment or other Security Interest for the Lender as a party to any of the Finance Documents; or

(ii)
require any payments to be made by an Obligor other than or in excess of, or grant to any person any more extensive rights than, those required to be made or granted to the relevant Lender under the Finance Documents.
31.
Changes to the Obligors
No Obligor may assign any of its rights or transfer any of its rights or obligations under the Finance Documents.
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Section 10 - The Finance Parties
32.
Roles of Agent, Security Agent and Arranger
32.1
Appointment of the Agent and Security Agent
Each other Finance Party (other than the Security Agent) appoints:

(a)
the Agent to act as its agent under and in connection with the Finance Documents; and

(b)
the Security Agent to act as its agent and as trustee under the Security Documents.
32.2
Security Agent as trustee
The Security Agent declares that it holds the Security Property on trust for itself and the other Finance Parties on the terms contained in this Agreement.
32.3
Authorisation of Agent and Security Agent
Each of the Finance Parties authorises the Agent and the Security Agent:

(a)
to perform the duties, obligations and responsibilities and to exercise the rights, powers, authorities and discretions specifically given to the Agent or (as the case may be) the Security Agent under or in connection with the Finance Documents together with any other incidental rights, powers, authorities and discretions; and

(b)
to execute each of the Security Documents and all other documents that may be approved by the Majority Lenders for execution by it.
32.4
Instructions to Agent and the Security Agent

(a)
The Agent and the Security Agent shall:

(i)
subject to paragraphs (d) and (e) below, exercise or refrain from exercising any right, power, authority or discretion vested in it as Agent or (as the case may be) the Security Agent in accordance with any instructions given to it by:

(A)
all Lenders if the relevant Finance Document stipulates the matter is an all Lender decision; and

(B)
in all other cases, the Majority Lenders; and

(ii)
not be liable for any act (or omission) if it acts (or refrains from acting) in accordance with paragraph (i) above (or, if the relevant Finance Document stipulates the matter is a decision for any other Finance Party or group of Finance Parties, in accordance with instructions given to it by that Finance Party or group of Finance Parties).

(b)
The Agent and the Security Agent shall be entitled to request instructions, or clarification of any instruction, from the Majority Lenders (or, if the relevant Finance Document stipulates the matter is a decision for any other Finance Party or group of Finance Parties, from that Finance Party or group of Finance Parties) as to whether, and in what manner, it should exercise or refrain from exercising any right, power, authority or discretion and the Agent or (as the case may be) the Security Agent may refrain from acting unless and until it receives those instructions or that clarification .
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(c)
Save in the case of decisions stipulated to be a matter for any other Finance Party or group of Finance Parties under the relevant Finance Document and, unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document , any instructions given to the Agent or (as the case may be) the Security Agent by the Majority Lenders shall override any conflicting instructions given by any other Parties and will be binding on all Finance Parties.

(d)
Paragraph (a) above shall not apply:

(i)
where a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document;

(ii)
where a Finance Document requires the Agent or the Security Agent to act in a specified manner or to take a specified action; and

(iii)
in respect of any provision which protects the Agent’s or the Security Agent’s own position in its personal capacity as opposed to its role of the Agent or the Security Agent for the Finance Parties including, without limitation, clause 32.9 (No duty to account) to clause 32 . 14 (Exclusion of liability) , clause 32 . 19 (Confidentiality) to clause 33.6 (Custodians and nominees) and clauses 33 . 9 (Acceptance of title) to 33 . 12 ( Disapplication of Trustee Acts ).

(e)
If giving effect to instructions given by any other Finance Party or group of Finance Parties would (in the Agent’s or (as the case may be) the Security Agent’s opinion) have an effect equivalent to an amendment or waiver which is subject to clause 44 (Amendments and waivers) , the Agent or (as the case may be) the Security Agent shall not act in accordance with those instructions unless consent to it so acting is obtained from each Party (other than itself) whose consent would have been required in respect of that amendment or waiver.

(f)
The Agent or the Security Agent may refrain from acting in accordance with any instructions of any other Finance Party or group of Finance Parties until it has received any indemnification and/or security that it may in its discretion require (which may be greater in extent than that contained in the Finance Documents and which may include payment in advance) for any cost, loss or liability (together with any applicable VAT) which it may incur in complying with those instructions.

(g)
Without prejudice to the provisions of clause 34 (Enforcement of Transaction Security) and the remainder of this clause 32, in the absence of instructions, the Agent and the Security Agent may act (or refrain from acting) as it considers to be in the best interest of the Lenders.
32.5
Legal or arbitration proceedings
Neither the Agent nor the Security Agent is authorised to act on behalf of another Finance Party (without first obtaining that Finance Party’s consent) in any legal or arbitration proceedings relating to any Finance Document. This clause 32.5 shall not apply to any legal or arbitration proceeding relating to the perfection, preservation or protection of rights under the Security Documents or enforcement of the Transaction Security .
32.6
Duties of the Agent and the Security Agent

(a)
The Agent’s and the Security Agent s duties under the Finance Documents are solely mechanical and administrative in nature .

(b)
Subject to paragraph (c) below , the Agent or (as the case may be) the Security Agent shall promptly :
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(i)
(in the case of the Security Agent) forward to the Agent a copy of any document received by the Security Agent from any Obligor under any Finance Document; and

(ii)
forward to a Party the original or a copy of any document which is delivered to the Agent or (as the case may be) the Security Agent for that Party by any other Party.

(c)
Without prejudice to clause 30.7 (Copy of Transfer Certificate to Borrower), paragraph (b) above shall not apply to any Transfer Certificate .

(d)
Except where a Finance Document specifically provides otherwise, neither the Agent nor the Security Agent is obliged to review or check the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any document it forwards to another Party.

(e)
Without prejudice to clause 35.10 (Notification of prescribed events), if the Agent or the Security Agent receives notice from a Party referring to this Agreement, describing a Default and stating that the circumstance described is a Default, it shall promptly notify the other Finance Parties.

(f)
If the Agent is aware of the non-payment of any principal, interest, commitment fee or other fee payable to a Finance Party (other than the Agent or the Arranger or the Security Agent for their own account) under this Agreement, it shall promptly notify the other Finance Parties.

(g)
The Agent shall provide to the Borrower within five Business Days of a request by the Borrower (but no more frequently than once per calendar month), a list (which may be in electronic form) setting out the names of the Lenders as at the date of that request, their respective Commitments and the address (and the department or officer, if any, for whose attention any communication is to be made) of each Lender for any communication to be made or document to be delivered under or in connection with the Finance Documents , the electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the sending and receipt of information by electronic mail or other electronic means to and by each Lender to whom any communication under or in connection with the Finance Documents may be made by that means and the account details of each Lender for any payment to be distributed by the Agent to that Lender under the Finance Documents .

(h)
The Agent and the Security Agent shall have only those duties, obligations and responsibilities expressly specified in the Finance Documents to which it is expressed to be a party (and no others shall be implied).
32.7
Role of the Arranger
Except as specifically provided in the Finance Documents, the Arranger has no obligations of any kind to any other Party under or in connection with any Finance Document or the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents.
32.8
No fiduciary duties
Nothing in any Finance Document constitutes the Agent, the Security Agent or the Arranger as a trustee or fiduciary of any other person except to the extent that the Security Agent acts as trustee for the other Finance Parties pursuant to clause 32.2 (Security Agent as trustee).
32.9
No duty to account
None of the Agent, the Security Agent or the Arranger shall be bound to account to any other Finance Party for any sum or the profit element of any sum received by it for its own account.
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32.10
Business with the Group
The Agent, the Security Agent and the Arranger may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of banking or other business with any Obligor or other Group Member or their Affiliates.
32.11
Rights and discretions of the Agent and the Security Agent

(a)
The Agent and the Security Agent may:

(i)
rely on any representation, communication, notice or document believed by it to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised;

(ii)
assume that:

(A)
any instructions received by it from the Majority Lenders, any Lenders or other Finance Parties or any group of Lenders or other Finance Parties are duly given in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents;

(B)
unless it has received notice of revocation , that those instructions have not been revoked; and

(C)
in the case of the Security Agent, if it receives any instructions to act in relation to the Transaction Security, that all applicable conditions under the Finance Documents for so acting have been satisfied; and

(iii)
rely on a certificate from any person:

(A)
as to any matter of fact or circumstance which might reasonably be expected to be within the knowledge of that person; or

(B)
to the effect that (C) such person approves of any particular dealing, transaction, step, action or thing,
as sufficient evidence that that is the case and, in the case of paragraph (A) above, may assume the truth and accuracy of that certificate.

(b)
The Agent and the Security Agent may assume (unless it has received notice to the contrary in its capacity as agent or (as the case may be) security trustee for the other Finance Parties) that:

(i)
no Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction:

(A)
has been entered into;

(B)
has been terminated; or

(C)
has ceased to be with a Borrower Affiliate;

(ii)
no Default has occurred (unless (in the case of the Agent) it has actual knowledge of a Default arising under clause 29.2 (Non-payment));

(iii)
any right, power, authority or discretion vested in any Party or any group of Finance Parties has not been exercised ; and

(iv)
any notice or request made by the Borrower (other than (in the case of the Agent) a Utilisation Request) is made on behalf of and with the consent and knowledge of all the Obligors.
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(c)
Each of the Agent and the Securi t y Agent may engage and pay for the advice or services of any lawyers , accountants , tax advisers , insurance consultants , ship managers, valuers , surveyors or other professional advisers or experts .

(d)
Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (c) above or paragraph (e) below, each of the Agent and the Security Agent may at any time engage and pay for the services of any lawyers to act as independent counsel to it (and so separate from any lawyers instructed by the Lenders or any other Finance Party) if it , in its reasonable opin i on , deems this to be necessary .

(e)
Each of the Agent and the Security Agent may rely on the advice or services of any lawyers , accountants , tax advisers , insurance consultants, ship managers, valuers , surveyors or other professional advisers or experts (whether obtained by it or by any other Party) and shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of its so relying.

(f)
The Agent, the Security Agent, any Receiver and any Delegate may act in relation to the Finance Documents , the Transaction Security and the Security Property through its officers, employees and agents and shall not:

(i)
be liable for any error of j udgment made by any such person ; or

(ii)
be bound to supervise, or be in any way responsible for any loss incurred by reason of misconduct , omission or default on the part, of any such person ,
unless such error or such loss was directly caused by the Agent’s, the Security Agent’s , Receiver s or Delegate’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

(g)
Unless any Finance Document expressly specifies otherwise , the Agent or the Security Agent may d i sclose to any other Party any information it reasonably believes it has rece i ved as agent or security trus t ee under this Agreement.

(h)
Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (g) above, the Agen t:

(i)
may disclose; and

(ii)
on the written request of the Borrower or the Majority Lenders shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, disclose ,
the identity of a Defaulting Lender to the other Finance Parties and the Borrower .

(i)
Notw i thstand i ng any other provis i on of any Finance Document to the contrary , no n e of the Agent , the Security Agent nor the Arranger is obliged to do or omit to do anything if i t would or might in its reasonable opinion constitute a breach of any law or regulation or a breach of a fiduciary duty or duty of confidentiality.

(j)
Notwithstanding any provision of any Finance Document to the contrary , neither the Agent nor the Security Agent is obliged to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of its duties , obligations or responsibilities or the exercise of any right, power, authority or discretion if it has grounds for believing the repayment of such funds o r adequate indemnity aga i nst, or security for , such risk or l i ab i lity i s n o t reasonably assured to it.

(k)
Neither the Agent nor the Arranger shall be obliged to request any certificate, opinion or other information under clause 20 (Information undertakings) unless so required in writing by a Lender, in which case the Agent shall promptly make the appropriate request of the Borrower if such request would be in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
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32.12
Responsibility for documentation and other matters
None of the Agent, the Security Agent , the Arranger, any Receiver or any Delegate is responsible or liable for:

(a)
the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any information (whether oral or written) supplied by the Agent, the Security Agent, the Arranger, an Obligor or any other person in or in connection with any Finance Document or the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of , under or in connection with any Finance Document ;

(b)
the legality, validity, effectiveness , adequacy or enforceability of any Transaction Document, the Transaction Security or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Transaction Document, the Transaction Security or the Security Property;

(c)
the application of any Basel II Regulation or Basel III Regulation to the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents;

(d)
(in the case of the Security Agent) any loss to the Security Property arising in consequence of the failure, depreciation or loss of any Charged Property or any investments made or retained in good faith or by reason of any other matter or thing;

(e)
the failure of any Obligor or any other party to perform its obligations under any Transaction Document or the financial condition of any such person;

(f)
(save as otherwise provided in this clause 32) taking or omitting to take any other action under or in relation to the Security Documents ;

(g)
any other beneficiary of a Security Document failing to perform or discharge any of its duties or obligations under any Finance Document ; or

(h)
any determination as to whether any information provided or to be provided to any Finance Party is non-public information the use of which may be regulated or prohibited by any applicable law or regulation relating to insider dealing or otherwise.
32.13
No duty to monitor
Neither the Agent nor the Security Agent shall be bound to enquire:

(a)
whether or not any Default has occurred;

(b)
as to the performance, default or any breach by any Party or any Obligor of its obligations under any Finance Document ; or

(c)
whether any other event specified in any Finance Document has occurred.
32.14
Exclusion of liability

(a)
Without limiting paragraph (b) below (and without prejudice to any other provision of any Finance Document excluding or limiting the liability of the Agent, the Security Agent, any Receiver or Delegate) , none of the Agent, the Security Agent , any Receiver nor any Delegate will be liable (including, without limitation , for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever) for:

(i)
any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value, or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of taking or not taking any action under or in
96


connection with any Finance Document or the Security Property, unless directly caused by its gross negligence or wilful misconduct;

(ii)
exercising, or not exercising, any right, power, authority or discretion given to it by, or in connection with, any Finance Document, the Security Property or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with, any Finance Document or the Security Property;

(iii)
any shortfall which arises on the enforcement or realisation of the Security Property; or

(iv)
without prejudice to the generality of paragraphs (i) to (iii) above, any damages, costs, losses, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of:

(A)
any act, event or circumstance not reasonably within its control; or

(B)
the general risks of investment in, or the holding of assets in, any jurisdiction,
including (in each case and without limitation) such damages, costs, losses, diminution in value or liability arising as a result of: nationalisation, expropriation or other governmental actions; any regulation, currency restriction, devaluation or fluctuation; market conditions affecting the execution or settlement of transactions or the value of assets (including any Disruption Event), breakdown, failure or malfunction of any third party transport, telecommunications, computer services or systems; natural disasters or acts of God; war, terrorism, insurrection or revolution; or strikes or industrial action.

(b)
No Party (other than the Agent, the Security Agent, that Receiver or that Delegate (as applicable)) may take any proceedings against any officer, employee or agent of the Agent, the Security Agent, a Receiver or a Delegate in respect of any claim it might have against the Agent, the Security Agent, a Receiver or a Delegate or in respect of any act or omission of any kind by that officer, employee or agent in relation to any Transaction Document or any Security Property and any officer, employee or agent of the Agent, the Security Agent, a Receiver or a Delegate may rely on this clause subject to clause 1.4 (Third party rights) and the provisions of the Third Parties Act.

(c)
Neither of the Agent or the Security Agent will be liable for any delay (or any related consequences) in crediting an account with an amount required under the Finance Documents to be paid by it if it has taken all necessary steps as soon as reasonably practicable to comply with the regulations or operating procedures of any recognised clearing or settlement system used by it for that purpose.

(d)
Nothing in any Finance Document shall oblige the Agent, the Security Agent or the Arranger to carry out:

(i)
any “know your customer” or other checks in relation to any person; or

(ii)
any check on the extent to which any transaction contemplated by any of the Finance Documents might be unlawful for any Finance Party or for any Affiliate of any Finance Party,
on behalf of any other Finance Party and each other Finance Party confirms to the Agent, the Security Agent and the Arranger that it is solely responsible for any such checks it is required to carry out and that it may not rely on any statement in relation to such checks made by the Agent, the Security Agent or the Arranger.
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(e)
Without prejudice to any provision of any Finance Document excluding or limiting the liability of the Agent, the Security Agent, any Receiver or any Delegate, any liability of the Agent, the Security Agent, any Receiver or any Delegate arising under or in connection with any Finance Document or the Security Property shall be limited to the amount of actual loss which has been finally judicially determined to have been suffered (as determined by reference to the date of default of the Agent, the Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate (as the case may be) or, if later, the date on which the loss arises as a result of such default) but without reference to any special conditions or circumstances known to the Agent, the Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate (as the case may be) at any time which increase the amount of that loss . In no event shall the Agent, the Security Agent, any Receiver or any Delegate be liable for any loss of profits, goodwill, reputation, business opportunity or anticipated saving , or for special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages, whether or not the Agent, the Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate (as the case may be) has been advised of the possibility of such loss or damages .
32.15
Lenders’ indemnity to the Agent and others

(a)
Each Lender shall (in proportion to its share of the Total Commitments or, if the Total Commitments are then zero , to its share of the Total Commitments immediately prior to their being reduced to zero) indemnify the Agent, the Security Agent, every Receiver and every Delegate, within three Business Days of demand, against any Losses (including, without limitation, for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever) incurred by any of them (otherwise than by reason of the relevant Agent’s, Security Agent’s, Receiver’s or Delegate s gross negligence or wilful misconduct) (or, in the circumstances contemplated pursuant to clause 38.11 (Disruption to payment systems etc, notwithstanding the Agent’s negligence, gross negligence, or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Agent) in acting as Agent, Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate under, or exercising any authority conferred under, the Finance Documents (unless the relevant Agent, Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate has been reimbursed by an Obligor pursuant to a Finance Document) .

(b)
Subject to paragraph (c) below, the Borrower shall immediately on demand reimburse any Lender for any payment that Lender makes to the Agent or the Security Agent or any Receiver or Delegate pursuant to paragraph (a) above.

(c)
Paragraph (b) above shall not apply to the extent that the indemnity payment in respect of which the Lender claims reimbursement relates to a liability of the Agent or the Security Agent to an Obligor .
32.16
Resignation of the Agent or the Security Agent

(a)
The Agent or the Security Agent may resign and appoint one of its Affiliates as successor by giving notice to the other Finance Parties and the Borrower.

(b)
Alternatively the Agent or the Security Agent may resign by giving 30 days’ notice to the other Finance Parties and the Borrower , in which case the Majority Lenders may appoint a successor Agent or Security Agent.

(c)
If the Majority Lenders have not appointed a successor Agent or Security Agent in accordance with paragraph (b) above within 20 days after notice of resignation was given, the retiring Agent or Security Agent (after consultation with (in the case of the Agent) the Borrower or (in the case of the Security Agent) the Agent) may appoint a successor Agent or Security Agent.

(d)
If the Agent or Security Agent wishes to resign because (acting reasonably) it has concluded that it is no longer appropriate for it to remain as agent or trustee and the
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Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent is entitled to appoint a successor Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent under paragraph (c) above, the Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent may (if it concludes (acting reasonably) that it is necessary to do so in order to persuade the proposed successor Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent to become a party to this Agreement as Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent) agree with the proposed successor Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent amendments to this clause 32 and any other term of this Agreement dealing with the rights or obligations of the Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent consistent with then current market practice for the appointment and protection of corporate trustees together with any reasonable amendments to the fee payable to it in its capacity as Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent under this Agreement which are consistent with the successor Agent’s or (as the case may be) Security Agent’s normal fee rates and those amendments will bind the Parties.

(e)
The retiring Agent or Security Agent shall make available to the successor Agent or Security Agent such documents and records and provide such assistance as the successor Agent or Security Agent may reasonably request for the purposes of performing its functions as Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent under the Finance Documents. The Borrower shall, within three Business Days of demand, reimburse the retiring Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent for the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) (together with any applicable VAT) properly incurred by it in making available such documents and records and providing such assistance.

(f)
The Agent’s or Security Agent’s resignation notice shall only take effect upon :

(i)
the appointment of a successor; and

(ii)
(in the case of the Security Agent) the transfer or assignment of all the Transaction Security and the other Security Property to that successor and any appropriate filings or registrations, any notices of transfer or assignment and the payment of any fees or duties related to such transfer or assignment which the Security Agent considers necessary or advisable have been duly completed.

(g)
Upon the appointment of a successor, the retiring Agent or Security Agent shall be discharged from any further obligation in respect of the Finance Documents (other than its obligations under paragraph (b) of clause 33.10 (Winding up of trust) and paragraph (e) above) but shall remain entitled to the benefit of clauses 15.3 ((Indemnity to the Agent and the Security Agent) and 15.4 (Indemnity concerning security) and this clause 32 (and any agency or other fees for the account of the retiring Agent or Security Agent in its capacity as such shall cease to accrue from (and shall be payable on) that date). Any successor and each of the other Parties shall have the same rights and obligations amongst themselves as they would have had if that successor had been an original Party.

(h)
The Agent shall resign in accordance with paragraph (b) above (and, to the extent applicable, shall use reasonable endeavours to appoint a successor Agent pursuant to paragraph (c) above) if on or after the date which is three months before the earliest FATCA Application Date relating to any payment to the Agent under the Finance Documents, either:

(i)
the Agent fails to respond to a request under clause 13.7 (FATCA Information) and the Borrower or a Lender reasonably believes that the Agent will not be (or will have ceased to be) a FATCA Exempt Party on or after that FATCA Application Date;
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(ii)
the information supplied by the Agent pursuant to clause 13.7 (FATCA Information)   indicates that the Agent will not be (or will have ceased to be) a FATCA Exempt Party on or after that FATCA Application Date; or

(iii)
the Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the Agent will not be (or will have ceased to be) a FATCA Exempt Party on or after that FATCA Application Date,
and (in each case) the Borrower or a Lender reasonably believes that a Party will be required to make a FATCA Deduction that would not be required if the Agent were a FATCA Exempt Party, and the Borrower or that Lender, by notice to the Agent, requires it to resign .
32.17
Replacement of the Agent

(a)
After consultation with the Borrower, the Majority Lenders may, by giving 30 days’ notice to the Agent (or, at any time the Agent is an Impaired Agent, by giving any shorter notice determined by the Majority Lenders) replace the Agent by appointing a successor Agent.

(b)
The retiring Agent shall (at its own cost if it is an Impaired Agent and otherwise at the expense of the Lenders) make available to the successor Agent such documents and records and provide such assistance as the successor Agent may reasonably request for the purposes of performing its functions as Agent under the Finance Documents .

(c)
The appointment of the successor Agent shall take effect on the date specified in the notice from the Majority Lenders to the retiring Agent. As from this date, the retiring Agent shall be discharged from any further obligation in respect of the Finance Documents (other than its obligations under paragraph (b) above) but shall remain entitled to the benefit of clauses 15.3 ((Indemnity to the Agent and the Security Agent) and 15.4 (Indemnity concerning security) and this clause 32 (and any agency fees for the account of the retiring Agent shall cease to accrue from (and shall be payable on) that date).

(d)
Any successor Agent and each of the other Parties shall have the same rights and obligations amongst themselves as they would have had if such successor had been an original Party.
32.18
Replacement of the Security Agent
The Majority Lenders may, by notice to the Security Agent , require it to resign in accordance with paragraph (b) of clause 32.16 (Resignation of the Agent or the Security Agent). In this event, the Security Agent shall resign in accordance with that paragraph.
32.19
Confidentiality

(a)
In acting as agent or trustee for the Finance Parties, the Agent or (as the case may be) the Security Agent shall be regarded as acting through its agency, trustee or other division or department directly responsible for the management of the Finance Documents which shall be treated as a separate entity from any other of its divisions or departments.

(b)
If information is received by another division or department of the Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent , it may be treated as confidential to that division or department and the Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent shall not be deemed to have notice of it.

(c)
Notwithstanding any other provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, none of the Agent, the Security Agent nor the Arranger is obliged to disclose to any other person
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(i) any confidential information or (ii) any other information if the disclosure would, or might in its reasonable opinion, constitute a breach of any law or regulation or a breach of a fiduciary duty .
32.20
Agent’s relationship with the Lenders

(a)
The Agent may treat the person shown in its records as Lender at the opening of business (in the place of the Agent’s principal office as notified to the Finance Parties from time to time) as the Lender acting through its Facility Office:

(i)
entitled to or liable for any payment due under any Finance Document on that day; and

(ii)
entitled to receive and act upon any notice, request, document or communication or make any decision or determination under any Finance Document made or delivered on that day,
unless it has received not less than five Business Days prior notice from that Lender to the contrary in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(b)
Any Lender may by notice to the Agent appoint a person to receive on its behalf all notices, communications, information and documents to be made or despatched to that Lender under the Finance Documents . Such notice shall contain the address and (where communication by electronic mail or other electronic means is permitted under clause 40.6 (Electronic communication)) electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the sending and receipt of information by that means (and, in each case, the department or officer, if any, for whose attention communication is to be made) and be treated as a notification of a substitute address, electronic mail address, department and officer (or such other information) by that Lender for the purposes of clause 40.2 (Addresses) and clause 40.6 (Electronic communication) and the Agent shall be entitled to treat such person as the person entitled to receive all such notices, communications, information and documents as though that person were that Lender or (as the case may be) .
32.21
Information from the Finance Parties
Each Finance Party shall supply the Agent or the Security Agent with any information that the Agent or (as the case may be) the Security Agent may reasonably specify as being necessary or desirable to enable the Agent or (as the case may be) the Security Agent to perform its functions as Agent or (as the case may be) Security Agent.
32.22
Credit appraisal by the Finance Parties
Without affecting the responsibility of any Obligor for information supplied by it or on its behalf in connection with any Finance Document , each other Finance Party confirms to the Agent, the Security Agent and the Arranger that it has been, and will continue to be , solely responsible for making its own independent appraisal and investigation of all risks arising under or in connection with any Finance Document including but not limited to:

(a)
the financial condition, status and nature of each Obligor and other Group Member;

(b)
the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any Transaction Document, the Transaction Security , the Security Property and any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of , under or in connection with any Transaction Document, the Transaction Security or the Security Property;
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(c)
the application of any Basel II Regulation or Basel III Regulation to the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents;

(d)
whether that Finance Party has recourse, and the nature and extent of that recourse , against any Party or any of its respective assets under or in connection with any Finance Document, the Transaction Security, the Security Property, the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document, the Transaction Security or the Security Property ;

(e)
the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any information provided by the Agent, the Security Agent, the Arranger or any other Party or by any other person under or in connection with any Transaction Document, the transactions contemplated by any Transaction Document or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of , under or in connection with any Transaction Document; and

(f)
the right or title of any person in or to, or the value or sufficiency of, any part of the Charged Property, the priority of any of the Transaction Security or the existence of any Security Interest affecting the Charged Property .
32.23
Deduction from amounts payable by the Agent
If any Party owes an amount to the Agent under the Finance Documents the Agent may, after giving notice to that Party, deduct an amount not exceeding that amount from any payment to that Party which the Agent would otherwise be obliged to make under the Finance Documents and apply the amount deducted in or towards satisfaction of the amount owed. For the purposes of the Finance Documents that Party shall be regarded as having received any amount so deducted .
32.24
Reliance and engagement letters
Each of the Agent, the Security Agent and the Arranger may enter into any reliance letter or engagement letter relating to any valuations, reports, opinions or letters or advice or assistance provided by lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, insurance consultants, ship managers, valuers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts in connection with the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents on such terms as it may consider appropriate (including, without limitation, restrictions on the lawyer’s, accountant’s, tax adviser’s, insurance consultant’s, ship manager’s, valuer’s, surveyor’s or other professional adviser’s or expert’s liability and the extent to which their valuations, reports, opinions or letters may be relied on or disclosed) .
33.
Trust and security matters
33.1
Undertaking to pay

(a)
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes with the Security Agent as trustee for the Finance Parties that it will, on demand by the Security Agent, pay to the Security Agent as trustee for the Finance Parties all money from time to time owing to the other Finance Parties (in addition to paying any money owing under the Finance Documents to the Security Agent for its own account) , and discharge all other obligations from time to time incurred , by it under or in connection with the Finance Documents .

(b)
Each payment which such an Obligor makes to another Finance Party in accordance with any Finance Document shall, to the extent of the amount of that payment, satisfy that Obligor’s corresponding obligation under paragraph (a) above to make that payment to the Security Agent.
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33.2
Parallel debt

(a)
Additional definitions

In this clause 33.2:
Corresponding Debt means any amount, other than any Parallel Debt, which an Obligor owes to a Finance Party under or in connection with the Finance Documents .
Parallel Debt means any amount which an Obligor owes to the Security Agent under clause 33.2(b) or under that clause as incorporated by reference or in full in any other Finance Document.

(b)
Each Obligor irrevocably and unconditionally undertakes to pay to the Security Agent its Parallel Debt which shall be amounts equal to, and in the currency or currencies of, its Corresponding Debt.

(c)
The Parallel Debt of an Obligor :

(i)
shall become due and payable at the same time as its Corresponding Debt ; and

(ii)
is independent and separate from, and without prejudice to, its Corresponding Debt.

(d)
For purposes of this clause 33.2, the Security Agent:

(i)
is the independent and separate creditor of each Parallel Debt;

(ii)
acts in its own name and not as agent, representative or trustee of the Finance Parties and its claims in respect of each Parallel Debt shall not be held on trust; and

(iii)
shall have the independent and separate right to demand payment of each Parallel Debt in its own name (including, without limitation, through any suit, execution, enforcement of security, recovery of guarantees and applications for and voting in any kind of insolvency proceeding).

(e)
The Parallel Debt of an Obligor shall be :

(i)
decreased to the extent that its Corresponding Debt has been irrevocably and unconditionally paid or discharged; and

(ii)
increased to the extent that its Corresponding Debt has increased, and the Corresponding Debt of an Obligor shall be :

(A)
decreased to the extent that its Parallel Debt has been irrevocably and unconditionally paid or discharged; and

(B)
increased to the extent that its Parallel Debt has increased,
in each case provided that the Parallel Debt of an Obligor shall never exceed its Corresponding Debt.

(f)
All amounts received or recovered by the Security Agent in connection with this clause 33.2 to the extent permitted by applicable law, shall be applied in accordance with clause 35.1 ( Order of application ).
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(g)
This clause 33 . 2 shall apply, with any necessary modifications, to each Finance Document.
33.3
No responsibility to perfect Transaction Security
The Security Agent shall not be liable for any failure to:

(a)
ascertain whether all deeds and documents which should have been deposited with it under or pursuant to any of the Security Documents have been so deposited;

(b)
require the deposit with it of any deed or document certifying, representing or constituting the title of any Obligor to any of the Charged Property;

(c)
obtain any licence, consent or other authority for the execution, delivery, legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of any Finance Document or the Transaction Security;

(d)
register, file or record or otherwise protect any of the Transaction Security (or the priority of any of the Transaction Security) under any law or regulation or to give notice to any person of the execution of any Finance Document or of the Transaction Security;

(e)
take, or to require any Obliger to take, any step to perfect its title to any of the Charged Property or to render the Transaction Security effective or to secure the creation of any ancillary Security Interest under any law or regulation; or

(f)
require any further assurance in relation to any Security Document.
33.4
Insurance by Security Agent

(a)
The Security Agent shall not be obliged:

(i)
to insure any of the Charged Property;

(ii)
to require any other person to maintain any insurance; or

(iii)
to verify any obligation to arrange or maintain insurance contained in any Finance Document,
and the Security Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses to any person as a result of the lack of, or inadequacy of, any such insurance.

(b)
Where the Security Agent is named on any insurance policy as an insured party, it shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses to any person as a result of its failure to notify the insurers of any material fact relating to the risk assumed by such insurers or any other information of any kind, unless the Agent requests it to do so in writing and the Security Agent fails to do so within fourteen days after receipt of that request.
33.5
Common parties
Although the Agent and the Security Agent may from time to time be the same entity, that entity will have entered into the Finance Documents (to which it is party) in its separate capacities as agent for the other Finance Parties and (as appropriate) security agent and trustee for all of the other Finance Parties. Where any Finance Document provides for an Agent or Security Agent to communicate with or provide instructions to the other, while they are the same entity, such communication or instructions will not be necessary .
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33.6
Custodians and nominees
The Security Agent may appoint and pay any person to act as a custodian or nominee on any terms in relation to any asset of the trust as the Security Agent may determine, including for the purpose of depositing with a custodian this Agreement or any document relating to the trust created under this Agreement and the Security Agent shall not be responsible for any loss, liability, expense, demand, cost, claim or proceedings incurred by reason of the misconduct, omission or default on the part of any person appointed by it under this Agreement or be bound to supervise the proceedings or acts of any person.
33.7
Delegation by the Security Agent

(a)
Each of the Security Agent, any Receiver and any Delegate may, at any time, delegate by power of attorney or otherwise to any person for any period, all or any right, power, authority or discretion vested in it in its capacity as such.

(b)
That delegation may be made upon any terms and conditions (including the power to sub-delegate) and subject to any restrictions that the Security Agent, that Receiver or that Delegate (as the case may be) may, in its discretion, think fit in the interests of the Finance Parties .

(c)
No Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate shall be bound to supervise, or be in any way responsible for any damages, costs or losses incurred by reason of any misconduct, omission or d efault on the part of, any such delegate or sub-delegate.
33.8
Additional trustees

(a)
The Security Agent may at any time appoint (and subsequently remove) any person to act as a separate trustee or as a co-trustee jointly with it:

(i)
if it considers that appointment to be in the interests of the Finance Parties;

(ii)
for the purposes of conforming to any legal requirement, restriction or condition which the Security Agent deems to be relevant; or

(iii)
for obtaining or enforcing any judgment in any jurisdiction,
and the Security Agent shall give prior notice to the Borrower and the Finance Parties of that appointment.

(b)
Any person so appointed shall have the rights, powers, authorities and discretions (not exceeding those given to the Security Agent under or in connection with the Finance Documents) and the duties, obligations and responsibilities that are given or imposed by the instrument of appointment.

(c)
The remuneration that the Security Agent may pay to that person, and any costs and expenses (together with any applicable VAT) incurred by that person in performing its functions pursuant to that appointment shall, for the purposes of this Agreement, be treated as costs and expenses incurred by the Security Agent.

(d)
At the request of the Security Agent, the other Parties shall forthwith execute all such documents and do all such things as may be required to perfect such appointment or removal and each such Party irrevocably authorises the Security Agent in its name and on its behalf to do the same.

(e)
Such a person shall accede to this Agreement as a Security Agent to the extent necessary to carry out their role on terms satisfactory to the Security Agent.
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(f)
The Security Agent shall not be bound to supervise, or be responsible for any loss incurred by reason of any act or omission of , any such person if the Security Agent shall have exercised reasonable care in the selection of such person .
33.9
Acceptance of title
The Security Agent shall be entitled to accept without enquiry , and shall not be obliged to investigate, any right and title that any Obligor may have to any of the Charged Property and shall not be liable for, or bound to require any Obligor to remedy, any defect in its right or title .
33.10
Winding up of trust
If the Security Agent, with the approval of the Agent, determines that:

(a)
all of the Secured Obligations and all other obligations secured by the Security Documents have been fully and finally discharged; and

(b)
no Finance Party is under any commitment, obligation or liability (actual or contingent) to make advances or provide other financial accommodation to any Obligor pursuant to the Finance Documents ,
then :

(i)
the trusts set out in this Agreement shall be wound up and the Security Agent shall release, without recourse or warranty , all of the Transaction Security and the rights of the Security Agent under each of the Security Documents; and

(ii)
any Security Agent which has resigned pursuant to clause 32.16 (Resignation of the Agent or the Security Agent) shall release, without recourse or warranty, all of its rights under each Security Document.
33.11
Powers supplemental to Trustee Acts
The rights, powers, authorities and discretions given to the Security Agent under or in connection with the Finance Documents shall be supplemental to the Trustee Act 1925 and the Trustee Act 2000 and in addition to any which may be vested in the Security Agent by law or regulation or otherwise.
33.12
Disapplication of Trustee Acts
Section 1 of the Trustee Act 2000 shall not apply to the duties of the Security Agent in relation to the trusts constituted by this Agreement. Where there are any incons i stenc i es between the Trustee Act 1925 or the Trustee Act 2000 and the provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall , to the extent permitted by law and regulation, prevail and, in the case of any inconsistency with the Trustee Act 2000 , the provisions of this Agreement shall constitute a restriction or exclusion for the purposes of that Act.
34.
Enforcement of Transaction Security
34.1
Enforcement Instructions

(a)
The Security Agent may refrain from enforcing the Transaction Security unless instructed otherwise by Majority Lenders .

(b)
Subject to the Transaction Security having become enforceable in accordance with its terms, the Majority Lenders may give or refrain from giving instructions to the Security Agent to enforce or refrain from enforcing the Transaction Security as they see fit.
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(c)
The Security Agent is entitled to rely on and comp l y with instructions given in accordance with this clause 34.1 .
34.2
Manner of enforcement
If the Transaction Security is being enforced pursuant to clause 34.1 (Enforcement Instructions), the Security Agent shall enforce the Transaction Security in such manner as the Majority Lenders shall instruct or, in the absence of any such instructions , as the Security Agent considers in its discretion to be appropriate .
34.3
Waiver of rights
To the extent permitted under applicable law and subject to clause 34.1 (Enforcement Instructions), clause 34.2 (Manner of enforcement) and clause 35 (Application of Proceeds) , each of the Finance Parties and the Obligors waives all rights it may otherwise have to require that the Transaction Security be enforced in any particular order or manner or at any particular time or that any amount received or recovered from any person, or by virtue of the enforcement of any of the Transaction Security or of any other security interest, which is capable of being applied in or towards discharge of any of the Secured Obligations is so applied .
34.4
Enforcement through Security Agent only

(a)
The other Finance Parties shall not have any independent power to enforce, or have recourse to , any of the Transaction Security or to exercise any right, power , authority or discretion arising or to grant any consents or releases under the Security Documents except through the Security Agent.

(b)
Each Finance Party (other than the Security Agent) shall, promptly upon being requested by the Agent to do so , grant a power of attorney or other sufficient authority to the Security Agent to enable the Security Agent to enforce or have recourse to the relevant Transact i on Security or to exercise any such r i ght , power, authority or discretion or to grant any such consent or release .
35.
Application of proceeds
35.1
Order of application
All amounts from time to time received or recovered by the Security Agent pursuant to the terms of any Finance Document or in connection with the realisation or enforcement of all or any part of the Transaction Security (for the purposes of this clause 35, the Recoveries )   shall be held by the Security Agent on trust to apply them at any time as the Security Agent (in its discretion) sees fit, to the extent permitted by applicable law (and subject to the provisions of this clause 35), in the following order of priority:

(a)
in discharging any sums owing to the Security Agent (other than pursuant to clause 33.1 (Undertaking to pay) or 33.2 (Parallel debt)), any Receiver or any Delegate;

(b)
in discharging all costs and expenses incurred by any Finance Party in connection with any realisation or enforcement of the Transaction Security taken in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

(c)
in payment or distribution to the Agent on its own behalf and on behalf of the other Finance Parties for application in accordance with clause 38.6 (Partial payments) ;

(d)
if none of the Obligors is under any further actual or contingent liability under any Finance Document , in payment or distribution to any person to whom the Security Agent is obliged to pay or distribute in priority to any Obliger; and
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(e)
the balance, if any, in payment or distribution to the relevant Obliger .
35.2
Investment of cash proceeds
Prior to the application of any Recoveries in accordance with clause 35.1 (Order of Application) the Security Agent may, in its discretion, hold:

(a)
all or part of any Recoveries which are in the form of cash ; and

(b)
any cash which is generated by holding, managing, exploiting, collecting, realising or disposing of any proceeds of the Security Property which are not in the form of cash,
in one or more interest bearing suspense or impersonal accounts in the name of the Security Agent with such financial institution (including itself) and for so long as the Security Agent shall think fit (the interest being credited to the relevant account) pending the application from time to time of those moneys in the Security Agent’s discretion in accordance with the provisions of this clause 35 .
35.3
Currency conversion

(a)
For the purpose of, or pending the discharge of, any of the Secured Obligations the Security Agent may :

(i)
convert any moneys rece i ved or recovered by the Security Agent from one currency to another; and

(ii)
notionally convert the valuation provided in any opinion or valuation from one currency to another,
in each case at the Security Agent’s spot rate of exchange for the purchase of that other currency with the currency in which the relevant moneys are received or recovered or the valuation is provided in the London foreign exchange market at or about 11:00 am (London time) on a particular day .

(b)
The obligations of any Obligor to pay in the due currency shall only be satisfied:

(i)
in the case of paragraph (a)(i) above, to the extent of the amount of the due currency purchased after deducting the costs of conversion; and

(ii)
in the case of paragraph (a)(ii) above, to the extent of the amount of the due currency which results from the notional conversion referred to in that paragraph .
35.4
Permitted Deductions
The Security Agent shall be entitled, in its discretion , (a) to set aside by way of reserve amounts required to meet and (b) to make and pay, any deductions and withholdings (on account of Taxes or otherwise) which it is or may be required (pursuant to advice received by its advisers (if any appointed at the time)) by any law or regulation to make from any distribution or payment made by it under this Agreement, and to pay all Taxes which may be assessed against it in respect of any of the Charged Property , or as a consequence of performing its duties or exercising its rights, powers, authorities and discretions, or by virtue of its capacity as Security Agent under any of the Finance Documents or otherwise (other than in connection with its remuneration for performing its duties under this Agreement).
35.5
Good discharge

(a)
Any distribution or payment to be made in respect of the Secured Obligations by the Security Agent may be made to the Agent on behalf of the Finance Parties .
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(b)
Any distribution or payment made as described in paragraph (a) above shall be a good discharge, to the extent of that payment or distribution, by the Security Agent to the extent of that payment.

(c)
The Security Agent is under no obligation to make the payments to the Agent under paragraph (a) above in the same currency as that in which the Secured Liabilities owing to the relevant Finance Party are denominated pursuant to the relevant Finance Document.
35.6
Calculation of amounts
For the purpose of calculating any person’s share of any amount payable to or by it, the Security Agent shall be entitled to:

(a)
notionally convert the Secured Liabilities owed to any person into a common base currency (decided in its discretion by the Security Agent), that notional conversion to be made at the spot rate at which the Security Agent is able to purchase the notional base currency with the actual currency of the Secured Liabilities owed to that person at the time at which that calculation is to be made; and

(b)
assume that all amounts received or recovered as a result of the enforcement or realisation of the Security Property are applied in discharge of the Secured Liabilities in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents under which those Secured Liabilities have arisen.
35.7
Release to facilitate enforcement and realisation

(a)
Each Finance Party acknowledges that, for the purpose of any enforcement action by the Security Agent or a Receiver and/or maximising or facilitating the realisation of the Charged Property, it may be desirable that certain rights or claims against an Obligor and/or under certain of the Transaction Security, be released.

(b)
Each other Finance Party hereby irrevocably authorises the Security Agent (acting on the instructions of the Agent) to grant any such releases to the extent necessary to effect such enforcement action and/or realisation including, to the extent necessary for such purpose, to execute release documents in the name of and on behalf of the other Finance Parties.

(c)
Where the relevant enforcement is by way of disposal of shares in the Borrower, the requisite release may include releases of all claims (including under guarantees) of the Finance Parties and/or the Security Agent against the Borrower and of all Security Interests over the assets of the Borrower.
35.8
Dealings with Security Agent
Subject to clause 40.5 (Communication when Agent is Impaired Agent), each Finance Party shall deal with the Security Agent exclusively through the Agent.
35.9
Disclosure between Finance Parties and Security Agent
Notwithstanding any agreement to the contrary, each of the Obligors consents, until the end of the Facility Period, to the disclosure by any Finance Party to each other (whether or not through the Agent or the Security Agent) of such information concerning the Obligors as any Finance Party shall see fit.
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35.10
Notification of prescribed events

(a)
If an Event of Default or Default either occurs or ceases to be continuing, the Agent shall, upon becoming aware of that occurrence or cessation, notify the Security Agent.

(b)
If the Security Agent enforces, or takes formal steps to enforce, any of the Transaction Security it shall notify each other Finance Party of that action.

(c)
If any Finance Party exercises any right it may have to enforce, or to take formal steps to enforce, any of the Transaction Security it shall notify the Security Agent and the Security Agent shall, upon receiving that notification, notify each other Finance Party of that action.
36.
Conduct of business by the Finance Parties
36.1
Finance Parties tax affairs
No provision of this Agreement will:

(a)
interfere with the right of any Finance Party to arrange its affairs (tax or otherwise) in whatever manner it thinks fit;

(b)
oblige any Finance Party to investigate or claim any credit, relief, remission or repayment available to it or the extent, order and manner of any claim; or

(c)
oblige any Finance Party to disclose any information relating to its affairs (tax or otherwise) or any computations in respect of Tax.
37.
Sharing among the Finance Parties
37.1
Payments to Finance Parties
If a Finance Party (a Recovering Finance Party )   receives or recovers any amount from an Obligor other than in accordance with clause 38 (Payment mechanics) (a Recovered Amount )   and applies that amount to a payment due under the Finance Documents then:

(a)
the Recovering Finance Party shall, within three Business Days, notify details of the receipt or recovery, to the Agent;

(b)
the Agent shall determine whether the receipt or recovery is in excess of the amount the Recovering Finance Party would have been paid had the receipt or recovery been received or made by the Agent and distributed in accordance with clause 38 (Payment mechanics), without taking account of any Tax which would be imposed on the Agent in relation to the receipt, recovery or distribution; and

(c)
the Recovering Finance Party shall, within three Business Days of demand by the Agent, pay to the Agent an amount (the Sharing Payment )   equal to such receipt or recovery less any amount which the Agent determines may be retained by the Recovering Finance Party as its share of any payment to be made, in accordance with clause 38.6 (Partial payments).
37.2
Redistribution of payments
The Agent shall treat the Sharing Payment as if it had been paid by the relevant Obligor and distribute it between the Finance Parties (other than the Recovering Finance Party) (the Sharing Finance Parties )   in accordance with clause 38.6 (Partial payments) towards the obligations of that Obligor to the Sharing Finance Parties.
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37.3
Recovering Finance Party’s rights
On a distribution by the Agent under clause 37.2 (Redistribution of payments) of a payment received by a Recovering Finance Party from an Obligor, as between the relevant Obligor and the Recovering Finance Party, an amount of the Recovered Amount equal to the Sharing Payment will be treated as not having been paid by that Obligor.
37.4
Reversal of redistribution
If any part of the Sharing Payment received or recovered by a Recovering Finance Party becomes repayable and is repaid by that Recovering Finance Party, then :

(a)
each Sharing Finance Party shall, upon request of the Agent , pay to the Agent for the account of that Recovering Finance Party an amount equal to the appropriate part of its share of the Sharing Payment (together with an amount as is necessary to reimburse that Recovering Finance Party for its proportion of any interest on the Sharing Payment which that Recovering Finance Party is required to pay) (the Redistributed Amount );   and

(b)
as between the relevant Obligor and each relevant Sharing Finance Party, an amount equal to the relevant Redistributed Amount will be treated as not having been paid by that Obligor .
37.5
Exceptions

(a)
This clause 37 shall not apply to the extent that the Recovering Finance Party would not, after making any payment pursuant to this clause, have a valid and enforceable claim against the relevant Obligor.

(b)
A Recovering F i nance Party is not obliged to share with any other Finance Party any amount which the Recovering Finance Party has received or recovered as a result of taking legal or arbitration proceedings, if :

(i)
it notified that other Finance Party of the legal or arbitration proceedings ;

(ii)
the taking legal or arbitration proceedings was in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; and

(iii)
that other Finance Party had an opportunity to participate in those legal or arb i trat i on proceedings but did not do so as soon as reasonably practicable hav i ng received notice and did not take separate legal or arbitration proceed i ngs.
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Section 11 - Administration
38.
Payment mechanics
38.1
Payments to the Agent

(a)
On each date on which an Obligor or a Lender is required to make a payment under a Finance Document, that Obligor or Lender shall make the same available to the Agent (unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document) for value on the due date at the time and in such funds specified by the Agent as being customary at the time for settlement of transactions in the relevant currency in the place of payment.

(b)
Payment shall be made to such account in the principal financial centre of the country of that currency (or, in relation to euro, in a principal financial centre in such Participating Member State or London, as specified by the Agent) and with such bank as the Agent, in each case, specifies.
38.2
Distributions by the Agent
Each payment received by the Agent under the Finance Documents for another Party shall, subject to clause 38.3 (Distributions to an Obligor) and clause 38.4 (Clawback and pre-funding) be made available by the Agent as soon as practicable after receipt to the Party entitled to receive payment in accordance with this Agreement (in the case of a Lender, for the account of its Facility Office), to such account as that Party may notify to the Agent by not less than five Business Days’ notice with a bank specified by that Party in the principal financial centre of the country of that currency (or, in relation to euro, in the principal financial centre of a Participating Member State or London, as specified by that Party).
38.3
Distributions to an Obliger
The Agent may (with the consent of the Obligor or in accordance with clause 39 (Set-off)) apply any amount received by it for that Obligor in or towards payment (on the date and in the currency and funds of receipt) of any amount due from that Obligor under the Finance Documents or in or towards purchase of any amount of any currency to be so applied.
38.4
Clawback and pre-funding

(a)
Where a sum is to be paid to the Agent under the Finance Documents for another Party, the Agent is not obliged to pay that sum to that other Party (or to enter into or perform any related exchange contract) until it has been able to establish to its satisfaction that it has actually received that sum.

(b)
Unless paragraph (c) below applies, if the Agent pays an amount to another Party and it proves to be the case that the Agent had not actually received that amount, then the Party to whom that amount (or the proceeds of any related exchange contract) was paid by the Agent shall on demand refund the same to the Agent together with interest on that amount from the date of payment to the date of receipt by the Agent, calculated by the Agent to reflect its cost of funds.

(c)
If the Agent has notified the Lenders that it is willing to make available amounts for the account of the Borrower before receiving funds from the Lenders then if and to the extent that the Agent does so but it proves to be the case that it does not then receive funds from a Lender in respect of a sum which it paid to the Borrower:

(i)
the Agent shall notify the Borrower of that Lender’s identity and the Borrower shall on demand refund it to the Agent; and
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(ii)
the Lender by whom those funds should have been made available or, if that Lender fails to do so, the Borrower, shall on demand pay to the Agent the amount (as certified by the Agent) which will indemnify the Agent against any funding cost incurred by it as a result of paying out that sum before receiving those funds from that Lender.
38.5
Impaired Agent

(a)
If, at any time, the Agent becomes an Impaired Agent, the Borrower or a Lender which is required to make a payment under the Finance Documents to the Agent in accordance with clause 38.1 (Payments to the Agent) may instead either:

(i)
pay that amount direct to the required recipient(s); or

(ii)
if in its absolute discretion it considers that it is not reasonably practicable to pay that amount direct to the required recipient(s), pay that amount or the relevant part of that amount to an interest-bearing account held with an Acceptable Bank within the meaning of paragraph (a) of the definition of “Acceptable Bank” and in relation to which no Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing, in the name of the Borrower or the Lender making the payment (the Paying Party )   and designated as a trust account for the benefit of the Party or Parties beneficially entitled to that payment under the Finance Documents (the Recipient Party or Recipient Parties ).
In each case such payments must be made on the due date for payment under the Finance Documents.

(b)
All interest accrued on the amount standing to the credit of the trust account shall be for the benefit of the Recipient Party or the Recipient Parties pro rata to their respective entitlements.

(c)
A Party which has made a payment in accordance with this clause 38.5 shall be discharged of the relevant payment obligation under the Finance Documents and shall not take any credit risk with respect to the amounts standing to the credit of the trust account.

(d)
Promptly upon the appointment of a successor Agent in accordance with this Agreement, each Paying Party shall (other than to the extent that that Party has given an instruction pursuant to paragraph (e) below) give all requisite instructions to the bank with whom the trust account is held to transfer the amount (together with any accrued interest) to the successor Agent for distribution to the relevant Recipient Party or Recipient Parties in accordance with clause 38.2 (Distributions by the Agent).

(e)
A Paying Party shall, promptly upon request by a Recipient Party and to the extent:

(i)
that it has not given an instruction pursuant to paragraph (d) above; and

(ii)
that it has been provided with the necessary information by that Recipient Party,
give all requisite instructions to the bank with whom the trust account is held to transfer the relevant amount (together with any accrued interest) to that Recipient Party.
38.6
Partial payments

(a)
If the Agent receives a payment for application against amounts due in respect of any Finance Documents that is insufficient to discharge all the amounts then due and payable by an Obligor under those Finance Documents, the Agent shall apply that payment
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 towards the obligations of that Obligor under the Finance Documents in the following order:

(i)
first, in or towards payment pro rata of any unpaid amount owing to the Agent, the Security Agent or the Arranger for their own account under those Finance Documents;

(ii)
secondly, in or towards payment to the Lenders pro rata of any amount owing to the Lenders under clause 32.15 (Lenders’ indemnity to the Agent and others);

(iii)
thirdly, in or towards payment to the Lenders pro rata of all other amounts due to them but unpaid under the Finance Documents; and

(iv)
fourthly, in or towards payment pro rata of any other sum due but unpaid under the Finance Documents.

(b)
The Agent shall, if so directed by all the Lenders and with prior written notice to the Obligors, vary the order set out in paragraphs (ii) to (iv) of paragraph (a) above.

(c)
Paragraphs (a) and (b) above will override any appropriation made by an Obligor .
38.7
No set-off by Obligors
All payments to be made by an Obligor under the Finance Documents shall be calculated and be made without (and free and clear of any deduction for) set-off or counterclaim.
38.8
Business Days

(a)
Any payment under the Finance Documents which is due to be made on a day that is not a Business Day shall be made on the next Business Day in the same calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not).

(b)
During any extension of the due date for payment of any principal or Unpaid Sum under this Agreement interest is payable on the principal or Unpaid Sum at the rate payable on the original due date.
38.9
Currency of account

(a)
Subject to paragraphs (b) and (c) below, dollars is the currency of account and payment for any sum due from an Obligor under any Finance Document.

(b)
A repayment of all or part of a Loan or an Unpaid Sum and each payment of interest shall be made in dollars on its due date.

(c)
Each payment in respect of the amount of any costs, expenses or Taxes or other losses shall be made in dollars and, if they were incurred in a currency other than dollars, the amount payable under the Finance Documents shall be the equivalent in dollars of the relevant amount in such other currency on the date on which it was incurred.

(d)
All moneys received or held by the Security Agent or by a Receiver under a Security Document in a currency other than dollars may be sold for dollars and the Obligor which executed that Security Document shall indemnify the Security Agent against the full cost in relation to the sale. Neither the Security Agent nor such Receiver will have any liability to that Obligor in respect of any loss resulting from any fluctuation in exchange rates after the sale.
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38.10
Change of currency

(a)
Unless otherwise prohibited by law, if more than one currency or currency unit are at the same time recognised by the central bank of any country as the lawful currency of that country, then:

(i)
any reference in the Finance Documents to, and any obligations arising under the Finance Documents in, the currency of that country shall be translated into, or paid in, the currency or currency unit of that country designated by the Agent (after consultation with the Borrower); and

(ii)
any translation from one currency or currency unit to another shall be at the official rate of exchange recognised by the central bank for the conversion of that currency or currency unit into the other, rounded up or down by the Agent (acting reasonably).

(b)
If a change in any currency of a country occurs, this Agreement will, to the extent the Agent (acting reasonably and after consultation with the Borrower) specifies to be necessary, be amended to comply with any generally accepted conventions and market practice in the Interbank Market and otherwise to reflect the change in currency.
38.11
Disruption to payment systems etc.
If either the Agent determines (acting reasonably) that a Disruption Event has occurred or the Agent is notified by the Borrower that a Disruption Event has occurred:

(a)
the Agent may, and shall if requested to do so by the Borrower, consult with the Borrower with a view to agreeing with the Borrower such changes to the operation or administration of the Facility as the Agent may deem necessary in the circumstances;

(b)
the Agent shall not be obliged to consult with the Borrower in relation to any changes mentioned in paragraph (a) above if, in its reasonable opinion, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances and, in any event, shall have no obligation to agree to such changes;

(c)
the Agent may consult with the Finance Parties in relation to any changes mentioned in paragraph (a) above but shall not be obliged to do so if, in its opinion, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances;

(d)
any such changes agreed upon by the Agent and the Borrower shall (whether or not it is finally determined that a Disruption Event has occurred) be binding upon the Parties as an amendment to (or, as the case may be, waiver of) the terms of the Finance Documents notwithstanding the provisions of clause 44 (Amendments and waivers);

(e)
the Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever (including, without limitation for negligence, gross negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Agent) arising as a result of its taking, or failing to take, any actions pursuant to or in connection with this clause 38.11; and

(f)
the Agent shall notify the Finance Parties of all changes agreed pursuant to paragraph (d) above.
39.
Set-off
A Finance Party may whilst an Event of Default is continuing set off any matured obligation due from an Obligor under the Finance Documents (to the extent beneficially owned by that Finance Party) against any matured obligation owed by that Finance Party to that Obligor, regardless of
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the place of payment, booking branch or currency of either obligation . If the obligations are in different currencies, the Finance Party may convert either obligation at a market rate of exchange in its usual course of business for the purpose of the set-off.
40.
Notices
40.1
Communications in writing
Any communication to be made under or in connection with the Finance Documents shall be made in writing and, unless otherwise stated , may be made by letter.
40.2
Addresses
The address (and the department or officer, if any, for whose attention the communication is to be made) of each Obligor or Finance Party for any communication or document to be made or delivered under or in connection with the Finance Documents is:

(a)
in the case of any Obligor who is a Party, that identified with its name in Schedule 1 ( The original parties);

(b)
in the case of any Obligor which is not a Party , that identified in any Finance Document to which it is a party;

(c)
in the case of the Security Agent, the Agent and any other original Finance Party, that identified with its name in Schedule 1 (The original parties); and

(d)
in the case of each Lender or other Finance Party, that notified in writing to the Agent on or prior to the date on which it becomes a Party in the relevant capacity,
or , in each case , any substitute address , or department or officer as an Obligor or Finance Party may notify to the Agent (or the Agent may notify to the other Finance Parties and the Obligors who are Parties, if a change is made by the Agent) by not less than five Business Days’ notice .
40.3
Delivery

(a)
Any communication or document made or delivered by one person to another under or in connection with the Finance Documents will only be effective when it has been left at the relevant address or five Business Days after being deposited in the post postage prepaid in an envelope addressed to it at that address and, if a particular department or officer is specified as part of its address details provided under clause 40.2 (Addresses), if addressed to that department or officer.

(b)
Any communication or document to be made or delivered to the Agent or the Security Agent will be effective only when actually received by the Agent or the Security Agent and then only if it is expressly marked for the attention of the department or officer identified in Schedule 1 (The original parties) (or any substitute department or officer as the Agent or the Security Agent shall specify for this purpose).

(c)
All notices from or to an Obligor shall be sent through the Agent.

(d)
Any communication or document made or delivered to the Borrower in accordance with this clause 40 . 3 will be deemed to have been made or delivered to each of the Obligors .

(e)
Any communication or document which becomes effective, in accordance with paragraphs (a) to (d) above, after 5:00 p . m. in the place of receipt shall be deemed only to become effective on the following day.
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40.4
Notification of address
Promptly upon changing its’ address, the Agent shall notify the other Parties.
40.5
Communication when Agent is Impaired Agent
If the Agent is an Impaired Agent the Parties may, instead of communicating with each other through the Agent, communicate with each other directly and (while the Agent is an Impaired Agent) all the provisions of the Finance Documents which require communications to be made or notices to be given to or by the Agent shall be varied so that communications may be made and notices given to or by the relevant Parties directly. This provision shall not operate after a replacement Agent has been appointed.
40.6
Electronic communication

(a)
Any communication to be made between any two Parties under or in connection with the Finance Documents may be made by electronic mail or other electronic means (including, without limitation, by way of posting to a secure website) if those two Parties:

(i)
notify each other in writing of their electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the transmission of information by that means; and

(ii)
notify each other of any change to their address or any other such information supplied by them by not less than five Business Days’ notice.

(b)
Any such electronic communication as specified in paragraph (a) above to be made between an Obligor and a Finance Party may only be made in that way to the extent that those two Parties agree that, unless and until notified to the contrary, this is to be an accepted form of communication.

(c)
Any such electronic communication as specified in paragraph (a) above made between any two Parties will be effective only when actually received (or made available) in readable form and, in the case of any electronic communication made by a Party to the Agent or the Security Agent, only if it is addressed in such a manner as the Agent or the Security Agent shall specify for this purpose.

(d)
Any electronic communication which becomes effective, in accordance with paragraph (c) above, after 5:00 p.m. in the place in which the Party to whom the relevant communication is sent or made available has its address for the purpose of this Agreement or any other Finance Document shall be deemed only to become effective on the following day.

(e)
Any reference in a Finance Document to a communication being sent or received shall be construed to include that communication being made available in accordance with this clause 40.6.
40.7
English language

(a)
Any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document must be in English.

(b)
All other documents provided under or in connection with any Finance Document must be:

(i)
in English; or

(ii)
if not in English, and if so required by the Agent, accompanied by a certified English translation and, in this case, the English translation will prevail unless the document is a constitutional, statutory or other official document.
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41.
Calculations and certificates
41.1
Accounts
In any litigation or arbitration proceedings arising out of or in connection with a Finance Document, the entries made in the accounts maintained by a Finance Party are prima facie evidence of the matters to which they relate .
41.2
Certificates and determinations
Any certification or determination by a Finance Party of a rate or amount under any Finance Document is, in the absence of manifest error, conclusive evidence of the matters to which it relates.
41.3
Day count convention
Any interest, commission or fee accruing under a Finance Document will accrue from day to day and is calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and a year of 360 days or, in any case where the practice in the Interbank Market differs, in accordance with that market practice.
42.
Partial invalidity
If, at any time, any provision of a Finance Document is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect under any law of any jurisdiction, neither the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions nor the legality, validity or enforceability of such provision under the law of any other jurisdiction will in any way be affected or impaired.
43.
Remedies and waivers
No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of any Finance Party , any right or remedy under a Finance Document shall operate as a waiver of any such right or remedy or constitute an election to affirm any Finance Document. No election to affirm any Finance Document on the part of any Finance Party shall be effective unless it is in writing. No single or partial exercise of any right or remedy shall prevent any further or other exercise or the exercise of any other right or remedy. The rights and remedies provided in each Finance Document are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law .
44.
Amendments and waivers
44.1
Required consents

(a)
Subject to clause 44.2 (All Lender matters) and clause 44 . 3 (Other exceptions), any term of the Finance Documents may be amended or waived only with the consent of the Majority Lenders and the Borrower and any such amendment or waiver will be binding on all the Finance Parties and other Obligors.

(b)
The Agent may (or, in the case of the Security Documents, instruct the Security Agent to) effect, on behalf of any Finance Party , any amendment or waiver permitted by this clause 44.

(c)
Without prejudice to the generality of paragraphs (c) , (d) and (e) of clause 32.11 (Rights and discretions of the Agent), the Agent may engage, pay for and rely on the services of lawyers in determining the consent level required for and effecting any amendment, waiver or consent under this Agreement.
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(d)
Each Obligor agrees to any such amendment or wa i ver permitted by this clause 44 which is agreed to by the Borrower. Th i s includes any amendment or waiver which would , but for this paragraph (d) , require the consent of a Guarantor.
44.2
All Lender matters
An amendment, waiver or discharge or release or a consent of, or in relation to , any term of any Finance Document that has the effect of changing or which relates to :

(a)
the definition of “Majority Lenders in clause 1 . 1 (Def i n i t i ons);

(b)
the definition of Last Availability Date in clause 1.1 (Definitions) ;

(c)
an extension to the date of payment of any amount under the Finance Documents;

(d)
a reduction in the Margin or a reduction in the amount of any payment of principal, interest, fees or commission payable or the rate at which they are calculated;

(e)
an increase in , or an extension of , any Commitment or any requirement that a cancellation of Commitments reduces the Commitments of the Lenders rateably under the Fac i li t y ;

(f)
a change to the Borrower or any other Obligor;

(g)
any provision which expressly requires the consent or approval of all the Lenders;

(h)
clause 37 (Sharing among the Finance Parties) ;

(i)
clause 2 . 2 ( Finance Parties rights and obligations ), clause 7 . 1 ( Illegality ) , clause 30 ( Changes to the Lenders ), clause 8.8 ( Appl i cation of prepayments ) , th i s clause 44 , clause 49 ( Govern i ng law ) or clause 50 . 1 ( Jurisdiction of English courts ) ;

(j)
the order of distribution under clause 35 . 1 (Order of application) ;

(k)
the order of distribution under clause 38 . 6 (Partial payments) ;

(l)
the currency in which any amount is payable under any Finance Document;

(m)
an increase in any Commitment or the Total Commitments, an extension of any period w i thin wh i ch the Facility is available for Utilisation or any requirement that a cancellation of Commitments reduces the Comm i tments rateably;

(n)
(other than as expressly perm i tted by the provisions of any Finance Document) the nature or scope of:

(i)
any guarantee and indemnity granted under any Finance Document (including under clause 18 (Guarantee and indemnity));

(ii)
the Charged Property; or

(iii)
the manner in which the proceeds of enforcement of the Transaction Security are d i stributed ;

(o)
the circumstances in which any of the Transaction Security is perm i tted or required to be released under any of the Finance Documents,
shall not be made, or given, without the prior consent of all the Lenders .
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44.3
Other exceptions

(a)
An amendment or waiver which relates to the rights or obligations of the Agent, the Security Agent or the Arranger in their respective capacities as such (and not just as a Lender) may not be effected without the consent of the Agent, the Security Agent or the Arranger (as the case may be) .

(b)
Notwithstanding clauses 44 . 1 and 44 . 2 and paragraph (a) above, the Agent may make technical amendments to the Finance Documents arising out of manifest errors on the face of the Finance Documents, where such amendments would not prejudice or otherwise be adverse to the interests of any Finance Party without any reference or consent of the Finance Parties .
44.4
Replacement of Screen Rate
Subject to clause 44.3 (Other exceptions), if a Screen Rate Replacement Event has occurred in relation to the Screen Rate, any amendment or waiver which relates to:

(a)
providing for the use of a Replacement Benchmark ; and (b)

(i)
aligning any provision of any Finance Document to the use of that Replacement Benchmark ;

(ii)
enabling that Replacement Benchmark to be used for the calculation of interest under this Agreement (including, without limitation, any consequential changes required to enable that Replacement Benchmark to be used for the purposes of this Agreement);

(iii)
implementing market conventions applicable to that Replacement Benchmark ;

(iv)
providing for appropriate fallback (and market d i sruption) provisions for that Replacement Benchmark ; or

(v)
adjusting the pricing to reduce or eliminate, to the extent reasonably practicable, any transfer of economic value from one Party to another as a result of the application of that Replacement Benchmark (and if any adjustment or method for calculating any adjustment has been formally designated , nominated or recommended by the Relevant Nominating Body, the adjustment shall be determined on the basis of that designation, nomination or recommendation , )
may be made with the consent of the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) and the Borrower .
44.5
Releases
Except with the approval of the Lenders or for a release which is expressly permitted or required by the Finance Documents , the Agent shall not have authority to authorise the Security Agent to release:

(a)
any Charged Property from the Transaction Security; or

(b)
any Obliger from any of its guarantee or other obligations under any Finance Documen t.
44.6
Disenfranchisement of Defaulting Lenders

(a)
For so long as a Defaulting Lender has any Available Commitment, in ascertaining :
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(i)
the Majority Lenders; or

(ii)
whether :

(A)
any given percentage (including, for the avoidance of doubt , unanimity) of the Total Commitments under the Facility; or

(B)
the agreement of any specified group of Lenders ,
has been obtained to approve any request for a consent , waiver , amendment or other vote of Lenders under the Finance Documents ,
that Defaulting Lender s Comm i tment will be reduced by the amount of i ts Available Commitment and , to the extent that such reduction results in that Defaulting Lender’s Commitment being zero, that Defaulting Lender shall be deemed not to be a Lender for the purposes of paragraphs (i) and (ii) above.

(b)
For the purposes of this clause 44 . 6 , the Agent may assume that the follow i ng Lenders are Defaulting Lenders :

(i)
any Lender which has notified the Agent that it has become a Defaulting Lender; and

(ii)
any Lender in relation to which it is aware that any of the events or circumstances referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) of the definit i on of “Defaulting Lender has occurred,
unless it has received notice to the contrary from the Lender concerned (together with any support i ng evidence reasonably requested by the Agent) or the Agent is otherwise aware that the Lender has ceased to be a Defaulting Lender .
44.7
Excluded Commitments
If:

(a)
any Defaulting Lender fails to respond to a request for a consent, waiver, amendment of or in relation to any term of any Finance Document or any other vote of Lenders under the terms of this Agreement within 10 Business Days of that request being made; or

(b)
any Lender which is not a Defaulting Lender fails to respond to such a request (other than an amendment, waiver or consent referred to in paragraphs (b), (c) , (d) and (m) of clause 44 . 2 (All Lender matters)) or such a vote w i thin 10 Business Days of that request being made ,
(unless (in either such case) the Borrower and the Agent agree to a longer time period in relation to any request) :

(i)
its Comm i tment or its participation in the Loan shall not be included for the purpose of calculating the Total Commitments or the amount of the Loan when ascertain i ng whether any re l evant percentage (including , for the avo i dance of doubt , unanimity) of Total Commitments or the amount of the Loan has been obtained to approve that request ; and

(ii)
its status as a Lender shall be disregarded for the purpose of ascertaining whether the agreement of any specified group of Lenders has been obta i ned to approve that request.
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44.8
Replacement of a Defaulting Lender

(a)
The Borrower may, at any time a Lender has become and continues to be a Defaulting Lender, by giving 10 Business Days’ prior notice to the Agent and such Lender replace such Lender by requiring such Lender to (and to the extent permitted by law such Lender shall) assign pursuant to clause 30 (Changes to the Lenders) all (and not part only) of its rights under this Agreement (and any Security Document to which that Lender is a party in its capacity as a Lender) to an Eligible Institution (a Replacement Lender )   which confirms its willingness to undertake and does undertake all the obligations or all the relevant obligations of the assigning Lender in accordance with clause 30 (Changes to the Lenders) for a purchase price in cash payable at the time of transfer which is either:

(i)
in an amount equal to:

(A)
the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s participation in the Loan;

(B)
all accrued interest owing to such Lender;

(C)
the Break Costs which would have been payable to such Lender pursuant to clause 11.5 (Break Costs) had the Borrower prepaid in full that Lender’s participation in the Loan on the date of the assignment; and

(D)
all other amounts payable to that Lender under the Finance Documents on the date of the assignment; or

(ii)
in an amount agreed between that Defaulting Lender, the Replacement Lender and the Borrower and which does not exceed the amount described in paragraph (i) above.

(b)
Any assignment by a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause 44.8 shall be subject to the following conditions:

(i)
the Borrower shall have no right to replace the Agent or the Security Agent;

(ii)
neither the Agent nor the Defaulting Lender shall have any obligation to the Borrower to find a Replacement Lender;

(iii)
the assignment must take place no later than five Business Days after the notice referred to in paragraph (a) above;

(iv)
in no event shall the Defaulting Lender be required to pay or surrender to the Replacement Lender any of the fees received by the Defaulting Lender pursuant to the Finance Documents; and

(v)
the Defaulting Lender shall only be obliged to assign its rights pursuant to paragraph (a) above once it is satisfied that it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to that assignment to the Replacement Lender.

(c)
The Defaulting Lender shall perform the checks described in paragraph (b) (v) above as soon as reasonably practicable following delivery of a notice referred to in paragraph (a) above and shall notify the Agent and the Borrower when it is satisfied that it has complied with those checks.
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44.9
Disenfranchisement of Borrower Affiliates

(a)
For so long as a Borrower Affiliate:

(i)
beneficially owns a Commitment; or

(ii)
has entered into a sub-participation agreement relating to a Commitment or other agreement or arrangement having a substantially similar economic effect and such agreement or arrangement has not been terminated,
in ascertaining :

(A)
the Majority Lenders ; or

(B)
whether:

(1)
any given percentage (including, for the avoidance of doubt, unanimity) of the Total Commitments ; or

(2)
the agreement of any specified group of Lenders,
has been obtained to approve any request for a consent, waiver, amendment or other vote under the Finance Documents,
such Commitment shall be deemed to be zero and such Borrower Affiliate or the person with whom it has entered into such sub-participation, other agreement or arrangement shall be deemed not to be a Lender for the purposes of paragraphs (A) and (B) above (unless in the case of a person not being a Borrower Affiliate it is a Lender by virtue otherwise than by beneficially owning the relevant Commitment) .

(b)
Each Lender shall, unless such Debt Purchase Transaction is an assignment or transfer, promptly notify the Agent in writing if it knowingly enters into a Debt Purchase Transaction with a Borrower Affiliate (a Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction), such not i ficat i on to be substantially in the form set out in Part I of Schedule 6 (Forms of Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction Notice).

(c)
A Lender shall promptly notify the Agent if a Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction to which it is a party :

(i)
is terminated ; or

(ii)
ceases to be with a Borrower Affiliate,
such notification to be substantially in the form set out in Part II of Schedule 6 (Forms of Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction Notice).

(d)
Each Borrower Affiliate that is a Lender agrees that:

(i)
in relation to any meeting or conference call to which all the Lenders are invited to attend or participate , it shall not attend or participate in the same if so requested by the Agent or, unless the Agent otherwise agrees , be entitled to receive the agenda or any minutes of the same; and

(ii)
in its capacity as Lender, unless the Agent otherwise agrees, it shall not be entitled to receive any report or other document prepared at the behest of , or on the instructions of, the Agent or one or more of the Lenders .
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45.
Confidential Information
45.1
Confidential Information
Each Finance Party agrees to keep all Confidential Information confidential and not to disclose it to anyone, save to the extent permitted by clause 45.2 (Disclosure of Confidential Information), or as required by SEC or NASDAQ regulations and to ensure that all Confidential Information is protected with security measures and a degree of care that would apply to its own confidential information .
45.2
Disclosure of Confidential Information
Any Finance Party may disclose:

(a)
to any of its Affiliates and Related Funds and any of its or their officers, directors, employees, professional advisers, auditors, partners and Representatives such Confidential Information as that Finance Party shall consider appropriate if any person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given pursuant to this paragraph (a) is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no such requirement to so inform if the recipient is subject to professional obligations to maintain the confidentiality of the information or is otherwise bound by requirements of confidentiality in relation to the Confidential Information;

(b)
to any person:

(i)
to (or through) whom it assigns (or may potentially assign) all or any of its rights and/or obligations under one or more Finance Documents or which succeeds (or which may potentially succeed) it as Agent or Security Agent and, in each case , to any of that person s Affiliates, Related Funds, Representatives, professional advisers and partners;

(ii)
with (or through) whom it enters into (or may potentially enter into), whether directly or indirectly , any sub-participation in relation to, or any other transaction under which payments are to be made or may be made by reference to, one or more Finance Documents and/or one or more Obligors and to any of that person’s Affiliates, Related Funds, Representatives, professional advisers and partners;

(iii)
appointed by any Finance Party or by a person to whom paragraphs (b)(i) or (b)(ii) above applies to receive communications, notices, information or documents delivered pursuant to the Finance Documents on its behalf (including, without limitation, any person appointed under paragraph (b) of clause 32.20 (Relationship with the Lenders));

(iv)
who invests in or otherwise finances (or may potentially invest in or otherwise finance), directly or indirectly, any transaction referred to in paragraphs (b)(i) or (b)(ii) above;

(v)
to whom information is required or requested to be disclosed by any court of competent jurisdiction or any governmental, banking, taxation or other regulatory authority or similar body , the rules of any relevant stock exchange or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation;

(vi)
to whom information is required to be disclosed in connection with, and for the purposes of, any litigation, arbitration, administrative or other investigations, proceedings or disputes ;
124




(vii)
to whom or for whose benefit that Finance Party charges, assigns or otherwise creates Security (or may do so) pursuant to clause 30 . 8 (Security over Lenders’ rights);

(viii)
who is a Party; or

(ix)
with the consent of the Borrower;
in each case, such Confidential Information as that Finance Party shall consider appropriate;

(c)
to any person appointed by that Finance Party or by a person to whom paragraphs (b)(i) or (b)(ii) above applies to provide administration or settlement services in respect of one or more of the Finance Documents including without limitation, in relation to the trading of participations in respect of the Finance Documents, such Confidential Information as may be required to be disclosed to enable such service provider to provide any of the services referred to in this paragraph (c) if the service provider to whom the Confidential Information is to be given has entered into a confidentiality agreement substantially in the form of the LMA Master Confidentiality Undertaking for Use With Administration/Settlement Service Providers or such other form of confidentiality undertaking agreed between the Borrower and the relevant Finance Party; and

(d)
to any rating agency (including its professional advisers) such Confidential Information as may be required to be disclosed to enable such rating agency to carry out its normal rating activities in relation to the Finance Documents and/or the Obligors .
45.3
Entire agreement
This clause 45 constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties in relation to the obligations of the Finance Parties under the Finance Documents regarding Confidential Information and supersedes any previous agreement, whether express or implied, regarding Confidential Information.
45.4
Inside information
Each of the Finance Parties acknowledges that some or all of the Confidential Information is or may be price-sensitive information and that the use of such information may be regulated or prohibited by applicable legislation including securities law relating to insider dealing and market abuse and each of the Finance Parties undertakes not to use any Confidential Information for any unlawful purpose .
45.5
Notification of disclosure
Each of the Finance Parties agrees (to the extent permitted by law and regulation) to inform the Borrower:

(a)
of the circumstances of any disclosure of Confidential Information made to any person to whom information is required or requested to be disclosed by any court of competent jurisdiction or any governmental, banking, taxation or other regulatory authority or similar body or the rules of any relevant stock exchange or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation pursuant to clause 45.2 (Disclosure of Confidential Information) except where such disclosure is made to any such person during the ordinary course of its supervisory or regulatory function; and

(b)
upon becoming aware that Confidential Information has been disclosed in breach of this clause 45.
125



45.6
Continuing obligations
The obligations in this clause 45 are continuing and, in particular, shall survive and remain binding on each Finance Party for a period of twenty four months from the earlier of:

(a)
the date on which all amounts payable by the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been paid in full and all Commitments have been cancelled or otherwise cease to be available; and

(b)
the date on which such Finance Party otherwise ceases to be a Finance Party .
46.
Confidentiality of Funding Rates
46.1
Confidentiality and disclosure

(a)
The Agent and each Obligor who is a Party agree to keep each Funding Rate confidential and not to disclose it to anyone, save to the extent permitted by paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) below.

(b)
The Agent may disclose :

(i)
any Funding Rate to the Borrower pursuant to clause 9.4 (Notification of rates of interest); and

(ii)
any Funding Rate to any person appointed by it to provide administration services in respect of one or more of the Finance Documents to the extent necessary to enable such service provider to provide those services if the service provider to whom that information is to be given has entered into a confidentiality agreement substantially in the form of the LMA Master Confidentiality Undertaking for Use With Administration/Settlement Service Providers or such other form of confident i ality undertaking agreed between the Agent and the relevant Lender .

(c)
The Agent may disclose any Funding Rate to:

(i)
any of its Affiliates and any of its or their officers, directors, employees, professional advisers, auditors, partners and Representatives if any person to whom that Funding Rate is to be given pursuant to this paragraph (i) is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that it may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no such requirement to so inform if the recipient is subject to professional obligations to maintain the confidentiality of that Funding Rate or is otherwise bound by requirements of confidentiality in relation to it;

(ii)
any person to whom information is required or requested to be disclosed by any court of competent jurisdiction or any governmental, banking , taxation or other regulatory authority or similar body, the rules of any relevant stock exchange or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation if the person to whom that Funding Rate is to be given is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that it may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no requirement to so inform if, in the opinion of the Agent or the relevant Obligor, as the case may be, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances ;

(iii)
any person to whom information is requ i red to be disclosed in connection with , and for the purposes of , any litigation , arbitration, administrative or other investigations, proceedings or disputes if the person to whom that Funding Rate is to be given is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that it may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no requirement to so inform if, in the opinion of the Agent or the relevant Obligor, as the case may be, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances; and
126




(iv)
any person with the consent of the relevant Lender.

(d)
The Borrower may disclose any Funding Rate to such person as such Funding Rate is required or requested to be disclosed by the US Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations.
46.2
Related obligations

(a)
The Agent and each Obligor acknowledge that each Funding Rate is or may be price-sensitive information and that its use may be regulated or prohibited by applicable legislation including securities law relating to insider dealing and market abuse and the Agent and each Obligor undertake not to use any Funding Rate for any unlawful purpose .

(b)
The Agent and each Obligor agree (to the extent permitted by law and regulation) to inform the relevant Lender:

(i)
of the circumstances of any disclosure made pursuant to clause 46.1(c)(ii) (Confidentiality and disclosure) except where such disclosure is made to any of the persons referred to in that paragraph during the ordinary course of its supervisory or regulatory function; and

(ii)
upon becoming aware that any information has been disclosed in breach of this clause 46 .
46.3
No Event of Default
No Event of Default will occur under clause 29.3 (Other obligations) by reason only of an Obligor’s failure to comply with this clause 46.
47.
Counterparts
Each Finance Document may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of the Finance Document.
48.
Contractual recognition of bail-in
Notwithstanding any other term of any Finance Document or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding between the Parties, each Party and each Obligor acknowledges and accepts that any liability of any Party to any other Party under or in connection with the Finance Documents may be subject to Bail-In Action by the relevant Resolution Authority and acknowledges and accepts to be bound by the effect of:

(a)
any Bail-In Action in relation to any such liability, including (without limitation) :

(i)
a reduction, in full or in part, in the principal amount, or outstanding amount due (including any accrued but unpaid interest) in respect of any such liability;

(ii)
a conversion of all, or part of, any such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership that may be issued to, or conferred on, it; and

(iii)
a cancellation of any such liability; and

(b)
a variation of any term of any Finance Document to the extent necessary to give effect to any Bail-In Action in relation to any such liability.
127



Section 12 - Governing Law and Enforcement
49.
Governing law
This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations connected with it are governed by English law.
50.
Enforcement
50.1
Jurisdiction of English courts

(a)
The courts of England have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute aris i ng out of or in connection with this Agreement or any non-contractual obligations connected with it (including a dispute regarding the existence, validity or termination of this Agreement) (a Dispute ).

(b)
The Parties agree that the courts of England are the most appropriate and convenient courts to settle Disputes and accordingly no Party will argue to the contrary .

(c)
Notwithstanding paragraph (a) above, no Finance Party shall be prevented from taking proceedings relating to a Dispute in any other courts with jurisdiction. To the extent allowed by law, the Finance Parties may take concurrent proceedings i n any number of jurisd i ctions.
50.2
Service of process
Without prejudice to any other mode of service allowed under any relevant law , any Obligor who is a Party :

(a)
irrevocably appoints the person named in Schedule 1 (The original parties) as that Obligor s English process agent as its agent for service of process in relation to any proceedings before the English courts in connection with any Finance Document;

(b)
agrees that failure by an agent for service of process to notify the relevant Obligor of the process will not invalidate the proceedings concerned; and

(c)
if any person appointed as process agent for an Obligor is unable for any reason to act as agent for service of process, that Obligor must immediately (and in any event within ten days of such event taking place) appoint another agent on terms accep t able to the Agent. Failing this, the Agent may appo i nt another agent for this purpose.
This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.
128



Schedule 1
The original parties
Borrower
Name:
Top Ships Inc.
Original Jurisdiction
The Republic of the Marshall Islands
Registration number (or equivalent, if any )
3571
Registered office
Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960
Address for service of notices
c/o Central Mare Inc.
1, Vas. Sofias Street & Meg. Alexandrou, 151 24 Maroussi, Greece
Attn:     Andreas Louka
Email:    louka@loukapartners.com
Tel:       +30 210 812 8320
English process agent (if not incorporated in England)
Top Properties (London) Limited
247 Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1X 8QZ, United Kingdom

129




Guarantor
Name:
Astarte International Inc .
Original Jurisdiction
The Republic of the Marshall Islands
Registration number (or equivalent, if any )
89977
Registered office
Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960
Address for service of notices
c/o Central Mare Inc.
1, Vas. Sofias Street & Meg. Alexandrou, 151 24 Maroussi, Greece
Attn:     Andreas Louka
Email:    louka@loukapartners.com
Tel:       +30 210 812 8320
English process agent (if not incorporated in England)
Top Properties (London) Limited
247 Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1X 8QZ, United Kingdom

The Original Lenders

Name
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V.
Commitment $
10,500 , 000
TOTAL $
10 , 500 , 000
Total Commitments $
10 , 500 , 000
TOTAL $
10,500,000

The Agent

Name
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V.
Facility Office, address and attention details for notices
Non-administrative matters :
World Trade Center
Tower I , Level 6
Strawinskylaan 1939
1077 XX Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Attn: Vassilis Kolovos / Mingli Zhu
Email: v.kolovos@atbank .n l/m . zhu@atbank . nl
Cc : shipping.finance@atbank.nl
Telephone No .: +31 (0) 205 209 204 / +31 (0) 205 209 277
 
Administrative matters:
World Trade Center
Tower I , Level 6
130


 
Strawinskylaan 1939
1077 XX Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Attn: Vassilis Kolovos / Mingli Zhu
Email: shipping.finance@atbank.nl
Cc : v.kolovos@atbank.n l/m . zhu@atbank . nl
Telephone No .: +31 (0) 205 209 204 / +31 (0) 205 209 277


The Security Agent
Name
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V.
Facility Office, address and attention details for notices
Non-administrative matters :
World Trade Center
Tower I , Level 6
Strawinskylaan 1939
1077 XX Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Attn: Vassilis Kolovos / Mingli Zhu
Email: v.kolovos@atbank .n l/ m . zhu@atbank . nl
Cc : shipping.finance@atbank.nl
Telephone No .: +31 (0) 205 209 204 / +31 (0) 205 209 277
 
Administrative matters:
World Trade Center
Tower I , Level 6
Strawinskylaan 1939
1077 XX Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Attn: Vassilis Kolovos / Mingli Zhu
Email: shipping.finance@atbank.nl
Cc : i.tsirigotis@atbank.n l /   v.kolovos@atbank.nl
Telephone No .: +31 (0) 205 209 247 / +31 (0) 205 209 404/ +31 (0) 205 209 204


The Account Bank

Name
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V.
Facility Office, address and attention details for notices
Non-administrative matters :
World Trade Center
Tower I , Level 6
Strawinskylaan 1939
 
 

131


 
1077 XX Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Attn: Vassilis Kolovos / Mingli Zhu
Email: v.kolovos@atbank .n l/ m . zhu@atbank . nl
Cc : shipping.finance@atbank.nl
Telephone No .: +31 (0) 205 209 204 / +31 (0) 205 209 277
 

132



Schedule 2
Ship information
Eco California Ship

Owner:
PCH77 SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED
Builder:
Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co. , Ltd .
Hull Number:
8218
Scheduled Delivery Date:
31 January 2019
IMO Number:
9843780

Eco Marina Del Ray Ship
Owner:
PCH Dreaming Inc .
Builder:
Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co ., Ltd.
Hull Number:
8242
Scheduled Delivery Date:
13 March 2019
IMO Number:
9798349

Eco Bel Air Ship
Owner:
South California Inc .
Builder:
Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co ., Ltd .
Hull Number:
S874
Scheduled Delivery Date:
5 April 2019
IMO Number:
9794056


Eco Beverly Hills Ship
Owner:
Malibu Warrior Inc.
Builder:
Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
Hull Number:
S875
Scheduled Delivery Date:
2 May 2019
IMO Number:
99794068

133




Collateral Ship
Owner:
Astarte International Inc.
Name of Ship:
Eco Palm Desert
Flag State:
The Republic of the Marshall Islands
Charter description:
"SHELLTIME 4" time charter dated 28 September 2017 made between Central Tankers Chartering Inc. (CTC) as disponent owner and the Charterer, as time charterer as novated by CTC in favour of the Owner by means of a novation agreement dated 1 December 2018 made between the Owner, CTC and the Charterer
Charterer:
Shell Tankers Singapore Private Limited
Classification:
+100A1, Double Hull Oil and Chemical Tanker, Ship Type 2 and Ship Type 3, ESP, CSR, +LMC, UMS, *IWS, L1, SRM4, ECO (IHM, P), NAV1, IGS, ShipRight (CM, ACS(B)) with descriptive notes COW(LR), ETA, ShipRight (BWMP(S)), SERS, SCM, VECS)
Classification Society:
Lloyds Register of Shipping
Major Casualty Amount:
$500,000

134




Schedule 3
Conditions precedent
Part 1
Conditions precedent to any Utilisation
1.
Original Obligors’ corporate documents

(a)
A copy of the Constitutional Documents of each Original Obligor (other than the Charterer).

(b)
A copy of a resolution of the board of directors of each Original Obligor other than the Charterer (or, if applicable, any committee of such board empowered to approve and authorise the following matters):

(i)
approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Transaction Documents to which it is a party (its Relevant Documents ) and resolving that it execute, deliver and perform the Relevant Documents to which it is a party;

(ii)
authorising a specified person or persons to execute its Relevant Documents on its behalf; and

(iii)
authorising a specified person or persons, on its behalf, to sign and/or despatch all documents and notices (including, if relevant, any Utilisation Request) to be signed and/or despatched by it under or in connection with its Relevant Documents.

(c)
If applicable, a copy of a resolution of the board of directors of the relevant company, establishing any committee referred to in paragraph (b) above and conferring authority on that committee.

(d)
A specimen of the signature of each person authorised by the resolution referred to in paragraph (b) above in relation to its Relevant Documents and related documents.

(e)
A copy of a resolution signed by all the holders of the issued shares in each Original Obligor (other than the Charterer), approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, its Relevant Documents.

(f)
A copy of a resolution of the board of directors of each corporate shareholder of each Original Obligor (other than the Charterer) approving the terms of the resolution referred to in paragraph (e) above.

(g)
A certificate of the Guarantor (signed by a director) confirming that borrowing or guaranteeing or securing, as appropriate, the Total Commitments would not cause any borrowing, guarantee, security or similar limit binding on any Original Obligor (other than the Charterer) to be exceeded.

(h)
A copy of any power of attorney under which any person is appointed by any Original Obligor (other than the Charterer) to execute any of its Relevant Documents on its behalf.

(i)
A certificate of an authorised signatory of each relevant Original Obligor (other than the Charterer) certifying that each copy document relating to it specified in this Part of this Schedule is correct, complete and in full force and effect and has not been amended or superseded as at a date no earlier than the date of this Agreement and that any such resolutions or power of attorney have not been revoked.

(j)
A goodstanding certificate from the Marshall Islands competent authority in respect of the Borrower and the Guarantor (not more than 14 days before the proposed first Utilisation Date).
135



2.
Legal opinions
The following legal opinions, each addressed to the Agent, the Security Agent and the Original Lenders and capable of being relied upon by any persons who become Lenders pursuant to the primary syndication of the Facility:

(a)
A legal opinion of Norton Rose Fulbright Greece addressed to the Arranger, the Security Agent and the Agent on matters of English law, substantially in the form approved by the Agent prior to signing this Agreement.

(b)
A legal opinion of the legal advisers to the Arranger, the Security Agent and the Agent in England and also each jurisdiction in which an Obligor is incorporated or in which an Account opened at the relevant time is established substantially in the form approved by the Agent prior to signing this Agreement.

(c)
A legal opinion of the legal advisers to the Security Agent and the Agent in each jurisdiction (other than England and Wales) in which is or is to be the Flag State of the Collateral Ship, substantially in the form approved by the Agent prior to signing this Agreement.
3.
Other documents and evidence

(a)
Evidence that any process agent referred to in clause 50.2 (Service of process) or any equivalent provision of any other Finance Document entered into on or before the first Utilisation Date, if not an Original Obligor, has accepted its appointment.

(b)
A copy of any other Authorisation or other document, opinion or assurance which the Agent considers to be necessary (if it has notified the Borrower accordingly) in connection with the entry into and performance of the transactions contemplated by any Finance Document or for the validity and enforceability of any Finance Document.

(c)
The Fee Letters duly executed and evidence that the fees, commissions, costs and expenses then due from the Borrower pursuant to clause 12 (Fees) and clause 17 (Costs and expenses) have been paid or will be paid by the first Utilisation D ate.
4.
Collateral Documents
Each Collateral Document (and any notices and acknowledgements thereunder) duly executed.
5.
Delivery and registration of Ship
Evidence that the relevant Ship:

(a)
is legally and beneficially owned by the Guarantor and registered in the name of the Guarantor through the Registry as a ship under the laws and flag of the Flag State;

(b)
is classed with the Classification free of all requirements and recommendations of the Classification Society;

(c)
is insured in the manner required by the Finance Documents;

(d)
has been delivered, and accepted for service, under its Charter; and

(e)
is free of any other charter commitment which would require approval under the Finance Documents.
136



6.
Mortgage registration
Evidence that the Mortgage has been registered against the Collateral Ship through the Registry under the laws and flag of the Flag State.
7.
Insurance
In relation to the Insurances:

(a)
an opinion from insurance consultants appointed by the Agent on such Insurances;

(b)
evidence that such Insurances have been placed in accordance with clause 25 (Insurance); and

(c)
evidence that approved brokers, insurers and/or associations have issued or will issue letters of undertaking in favour of the Security Agent in an approved form in relation to the Insurances.
8.
ISM and ISPS Code
Copies of:

(a)
the document of compliance issued in accordance with the ISM Code to the person who is the operator of the Collateral Ship for the purposes of that code;

(b)
the safety management certificate in respect of the Collateral Ship issued in accordance with the ISM Code;

(c)
the international ship security certificate in respect of the Collateral Ship issued under the ISPS Code; and

(d)
if so requested by the Agent, any other certificates issued under any applicable code required to be observed by the Collateral Ship or in relation to its operation under any applicable law.
9.
Fees and expenses
Evidence that the fees, commissions, costs and expenses then due from the Borrower pursuant to clause 12 (Fees) and clause 17 (Costs and expenses) or any Fee Letter have been paid or will be paid by the relevant Utilisation Date.
10.
Subordination Deed
The Subordination Deed duly executed by all parties to it.
11.
Management Agreement
Where a manager of the Collateral Ship has been approved in accordance with clause 23.9 (Manager), a copy, certified by an approved person to be a true and complete copy, of the agreement between the Guarantor and the manager relating to the appointment of the manager.
12.
Bank Account
Evidence that any Account required to be established under clause 27 (Bank accounts) has been opened and established by the Borrower and the Guarantor, respectively, that any Account Security in respect of each such Account has been executed and delivered by the Borrower and the Guarantor, respectively, and that any notice required to be given to an
137



Account Bank under that Account Security has been given to it and acknowledged by it in the manner required by that Account Security and that an amount has been credited to it.
13.
“Know your customer” information
Such documentation and information as any Finance Party may reasonably request through the Agent to comply with “know your customer” or similar identification procedures under all laws and regulations applicable to that Finance Party.
14.
Disclosed Persons
Evidence in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) of who are the persons controlling the Borrower as at the date of this Agreement, including written evidence of their identity.
15.
Post-delivery financing
Evidence in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) of the Borrower having agreed with third party financiers committed post-delivery financing for the Eco California Ship and the Eco Marina Del Ray Ship.
16.
Family Trading Facility
Evidence in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders), which shall include a certified true and complete copy of the Family Trading Facility agreement, that under the terms of the Family Trading Facility agreement the Borrower:

(a)
can draw an amount in dollars of not less than $25,000,000 at any time;

(b)
cannot repay the Family Trading Facility before the Reduction Date,
save as otherwise provided in this Agreement.
138


Part 2
Conditions precedent to any Loan
In relation to each Loan under the Commitment (the Relevant Loan):
1.
Corporate documents

(a)
A certificate of an authorised signatory of the Borrower certifying that each copy document relating to it specified in Part 1 of this Schedule remains correct, complete and in full force and effect as at a date no earlier than a date approved for this purpose and that any resolutions or power of attorney referred to in Part 1 of this Schedule in relation to it have not been revoked or amended.

(b)
A certificate of an authorised signatory of each other Obligor which is party to any of the Original Security Documents required to be executed at or before drawdown certifying that each copy document relating to it specified in Part 1 of this Schedule remains correct, complete and in full force and effect as at a date no earlier than a date approved for this purpose and that any resolutions or power of attorney referred to in Part 1 of this Schedule in relation to it have not been revoked or amended.

(c)
A goodstanding certificate from the Marshall Islands competent authority in respect of the Borrower and the Guarantor (not more than 14 days before the proposed Utilisation Date relating to the Relevant Loan).
2.
Fees and expenses
Evidence that the fees, commissions, costs and expenses then due from the Borrower pursuant to clause 12 (Fees) and clause 17 (Costs and expenses) or any Fee Letter have been paid or will be paid by the relevant Utilisation Date.
139



Schedule 4
Utilisation Request
From:
TOP SHIPS INC.
   
To:
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V.
   
Dated:
[•]
   

Dear Sirs
$10,500,000
Facility Agreement dated [•] (the Facility Agreement)
1.
We refer to the Facility Agreement. This is a Utilisation Request. Terms defined in the Facility Agreement have the same meaning in this Utilisation Request unless given a different meaning in this Utilisation Request.
2.
We wish to borrow a Loan on the following terms:
 
Proposed Utilisation Date:
[•] (or, if that is not a Business Day, the next Business Day)
     
 
Amount:
$[•]

3.
We confirm that each condition specified in clause 4.4 (Further conditions precedent) is satisfied on the date of this Utilisation Request.
4.
The purpose of this Loan is [ specify purpose complying with clause 3 of the Facility Agreement ] [and/or to repay a Loan maturing on the proposed Utilisation Date] [and its proceeds should be credited to[•] [ specify account ]].
5.
This Utilisation Request is irrevocable.
Yours faithfully



_____________________________
authorised signatory for
TOP SHIPS INC.
140



Schedule 5
Form of Transfer Certificate
To:
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V. as Agent
   
From:
[ The Existing Lender ] (the Existing Lender ) and [ The New Lender ] (the New Lender )
   
Dated:
 
   

$10,500,000 Facility Agreement dated [•] (the Facility Agreement)
1.
We refer to the Facility Agreement. This agreement (the Agreement ) shall take effect as a Transfer Certificate for the purposes of the Facility Agreement. Terms defined in the Facility Agreement have the same meaning in this Agreement unless given a different meaning in this Agreement.
2.
We refer to clause 30.6 (Procedure for assignment) of the Facility Agreement:

(a)
The Existing Lender assigns absolutely to the New Lender all the rights of the Existing Lender under the Facility Agreement and the other Finance Documents which correspond to that portion of the Existing Lender’s Commitment and participation in any Loan under the Facility Agreement as specified in the Schedule.

(b)
The Existing Lender is released from the obligations owed by it which correspond to that portion of the Existing Lender’s Commitment and participation in any Loan under the Facility Agreement specified in the Schedule (but the obligations owed by the Obligors under the Finance Documents shall not be released).

(c)
On the Transfer Date the New Lender becomes a Party as a Lender and is bound by obligations equivalent to those from which the Existing Lender is released under paragraph (b) above.

(d)
The proposed Transfer Date is[•].

(e)
The Facility Office and address and attention details for notices of the New Lender for the purposes of clause 40.2 (Addresses) of the Facility Agreement are set out in the Schedule.
3.
The New Lender expressly acknowledges the limitations on the Existing Lender’s obligations set out in clause 30.5 (Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders) of the Facility Agreement.
4.
The New Lender confirms that it [is]/ [is not] a Borrower Affiliate.
5.
This Agreement acts as notice to the Agent (on behalf of each Finance Party) and, upon delivery in accordance with clause 30.7 (Copy of Transfer Certificate to Borrower), to the Borrower (on behalf of each Obligor) of the assignment referred to in this Agreement.
6.
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Agreement.
7.
This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations connected with it are governed by English law.
8.
This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.
Note: The execution of this Transfer Certificate may not assign a proportionate share of the Existing Lender’s interest in the Security Documents in all jurisdictions. It is the responsibility
141


 of the New Lender to ascertain whether any other documents or other formalities are required to perfect an assignment of such a share in the Security Documents in any jurisdiction and, if so, to arrange for execution of those documents and completion of those formalities.
142



The Schedule
Rights to be assigned and obligations to be released and undertaken
[insert relevant details]
[Facility Office address and attention details for notices and account details for payments.]
 [Existing Lender] [New Lender]
By:
By:
This Agreement is accepted by the Agent as a Transfer Certificate for the purposes of the Facility Agreement and the Transfer Date is confirmed as [•].
Signature of this Agreement by the Agent constitutes confirmation by the Agent of receipt of notice of the assignment referred to herein, which notice the Agent receives on behalf of each Finance Party.
[Agent]
By:
143



Schedule 6
Forms of Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction Notice
Form of Notice on Entering into Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction

To:
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V. as Agent
   
From:
[The Lender]
   
Dated:
$10,500,000
Facility Agreement dated [•] (the Facility Agreement)
1.
We refer to clause 44.9 (Disenfranchisement of Borrower Affiliates) of the Facility Agreement. Terms defined in the Facility Agreement have the same meaning in this notice unless given a different meaning in this notice.
2.
We have entered into a Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction.
3.
The Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction referred to in paragraph 2 above relates to the amount of our Commitment as set out below.
Amount of our Commitment to [insert amount (of that Commitment) to which the which Notifiable Debt Purchase relevant Debt Purchase Transaction applies] Transaction relates:
[Lender]
By:
144



Form of Notice on Termination of Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction/Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction ceasing to be with Borrower Affiliate
To:   Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V. as Agent
From:   [ The Lender ]
Dated:
$10,500,000
Facility Agreement dated [•] (the Facility Agreement)
1.
We refer to clause 44.9 (Disenfranchisement of Borrower Affiliates) of the Facility Agreement. Terms defined in the Facility Agreement have the same meaning in this notice unless given a different meaning in this notice.
2.
A Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction which we entered into and which we notified you of in a notice dated [•] has [terminated]/ [ceased to be with a Borrower Affiliate].*
3.
The Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction referred to in paragraph 2 above relates to the amount of our Commitment as set out below.
Amount of our Commitment to [insert amount (of that Commitment) to which the which Notifiable Debt Purchase relevant Debt Purchase Transaction applies] Transaction relates:
[Lender]
By:


_______________________
 * Delete as applicable
145


Schedule 7
Form of Compliance Certificate

To:
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V. as Agent
   
From:
TOP SHIPS INC. as Borrower
   

Dated:   [•]
Dear Sirs
$10,500,000
Facility Agreement dated [•] (the Facility Agreement)
1.
We refer to the Facility Agreement. This is a Compliance Certificate. Terms defined in the Facility Agreement have the same meaning when used in this Compliance Certificate unless given a different meaning in this Compliance Certificate.
2.
We confirm that:

(a)
Leverage : the ratio of Total Net Debt to Fleet Market Value in respect of the Group was [•]:1.00, calculated as shown in [Appendix A] versus a maximum required ratio of 0.75:1.00 [ attach relevant evidence ]; and

(b)
Minimum liquidity : the Group’s Cash and Cash Equivalents were [•] calculated as shown in [Appendix B] versus a minimum required aggregate amount of (i) $750,000 per Fleet Vessel and (ii) $500,000 per Chartered Vessel [ attach relevant evidence ].
3.
[We confirm that no Default is continuing.] [If this statement cannot be made, the certificate should identify any Default that is continuing and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it.]
Signed by:
TOP SHIPS INC.
146



SIGNATURES
THE BORROWER
 
   
TOP SHIPS INC.
 
By: /s/ Andreas Louka
 
   
   
   
THE GUARANTOR
 
   
ASTARTE INTERNATIONAL INC.
 
   
By: /s/ Andreas Louka
 
   
THE ARRANGER
 
   
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V.
 
   
By:
 
   
   
THE AGENT
 
   
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V.
 
   
By:
 
   
   
   
THE SECURITY AGENT
 
   
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V.
 
   
By:
 
   
   
   
THE LENDERS
 
   
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V.
 
   
By:
 
   



147
Exhibit 4.118


Confidential
Execution Version
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
Dated 21 March 2019
 
     
     
     
     
     
 
TOP SHIPS INC.

and

AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V.

and

THE NOTE PURCHASERS A PARTY HERETO

and

ASTARTE INTERNATIONAL INC.
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
NOTE PURCHASE DEED
 






Contents
Clause
Page

1
Definitions and interpretation
1
2
Issue of the Notes
2
3
Agreement of the Note Purchasers
3
4
Note Issuance and Use of Proceeds
4
5
Representations and Warranties
4
6
Obligor Covenants
6
7
Conditions Precedent
6
8
Interest and Redemption
 11
9
Tax Gross-Up and Indemnities
 18
10
Increased Costs
23
11
Other Indemnities
 25
12
Mitigation by the Note Purchasers
29
13
Cost and Expenses
29
14
Guarantee and Indemnity
31
15
Events of Default
 34
16
Application of Proceeds
35
17
Conduct of Business by the Finance Parties
 38
18
Survival of Representations and Obligations
 39
19
Assignment and Transfers
39
20
Roles of Agent, Security Agent and Registrar
42
21
Registrar
47
22
Time; Payments
49
23
Notices
50
24
Calculations and Certificates
54
25
Miscellaneous
54
26
Confidential Information
55
27
Governing Law
58
28
Jurisdiction
 58


Schedule 1 The Note Purchasers
62
Schedule 2 Form of Note Issue Notice
63
Schedule 3 Representations and Warranties of the Obligors
 65
Schedule 4 Covenants of the Obligor
 76
Schedule 5 Form of Deed of Accession
 108
Schedule 6 Form of Compliance Certificate
 114
Schedule 7 Form of Note Certificate
 115
Schedule 8 Definitions and Interpretation
 118


Schedule 9 Ship Information
 150
Schedule 10 Payment Mechanics
 152






THIS NOTE PURCHASE DEED (this Note Purchase Deed ) is dated 21 March 2019 and is made between:
(1)
TOP SHIPS INC. , a company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, registered number 3571, whose registered office is at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH9696 (the Issuer );
(2)
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V. , a company incorporated in the Netherlands, registered number 33260432 whose address for the purposes of this Note Purchase Deed is World Trade Center, Tower I, Level 6, Strawinskylaan 1939, 1077 XX Amsterdam, The Netherlands, in its capacity as Security Agent (the Security Agent );
(3)
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V. , a company incorporated in the Netherlands, registered number 33260432 whose address for the purposes of this Note Purchase Deed is World Trade Center, Tower I, Level 6, Strawinskylaan 1939, 1077 XX Amsterdam, The Netherlands, in its capacity as Agent (the Agent ) and Registrar (the Registrar );
(4)
the institution(s) listed in Schedule 1 ( the Note Purchasers ) hereto as note purchaser (the Note Purchaser ); and
(5)
ASTARTE INTERNATIONAL INC. , a company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, registered number 89977, whose registered office is at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH9696 (the Guarantor ).
WHEREAS
(A)
The Issuer has authorised the creation and issue of floating rate notes pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Note Purchase Deed.
(B)
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Note Purchase Deed, the Issuer shall issue, and the Note Purchasers shall purchase the floating rate notes.
IT IS AGREED as follows:
1.
Definitions and interpretation
1.1
Unless otherwise defined in this Note Purchase Deed or the context requires otherwise, words and expressions used in this Note Purchase Deed have the meanings and constructions ascribed to them in Part 1 of Schedule 8 ( Definitions and Interpretation ).
1.2
Interpretation
This Note Purchase Deed shall be construed in accordance with the principles of construction and interpretation set out in Part 2 of Schedule 8 ( Definitions and Interpretation ).
1


1.3
Save as expressly provided herein, any warranties or undertakings provided under this Note Purchase Deed are made to each other party to this Note Purchase Deed.
2.
Issue of the Notes
2.1
Agreement to Issue
Subject to the terms and conditions set out in this Note Purchase Deed, the Issuer agrees to issue to the Note Purchasers an aggregate of US$10,500,000 in principal amount of floating rate notes (the Notes ).
2.2
Issue Price
Each Note will be issued to the Note Purchasers in consideration for an amount equal to 100 per cent of the principal amount of such Note as is to be funded on the Closing Date as determined in accordance with clause 4.1(a) ( Note Issuance ).
2.3
Form of Note

(a)
Each Note shall be issued by the Issuer in registered form without coupons or talons and shall be:

(i)
represented by a Note Certificate executed by, or on behalf of, the Issuer;

(ii)
denominated in US Dollars;

(iii)
dated the Closing Date;

(iv)
payable to the order of the Note Purchasers; and

(v)
transferable in accordance with the provisions of clauses 19.1 ( Voluntary Transfers by Note Purchasers ) and 19.2 ( Transfer Procedure ).
to this Note Purchase Deed.

(b)
Entry in the Register of a Note Purchaser as the Note Purchaser of a Note is, in the absence of manifest error, conclusive evidence of its title to and ownership of such Note. Any Note Certificate will be evidence of entitlement only. In the event of any inconsistency between a Note Certificate or other evidence of title and an entry in the Register, the entry in the Register shall always govern. Title to a Note will pass upon registration of the transfer in the Register.
2.4
Constitution of the Notes and authentication of Certificated Notes
2



(a)
The Issuer hereby constitutes each of the Notes and covenants in favour of the Note Purchasers that it will pay to the Note Purchasers the principal amount of each Note on the Final Maturity Date of such Note and that it will duly perform and comply with the other terms and conditions of the Notes.

(b)
The covenant set forth in sub-clause (a) above shall take effect as a deed poll for the benefit of the Note Purchasers from time to time and shall enure to the benefit of the Note Purchasers who shall be entitled severally to enforce the covenant set forth in sub-clause (a) above.

(c)
The Issuer shall deliver the unauthenticated Certificated Note to or to the order of the Registrar for authentication by an authorised signatory by or on behalf of the Registrar and the Registrar shall authenticate Certificated Notes pursuant to this Note Purchase Deed.
2.5
Lost, stolen and mutilated Certificated Notes
Upon receipt of written notice from each Note Purchaser of any Certificated Note of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of such Certificated Note, the Issuer will make and deliver a new Certificated Note, of like tenor, in lieu of the lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Certificated Note.
3.
Agreement of the Note Purchasers
3.1
Subscription and Purchase
Subject to the terms and conditions set out in this Note Purchase Deed, each Note Purchaser agrees to subscribe for and purchase Notes denominated in US Dollars.
3.2
Rights
The rights of each Finance Party under this Note Purchase Deed are separate and independent rights and any debt arising under this Note Purchase Deed to a Finance Party from an Obligor shall be a separate and independent debt in respect of which a Finance Party shall be entitled to enforce its rights.
3.3
Obligations
The obligations (if any) of each Finance Party under this Note Purchase Deed are several. Failure by a Finance Party to perform its obligations (if any) under this Note Purchase Deed does not affect the obligations of any other party hereunder and no Finance Party is responsible for the obligations of any other Finance Party hereunder.
3


4.
Note Issuance and Use of Proceeds
4.1
Note Issuance

(a)
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Note Purchase Deed, the Issuer shall offer to issue the Notes by delivering to each Note Purchaser, not later than 1:00 p.m. three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, a duly completed Note Issue Notice. The Note Issue Notice shall be irrevocable and shall, among other things:

(i)
specify the principal amount of the Notes denominated in US Dollars, after giving effect to the Note Issue Notice;

(ii)
certify that the applicable conditions in clauses 7.1 ( Conditions Precedent to Issue of Notes ) and 7.2 ( Notice of satisfaction of conditions ) have been satisfied; and

(iii)
specify the Closing Date and the Final Maturity Date of the Notes.
4.2
Payment
Subject to the terms of this Note Purchase Deed (in particular but not limited to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions in clauses 7.1 ( Conditions Precedent to Issue of Notes ) and 7.2 ( Notice of satisfaction of conditions )) each Note Purchaser will pay to the applicable Account an amount equal to the principal amount of the Note in US Dollars as at the Closing Date, in immediately available funds as early as reasonably practicable on the Closing Date.
4.3
Use of Proceeds
The Issuer shall use the proceeds of the Notes only in or towards assisting the Issuer to refinance all amounts owing under the Existing Loan Facility. No Finance Party is bound to monitor or verify the application of any proceeds of Notes issued pursuant to this Note Purchase Deed.
5.
Representations and Warranties
5.1
Representations and Warranties by the Obligors
The Obligors represent and warrant to the Finance Parties on the date of this Note Purchase Deed and the Closing Date, in each case by reference to the facts and circumstances subsisting on such dates on the terms of each of the representations and warranties set out in Schedule 3 ( Representations and Warranties of the Obligors ).
5.2
Relevance
4


The Issuer and the Guarantor acknowledge that the representations and warranties set out in clause 5.1 ( Representations and Warranties by the Obligors ) are being made or will be made, as the case may be, with a view to inducing the Finance Parties to enter into the Transaction Documents to which they are, respectively, a party and undertake the transactions contemplated thereby, and have caused and will cause each Finance Party and to as applicable, enter into the relevant Transaction Documents, and undertake the relevant transactions and to take other actions in relation thereto. Such persons will rely upon such representations and warranties for all such purposes notwithstanding any information in fact possessed or discoverable by or otherwise disclosed to any of them.
5.3
Representations by the Note Purchasers
Each Note Purchaser, severally and not jointly, represents and warrants to the Issuer with respect to only itself that, as of the date hereof and as of the date of issuance of the Notes:

(a)
No Public Sale or Distribution . Such Note Purchaser is acquiring each Note (i) in reliance upon the exemption from securities registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act ), and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D ( Regulation D ) as promulgated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC ) under the 1933 Act and (ii) for its own account and not with a view towards, or for resale in connection with, the public sale or distribution thereof in violation of applicable securities laws, except pursuant to sales registered or exempted under the 1933 Act; provided , however, by making the representations herein, such Note Purchaser does not agree, or make any representation or warranty, to hold any of the Notes for any minimum or other specific term and reserves the right to dispose of the Notes at any time in accordance with or pursuant to a registration statement or an exemption from registration under the 1933 Act. Such Note Purchaser does not presently have any agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute any of the Notes in violation of applicable securities laws.

(b)
Accredited Investor Status . Such Note Purchaser is an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D.

(c)
Reliance on Exemptions . Such Note Purchaser understands that the Notes are being offered and sold to it in reliance on specific exemptions from the registration requirements of United States federal and state securities laws and that the Issuer is relying in part upon the truth and accuracy of, and such Note Purchaser’s compliance with, the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of such Note Purchaser set forth herein in order to determine the availability of such exemptions and the eligibility of such Note Purchaser to acquire the Notes.
5



(d)
Information . Such Note Purchaser and its advisors, if any, have been furnished with all materials relating to the business, finances and operations of the Issuer and materials relating to the offer and sale of the Notes that have been requested by such Note Purchaser. Such Note Purchaser and its advisors, if any, have been afforded the opportunity to ask questions of the Issuer. Neither such inquiries nor any other due diligence investigations conducted by such Note Purchaser or its advisors, if any, or its representatives shall modify, amend or affect such Note Purchaser’s right to rely on the Obligors’ representations and warranties contained herein. Such Note Purchaser understands that its investment in the Notes involves a high degree of risk. Such Note Purchaser has sought such accounting, legal and tax advice as it has considered necessary to make an informed investment decision with respect to its acquisition of the Notes.

(e)
No Governmental Review . Such Note Purchaser understands that no United States federal or state agency or any other government or governmental agency has passed on or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Notes or the fairness or suitability of the investment in the Notes nor have such authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the Notes.

(f)
No Registration . Such Note Purchaser understands that (i) the Notes have not been and are not being registered under the 1933 Act or any state securities laws, and (ii) neither the Issuer nor any other Person is under any obligation to register the Notes under the 1933 Act or any state securities laws or to comply with the terms and conditions of any exemption thereunder.
6.
Obligor Covenants
The Obligors covenant with and undertakes to the Finance Parties that, for so long as any of the Notes are outstanding, it will comply with each of the covenants set out in Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ).
7.
Conditions Precedent
7.1
Condition Precedent to Issue of Notes:
The issuance of the Notes under this Note Purchase Deed on the Closing Date and funding by the Note Purchasers is subject to the Agent, or its duly authorised representative, having received all of the documents and evidence listed below in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent:

(a)
Original Obligors’ corporate documents:
6



(i)
A copy of the Constitutional Documents of each Original Obligor (other than the Charterer).

(ii)
A copy of a resolution of the board of directors of each Original Obligor other than the Charterer (or, if applicable, any committee of such board empowered to approve and authorise the following matters):

(A)
approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Transaction Documents to which it is a party (its Relevant Documents ) and resolving that it will execute, deliver and perform the Relevant Documents to which it is a party;

(B)
authorising a specified person or persons to execute its Relevant Documents on its behalf; and

(C)
authorising a specified person or persons, on its behalf, to sign and/or despatch all documents and notices to be signed and/or despatched by it under or in connection with its Relevant Documents.

(iii)
If applicable, a copy of a resolution of the board of directors of the relevant company, establishing any committee referred to in sub-clause 7.1(a)(ii) above and conferring authority on that committee.

(iv)
A specimen of the signature of each person authorised by the resolution referred to in sub-clause 7.1(a)(ii) above in relation to its Relevant Documents and related documents.

(v)
A copy of a resolution signed by all the holders of the issued shares in each Original Obligor (other than the Charterer), approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, its Relevant Documents.

(vi)
A copy of a resolution of the board of directors of each corporate shareholder of each Original Obligor (other than the Charterer) approving the terms of the resolution referred to in sub-clause 7.1(a)(v) above.

(vii)
A certificate of the Guarantor (signed by a director) confirming that borrowing or guaranteeing or securing, as appropriate, the Notes would not cause any borrowing, guarantee, security or similar limit binding on any Original Obligor (other than the Charterer) to be exceeded.

(viii)
A copy of any power of attorney under which any person is appointed by any Original Obligor (other than the Charterer) to execute any of its Relevant Documents on its behalf.
7



(ix)
A certificate of an authorised signatory of each relevant Original Obligor (other than the Charterer) certifying that each copy document relating to it is correct, complete and in full force and effect and has not been amended or superseded as at a date no earlier than the date of this Note Purchase Deed and that any such resolutions or power of attorney have not been revoked.

(x)
A goodstanding certificate from the Marshall Islands competent authority in respect of the Issuer and the Guarantor (not more than 14 days before the proposed Closing Date).

(b)
Legal opinions: The following legal opinions, each addressed to the Agent, the Security Agent and the Note Purchaser and capable of being relied upon by any persons who become a Note Purchaser pursuant to the transfer by the Note Purchaser of any Notes in accordance with the terms of this Note Purchase Deed:

(i)
A legal opinion of Norton Rose Fulbright LLP addressed to the Security Agent and the Agent on matters of English law, substantially in the form approved by the Agent prior to signing this Note Purchase Deed.

(ii)
A legal opinion of the legal advisers to the Security Agent and the Agent on matters of law in each jurisdiction in which an (A) Obligor is incorporated and (B) Account opened at the relevant time is established, substantially in the form approved by the Agent prior to signing this Note Purchase Deed.

(iii)
A legal opinion of the legal advisers to the Security Agent and the Agent in each jurisdiction (other than England and Wales) in which is or is to be the Flag State of the Collateral Ship, substantially in the form approved by the Agent prior to signing this Note Purchase Deed.

(c)
Other documents and evidence:

(i)
Evidence that any process agent referred to in clause 28.2 ( Service of process ) or any equivalent provision of any other Finance Document entered into on or before the date of this Note Purchase Deed, if not an Original Obligor, has accepted its appointment.

(ii)
A copy of any other Authorisation or other document, opinion or assurance which the Agent considers to be necessary (if it has notified the Issuer accordingly) in connection with the entry into and performance of the transactions contemplated by any Finance Document or for the validity and enforceability of any Finance Document.
8



(d)
Collateral documents: each Collateral Document (and any notices and acknowledgements thereunder) are duly executed.

(e)
Delivery and registration of Ship: evidence that the relevant Ship:

(i)
is legally and beneficially owned by the Guarantor and registered in the name of the Guarantor through the Registry as a ship under the laws and flag of the Flag State;

(ii)
is classed with the Classification free of all requirements and recommendations of the Classification Society;

(iii)
is insured in the manner required by the Finance Documents;

(iv)
has been delivered, and accepted for service, under its Charter; and

(v)
is free of any other charter commitment which would require approval under the Finance Documents.

(f)
Mortgage registration: evidence that the Mortgage has been registered against the Collateral Ship through the Registry under the laws and flag of the Flag State.

(g)
Insurance: in relation to the Insurances:

(i)
an opinion from insurance consultants appointed by the Agent on such Insurances;

(ii)
evidence that such Insurances have been placed in accordance with paragraph 6 ( Insurance ) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ); and

(iii)
evidence that approved brokers, insurers and/or associations have issued or will issue letters of undertaking in favour of the Security Agent in an approved form in relation to the Insurances.

(h)
ISM and ISPS Code: copies of:

(i)
the document of compliance issued in accordance with the ISM Code to the person who is the operator of the Collateral Ship for the purposes of that code;

(ii)
the safety management certificate in respect of the Collateral Ship issued in accordance with the ISM Code;

(iii)
the international ship security certificate in respect of the Collateral Ship issued under the ISPS Code; and
9



(iv)
if so requested by the Agent, any other certificates issued under any applicable code required to be observed by the Collateral Ship or in relation to its operation under any applicable law.

(i)
Deed of Amendment: the Deed of Amendment to the Subordination Deed duly executed by all parties to it.

(j)
Management Agreement: where a manager of the Collateral Ship has been approved in accordance with paragraph 4.9 ( Manager ) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ), a copy, certified by an approved person to be a true and complete copy, of the agreement between the Guarantor and the manager relating to the appointment of the manager.

(k)
Bank Account: evidence that any Account required to be established under paragraph 8 ( Bank accounts ) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ), has been opened and established by the Issuer and the Guarantor, respectively, that any Account Security in respect of each such Account has been executed and delivered by the Issuer and the Guarantor, respectively, and that any notice required to be given to an Account Bank under that Account Security has been given to it and acknowledged by it in the manner required by that Account Security and that an amount has been credited to it.

(l)
Know your customer information: such documentation and information as any Finance Party may reasonably request through the Agent to comply with “know your customer” or similar identification procedures under all laws and regulations applicable to that Finance Party.

(m)
Disclosed persons: evidence in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent of who are the persons controlling the Issuer as at the date of this Note Purchase Deed, including written evidence of their identity.

(n)
Post-delivery financing: evidence in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent of the Issuer having agreed with third party financiers committed post-delivery financing for the Eco California Ship and the Eco Marina Del Ray Ship.

(o)
Family Trading Facility: evidence in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent, which shall include a certified true and complete copy of the Family Trading Facility agreement, that under the terms of the Family Trading Facility agreement the Issuer:

(i)
can draw an amount in dollars of not less than $25,000,000 at any time;

(ii)
cannot repay the Family Trading Facility before the Final Maturity Date,
10


save as otherwise permitted in this Note Purchase Deed (including, for the avoidance of doubt, as set out in paragraph 9.12 ( Family Trading Facility ) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ).

(p)
No Default or Event of Default under Existing Loan Facility: no Default or Event of Default (each as defined in the Existing Loan Facility) under the Existing Loan Facility has occurred and no event exists, or would occur from the issuance of the Notes.

(q)
Representations: all of the representations set out in Schedule 3 ( Representations and Warranties of the Obligors ) are true.
7.2
Notice of satisfaction of conditions
The Agent shall notify the Note Purchasers and the Issuer promptly after receipt by it of the documents and evidence referred to in clause 7.1 ( Conditions Precedent to Issue of Notes ) in form and substance satisfactory to it. Other than to the extent that the Note Purchasers notify the Agent in writing to the contrary before the Agent gives any such notification, the Note Purchasers authorise (but do not require) the Agent to give that notification. The Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses whatsoever as a result of giving any such notification.
7.3
Waiver
The Finance Parties acting collectively may waive compliance with the whole or any part of this clause 7 ( Conditions Precedent ).
8.
Interest and Redemption
8.1
Interest

(a)
Interest Payment Date: Each Note bears interest on its Principal Balance from (and including) the Closing Date, payable in arrear in US Dollars on each Interest Payment Date for the relevant Interest Period; provided that the first Interest Payment Date shall be 4 June 2019 for the first Interest Period.

(b)
Interest Periods: Each Interest Period shall have a duration of three months and shall begin on the day immediately following the last day of the immediately preceding Interest Period, provided that:

(i)
the first Interest Period shall begin on the Closing Date and end on 4 June 2019; and

(ii)
no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Final Maturity Date.
11



(c)
Interest Rate: The rate of interest payable from time to time in respect of the Principal Balance of each Note (the Interest Rate ) for each Interest Period is the percentage rate per annum which is aggregate of the applicable:

(i)
Margin; and

(ii)
LIBOR for the relevant Interest Period.

(d)
Determination of Rates of Interest and Interest Amounts: With respect to the Notes, the Agent shall, on each Determination Date, determine and by no later than 11:00 a.m. notify to the Issuer:

(i)
the Interest Rate applicable with respect to the Principal Balance of each Note for the relevant Interest Period;

(ii)
the aggregate amount of interest due on the Principal Balance of each Note for the relevant Interest Period which shall be an amount equal to:

(A)
an amount equal to the product of (1) the Interest Rate applicable to such Principal Balance and (2) the Principal Balance of such Note on the first day of the relevant Interest Period (after giving effect to any Note principal payments made on that date),
divided by

(B)
the applicable Day Count Convention (the Interest Amount ).
The resulting figure shall be rounded up to the nearest US Dollar; and

(iii)
any fees payable to each Note Purchaser (including pursuant to clause 8.2(k) ( Termination Fee ) below) or otherwise payable to Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V. in any other capacity under the Finance Documents.

(e)
Default Interest

(i)
If an Obligor fails to pay any amount payable by it under a Finance Document to a Finance Party on its due date, interest shall accrue on the overdue amount from the due date up to the date of actual payment (both before and after judgment) at a rate which, subject to sub-clause 8.1(e)(iii) below, is 2 per cent per annum higher than the rate which would have been payable if the overdue amount had, during the period of non-payment, constituted a Note for successive Interest Periods, each of a duration selected by the Agent (acting reasonably).
12



(ii)
Any interest accruing under this clause 8.1(e) shall be immediately payable by the Obligor on demand by the Agent.

(iii)
If any overdue amount consists of all or part of a Note which became due on a day which was not the last day of an Interest Period relating to that Note:

(A)
the first Interest Period for that overdue amount shall have a duration equal to the unexpired portion of the current Interest Period relating to that Note; and

(B)
the rate of interest applying to the overdue amount during that first Interest Period shall be 2 per cent per annum higher than the rate which would have applied if the overdue amount had not become due.

(iv)
Default interest payable under this clause 8.1(e) (if unpaid) arising on an overdue amount will be compounded with the overdue amount at the end of each Interest Period applicable to that overdue amount but will remain immediately due and payable.

(f)
Changes to the calculation of interest

(i)
Unavailability of Screen Rate: If no Screen Rate is available for LIBOR for an Interest Period, LIBOR shall be the Interpolated Screen Rate for a period equal in length to that Interest Period. If no Screen Rate is available for LIBOR for (A) dollars or (B) the relevant Interest Period and it is not possible to calculate the Interpolated Screen Rate, there shall be no LIBOR for that Interest Period and sub-clause 8.1(f)(iii) shall apply for that interest period.

(ii)
Market disruption: If before close of business in London on the Determination Date for an Interest Period the Agent receives notifications from a Note Purchaser that the cost to it of funding its participation in that Note from whatever source it may reasonably select would be in excess of LIBOR then sub-clause 8.1(f)(iii) shall apply to that Note for the relevant Interest Period.

(iii)
Cost of funds:

(A)
If this sub-clause 8.1(f)(iii) applies, the Interest Rate on the Note for the Interest Period shall be the percentage rate per annum which is the sum of:

(1)
the Margin; and

(2)
the rate notified to the Agent by that Note Purchaser as soon as practicable and in any event within ten Business Days of the first day of that Interest Period (or, if earlier, on the date falling ten Business
13


Days before the date on which interest is due to be paid in respect of that Interest Period), to be that which expresses as a percentage rate per annum the cost to the relevant Note Purchaser of funding its participation in that Note from whatever source it may reasonably select.

(B)
If this sub-clause 8.1(f)(iii) applies and the Agent or the Issuer so require, the Agent and the Issuer shall enter into negotiations (for a period of not more than 30 days) with a view to agreeing a substitute basis for determining the Interest Rate.

(C)
Any alternative basis agreed pursuant to sub-clause 8.1(f)(iii)(A)(2) above shall, with the prior written consent of all of the Note Purchasers and the Issuer, be binding on the Parties.

(D)
If this sub-clause 8.1(f)(iii) applies pursuant to sub-clause 8.1(f)(ii) above, and: (A) a Note Purchaser’s Funding Rate is less than LIBOR; or (B) a Note Purchaser does not supply a quotation by the time specified in sub-clause 8.1(f)(iii)(B) above, the cost to that Note Purchaser of funding its participation in the Notes for that Interest Period shall be deemed, for the purposes of sub-clause 8.1(f)(iii)(A)(1) above, to be LIBOR.

(iv)
Notification to the Issuer: if sub-clause 8.1(f)(iii) above applies, the Agent shall, as soon as is practicable, notify the Issuer and provide to the Issuer evidence of the cost in relation to a Note Purchaser of funding its participation in the Notes for the purpose of determining the Interest Rate under sub-clause 8.1(f)(iii)(D) (such evidence to not be contested by the Issuer).

(v)
Break Costs:

(A)
The Issuer shall, within five Business Days of demand by a Finance Party, pay to that Finance Party its Break Costs attributable to all or any part of a Note being paid by the Issuer on a day other than the last day of an Interest Period for such Note.

(B)
Each Note Purchaser shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after a demand by the Agent, provide a certificate confirming the amount and basis of calculation of its Break Costs for any Interest Period in which they accrue.
8.2
Redemption
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(a)
Final Redemption: Unless previously redeemed in full and cancelled, each Note will be redeemed at its Principal Balance, together with interest accrued thereon, on its Final Maturity Date, subject as provided in this clause 8.2 ( Redemption ).
The Issuer may not redeem the Notes in whole or in part prior to that date except as provided in this clause 8.2 ( Redemption ).

(b)
Mandatory Redemption: if after the date of this Note Purchase Deed, the Issuer:

(i)
raises equity capital from its shareholders (other than by means of converting any then current Financial Indebtedness, excluding any Notes issued pursuant to this Note Purchase Deed, into common shares in the Issuer or preferred shares in the Issuer not paying any cash dividend) or otherwise, it shall make a prepayment of the Notes in an aggregate amount in dollars equal to the lesser of (A) the Principal Balance outstanding of the Notes at the time and (B) the higher of (I) 25 per cent of the equity capital so raised and (II) the amount by which the Family Trading Facility is reduced by the proceeds of any such equity capital so raised; or

(ii)
incurs any Financial Indebtedness (other than (A) from its shareholders, (B) debt finance incurred for the sole purpose of refinancing any existing indebtedness of the Group and secured by means of a mortgage over a Fleet Vessel and (C) debt finance incurred for the purposes of paragraph 9.13 ( Capital Expenditures ) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ), it shall make a prepayment of the Notes in an aggregate amount equal to the lesser of (I) the Principal Balance of the Notes outstanding at the time and (II) the Financial Indebtedness so incurred.
Each such prepayment shall be made rateably among the Note Purchasers. Any redemption under this clause 8.2(b) ( Mandatory Redemption ) shall reduce the Principal Balance outstanding of the Notes rateably. Where such prepayment is pursuant to clause 8.2(b)(i) above, the Issuer shall make a written offer to the Note Purchasers to apply the redemption monies in respect of the relevant Notes in subscription or purchase of further equity capital on the same terms as the offer to shareholders. The Note Purchasers shall notify the Issuer in writing within 5 Business Days of receipt of the terms of the offer as to whether they wish to accept in whole or in part.

(c)
Optional Redemption for tax gross-up or increased costs : If:

(i)
any sum payable for any Note Purchaser by an Obligor is required to be increased under clause 9.2 ( Tax gross-up ); or

(ii)
any Note Purchaser claims indemnification from the Issuer under clause 9.3 ( Tax indemnity ) or clause 10 ( Increased Costs ),
15


the Issuer may, on the first Interest Payment Date to occur at least 30 days after the date on which the Agent confirms to the Issuer that they are satisfied that such event has occurred, redeem all, but not some only, of the Notes at their Principal Balance together with interest and other amounts (if any) accrued to the date fixed for redemption (which must be an Interest Payment Date); provided that:

(A)
the Issuer has given not more than 30 nor less than 20 days’ notice to the Registrar, the Agent and the Note Purchaser(s); and

(B)
the Issuer has delivered to the Agent prior to the giving of the notice referred to it sub-clause 8.2(c)(i) a certificate signed by two directors of the Issuer to the effect that it will have sufficient funds, not subject to the interest of any other person, available to pay the Principal Balance of all the Notes together with interest and other amounts accrued to the date fixed for redemption and to discharge any amounts required under the Pre-Enforcement Payment Mechanics to be paid in priority to, or pari passu with, the Notes on the date fixed for redemption.

(d)
Optional Redemption in Full: The Issuer may redeem all, but not some only, of the Notes at their Principal Balance together with interest and other amounts (if any) accrued to the date fixed for redemption (which must be an Interest Payment Date); provided that:

(i)
the Issuer has given not more than 30 nor less than 20 days’ notice to the Registrar, the Agent and the Note Purchaser(s);

(ii)
the Issuer has delivered to the Agent prior to the giving of the notice referred to it sub-clause 8.2(d)(i) a certificate signed by two directors of the Issuer to the effect that it will have sufficient funds, not subject to the interest of any other person, available to pay the Principal Balance of all the Notes together with interest and other amounts if any, accrued to the date fixed for redemption and to discharge any amounts required under the Pre-Enforcement Payment Mechanics to be paid in priority to, or pari passu with, the Notes on the date fixed for redemption.

(e)
Optional Redemption in Part: The Issuer may prepay the Principal Balance of the Notes in part on any Interest Payment Date; provided that:

(i)
the Principal Balance after giving effect to such redemption is at least $500,000 and in multiples of $500,000;

(ii)
the Issuer notifies the Agent of the principal amount of such prepayment by no later than two (2) Business Days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date; and
16



(iii)
the Issuer has delivered to the Agent prior to the giving of the notice referred to it sub-clause 8.2(e)(i) a certificate to the effect that the Issuer will have sufficient funds, not subject to the interest of any other person, available to pay the Principal Balance of such prepayment together with interest and other amounts, if any, accrued to the date fixed for redemption and to discharge any amounts required under the Pre-Enforcement Payment Mechanics to be paid in priority to, or pari passu with, such prepayment on the date fixed for redemption.
Each such notice shall (x) specify the aggregate amount and currency of the prepayment to be made and (y) specify the Interest Payment Date on which the Issuer will make such prepayment. Each such prepayment shall be made rateably among the Note Purchasers. Any redemption under this clause 8.2(e) ( Optional Redemption in Part ) shall reduce the Principal Balance outstanding of the Notes rateably.

(f)
Redemption due to Illegality: If, in any applicable jurisdiction, it becomes unlawful for a Note Purchaser to perform any of its obligations as contemplated by this Note Purchase Deed or to hold the Notes or it becomes unlawful for any Affiliate of a Note Purchaser for that Note Purchaser to do so:

(i)
that Note Purchaser shall promptly notify the Agent upon becoming aware of that event;

(ii)
upon the Agent notifying the Issuer, the Issuer shall repay the Principal Balance of that Note Purchaser’s Notes on the last day of the Interest Period occurring after the Agent has notified the Issuer or, if earlier, the date specified by the relevant Note Purchaser in the notice delivered to the Agent (being no earlier than the last day of any applicable grace period permitted by law).

(g)
Note principal payments and Principal Balance: On each Determination Date, the Agent shall:

(i)
determine the Principal Balance of each Note after giving effect to any Note principal payment to be made on the Interest Payment Date immediately following such Determination Date; and

(ii)
cause each determination of the Principal Balance and, if any, the amount of any Note principal payment (if any) for the Notes due on the Interest Payment Date immediately following such Determination Date to be notified to the Issuer.

(h)
Notice of Redemption: A notice of redemption under this clause 8.2 ( Redemption ) shall be irrevocable and the Issuer shall be bound to redeem the Notes on the relevant redemption date in accordance with such notice.
17



(i)
Cancellation: All Notes redeemed in full pursuant to this clause 8.2 ( Redemption ) will be cancelled upon redemption and may not be resold or re-issued.

(j)
Related Payments: Each prepayment of all or a portion of the Principal Balance (whether optional or mandatory) must be accompanied by a payment of any accrued and unpaid Interest Amount on the amount prepaid, and any other amounts due hereunder in respect of such prepayment or otherwise due at such time.

(k)
Termination Fee: In the event that the Notes are redeemed pursuant to clauses 8.2(d) ( Optional Redemption in Full ) or 8.2(e) ( Optional Redemption in Part ) on a date prior to the date which is six (6) months following the date of this Note Purchase Deed, the Issuer shall pay to Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V. a termination fee in an amount of $52,500 on such redemption date.
9.
Tax Gross-Up and Indemnities
9.1
Definitions
In this Note Purchase Deed:
Protected Party means a Finance Party or, in relation to clause 11.3 ( Indemnity concerning security ) and clause 11.6 ( Interest ) insofar as it relates to interest on any amount demanded by that Indemnified Person under clause 11.3 ( Indemnity concerning security ), any Indemnified Person, which is or will be subject to any liability, or required to make any payment, for or on account of Tax in relation to a sum received or receivable (or any sum deemed for the purposes of Tax to be received or receivable) under a Finance Document.
Tax Deduction means a deduction or withholding for or on account of Tax from a payment under a Finance Document other than a FATCA Deduction.
Unless a contrary indication appears, in this clause 9 ( Tax Gross-Up and Indemnities ) a reference to determines or determined means a determination made in the absolute discretion of the person making the determination.
9.2
Tax gross-up

(a)
Each Obligor shall make all payments to be made by it under any Finance Document without any Tax Deduction, unless a Tax Deduction is required by law.

(b)
The Issuer shall, promptly upon becoming aware that an Obligor must make a Tax Deduction (or that there is any change in the rate or the basis of a Tax Deduction), notify the Agent accordingly. Similarly, a Note Purchaser shall notify the Agent on becoming so aware in respect of a payment payable to that Note Purchaser. If the Agent receives such notification from a Note Purchaser it shall notify the Issuer and that Obligor.
18



(c)
If a Tax Deduction is required by law to be made by an Obligor, the amount of the payment due from that Obligor under the relevant Finance Document shall be increased to an amount which (after making any Tax Deduction) leaves an amount equal to the payment which would have been due if no Tax Deduction had been required.

(d)
If an Obligor is required to make a Tax Deduction, that Obligor shall make that Tax Deduction and any payment required in connection with that Tax Deduction within the time allowed and in the minimum amount required by law.

(e)
Within 30 days of making either a Tax Deduction or any payment required in connection with that Tax Deduction, the Obligor making that Tax Deduction shall deliver to the Agent for the Finance Party entitled to the payment evidence reasonably satisfactory to that Finance Party that the Tax Deduction has been made or (as applicable) any appropriate payment paid to the relevant taxing authority.
9.3
Tax indemnity

(a)
Each Obligor who is a Party shall (within five Business Days of demand by the Agent) pay to a Protected Party an amount equal to the loss, liability or cost which that Protected Party determines will be or has been (directly or indirectly) suffered for or on account of Tax by that Protected Party in respect of a Finance Document.

(b)
Clause 9.3(a) above shall not apply:

(i)
with respect to any Tax assessed on a Finance Party:

(A)
under the law of the jurisdiction in which that Finance Party is incorporated or, if different, the jurisdiction (or jurisdictions) in which that Finance Party is treated as resident for tax purposes; or

(B)
under the law of the jurisdiction in which that Finance Party’s Facility Office is located in respect of amounts received or receivable in that jurisdiction,
if that Tax is imposed on or calculated by reference to the net income received or receivable (but not any sum deemed to be received or receivable) by that Finance Party; or

(ii)
to the extent a loss, liability or cost:

(A)
is compensated for by an increased payment under clause 9.2 ( Tax gross-up ); or

(B)
relates to a FATCA Deduction required to be made by a Party or any Obligor which is not a Party.
19



(c)
A Protected Party making, or intending to make a claim under clause 9.3(a) above shall promptly notify the Agent of the event which will give, or has given, rise to the claim, following which the Agent shall notify the Issuer.

(d)
A Protected Party shall, on receiving a payment from an Obligor under this clause 9.3 ( Tax indemnity ), notify the Agent.
9.4
Indemnities on after Tax basis

(a)
If and to the extent that any sum payable to any Protected Party by the Issuer under any Finance Document by way of indemnity or reimbursement proves to be insufficient, by reason of any Tax suffered thereon, for that Protected Party to discharge the corresponding liability to a third party, or to reimburse that Protected Party for the cost incurred by it in discharging the corresponding liability to a third party, the Issuer shall pay that Protected Party such additional sum as (after taking into account any Tax suffered by that Protected Party on such additional sum) shall be required to make up the relevant deficit.

(b)
If and to the extent that any sum (the Indemnity Sum ) constituting (directly or indirectly) an indemnity to any Protected Party but paid by the Issuer to any person other than that Protected Party, shall be treated as taxable in the hands of the Protected Party, the Issuer shall pay to that Protected Party such sum (the Compensating Sum ) as (after taking into account any Tax suffered by that Protected Party on the Compensating Sum) shall reimburse that Protected Party for any Tax suffered by it in respect of the Indemnity Sum.

(c)
For the purposes of clauses 9.4(a) and 9.4(b) above, a sum shall be deemed to be taxable in the hands of a Protected Party if it falls to be taken into account in computing the profits or gains of that Protected Party for the purposes of Tax and, if so, that Protected Party shall be deemed to have suffered Tax on the relevant sum at the rate of Tax applicable to that Protected Party’s profits or gains for the period in which the payment of the relevant sum falls to be taken into account for the purposes of such Tax.
9.5
Stamp taxes: The Issuer shall pay and, within five Business Days of demand, indemnify each Finance Party against any cost, loss or liability that Finance Party incurs in relation to all stamp duty, registration and other similar Taxes payable in respect of any Finance Document.
9.6
Value added tax

(a)
All amounts expressed in a Finance Document to be payable by any party to a Finance Party which (in whole or in part) constitute the consideration for any supply for VAT purposes are deemed to be exclusive of any VAT which is chargeable on that supply, and accordingly, subject to clause 9.6(b) below, if VAT is or becomes chargeable on any
20


supply made by any Finance Party to any party under a Finance Document, and such Finance Party is required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT, that party must pay to such Finance Party (in addition to and at the same time as paying any other consideration for such supply) an amount equal to the amount of the VAT (and such Finance Party must promptly provide an appropriate VAT invoice to that party).

(b)
If VAT is or becomes chargeable on any supply made by any Finance Party (the Supplier ) to any other Finance Party (the Recipient ) under a Finance Document, and any party to a Finance Document other than the Recipient (the Subject Party ) is required by the terms of any Finance Document to pay an amount equal to the consideration for that supply to the Supplier (rather than being required to reimburse or indemnify the Recipient in respect of that consideration):

(i)
(where the Supplier is the person required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT) the Subject Party must also pay to the Supplier (at the same time as paying that amount) an additional amount equal to the amount of the VAT. The Recipient must (where this sub-clause 9.6(b)(i) applies) promptly pay to the Subject Party an amount equal to any credit or repayment the Recipient receives from the relevant tax authority which the Recipient reasonably determines relates to the VAT chargeable on that supply; and

(ii)
(where the Recipient is the person required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT) the Subject Party must promptly, following demand from the Recipient, pay to the Recipient an amount equal to the VAT chargeable on that supply but only to the extent that the Recipient reasonably determines that it is not entitled to credit or repayment from the relevant tax authority in respect of that VAT.

(c)
Where a Finance Document requires any party to it to reimburse or indemnify a Finance Party for any cost or expense, that party shall reimburse or indemnify (as the case may be) such Finance Party for the full amount of such cost or expense, including such part thereof as represents VAT save to the extent that such Finance Party reasonably determines that it is entitled to credit or repayment in respect of such VAT from the relevant tax authority.

(d)
Any reference in this clause 9.6 ( Value added tax ) to any party shall, at any time when such party is treated as a member of a group for VAT purposes, include (where appropriate and unless the context otherwise requires) a reference to the representative member of such group at such time (the term representative member to have the same meaning as in the Value Added Tax Act 1994).

(e)
In relation to any supply made by a Finance Party to any party under a Finance Document, if reasonably requested by such Finance Party, that party must promptly
21


provide such Finance Party with details of that party’s VAT registration and such other information as is reasonably requested in connection with such Finance Party’s VAT reporting requirements in relation to such supply.
9.7
FATCA information

(a)
Subject to clause 9.7(c) below, each Party shall, within ten Business Days of a reasonable request by another Party:

(i)
confirm to that other Party whether it is (A) a FATCA Exempt Party; or (B) not a FATCA Exempt Party;

(ii)
supply to that other Party such forms, documentation and other information relating to its status under FATCA as that other Party reasonably requests for the purposes of that other Party’s compliance with FATCA; and

(iii)
supply to that other Party such forms, documentation and other information relating to its status as that other Party reasonably requests for the purposes of that other Party’s compliance with any other law, regulation, or exchange of information regime.

(b)
If a Party confirms to another Party pursuant to sub-clause 9.7(a)(i) above that it is a FATCA Exempt Party and it subsequently becomes aware that it is not or has ceased to be a FATCA Exempt Party, that Party shall notify that other Party reasonably promptly.

(c)
Sub-clause 9.7(a)(i) above shall not oblige any Finance Party to do anything, and sub-clause 9.7(a)(iii) above shall not oblige any other Party to do anything, which would or might in its reasonable opinion constitute a breach of:

(i)
any law or regulation;

(ii)
any fiduciary duty; or

(iii)
any duty of confidentiality.

(d)
If a Party fails to confirm whether or not it is a FATCA Exempt Party or to supply forms, documentation or other information requested in accordance with sub-clauses 9.7(a)(i) or 9.7(a)(ii) above (including, for the avoidance of doubt, where sub-clause 9.7(c) above applies), then such Party shall be treated for the purposes of the Finance Documents (and payments under them) as if it is not a FATCA Exempt Party until such time as the Party in question provides the requested confirmation, forms, documentation or other information.
22



(e)
If the Issuer is a US Tax Obligor or the Agent reasonably believes that its obligations under FATCA or any other applicable law or regulation require it, each Note Purchaser shall, within ten Business Days of:

(i)
where the Issuer is a US Tax Obligor and the Note Purchaser is the Original Note Purchaser, the date of this Note Purchase Deed;

(ii)
where the Issuer is a US Tax Obligor on a date on which any other Note Purchaser becomes a Party as a Note Purchaser, that date; or

(iii)
where the Issuer is not a US Tax Obligor, the date of a request from the Agent,

supply to the Agent:

(A)
a withholding certificate on Form W-8, Form W-9 or any other relevant form; or

(B)
any withholding statement or other document, authorisation or waiver as the Agent may require to certify or establish the status of such Note Purchaser under FATCA or that other law or regulation.

(f)
The Agent shall provide any withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver it receives from a Note Purchaser pursuant to clause 9.7(e) above to the Issuer.

(g)
If any withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver provided to the Agent by a Note Purchaser pursuant to clause 9.7(e) above is or becomes materially inaccurate or incomplete, that Note Purchaser shall promptly update it and provide such updated withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver to the Agent unless it is unlawful for the relevant Note Purchaser to do so (in which case the relevant Note Purchaser shall promptly notify the Agent). The Agent shall provide any such updated withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver to the Issuer.

(h)
The Agent may rely on any withholding certificate, withholding statement, document, authorisation or waiver it receives from a Note Purchaser pursuant to clauses 9.7(e) or 9.7(g) above without further verification. The Agent shall not be liable for any action taken by it under or in connection with clauses 9.7(e), 9.7(f) or 9.7(g) above.
10.
Increased Costs
10.1
Increased costs
23



(a)
Subject to clause 10.3 ( Exceptions ), the Issuer shall, within five (5) Business Days of a demand by the Agent, pay for the account of a Finance Party the amount of any Increased Cost incurred by that Finance Party or any of its Affiliates which:

(i)
arises as a result of (A) the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any law or regulation or (B) compliance with any law or regulation made after the date of this Note Purchase Deed; and/or

(ii)
is a Basel III Increased Cost; and/or

(iii)
is a Reformed Basel III Increased Cost.

(b)
In this Note Purchase Deed, Increased Costs means:

(i)
a reduction in the rate of return from the Facility or on a Finance Party’s (or its Affiliate’s) overall capital;

(ii)
an additional or increased cost; or

(iii)
a reduction of any amount due and payable under any Finance Document,
which is incurred or suffered by a Finance Party or any of its Affiliates to the extent that it is attributable to that Finance Party having entered into its Commitment or funding or performing its obligations under any Finance Document.
10.2
Increased cost claims

(a)
A Finance Party intending to make a claim pursuant to clause 10.1 ( Increased costs ) shall notify the Agent of the event giving rise to the claim, following which the Agent shall promptly notify the Issuer.

(b)
Each Finance Party shall, as soon as practicable after a demand by the Agent and/or the Issuer through the Agent, provide a certificate confirming the amount of its Increased Costs and the basis of calculation of such amount.
10.3
Exceptions

(a)
Clause 10.1 ( Increased costs ) does not apply to the extent any Increased Cost is:

(i)
attributable to a Tax Deduction required by law to be made by an Obligor;

(ii)
attributable to a FATCA Deduction required to be made by a Party;
24



(iii)
compensated for by clause 9.3 ( Tax indemnity ) (or would have been compensated for under clause 9.3 ( Tax indemnity ) but was not so compensated solely because any of the exclusions in clause 9.3(b) ( Tax indemnity ) applied);

(iv)
compensated for by the payment to a Note Purchaser under clause 11.9 ( Mandatory Cost ); and

(v)
attributable to the wilful breach by the relevant Finance Party or its Affiliates of any law or regulation.

(b)
In clause 10.3(a) above, a reference to a Tax Deduction has the same meaning given to the term in clause 9.1 ( Definitions ).
11.
Other Indemnities
11.1
Other Indemnities
The Issuer shall, within five Business Days of demand by a Finance Party, indemnify each Finance Party against any and all Losses incurred by that Finance Party as a result of:

(a)
the occurrence of any Event of Default; or

(b)
a Note (or part of a Note) not being prepaid in accordance with a notice of prepayment given by the Issuer.
11.2
Indemnity to the Agent and the Security Agent
The Issuer shall promptly indemnify the Agent and the Security Agent against:

(a)
any and all Losses (together with any applicable VAT) incurred by the Agent or the Security Agent (acting reasonably) as a result of:

(i)
investigating any event which it reasonably believes is a Default;

(ii)
acting or relying on any notice, request or instruction which it reasonably believes to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised;

(iii)
instructing lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, insurance consultants, ship managers, valuers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts as permitted under the Finance Documents; or

(iv)
any action taken by the Agent or the Security Agent or any of its or their representatives, agents or contractors in connection with any powers conferred by any Security Document to remedy any breach of any Obligor’s obligations under the Finance Documents, and
25



(b)
any and all Losses (including, without limitation, in respect of liability for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever) (together with any applicable VAT) incurred by the Agent or the Security Agent (otherwise than by reason of the Agent’s or the Security Agent’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct).
11.3
Indemnity concerning security

(a)
The Issuer shall (or shall procure that another Obligor will) promptly indemnify each Indemnified Person against any and all Losses (together with any applicable VAT) incurred by it as a result of:

(i)
any failure by the Issuer to comply with its obligations under clause 13 ( Costs and Expenses ) or any similar provision in any other Finance Document;

(ii)
acting or relying on any notice, request or instruction which it reasonably believes to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised;

(iii)
the taking, holding, protection or enforcement of the Transaction Security;

(iv)
the exercise or purported exercise of any of the rights, powers, discretions, authorities and remedies vested in the Security Agent and/or any other Finance Party and each Receiver and each Delegate by the Finance Documents or by law (otherwise, in each case, than by reason of the relevant Security Agent’s and/or other Finance Party’s, Receiver’s or Delegate’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct);

(v)
any default by any Obligor in the performance of any of the obligations expressed to be assumed by it in the Finance Documents;

(vi)
any claim (whether relating to the environment or otherwise) made or asserted against the Indemnified Person which would not have arisen but for the execution or enforcement of one or more Finance Documents (unless and to the extent it is caused by the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of that Indemnified Person);

(vii)
instructing lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, insurance consultants, ship managers, valuers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts as permitted under the Finance Documents; or

(viii)
(in the case of the Security Agent and/or any other Finance Party, any Receiver and any Delegate) acting as Security Agent and/or as holder of any of the Transaction Security, Receiver or Delegate under the Finance Documents or which otherwise relates to the Charged Property (otherwise, in each case, than by reason
26


of the relevant Security Agent’s and/or other Finance Party’s, Receiver’s or Delegate’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct).

(b)
The Security Agent may, in priority to any payment to the other Finance Parties, indemnify itself out of the Charged Property in respect of, and pay and retain, all sums necessary to give effect to the indemnity in this clause 11.3 ( Indemnity concerning security ) and shall have a lien on the Transaction Security and the proceeds of the enforcement of the Transaction Security for all moneys payable to it.
11.4
Continuation of indemnities
The indemnities by the Issuer in favour of any Indemnified Persons contained in this Note Purchase Deed shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any breach by any Finance Party or the Issuer of the terms of this Note Purchase Deed, the repayment or prepayment of the Notes or the repudiation by any Finance Party or the Issuer of this Note Purchase Deed.
11.5
Third Parties Act

(a)
Each Indemnified Person may rely on the terms of clause 11.3 ( Indemnity concerning security ) and clauses 9 ( Tax Gross-Up and Indemnities ) and 11.6 ( Interest ) insofar as it relates to interest on, or the calculation of, any amount demanded by that Indemnified Person under clause 11.3 ( Indemnity concerning security ), subject to paragraph 4 of Schedule 8 ( Definitions and Interpretation ) and the provisions of the Third Parties Act.

(b)
Where an Indemnified Person (other than a Finance Party) (the Relevant Beneficiary ) who is:

(i)
appointed by a Finance Party under the Finance Documents;

(ii)
an Affiliate of any such person or that Finance Party; or

(iii)
an officer, director, employee, adviser, representative or agent of any of the above persons or that Finance Party,
is entitled to receive any amount (a Third Party Claim ) under any of the provisions referred to in clause 11.5(a) above:

(A)
the Issuer shall, at the same time as the relevant Third Party Claim is due to the Relevant Beneficiary, pay to that Finance Party a sum in the amount of that Third Party Claim;
27



(B)
payment of such sum to that Finance Party shall, to the extent of that payment, satisfy the corresponding obligations of the Issuer to pay the Third Party Claim to the Relevant Beneficiary; and

(C)
if the Issuer pays the Third Party Claim direct to the Relevant Beneficiary, such payment shall, to the extent of that payment, satisfy the corresponding obligations of the Issuer to that Finance Party under sub-clause 11.5(b)(iii)(A) above.
11.6
Interest
Moneys becoming due by the Issuer to any Indemnified Person under the indemnities contained in this clause 11 ( Other Indemnities ) or elsewhere in this Note Purchase Deed shall be paid on demand made by such Indemnified Person and shall be paid together with interest on the sum demanded from the date of demand therefor to the date of reimbursement by the Issuer to such Indemnified Person (both before and after judgment) at the rate referred to in clause 8.1(e) ( Default Interest ).
11.7
Exclusion of liability
Without prejudice to any other provision of the Finance Documents excluding or limiting the liability of any Indemnified Person, no Indemnified Person will be in any way liable or responsible to any Obligor (whether as mortgagee in possession or otherwise) who is a Party or is a party to a Finance Document to which this clause applies for any loss or liability arising from any act, default, omission or misconduct of that Indemnified Person, except to the extent caused by its own gross negligence or wilful misconduct. Any Indemnified Person may rely on this clause 11.7 ( Exclusion of liability ) subject to paragraph 4 of Schedule 8 ( Definitions and Interpretation ) and the provisions of the Third Parties Act.
11.8
Sanctions

(a)
Each Obligor shall, within five Business Days of demand by a Finance Party, indemnify such Finance Party against any cost, loss or liability incurred by it as a result of any civil penalty or fine against, and all costs and expenses (including counsel fees and disbursements) incurred in connection with the defence thereof by, the Agent or the relevant Finance Party as a result of conduct of any Obligor or any of its partners, directors, officers, employees, agents or advisors, that violates any applicable Sanctions.

(b)
The indemnity in clause 11.8(a) shall cover any Losses incurred by each Finance Party in any jurisdiction arising or asserted under or in connection with any law relating to any applicable Sanctions.
11.9
Mandatory Cost
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The Issuer shall, within five Business Days of demand by the Agent, pay to the Agent for the account of the relevant Note Purchaser, such amount which such Note Purchaser certifies in a notice to the Agent to be its good faith determination of the amount necessary to compensate it for complying with:

(a)
in the case of a Note Purchaser lending from a Facility Office in a Participating Member State, the minimum reserve requirements (or other requirements having the same or similar purpose) of the European Central Bank or any other authority or agency which replaces all or any of its functions) in respect of loans made from that Facility Office; and

(b)
in the case of any Note Purchaser lending from a Facility Office in the United Kingdom, any reserve asset, special deposit or liquidity requirements (or other requirements having the same or similar purpose) of the Bank of England (or any other governmental authority or agency) and/or paying any fees to the Financial Conduct Authority and/or the Prudential Regulation Authority (or any other governmental authority or agency which replaces all or any of their functions),
which is, in each case, referable to that Note Purchaser’s holding of the Note.
12.
Mitigation by the Note Purchasers
12.1
Mitigation

(a)
Each Finance Party shall, in consultation with the Issuer, take all reasonable steps to mitigate any circumstances which arise or any amount becoming payable under or pursuant to, or cancelled pursuant to, any of, clause 9 ( Tax Gross-Up and Indemnities ), clause 10 ( Increased Costs ) or clause 11.9 ( Mandatory Cost ) including (but not limited to) assigning its rights under the Finance Documents to another Affiliate or Facility Office.

(b)
Clause 12.1(a) above does not in any way limit the obligations of any Obligor under the Finance Documents.
12.2
Limitation of liability

(a)
The Issuer shall promptly indemnify each Finance Party for all costs and expenses incurred by that Finance Party as a result of steps taken by it under clause 12.1 ( Mitigation ).

(b)
A Finance Party is not obliged to take any steps under clause 12.1 ( Mitigation ) if, in the opinion of that Finance Party (acting reasonably), to do so might be prejudicial to it.
13.
Cost and Expenses
13.1
Transaction expenses
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The Issuer shall, promptly on demand, pay the Agent and the Security Agent the amount of all reasonable and documented costs and expenses (including fees, costs and expenses of lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, insurance consultants, ship managers, valuers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts) (together with any applicable VAT) reasonably incurred by any of them (and, in the case of the Security Agent, by any Receiver or Delegate) in connection with the negotiation, preparation, printing, execution, registration and perfection and any release, discharge or reassignment of:

(a)
this Note Purchase Deed and any other documents referred to in this Note Purchase Deed and the Security Documents;

(b)
any other Finance Documents executed or proposed to be executed after the date of this Note Purchase Deed; or

(c)
any Security Interest expressed or intended to be granted by a Finance Document.
13.2
Amendment costs
If an Obligor requests an amendment, waiver or consent, the Issuer shall, within five days of demand, reimburse each of the Agent and the Security Agent for the amount of all reasonable and documented costs and expenses (including all reasonable and documented fees, costs and expenses of lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, insurance consultants, ship managers, valuers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts) (together with any applicable VAT) reasonably incurred by the Agent and the Security Agent (and in the case of the Security Agent by any Receiver or Delegate) in responding to, evaluating, negotiating or complying with that request or requirement.
13.3
Enforcement, preservation and other costs
The Issuer shall, on demand by a Finance Party, pay to each Finance Party the amount of all documented costs and expenses (including fees, costs and expenses of lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, insurance consultants, ship managers, valuers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts) (together with any applicable VAT) incurred by that Finance Party in connection with:

(a)
the enforcement of, or the preservation of any rights under, any Finance Document and the Transaction Security and any proceedings instituted by or against any Indemnified Person as a consequence of taking or holding the Security Documents or enforcing those rights; or

(b)
any inspection carried out under paragraph 5.9 ( Inspection and notice of dry-docking ) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ), or any survey carried out under paragraph 5.17
30


( Survey report ) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ) at the times provided under each such paragraph that the relevant costs must be borne by the Issuer.
14.
Guarantee and Indemnity
14.1
Guarantee and indemnity
The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally:

(a)
guarantees to the Security Agent (as trustee for the Finance Parties) and the other Finance Parties punctual performance by each other Obligor of all such Obligor’s obligations under the Finance Documents;

(b)
undertakes with the Security Agent (as trustee for the Finance Parties) and the other Finance Parties that whenever another Obligor (other than the Charterer) does not pay any amount when due under or in connection with any Finance Document, it shall immediately on demand pay that amount as if it was the principal obligor; and

(c)
agrees with the Security Agent (as trustee for the Finance Parties) and the other Finance Parties that if any obligation guaranteed by it is or becomes unenforceable, invalid or illegal, it will, as an independent and primary obligation indemnify that Finance Party immediately on demand against any cost, loss or liability it incurs as a result of another Obligor (other than the Charterer) not paying any amount which would, but for such unenforceability, invalidity or illegality, have been payable by such Obligor under any Finance Document on the date when it would have been due. The amount payable by the Guarantor under this indemnity will not exceed the amount the Guarantor would have had to pay under this clause 14.1 ( Guarantee and indemnity ) if the amount claimed had been recoverable on the basis of a guarantee.
14.2
Continuing guarantee
This guarantee is a continuing guarantee and will extend to the ultimate balance of sums payable by any Obligor (other than the Charterer) under the Finance Documents, regardless of any intermediate payment or discharge in whole or in part.
14.3
Reinstatement
If any discharge, release or arrangement (whether in respect of the obligations of any Obligor or any security for those obligations or otherwise) is made by a Finance Party in whole or in part on the basis of any payment, security or other disposition which is avoided or must be restored in insolvency, liquidation, administration or otherwise, without limitation, then the liability of the Guarantor under this clause 14 ( Guarantee and Indemnity ) will continue or be reinstated as if the discharge, release or arrangement had not occurred.
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14.4
Waiver of defences
The obligations of the Guarantor under this clause 14 ( Guarantee and Indemnity ) will not be affected by an act, omission, matter or thing (whether or not known to it or any Finance Party) which, but for this clause 14 ( Guarantee and Indemnity ), would reduce, release or prejudice any of its obligations under this clause 14 ( Guarantee and Indemnity ) including (without limitation):

(a)
any time, waiver or consent granted to, or composition with, any Obligor or other person;

(b)
the release of any other Obligor or any other person under the terms of any composition or arrangement with any creditor of any other Obligor;

(c)
the taking, variation, compromise, exchange, renewal or release of, or refusal or neglect to perfect, take up or enforce, any rights against, or security over assets of, any Obligor or other person or any non-presentation or non-observance of any formality or other requirement in respect of any instrument or any failure to realise the full value of any security;

(d)
any incapacity or lack of power, authority or legal personality of or dissolution or change in the members or status of an Obligor or any other person;

(e)
any amendment, novation, supplement, extension, restatement (however fundamental and whether or not more onerous) or replacement of any Finance Document or any other document or security including without limitation any change in the purpose of, any extension of or any increase in any facility or the addition of any new facility under any Finance Document or other document or security;

(f)
any unenforceability, illegality or invalidity of any obligation of any person under any Finance Document or any other document or security; or

(g)
any insolvency or similar proceedings.
14.5
Guarantor’s intent
Without prejudice to the generality of clause 14.4 ( Waiver of defences ), the Guarantor expressly confirms that it intends that this guarantee shall extend from time to time to any (however fundamental) variation, increase, extension or addition of or to any of the Finance Documents and/or any facility or amount made available under any of the Finance Documents.
14.6
Immediate recourse
The Guarantor waives any right it may have of first requiring any Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) to proceed against or enforce any other rights or security or claim payment from any person before claiming from the Guarantor under this clause 14 ( Guarantee
32


and Indemnity ). This waiver applies irrespective of any law or any provision of a Finance Document to the contrary.
14.7
Appropriations
Until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Obligors (other than the Charterer) under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full, each Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) may:

(a)
refrain from applying or enforcing any other moneys, security or rights held or received by that Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) in respect of those amounts, or apply and enforce the same in such manner and order as it sees fit (whether against those amounts or otherwise) and the Guarantor shall not be entitled to the benefit of the same; and

(b)
hold in an interest-bearing suspense account any moneys received from the Guarantor or on account of the Guarantor’s liability under this clause 14 ( Guarantee and Indemnity ).
14.8
Deferral of Guarantor’s rights

(a)
Until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Obligors (other than the Charterer) under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full and unless the Agent otherwise directs, the Guarantor will not exercise any rights which it may have by reason of performance by it of its obligations under the Finance Documents or by reason of any amount being payable, or liability arising, under this clause 14 ( Guarantee and Indemnity ):

(i)
to be indemnified by another Obligor;

(ii)
to claim any contribution from any other guarantor of any Obligor’s obligations under the Finance Documents;

(iii)
to take the benefit (in whole or in part and whether by way of subrogation or otherwise) of any rights of the Finance Parties under the Finance Documents or of any other guarantee or security taken pursuant to, or in connection with, the Finance Documents by any Finance Party;

(iv)
to bring legal or other proceedings for an order requiring any Obligor to make any payment, or perform any obligation, in respect of which the Guarantor has given a guarantee, undertaking or indemnity under this clause 14 ( Guarantee and Indemnity );

(v)
to exercise any right of set-off against any other Obligor; and/or
33



(vi)
to claim or prove as a creditor of any other Obligor in competition with any Finance Party.

(b)
If the Guarantor receives any benefit, payment or distribution in relation to such rights it will promptly pay an equal amount to the Agent for application in accordance with the Payment Mechanics. This only applies until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full.
14.9
Additional security
This guarantee is in addition to and is not in any way prejudiced by any other guarantee or security now or subsequently held by any Finance Party.
15.
Events of Default
15.1
Determination of Event of Default; Acceleration and Security Enforcement

(a)
At any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Note Purchasers may, in their absolute discretion give a notice (a Note Acceleration Notice ) to the Issuer (with a copy to the Security Agent) declaring all the Notes to be due and repayable and in addition may give notice to the Security Agent directing it to enforce the Security in accordance with clause 15.2 ( Enforcement ).

(b)
Upon delivery of a Note Acceleration Notice, the Principal Balance of the Notes together with accrued interest up to (but excluding) the date on which all principal and interest are paid in full and all other Secured Obligations payable to any and all of the Finance Parties shall immediately become due and repayable.
15.2
Enforcement
At any time after a Note Acceleration Notice has been given to the Issuer (or the Principal Balance of the Notes has otherwise become immediately due and payable pursuant to clause 15.1 ( Determination of Event of Default; Acceleration and Security Enforcement )), the Note Purchasers shall have the right, subject to the terms of the Security Documents, to instruct the Security Agent to take enforcement steps in relation to the Security and the Note Purchasers shall provide the Security Agent with all notices and demands in relation to the Notes in accordance with the Security Documents.
15.3
Enforcement Instructions

(a)
The Security Agent may refrain from enforcing the Transaction Security unless instructed otherwise by Note Purchaser.
34



(b)
Subject to the Transaction Security having become enforceable in accordance with its terms, the Note Purchasers may give or refrain from giving instructions to the Security Agent to enforce or refrain from enforcing the Transaction Security as they see fit.

(c)
The Security Agent is entitled to rely on and comply with instructions given in accordance with this clause 15.3 ( Enforcement Instructions ).
15.4
Manner of enforcement
If the Transaction Security is being enforced pursuant to clause 15.3 ( Enforcement Instructions ), the Security Agent shall enforce the Transaction Security in such manner as the Note Purchasers shall instructor, in the absence of any such instructions, as the Security Agent considers in its discretion to be appropriate.
15.5
Waiver of rights
To the extent permitted under applicable law and subject to clause 15.3 ( Enforcement Instructions ), clause 15.4 ( Manner of enforcement ) and clause 16 ( Application of Proceeds ), each of the Finance Parties and the Obligors waives all rights it may otherwise have to require that the Transaction Security be enforced in any particular order or manner or at any particular time or that any amount received or recovered from any person, or by virtue of the enforcement of any of the Transaction Security or of any other security interest, which is capable of being applied in or towards discharge of any of the Secured Obligations is so applied.
15.6
Non-petition
The payment of all amounts expressed to be payable by the Issuer under and in respect of this Certificated Note is subject to certain limitations set out in the Transaction Documents. Each Note Purchaser shall be deemed to have notice of and be bound by all such limitations.
In particular, but without limitation, only the Security Agent may pursue the remedies available under the general law or under the Security Documents or any other Transaction Document to enforce Security Interests and no Note Purchaser shall be entitled to begin any insolvency proceedings directly against the Issuer to enforce Security Interests.

16.
Application of Proceeds
16.1
Order of application
All Recoveries shall be held by the Security Agent on trust to apply them at any time as the Security Agent (in its discretion) sees fit, to the extent permitted by applicable law (and subject to the provisions of this clause 16 ( Application of Proceeds )), in accordance with the Post-Enforcement Payment Mechanics.
35


16.2
Investment of cash proceeds
Prior to the application of any Recoveries in accordance with clause 16.1 ( Order of application ) the Security Agent may, in its discretion, hold:

(a)
all or part of any Recoveries which are in the form of cash; and

(b)
any cash which is generated by holding, managing, exploiting, collecting, realising or disposing of any proceeds of the Security Property which are not in the form of cash,
in one or more interest bearing suspense or impersonal accounts in the name of the Security Agent with such financial institution (including itself) and for so long as the Security Agent shall think fit (the interest being credited to the relevant account) pending the application from time to time of those moneys in the Security Agent’s discretion in accordance with the provisions of this clause 16 ( Application of Proceeds ).
16.3
Currency conversion

(a)
For the purpose of, or pending the discharge of, any of the Secured Obligations the Security Agent may:

(i)
convert any moneys received or recovered by the Security Agent from one currency to another; and

(ii)
notionally convert the valuation provided in any opinion or valuation from one currency to another,
in each case at the Security Agent’s spot rate of exchange for the purchase of that other currency with the currency in which the relevant moneys are received or recovered or the valuation is provided in the London foreign exchange market at or about 11:00 am (London time) on a particular day.

(b)
The obligations of any Obligor to pay in the due currency shall only be satisfied:

(i)
in the case of sub-clause 16.3(a)(i) above, to the extent of the amount of the due currency purchased after deducting the costs of conversion; and

(ii)
in the case of sub-clause 16.3(a)(ii) above, to the extent of the amount of the due currency which results from the notional conversion referred to in that sub-clause.
16.4
Permitted Deductions
The Security Agent shall be entitled, in its discretion, (a) to set aside by way of reserve amounts required to meet and (b) to make and pay, any deductions and withholdings (on account of Taxes or otherwise) which it is or may be required (pursuant to advice received by its advisers
36


(if any appointed at the time)) by any law or regulation to make from any distribution or payment made by it under this Note Purchase Deed, and to pay all Taxes which may be assessed against it in respect of any of the Charged Property, or as a consequence of performing its duties or exercising its rights, powers, authorities and discretions, or by virtue of its capacity as Security Agent under any of the Finance Documents or otherwise (other than in connection with its remuneration for performing its duties under this Note Purchase Deed).
16.5
Good discharge

(a)
Any distribution or payment to be made in respect of the Secured Obligations by the Security Agent may be made to the Agent on behalf of the Finance Parties.

(b)
Any distribution or payment made as described in clause 16.5(a) above shall be a good discharge, to the extent of that payment or distribution, by the Security Agent to the extent of that payment.

(c)
The Security Agent is under no obligation to make the payments to the Agent under clause 16.5(a) above in the same currency as that in which the Secured Liabilities owing to the relevant Finance Party are denominated pursuant to the relevant Finance Document.
16.6
Calculation of amounts
For the purpose of calculating any person’s share of any amount payable to or by it, the Security Agent shall be entitled to:

(a)
notionally convert the Secured Liabilities owed to any person into a common base currency (decided in its discretion by the Security Agent), that notional conversion to be made at the spot rate at which the Security Agent is able to purchase the notional base currency with the actual currency of the Secured Liabilities owed to that person at the time at which that calculation is to be made; and

(b)
assume that all amounts received or recovered as a result of the enforcement or realisation of the Security Property are applied in discharge of the Secured Liabilities in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents under which those Secured Liabilities have arisen.
16.7
Release to facilitate enforcement and realisation

(a)
Each Finance Party acknowledges that, for the purpose of any enforcement action by the Security Agent or a Receiver and/or maximising or facilitating the realisation of the Charged Property, it may be desirable that certain rights or claims against an Obligor and/or under certain of the Transaction Security, be released.
37



(b)
Each other Finance Party hereby irrevocably authorises the Security Agent (acting on the instructions of the Agent) to grant any such releases to the extent necessary to effect such enforcement action and/or realisation including, to the extent necessary for such purpose, to execute release documents in the name of and on behalf of the other Finance Parties.

(c)
Where the relevant enforcement is by way of disposal of shares in the Issuer, the requisite release may include releases of all claims (including under guarantees) of the Finance Parties and/or the Security Agent against the Issuer and of all Security Interests over the assets of the Issuer.
16.8
Dealings with the Security Agent
Each Finance Party shall deal with the Security Agent exclusively through the Agent.
16.9
Disclosure between Finance Parties and Security Agent
Notwithstanding any agreement to the contrary, each of the Obligors consents, as long as the Notes remain outstanding, to the disclosure by any Finance Party to each other (whether or not through the Agent or the Security Agent) of such information concerning the Obligors as any Finance Party shall see fit.
16.10
Notification of prescribed events

(a)
If an Event of Default or Default either occurs or ceases to be continuing, the Agent shall, upon becoming aware of that occurrence or cessation, notify the Security Agent.

(b)
If the Security Agent enforces, or takes formal steps to enforce, any of the Transaction Security it shall notify each other Finance Party of that action.

(c)
If any Finance Party exercises any right it may have to enforce, or to take formal steps to enforce, any of the Transaction Security it shall notify the Security Agent and the Security Agent shall, upon receiving that notification, notify each other Finance Party of that action.
17.
Conduct of Business by the Finance Parties
17.1
Finance Parties tax affairs
No provision of this Note Purchase Deed:

(a)
interferes with the right of any Finance Party to arrange its affairs (tax or otherwise) in whatever manner it thinks fit;
38



(b)
obliges any Finance Party to investigate or claim any credit, relief, remission or repayment available to it or the extent, order and manner of any claim; or

(c)
obliges any Finance Party to disclose any information relating to its affairs (tax or otherwise) or any computations in respect of Tax.
18.
Survival of Representations and Obligations
The respective representations, warranties, agreements, undertakings and indemnities in this Note Purchase Deed shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding completion of the arrangements for the purchase and issue of the Notes or any investigation made by or on behalf of any Finance Party or any of their respective controlling persons or any of their respective representatives, directors, officers, agents or employees or any of them and shall survive delivery of and payment for the Notes and/or termination or cancellation of this Note Purchase Deed.
19.
Assignment and Transfers
19.1
Voluntary Transfers by Note Purchasers

(a)
Each party hereto hereby agrees and consents that a Note Purchaser may transfer by novation any or all of its rights under, interest in, title to and obligations (if any) under this Note Purchase Deed and the Notes (such Note Purchaser being the Note Transferor ) to any of the following persons (the Note Transferee ):

(i)
any Affiliate of such Note Purchaser or of any Finance Party, or any Finance Party; and

(ii)
any bank or financial institution.
Any such transfer shall only be effective if the procedures set out in clause 19.2 ( Transfer Procedure ) are complied with.

(b)
Any Note Transferee shall be deemed to have irrevocably appointed the Registrar to act in accordance with clause 21.1 ( Register of Notes ).

(c)
Each Note Purchaser shall notify the Issuer of the name of each Note Transferee that will fund its purchase.

(d)
Neither a Note Transferor nor any other Finance Party is responsible to a Note Transferee for:

(i)
the execution, genuineness, validity, enforceability or sufficiency of any Transaction Documents or any other document;
39



(ii)
the collectability of amounts payable under any Transaction Documents or the financial condition of or the performance of its obligations under Transaction Documents by any Obligor; or

(iii)
the accuracy of any statements or information (whether written or oral) made in or in connection with or supplied in connection with any Transaction Documents.

(e)
Each Note Transferee confirms to the Note Transferor and the other Finance Parties that it:

(i)
has made its own independent investigation and assessment of the financial condition and affairs of the Issuer and the Guarantor and their related entities in connection with its participation in this Note Purchase Deed and has not relied on any information provided to it by the Note Transferor or any other Finance Party in connection with any Transaction Documents;

(ii)
will continue to make its own independent appraisal of the creditworthiness of the Issuer and the Guarantor and their related entities.

(f)
Nothing in any Transaction Documents obliges a Note Transferor to:

(i)
accept a re-transfer from a Note Transferee of any rights and obligations novated in accordance with this clause 19.1 ( Voluntary Transfers by Note Purchasers ); or

(ii)
support any losses incurred by the Note Transferee by reason of the nonperformance by the Issuer or the Guarantor of their respective obligations under any Transaction Documents or otherwise.

(g)
A Note Purchaser may only transfer its rights hereunder and under the Notes by novation pursuant to this clause 19.1 ( Voluntary Transfers by Note Purchasers ) and clause 19.2 ( Transfer Procedure ).

(h)
All costs and expenses in connection with a transfer pursuant to this clause 19.1 ( Voluntary Transfers by Note Purchasers ) shall be solely those of the Note Transferor and/or the Note Transferee and the Issuer shall not have any obligations to any person for any such costs and expenses.

(i)
The Issuer and the Guarantor each agrees that in no event shall any of them provide any Note Transferee, directly or indirectly, any benefit, agreement or arrangement that would be more favourable than the benefits, agreements and arrangements applicable to the existing Note Purchaser under the Transaction Documents.
19.2
Transfer Procedure :
40



(a)
A novation is effected if:

(i)
the Note Transferor and the Note Transferee deliver to the Registrar, with a copy to the Issuer and the Guarantor, a transfer notice (in the form of Appendix A to Schedule 5 ( Form of Deed of Accession )) attached hereto executed by the Note Transferor and the Note Transferee and a duly executed deed of accession in the form attached hereto as Schedule 5 ( Form of Deed of Accession ) (a Deed of Accession ); and

(ii)
the Registrar executes the Deed of Accession.

(b)
To the extent that they are expressed to be the subject of the novation in the Deed of Accession:

(i)
the Issuer and the Note Transferor will be released from further obligations to each other under the Notes and the Transaction Documents and their respective rights against one another under the Transaction Documents shall be cancelled (the Discharged Rights and Obligations );

(ii)
the Issuer and the Note Transferee will assume obligations towards each other and/or acquire rights against one another under the Notes and the Transaction Documents which differ from the Discharged Rights and Obligations only insofar as the Issuer and the Note Transferee have assumed and/or acquired the same in place of the Issuer and the Note Transferor;

(iii)
each Finance Party and the Issuer, and the Note Transferee shall acquire the same rights and assume the same obligations between themselves as they would have acquired and assumed had the Note Transferee been an original Note Purchaser with the rights, and/or obligations acquired or assumed by it as a result of the transfer and to that extent each Finance Party and the Issuer and the Note Transferor shall each be released from further obligations to each other under the Transaction Documents; and

(iv)
the Note Transferor shall, if it holds Certificated Notes, deliver its relevant Note Certificates to the Registrar and the Registrar shall:

(A)
if the Note Transferor is transferring in whole the Principal Balance of its Notes, cancel any relevant Note Certificates and shall issue new Note Certificates to the Note Transferee in a maximum amount equal to the maximum Principal Balance of such cancelled Note Certificates and the Registrar shall record such transfer and (if applicable) issue on the Register (on the date of execution by it of the Deed of Accession); or
41



(B)
if the Transferor is transferring part only of the Principal Balance (such part of the Principal Balance which is being transferred the Transferred Amount ) of its Notes, record the new and reduced Principal Balance on the Register and (if applicable) the Note Transferor’s relevant Note Certificates and shall (if applicable) issue new Note Certificates to the Note Transferee in a maximum amount equal to the Transferred Amount and the Registrar shall record a transfer of Notes with a Principal Balance equal to the Transferred Amount and (if applicable) such issue on the Register (on the date of execution by it of the Deed of Accession); and

(C)
deliver an acknowledgments and confirmation of transfer letter (in the form of Appendix B to Schedule 5 ( Form of Deed of Accession )) to the Note Transferor and Note Transferee,
and the transfer shall be effective on the later of the date of execution by the Registrar of the Deed of Accession or, if later, the date specified in the Deed of Accession.
19.3
Assignments and Transfer by the Issuer
The Issuer may not assign, novate, sub-participate or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder.
19.4
Registrar and Deed of Accession
Upon receipt of a duly completed and executed Deed of Accession which appears on the face of it to comply with the terms of this Note Purchase Deed, the Registrar will execute such Deed of Accession, and notify the Issuer in writing of the accession of the relevant persons(s) to this Note Purchase Deed.
19.5
Interpretation Following a Transfer
Following a transfer which is effected in accordance with this Note Purchase Deed, references in this Note Purchase Deed to a Note Purchaser shall be to the relevant Note Transferee, as appropriate.
20.
Roles of Agent, Security Agent and Registrar
20.1
Appointment of the Agent, Security Agent and Registrar

(a)
Each other Finance Party (other than the Security Agent) appoints:

(i)
the Agent to act as its agent under and in connection with the Finance Documents; and
42



(ii)
the Security Agent to act as its agent and as trustee under the Security Documents.

(b)
The Issuer appoints the Registrar to act as its agent under and in connection with this Note Purchase Deed.
20.2
Security Agent as trustee
The Security Agent declares that it holds the Security Property on trust for itself and the other Finance Parties on the terms contained in this Note Purchase Deed.
20.3
Authorisation of the Agent, Registrar and Security Agent
Each of the Finance Parties authorises the Agent, the Registrar and the Security Agent:

(a)
to perform the duties, obligations and responsibilities and to exercise the rights, powers, authorities and discretions specifically given to the Agent, the Registrar or (as the case may be) the Security Agent under or in connection with the Finance Documents together with any other incidental rights, powers, authorities and discretions; and

(b)
to execute each of the Security Documents and all other documents that may be approved by the Note Purchasers for execution by it.
20.4
Duties of the Agent and the Security Agent

(a)
The Agent’s, the Registrar’s and the Security Agent’s duties under the Finance Documents are solely mechanical and administrative in nature.

(b)
The Agent, the Registrar or (as the case may be) the Security Agent shall promptly:

(i)
(in the case of the Security Agent) forward to the Agent a copy of any document received by the Security Agent from any Obligor under any Finance Document; and

(ii)
forward to a Party the original or a copy of any document which is delivered to the Agent or (as the case may be) the Security Agent for that Party by any other Party.

(c)
Except where a Finance Document specifically provides otherwise, neither the Agent nor the Security Agent is obliged to review or check the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any document it forwards to another Party.

(d)
If the Agent, the Registrar or the Security Agent receives notice from a Party referring to this Note Purchase Deed, describing an Event of Default and stating that the circumstance described is an Event of Default, it shall promptly notify the other Finance Parties.
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(e)
If the Agent is aware of the non-payment of any principal, interest, commitment fee or other fee payable to a Finance Party (other than the Agent or the Registrar or the Security Agent for their own account) under this Note Purchase Deed, it shall promptly notify the other Finance Parties.

(f)
The Agent, the Registrar and the Security Agent shall have only those duties, obligations and responsibilities expressly specified in the Finance Documents to which it is expressed to be a party (and no others shall be implied).
20.5
No duty to account
None of the Agent, the Security Agent or the Registrar shall be bound to account to any other Finance Party for any sum or the profit element of any sum received by it for its own account.
20.6
No duty to monitor
Neither the Agent, the Registrar nor the Security Agent shall be bound to enquire:

(a)
whether or not any Event of Default has occurred;

(b)
as to the performance, default or any breach by any Party or any Obligor of its obligations under any Finance Document; or

(c)
whether any other event specified in any Finance Document has occurred.
20.7
Exclusion of liability

(a)
Without limiting clause 20.7(b) below (and without prejudice to any other provision of any Finance Document excluding or limiting the liability of the Agent, the Registrar, the Security Agent, any Receiver or Delegate), none of the Agent, the Registrar, the Security Agent, any Receiver nor any Delegate will be liable (including, without limitation, for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever) for:

(i)
any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value, or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of taking or not taking any action under or in connection with any Finance Document or the Security Property, unless directly caused by its gross negligence or wilful misconduct;

(ii)
exercising, or not exercising, any right, power, authority or discretion given to it by, or in connection with, any Finance Document, the Security Property or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with, any Finance Document or the Security Property;
44



(iii)
any shortfall which arises on the enforcement or realisation of the Security Property; or

(iv)
without prejudice to the generality of paragraphs sub-clauses (i) to (iii) above, any damages, costs, losses, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of:

(A)
any act, event or circumstance not reasonably within its control; or

(B)
the general risks of investment in, or the holding of assets in, any jurisdiction,
including (in each case and without limitation) such damages, costs, losses, diminution in value or liability arising as a result of: nationalisation, expropriation or other governmental actions; any regulation, currency restriction, devaluation or fluctuation; market conditions affecting the execution or settlement of transactions or the value of assets (including any Disruption Event), breakdown, failure or malfunction of any third party transport, telecommunications, computer services or systems; natural disasters or acts of God; war, terrorism, insurrection or revolution; or strikes or industrial action.

(b)
No Party (other than the Agent, the Registrar, the Security Agent, that Receiver or that Delegate (as applicable)) may take any proceedings against any officer, employee or agent of the Agent, the Security Agent, the Registrar, a Receiver or a Delegate in respect of any claim it might have against the Agent, the Registrar, the Security Agent, a Receiver or a Delegate or in respect of any act or omission of any kind by that officer, employee or agent in relation to any Transaction Document or any Security Property and any officer, employee or agent of the Agent, the Registrar, the Security Agent, a Receiver or a Delegate may rely on this clause subject to paragraph 4 of Schedule 8 ( Definitions and Interpretation ) and the provisions of the Third Parties Act.

(c)
Neither the Agent, the Registrar or the Security Agent will be liable for any delay (or any related consequences) in crediting an account with an amount required under the Finance Documents to be paid by it if it has taken all necessary steps as soon as reasonably practicable to comply with the regulations or operating procedures of any recognised clearing or settlement system used by it for that purpose.

(d)
Nothing in any Finance Document shall oblige the Agent, the Security Agent or the Registrar to carry out:

(i)
any “know your customer” or other checks in relation to any person; or
45



(ii)
any check on the extent to which any transaction contemplated by any of the Finance Documents might be unlawful for any Finance Party or for any Affiliate of any Finance Party,
on behalf of any other Finance Party and each other Finance Party confirms to the Agent, the Security Agent and the Registrar that it is solely responsible for any such checks it is required to carry out and that it may not rely on any statement in relation to such checks made by the Agent, the Security Agent or the Registrar.

(e)
Without prejudice to any provision of any Finance Document excluding or limiting the liability of the Agent, the Registrar, the Security Agent, any Receiver or any Delegate, any liability of the Agent, the Registrar, the Security Agent, any Receiver or any Delegate arising under or in connection with any Finance Document or the Security Property shall be limited to the amount of actual loss which has been finally judicially determined to have been suffered (as determined by reference to the date of default of the Agent, the Registrar, the Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate (as the case may be) or, if later, the date on which the loss arises as a result of such default) but without reference to any special conditions or circumstances known to the Agent, the Registrar, the Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate (as the case may be) at any time which increase the amount of that loss. In no event shall the Agent, the Registrar, the Security Agent, any Receiver or any Delegate be liable for any loss of profits, goodwill, reputation, business opportunity or anticipated saving, or for special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages, whether or not the Agent, the Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate (as the case may be) has been advised of the possibility of such loss or damages.
20.8
Indemnity to the Agent and the Security Agent
The Issuer agrees to indemnify and keep indemnified the Agent, the Security Agent, every Receiver and every Delegate, within three (3) Business Days of demand, against any Losses (including, without limitation, for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever) incurred by any of them (otherwise than by reason of the relevant Agent’s, Security Agent’s, Receiver’s or Delegate’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct) (or, in the circumstances contemplated pursuant to paragraph 1(j) ( Disruption to Payment Systems etc. ) of Schedule 10 ( Payment Mechanics ), notwithstanding the Agent’s negligence, gross negligence, or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Agent) in acting as Agent, Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate under, or exercising any authority conferred under, the Finance Documents (unless the relevant Agent, Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate has been reimbursed by an Obligor pursuant to a Finance Document).
20.9
Resignation of the Agent, the Registrar or the Security Agent
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(a)
The Agent, the Registrar or the Security Agent may resign and appoint one of its Affiliates as successor by giving notice to the other Finance Parties and the Issuer.

(b)
Alternatively the Agent or the Security Agent may resign by giving 30 days’ notice to the other Finance Parties and the Issuer, in which case the Note Purchasers may appoint a successor Agent, Registrar or Security Agent.
21.
Registrar
21.1
Register of Notes

(a)
The Registrar, as agent of the Issuer, shall keep an up-to-date register (the Register ) in which it shall record:

(i)
an entry in the Register (a Register Entry ) for each Note recording the indebtedness of the Issuer to each Note Purchaser (including the Principal Balance and the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Note Purchaser, in each case in the relevant denomination of US Dollars), updated from time to time during the tenor of such Note upon any change in any of the details in respect of such Note required to be included in such Register Entry;

(ii)
the registration of each Certificated Note issued;

(iii)
the registration of transfers of Notes evidenced by a Register Entry; and

(iv)
the cancellation of each redeemed Note.

(b)
Immediately upon receipt by the Issuer of the proceeds of the issuance of a Note, the Registrar shall, on behalf of the Issuer, make a Register Entry in respect of such Note, which Register Entry shall contain the following details in respect of such Note as at the Closing Date:

(i)
the identity of the Note Purchasers;

(ii)
the serial number;

(iii)
the Closing Date;

(iv)
the Final Maturity Date;

(v)
the denomination; and

(vi)
the Principal Balance, in US Dollars.
47



(c)
The Registrar’s Register Entries of, among other things, the Principal Balance and the date and amount of each payment of principal and interest by the Issuer shall be conclusive evidence thereof absent manifest error; provided that the failure by the Registrar to make any Register Entries in the Register shall not affect the obligations of the Issuer under this Note Purchase Deed or under the Notes.

(d)
The Registrar shall supply each Note Purchaser with a copy of the Register on request. The parties to this Note Purchase Deed may rely, for all purposes, on the Register including, for the purposes of identifying the Note Purchasers from time to time.
21.2
In acting in connection with the Notes, the Registrar:

(a)
shall act solely as agent of the Issuer and shall have no fiduciary duty, obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any of the Note Purchasers and need have no concern for the interests of the Note Purchasers or any other party;

(b)
shall be obliged to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set out in this Note Purchase Deed and any duties necessarily incidental to them. No implied duties or obligations shall be read into this Note Purchase Deed and the Registrar shall not be obliged to perform any duties additional to or different from such duties resulting from any modification or supplement after the date hereof to this Note Purchase Deed, unless it shall have previously agreed to perform such duties.

(c)
shall be under no obligation to take any action hereunder which it reasonably expects will result in any expense or liability of the Registrar the payment of which within a reasonable time is not, in its opinion, assured to it, or to do anything which might in its opinion, constitute a breach of any law or regulation;

(d)
may assume that the terms of the Notes as issued are correct and shall be entitled, except as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction or otherwise required by law or otherwise instructed by the Issuer (and regardless of any notice of ownership, trust or any other interest therein, any writing on the certificate relating to any Note by any person (other than a duly executed form of transfer) or any notice of any previous loss or theft thereof), to treat the registered holder of any Note as its absolute owner for all purposes;

(e)
may rely upon the terms of any notice, communication or other document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and shall be protected against any liability for acting on any such notice, communication or other document;

(f)
may refer any question relating to the ownership of any Note or the adequacy or sufficiency of any evidence supplied in connection with the replacement of any Note to the Issuer for determination by the Issuer and rely upon any determination so made;
48



(g)
may, at the Issuer’s expense, engage the advice or services of any lawyers or other experts whose advice or services the Registrar considers necessary and rely upon any advice so obtained (and shall be protected and shall incur no liability in respect of any action taken, or suffered to be taken, in accordance with such advice);

(h)
may, without prejudice to its obligations under this Note Purchase Deed, enter into any transaction (including, without limitation, any depository, trust or agency transaction) with any Note Purchasers or with any other party hereto in the same manner as if it had not been appointed as the agent of the Issuer in relation to the Notes.
21.3
For the avoidance of doubt, the Issuer and the Guarantor shall do or cause to be done all such acts, matters and things and shall make available all such documents or information as shall be necessary or desirable to enable the Registrar to fully comply with and carry out its duties and obligations hereunder and the Registrar shall be under no obligation to take any steps to ascertain whether any relevant event has occurred or to monitor or supervise the functions of any other person under the Transaction Documents or any other agreement or document relating to the transactions herein or therein contemplated.
21.4
Indemnity

(a)
The Registrar shall not be liable to any party for any Losses incurred as a result of any act or omission by it in connection with this Note Purchase Deed or any Note except as a result of its own gross negligence, wilful default, or fraud and, notwithstanding any provision of this Note Purchase Deed to the contrary, the Registrar shall not be liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to loss of profit, loss of contract or opportunity, loss of goodwill or reputation), whether or not foreseeable even if the Registrar has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of whether the claim for such loss or damage is made in negligence, for breach of contract, breach of trust, breach of fiduciary obligation or otherwise.

(b)
The Issuer agrees to indemnify and keep indemnified the Registrar against any Losses (including, without limitation, for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever) which it may incur or which may be made against it arising out of or in relation to or in connection with its appointment or the exercise of its rights and duties hereunder, except such as may result from its gross negligence or wilful misconduct. This indemnity shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding the termination of this Note Purchase Deed or the resignation, revocation or termination of the Registrar’s appointment.
22.
Time; Payments
22.1
Time
49


Any time, date or period specified in this Note Purchase Deed may be postponed or extended by mutual agreement among the parties to this Note Purchase Deed but as regards any time, date or period originally fixed on or postponed or extended, time shall be of the essence.
22.2
Payments to Note Purchaser

(a)
Unless otherwise specified in the Transaction Documents, all interest, principal and other amounts from time to time payable on the Notes held by each Note Purchaser shall be payable into the relevant account or accounts as are specified to the Issuer by such Note Purchaser with respect to such Note Purchaser Group; provided that notice in writing of such account must be provided at least two (2) Business Days before the due date for the relevant payment.

(b)
In order to provide for the payment of principal and interest in respect of the Notes, on any day the same becomes due and payable the Issuer shall, on such date, pay to each Note Purchaser or otherwise cause it to receive, an amount equal to the aggregate amount payable with respect to the Note(s) for the relevant Note Purchaser.
22.3
Manner and time of payment
Each amount payable by the Issuer under clause 22.2 ( Payments to Note Purchaser ) shall be paid unconditionally by credit transfer in currency in which the relevant Note is denominated and in freely transferable, cleared funds not later than 11:00 a.m. on the relevant day to such account with such bank in London as the relevant Note Purchaser may from time to time by notice to the Issuer specify for such purpose. The account details for each Note Purchaser shall be notified to the Agent and Issuer not less than 10 Business Days prior to any due date for any payment to be made under or in connection with the Finance Documents.
23.
Notices
23.1
Communications in writing
Any communication to be made under or in connection with the Finance Documents shall be made in writing and, unless otherwise stated, may be made by letter.
23.2
Addresses
The address (and the department or officer, if any, for whose attention the communication is to be made) of each Obligor or Finance Party for any communication or document to be made or delivered under or in connection with the Finance Documents is:
23.3
The Issuer:
c/o Central Mare Inc.
1, Vas. Sofias Street & Meg. Alexandrou, 151 24 Maroussi, Greece
50


Attn:     Andreas Louka
Email:  louka@loukapartners.com
Tel:      +30 210 812 8320
The Guarantor:
c/o Central Mare Inc.
1, Vas. Sofias Street & Meg. Alexandrou, 151 24 Maroussi, Greece
Attn:     Andreas Louka
Email:  louka@loukapartners.com
Tel:      +30 210 812 8320
Agent and Registrar:
Non-administrative matters:
World Trade Center
Tower I, Level 6
Strawinskylaan 1939
1077 XX Amsterdam The Netherlands
Attn: Vassilis Kolovos / Mingli Zhu
Email:  v.kolovos@atbank.nl / m.zhu@atbank.nl
Cc: shipping.finance@atbank.nl
Telephone No.:  +31 (0) 205 209 204 / +31 (0) 205 209 277
Administrative matters:
World Trade Center Tower I, Level 6
Strawinskylaan 1939
1077 XX Amsterdam The Netherlands Attn: Liujun Zhou
Email:  shipping.finance@atbank.nl
Cc: v.kolovos@atbank.nl / m.zhu@atbank.nl
Telephone No.: +31 (0) 205 209 248 / +31 (0) 205 209 204 / +31 (0) 205 209 277
The Security Agent:
Non-administrative matters:
World Trade Center
Tower I, Level 6 Strawinskylaan 1939
1077 XX Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Attn: Vassilis Kolovos / Mingli Zhu
Email:  v.kolovos@atbank.nl / m.zhu@atbank.nl
Cc:  shipping .finance@atbank.nl
Telephone No.: +31 (0) 205 209 204 / +31 (0) 205 209 277
Administrative matters:
World Trade Center
Tower I, Level 6 Strawinskylaan 1939
1077 XX Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Attn:     Ruben Paniry
Email:  shipping.finance@atbank.nl
Cc:  i.tsirigotis@atbank.nl / v.kolovos@atbank.nl
Telephone No.: +31 (0) 205 209 247 / +31 (0) 205 209 404 / +31 (0) 205 209 204
51


The Note Purchaser:
World Trade Center
Tower I, Level 6 Strawinskylaan 1939
1077 XX Amsterdam
he Netherlands
Attn:     Vassilis Kolovos / Mingli Zhu
Email:  v.kolovos@atbank.nl / m.zhu@atbank.nl
Cc: shipping.finance@atbank.nl
Telephone No.: +31 (0) 205 209 204 / +31 (0) 205 209 277
or, in each case, any substitute address, or department or officer as an Obligor or Finance Party may notify to the Agent (or the Agent may notify to the other Finance Parties and the Obligors who are Parties, if a change is made by the Agent) by not less than five Business Days’ notice.
23.4
Delivery

(a)
Any communication or document made or delivered by one person to another under or in connection with the Finance Documents will only be effective when it has been left at the relevant address or five Business Days after being deposited in the post postage prepaid in an envelope addressed to it at that address and, if a particular department or officer is specified as part of its address details provided under clause 23.2 ( Addresses ), if addressed to that department or officer.

(b)
Any communication or document to be made or delivered to the Agent or the Security Agent will be effective only when actually received by the Agent or the Security Agent and then only if it is expressly marked for the attention of the department or officer identified above (or any substitute department or officer as the Agent or the Security Agent shall specify for this purpose).

(c)
All notices from or to an Obligor shall be sent through the Agent.

(d)
Any communication or document made or delivered to the Issuer in accordance with this clause 23.3 ( Delivery ) will be deemed to have been made or delivered to each of the Obligors.

(e)
Any communication or document which becomes effective, in accordance with clauses 23.3(a) to 23.3(d) above, after 5:00 p.m. in the place of receipt shall be deemed only to become effective on the following day.
23.5
Notification of address
Promptly upon changing its address, the Agent shall notify the other Parties.
23.6
Electronic communication
52



(a)
Any communication to be made between any two Parties under or in connection with the Finance Documents may be made by electronic mail or other electronic means (including, without limitation, by way of posting to a secure website) if those two Parties:

(i)
notify each other in writing of their electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the transmission of information by that means; and

(ii)
notify each other of any change to their address or any other such information supplied by them by not less than five Business Days’ notice.

(b)
Any such electronic communication as specified in clause 23.5(a) above to be made between an Obligor and a Finance Party may only be made in that way to the extent that those two Parties agree that, unless and until notified to the contrary, this is to be an accepted form of communication.

(c)
Any such electronic communication as specified in clause 23.5(a) above made between any two Parties will be effective only when actually received (or made available) in readable form and, in the case of any electronic communication made by a Party to the Agent or the Security Agent, only if it is addressed in such a manner as the Agent or the Security Agent shall specify for this purpose.

(d)
Any electronic communication which becomes effective, in accordance with clause 23.5(c) above, after 5:00 p.m. in the place in which the Party to whom the relevant communication is sent or made available has its address for the purpose of this Note Purchase Deed or any other Finance Document shall be deemed only to become effective on the following day.

(e)
Any reference in a Finance Document to a communication being sent or received shall be construed to include that communication being made available in accordance with this clause 23.5 ( Electronic communication ).
23.7
English language

(a)
Any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document must be in English.

(b)
All other documents provided under or in connection with any Finance Document must be:

(i)
in English; or

(ii)
if not in English, and if so required by the Agent, accompanied by a certified English translation and, in this case, the English translation will prevail unless the document is a constitutional, statutory or other official document.
53


24.
Calculations and Certificates
24.1
Accounts
In any litigation or arbitration proceedings arising out of or in connection with a Finance Document, the entries made in the accounts maintained by a Finance Party are prima facie evidence of the matters to which they relate.
24.2
Day Count Convention
Any interest, commission or fee accruing under a Finance Document will accrue from day to day and is calculated on the basis of the Day Count Convention.
25.
Miscellaneous
25.1
Amendments and Waivers
Any term of this Note Purchase Deed may be amended only with the consent of the parties hereto or waived only with the consent of the parties hereto (other than the party seeking the waiver) and then such amendment, waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.
25.2
Certificates and Determinations
Any certification or determination by a Note Purchaser of a rate or amount under this Note Purchase Deed including the Principal Balance and interest payable with respect to Notes is, in the absence of manifest error, conclusive evidence of the matters to which it relates and the Registrar may rely on any such certification or determination.
25.3
Conduct of Business by the Finance Parties
No provision of this Note Purchase Deed shall:

(a)
interfere with the right of any Finance Party to arrange its affairs (tax or otherwise) in whatever manner it thinks fit;

(b)
oblige any Finance Party to investigate or claim any credit, relief, remission or repayment available to it or the extent, order and manner of any claim; or

(c)
oblige any Finance Party to disclose any information relating to its affairs (tax or otherwise) or any computations in respect of tax.
25.4
Partial invalidity
54


If, at any time, any provision of a Finance Document is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect under any law of any jurisdiction, neither the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions nor the legality, validity or enforceability of such provision under the law of any other jurisdiction will in any way be affected or impaired.
25.5
Set-off
A Finance Party may whilst an Event of Default is continuing set off any matured obligation due from an Obligor under the Finance Documents (to the extent beneficially owned by that Finance Party) against any matured obligation owed by that Finance Party to that Obligor, regardless of the place of payment, booking branch or currency of either obligation. If the obligations are in different currencies, the Finance Party may convert either obligation at a market rate of exchange in its usual course of business for the purpose of the set-off.
25.6
Counterparts
This Note Purchase Deed may be executed in any number of counterparts. Each counterpart, when duly exchanged or delivered, is an original but the counterparts together are one and the same agreement.
26.
Confidential Information
26.1
Confidential Information
Each Finance Party agrees to keep all Confidential Information confidential and not to disclose it to anyone, save to the extent permitted by clause 26.2 ( Disclosure of Confidential Information ), or as required by SEC or NASDAQ regulations and to ensure that all Confidential Information is protected with security measures and a degree of care that would apply to its own confidential information.
26.2
Disclosure of Confidential Information
Any Finance Party may disclose:

(a)
to any of its Affiliates and Related Funds and any of its or their officers, directors, employees, professional advisers, auditors, partners and Representatives such Confidential Information as that Finance Party shall consider appropriate if any person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given pursuant to this clause 26.2(a) is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no such requirement to so inform if the recipient is subject to professional obligations to maintain the confidentiality of the information or is otherwise bound by requirements of confidentiality in relation to the Confidential Information;
55



(b)
to any person:

(i)
to (or through) whom it assigns (or may potentially assign) all or any of its rights and/or obligations under one or more Finance Documents or which succeeds (or which may potentially succeed) it as Agent or Security Agent and, in each case, to any of that person’s Affiliates, Related Funds, Representatives, professional advisers and partners;

(ii)
with (or through) whom it enters into (or may potentially enter into), whether directly or indirectly, any sub-participation in relation to, or any other transaction under which payments are to be made or may be made by reference to, one or more Finance Documents and/or one or more Obligors and to any of that person’s Affiliates, Related Funds, Representatives, professional advisers and partners;

(iii)
appointed by any Finance Party or by a person to whom sub-clauses 26.2(b)(i) or 26.2(b)(ii) above applies to receive communications, notices, information or documents delivered pursuant to the Finance Documents on its behalf;

(iv)
who invests in or otherwise finances (or may potentially invest in or otherwise finance), directly or indirectly, any transaction referred to in sub-clauses 26.2(b)(i) or 26.2(b)(ii) above;

(v)
to whom information is required or requested to be disclosed by any court of competent jurisdiction or any governmental, banking, taxation or other regulatory authority or similar body, the rules of any relevant stock exchange or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation;

(vi)
to whom information is required to be disclosed in connection with, and for the purposes of, any litigation, arbitration, administrative or other investigations, proceedings or disputes;

(vii)
to whom or for whose benefit that Finance Party charges, assigns or otherwise creates Security (or may do so);

(viii)
who is a Party; or

(ix)
with the consent of the Issuer;

(c)
to any person appointed by that Finance Party or by a person to whom sub-clauses 26.2(b)(i) or 26.2(b)(ii) above applies to provide administration or settlement services in respect of one or more of the Finance Documents including without limitation, in relation to the trading of participations in respect of the Finance Documents, such Confidential Information as may be required to be disclosed to enable such service provider to provide
56




any of the services referred to in this clause 26.2(c) if the service provider to whom the Confidential Information is to be given has entered into a confidentiality agreement substantially in the form of the LMA Master Confidentiality Undertaking for Use With Administration/Settlement Service Providers or such other form of confidentiality undertaking agreed between the Issuer and the relevant Finance Party; and

(d)
to any rating agency (including its professional advisers) such Confidential Information as may be required to be disclosed to enable such rating agency to carry out its normal rating activities in relation to the Finance Documents and/or the Obligors.
26.3
Entire agreement
This clause 26.3 ( Entire agreement ) constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties in relation to the obligations of the Finance Parties under the Finance Documents regarding Confidential Information and supersedes any previous agreement, whether express or implied, regarding Confidential Information.
26.4
Inside information
Each of the Finance Parties acknowledges that some or all of the Confidential Information is or may be price-sensitive information and that the use of such information may be regulated or prohibited by applicable legislation including securities law relating to insider dealing and market abuse and each of the Finance Parties undertakes not to use any Confidential Information for any unlawful purpose.
26.5
Nature of disclosure
Each of the Finance Parties agrees (to the extent permitted by law and regulation) to inform the Issuer:

(a)
of the circumstances of any disclosure of Confidential Information made to any person to whom information is required or requested to be disclosed by any court of competent jurisdiction or any governmental, banking, taxation or other regulatory authority or similar body or the rules of any relevant stock exchange or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation pursuant to clause 26.2 ( Disclosure of Confidential Information ) except where such disclosure is made to any such person during the ordinary course of its supervisory or regulatory function; and

(b)
upon becoming aware that Confidential Information has been disclosed in breach of this clause 26 ( Confidential Information ).
26.6
Continuing obligations
57


The obligations in this clause 26 ( Confidential Information ) are continuing and, in particular, shall survive and remain binding on each Finance Party for a period of twenty four months from the earlier of:

(a)
the date on which all amounts payable by the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been paid in full; and

(b)
the date on which such Finance Party otherwise ceases to be a Finance Party.
27.
Governing Law
This Note Purchase Deed and any non-contractual obligations connected with it are governed by English law
28.
Jurisdiction
28.1
Jurisdiction of English courts

(a)
The courts of England have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Note Purchase Deed or any non-contractual obligations connected with it (including a dispute regarding the existence, validity or termination of this Note Purchase Deed) (a Dispute ).

(b)
The Parties agree that the courts of England are the most appropriate and convenient courts to settle Disputes and accordingly no Party will argue to the contrary.

(c)
Notwithstanding clause 28.1(a) above, no Finance Party shall be prevented from taking proceedings relating to a Dispute in any other courts with jurisdiction. To the extent allowed by law, the Finance Parties may take concurrent proceedings in any number of jurisdictions.
28.2
Service of process
Without prejudice to any other mode of service allowed under any relevant law, any Obligor who is a Party:

(a)
irrevocably appoints:
Top Properties (London) Limited
247 Gray’s Inn Road
London WC1X 8QZ
United Kingdom
58


as that Obligor’s English process agent as its agent for service of process in relation to any proceedings before the English courts in connection with any Finance Document;

(b)
agrees that failure by an agent for service of process to notify the relevant Obligor of the process will not invalidate the proceedings concerned; and

(c)
if any person appointed as process agent for an Obligor is unable for any reason to act as agent for service of process, that Obligor must immediately (and in any event within ten days of such event taking place) appoint another agent on terms acceptable to the Agent. Failing this, the Agent may appoint another agent for this purpose.
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SIGNATURE PAGE TO THE NOTE PURCHASE DEED
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have caused this Note Purchase Deed to be executed and delivered as a deed at the date and year first written above.
THE ISSUER
EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED by
)
/s/Alexandros Tsirikos
 
TOP SHIPS INC.
)
Attorney-in-fact
 
acting by:  Alexandros Tsirikos
)
   
in the presence of:
)
   
       

/s/ Karkaletsi S. Dimitra
   
Witness name:  Karkaletsi S. Dimitra
   
Address:  274, Leof, Salaminas – Salamina
                 Greece, Tel 2104654270
   
Occupation:  Attorney-at-Law
   

THE SECURITY AGENT
EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED by
)
/s/ Ira Ulis Tsirigotis
 
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V.
)
Authorised signatory
 
acting by:
)
   
 
)
/s/Harris Antoniou
 
   
Authorised signatory
 

THE AGENT AND THE REGISTRAR
EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED by
)
/s/ Ira Ulis Tsirigotis
 
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V.
)
Authorised signatory
 
acting by:
)
   
 
)
/s/Harris Antoniou
 
   
Authorised signatory
 
60


THE NOTE PURCHASER
EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED by
)
/s/ Ira Ulis Tsirigotis
 
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V.
)
Authorised signatory
 
acting by:
)
   
 
)
/s/Harris Antoniou
 
   
Authorised signatory
 

THE GUARANTOR
EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED by
)
/s/Alexandros Tsirikos
 
ASTARTE INTERNATIONAL INC.
)
Attorney-in-fact
 
acting by:  Alexandros Tsirikos
)
   
in the presence of:
)
   
       

/s/ Karkaletsi S. Dimitra
   
Witness name:  Karkaletsi S. Dimitra
   
Address:  274, Leof, Salaminas – Salamina
                 Greece, Tel 2104654270
   
Occupation:  Attorney-at-Law
   

61


Schedule 1

The Note Purchasers




Note Purchaser
Subscription
 
Note Purchaser Pro Rata Share
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V.
$10,500,000
100%




62


Schedule 2

Form of Note Issue Notice

To: Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V.
From: Top Ships Inc.
Copy: Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V. (as Registrar)
Date: [                  ]
TOP SHIPS INC.
Note Purchase Deed dated 21 March 2019
(the Deed)

1
We refer to the Deed. Capitalised terms not defined herein shall have the meaning given to them in the Deed.
2
This is a Note Issue Notice.
3
We hereby request the subscription of Notes on the following terms:

(a)
Closing Date: [ Specify date ] or such other date as agreed between the Note Purchasers and the Issuer.

(b)
US$10,500,000

(c)
Final Maturity Date: 31 March 2020 or such other date as agreed between the Note Purchasers and the Issuer.
4     Our payment instructions are: [ Include the applicable payment instructions ]:
5     Company contact details:
c/o Central Mare Inc.
1, Vas. Sofias Street & Meg. Alexandrou,
151 24 Maroussi,
Greece

Attn:      Andreas Louka
Email:   louka@loukapartners.com
Tel:             +30 210 812 8320

6
We confirm that each condition precedent under the Deed which must be satisfied on the date of this Note Issue Notice is or will be so satisfied.
7
We hereby represent and warrant that:
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(a)
the representations and warranties set out in Schedule 3 ( R epresentations and Warranties of the Obligors) to the Deed are true and correct on the date hereof and will be true on the Closing Date, in each case by reference to the facts and circumstances subsisting on such dates; and

(b)
no Default or Event of Default (each as defined in the Existing Loan Facility) under the Existing Loan Facility has occurred and no event exists, or would occur from the issuance of the Notes.
8       This Note Issue Notice is irrevocable.
9     The Note shall bear the following legend:
THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “1933 ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE NOTE NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION THEREIN MAY BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED: (I) IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE NOTE UNDER THE 1933 ACT OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS; OR (II) IN THE ABSENCE OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, IN A FORM REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE ISSUER, THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE 1933 ACT OR; (III) UNLESS SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER THE 1933 ACT OR REGULATIONS S OF THE 1933 ACT.

By: ______________________________
For and on behalf of Top Ships Inc.



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Schedule 3
Representations and Warranties of the Obligors
1.
Representations and Warranties of the Obligors
1.1
Status

(a)
Each Obligor is a corporation, duly incorporated and validly existing under the law of its Original Jurisdiction.

(b)
Each Obligor has power and authority to own its assets and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted within the scope of its purpose.
1.2
Binding obligations
Subject to the Legal Reservations:

(a)
the obligations expressed to be assumed by each Obligor in each Transaction Document to which it is, or is to be, a party are or, when entered into by it, will be legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations; and

(b)
(without limiting the generality of paragraph 1.2(a) above) each Security Document to which an Obligor is, or will be, a party, creates or will create the Security Interests which that Security Document purports to create and those Security Interests are or will be valid and effective.
1.3
Non-conflict
The entry into and performance by each Obligor of, and the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and the granting of the Transaction Security do not and will not conflict with:

(a)
any law or regulation applicable to any Obligor;

(b)
the Constitutional Documents of any Obligor; or

(c)
any agreement or other instrument binding upon any Obligor or its assets,
or constitute a default or termination event (however described) under any such agreement or instrument or result in the creation of any Security Interest (save for a Permitted Security Interest or under a Security Document) on any Obligor’s assets, rights or revenues.
1.4
Power and authority
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(a)
Each Obligor has the power to enter into, perform and deliver and comply with its obligations under, and has taken all necessary actions to authorise its entry into, performance and delivery of, and compliance with, each Transaction Document to which it is, or is to be, a party and each of the transactions contemplated by those documents.

(b)
No limitation on any Obligor’s powers to borrow, create security or give guarantees will be exceeded as a result of any transaction under, or the entry into any Transaction Document to which such Obligor is, or is to be, a party.
1.5
Validity and admissibility in evidence

(a)
All Authorisations required:

(i)
to enable each Obligor lawfully to enter into, exercise its rights and comply with its obligations under each Transaction Document to which it is a party;

(ii)
to make each Transaction Document to which it is a party admissible in evidence in its Relevant Jurisdictions; and

(iii)
to ensure that the Transaction Security has the priority and ranking contemplated in the Security Documents,
have been obtained or effected or (as the case may be) will be obtained or effected when required and are or (as the case may be) will be when required in full force and effect except any Authorisation or filing referred to in paragraph 1.13 ( No filing or stamp taxes ) below, which Authorisation or filing will be promptly obtained or effected within any applicable period.

(b)
All Authorisations necessary for the conduct of the business, trade and ordinary activities of each Obligor have been obtained or effected and are in full force and effect, if failure to obtain or effect those Authorisations is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.
1.6
Governing law and enforcement

(a)
The choice of governing law of any Transaction Document will be recognised and enforced in each Obligor’s Relevant Jurisdictions.

(b)
Any judgment obtained in relation to any Transaction Document in the jurisdiction of the governing law of that Transaction Document will be recognised and enforced in the relevant Obligor’s Relevant Jurisdictions.
1.7
No misleading information
66



(a)
Any factual information contained in the Information Package is true and accurate in all material respects as at the date of the relevant report or document containing the information or (as the case may be) as at the date the information is expressed to be given.

(b)
Any financial projection or forecast contained in the Information Package has been prepared on the basis of recent historical information and on the basis of reasonable assumptions and was fair (as at the date of the relevant report or document containing the projection or forecast) and arrived at after careful consideration.

(c)
The expressions of opinion or intention provided by or on behalf of an Obligor for the purposes of the Information Package were made after careful consideration and (as at the date of the relevant report or document containing the expression of opinion or intention) were fair and based on reasonable grounds.

(d)
No event or circumstance has occurred or arisen and no information has been omitted from the Information Package and no information has been given or withheld that results in the information, opinions, intentions, forecasts or projections contained in the Information Package being untrue or misleading in any material respect.

(e)
For the purposes of this paragraph 1.7, Information Package means any information provided by any Obligor to any of the Finance Parties in connection with the Transaction Documents or the transactions referred to in them.
1.8
Pari passu ranking
Each Obligor’s (other than the Charterer’s) payment obligations under the Finance Documents to which it is, or is to be, a party rank at least pari passu with all its other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated payment obligations, except for obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally.
1.9
Ranking and effectiveness of security
Subject to the Legal Reservations and any filing, registration or notice requirements which is referred to in any legal opinion delivered to the Agent under clause 7.1(b):

(a)
the Transaction Security has (or will have when the relevant Security Documents have been executed) the priority which it is expressed to have in the Security Documents;

(b)
the Charged Property is not subject to any Security Interest other than Permitted Security Interests; and

(c)
the Transaction Security will constitute perfected security on the assets described in the Security Documents.
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1.10
Centre of main interests and establishments
For the purposes of The Council of the European Union Regulation No. 1346/2000 on Insolvency Proceedings (the Regulation ), each Obligor’s (other than the Charterer’s) centre of main interest (as that term is used in Article 3(1) of the Regulation) is situated in Greece and it has no “establishment” (as that term is used in Article 2(h) of the Regulation) in any other jurisdiction.
1.11
Ownership of Charged Property
Each Obligor (other than the Charterer) is the sole legal and beneficial owner of the Charged Property over which it purports to grant a Security Interest under the Security Documents.
1.12
No insolvency
No corporate action, legal proceeding or other procedure or step described in limb (g) ( Insolvency proceedings ) or creditors’ process described in limb (h) ( Creditors’ process ) of the definition of Event of Default has been taken or, to the knowledge of any Obligor, threatened in relation to a Group Member and none of the circumstances described in limb (f) ( Insolvency ) of the definition of Event of Default applies to any Obligor.
1.13
No filing or stamp taxes
Under the laws of each Obligor’s Relevant Jurisdictions it is not necessary that any Finance Document to which it is, or is to be, party be filed, recorded or enrolled with any court or other authority in that jurisdiction or that any stamp, registration, notarial or similar Taxes or fees be paid on or in relation to any such Finance Document or the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents except registration of the Mortgage with the relevant Registry and any filing, recording or enrolling or any tax or fee payable in relation to any Finance Document which is referred to in any Legal Opinion and which will be made or paid promptly after the date of the relevant Finance Document.
1.14
Deduction of Tax
No Obligor (other than the Charterer) is required to make any Tax Deduction (as defined in clause 9.1 ( Definitions )) from any payment it may make under any Finance Document to which it is, or is to be, a party and no other party is required to make any such deduction from any payment it may make under any other Transaction Document.
1.15
Tax compliance

(a)
No Obligor (other than the Charterer) is materially overdue in the filing of any Tax returns or overdue in the payment of any amount in respect of Tax exceeding $500,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency).
68



(b)
No claims or investigations are being, or are reasonably likely to be, made or conducted against any Obligor (other than the Charterer) with respect to Taxes such that a liability of, or claim against, any Obligor (other than the Charterer) is reasonably likely to arise for an amount for which adequate reserves have not been provided and which are reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(c)
Each Obligor (other than the Charterer) is resident for Tax purposes only in its Original Jurisdiction.
1.16
Other Tax matters
The execution or delivery or performance by any Party of the Finance Documents will not result in any Finance Party having or being deemed to have a place of business in any Relevant Jurisdiction of any Obligor.
1.17
Pension exposure
No Obligor (other than the Charterer) is, or may be, liable to contribute funds to any form of pension scheme or similar arrangement except as required under applicable law or regulation (other than a scheme or arrangement where the benefits conferred by it on its members are calculated solely by reference to a payment or payments made by the relevant member or by any other person in respect of that member).
1.18
No Default

(a)
No Default is continuing or is reasonably expected to result from the issuance of the Notes or the entry into, the performance of, or any transaction contemplated by, any Transaction Document.

(b)
No other event or circumstance is outstanding which constitutes (or, with the expiry of a grace period, the giving of notice, the making of any determination or any combination of any of the foregoing, would constitute) a default or termination event (however described) under any other agreement or instrument which is binding on any Obligor or to which any Obligor’s assets are subject which is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.
1.19
No proceedings

(a)
Except as advised in writing to the Agent prior to the date of this Note Purchase Deed, no litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings or investigations of, or before, any court, arbitral body or agency which, if adversely determined, might reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect has or have (to the best of any Obligor’s knowledge and belief (having made due and careful enquiry)) been started or threatened against any Obligor.
69



(b)
No judgment or order of a court, arbitral tribunal or other tribunal or any order or sanction of any governmental or other regulatory body which is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect has (to the best of any Obligor’s knowledge and belief (having made due and careful enquiry)) been made against any Obligor or any other Group Member.
1.20
No breach of laws

(a)
No Obligor or other Group Member has breached any law or regulation.

(b)
No labour dispute is current or, to the best of any Obligor’s knowledge and belief (having made due and careful enquiry), threatened against any Obligor or other Group Member which is reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
1.21
Anti-corruption law
Each Obligor has conducted its businesses in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws and has instituted and maintained policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.
1.22
Security and Financial Indebtedness

(a)
No Security Interest exists over all or any of the present or future assets of any Obligor in breach of this Note Purchase Deed.

(b)
No Obligor has any Financial Indebtedness outstanding in breach of this Note Purchase Deed.
1.23
Shares

(a)
The shares of the Guarantor are fully paid and not subject to any option to purchase or similar rights.

(b)
The Constitutional Documents of the Guarantor do not and could not restrict or inhibit any transfer of those shares on creation or enforcement of the Security Documents.

(c)
There are no agreements in force which provide for the issue or allotment of, or grant any person the right to call for the issue or allotment of, any share or loan capital of the Guarantor (including any option or right of pre-emption or conversion).
1.24
Ownership of Guarantor
The Guarantor is a wholly owned direct Subsidiary of the Issuer.
1.25
Listing
70


The shares of the Issuer are listed and trading on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange.
1.26
Accounting Reference Date
The Financial Year-end of each Obligor (other than the Charterer) is the Accounting Reference Date.
1.27
No adverse consequences

(a)
It is not necessary under the laws of the Relevant Jurisdictions of any Obligor:

(i)
in order to enable any Finance Party to enforce its rights under any Finance Document to which it is, or is to be, a party; or

(ii)
by reason of the execution of any Finance Document or the performance by any Obligor of its obligations under any Finance Document, that any Finance Party should be licensed, qualified or otherwise entitled to carry on business in any of such Relevant Jurisdictions.

(b)
No Finance Party is or will be deemed to be resident, domiciled or carrying on business in any Relevant Jurisdiction of any Obligor by reason only of the execution, performance and/or enforcement of any Finance Document.
1.28
Copies of documents
The copies of the Constitutional Documents of the Obligors (other than the Charterer) delivered to the Agent under clause 7 ( Conditions Precedent ) will be true, complete and accurate copies of such documents and include all amendments and supplements to them as at the time of such delivery and no other agreements or arrangements exist between any of the parties to those Transaction Documents which would materially affect the transactions or arrangements contemplated by them or modify or release the obligations of any party under them.
1.29
No breach, etc of any shipbuilding contract or related refund guarantee

(a)
No Group Member nor (so far as the Obligors are aware) any other person is in breach of any shipbuilding contract to which it is a party nor has anything occurred which entitles or may entitle any party to rescind or terminate it or decline to perform their obligations under it or which would render it illegal, invalid or unenforceable.

(b)
No dispute has occurred under any shipbuilding contract relating to the construction of any vessel of any Group Member or any Obligor’s Affiliate by the relevant Builder or under any refund guarantee issued in respect of the obligations of the relevant Builder under that shipbuilding contract.
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1.30
No immunity
No Obligor or any of its assets is immune to any legal action or proceeding.
1.31
Address commission
There are no rebates, commissions or other payments in connection with the Charter other than those referred to in it.
1.32
Sanctions

(a)
No Obligor, nor any of its Affiliates nor any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives:

(i)
has breached any Sanctions;

(ii)
is a Restricted Person; or

(iii)
has received notice of or is aware of any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation against it with respect to Sanctions.

(b)
No proceeds of the Notes:

(i)
shall be made available, directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of a Restricted Person nor shall they be otherwise directly or indirectly, applied in a manner or for a purpose prohibited by applicable Sanctions; or

(ii)
will be used by any Obligor:

(A)
to finance equipment or sectors under embargo decisions of the United Nations or the World Bank; or

(B)
in breach of the provisions of any Sanctions.
1.33
No Money Laundering
In relation to the issuance by the Issuer of the Notes, the performance and discharge of the Obligors’ obligations and liabilities under the Finance Documents, and the transactions and other arrangements effected or contemplated by this Note Purchase Deed and the other Finance Documents, the Obligors are acting for their own account and the foregoing will not involve or lead to a contravention of any law, official requirement or other regulatory measure or procedure which has been implemented by any relevant regulatory authority or otherwise to combat Money Laundering (as defined in paragraph 3.6 ( Bribery and corruption ) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors )).
72


1.34
Environmental matters

(a)
No Environmental Law applicable to any Fleet Vessel and/or any Obligor or other Group Member has been violated.

(b)
All consents, licences and approvals required under such Environmental Laws have been obtained and are currently in force.

(c)
No Environmental Claim has been made or, to the best of any Obligor’s knowledge and belief (having made due and careful enquiry), is threatened or pending against any Obligor or other Group Member or any Fleet Vessel where that claim might have a Material Adverse Effect and there has been no Environmental Incident which has given, or is reasonably expected to give, rise to such a claim.
1.35
No breach of any Charter Document
No Obligor nor (so far as the Obligors are aware) any other person is in breach of any Charter Document to which it is a party nor has anything occurred which entitles or may entitle any party to rescind or terminate it or decline to perform its obligations under it.
1.36
Collateral Ship status
The Collateral Ship will on the first day of the Mortgage Period be:

(a)
registered in the name of the Guarantor through the relevant Registry as a ship under the laws and flag of the relevant Flag State;

(b)
operationally seaworthy and in every way fit for service;

(c)
classed with the relevant Classification free of all requirements and recommendations of the relevant Classification Society; and

(d)
insured in the manner required by the Finance Documents.
1.37
Collateral Ship’s employment
The Collateral Ship shall within five days of the Mortgage Period:

(a)
have been delivered, and accepted for service, under the relevant Charter; and

(b)
save for the relevant Charter, be free of any other charter commitment which, if entered into after that date, would require approval under the Finance Documents.
1.38
US Representations
73



(a)
Issuance of the Notes . The issuance of the Notes are duly authorized and upon issuance in accordance with the terms of this Note Purchase Deed shall be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and free from all preemptive or similar rights, mortgages, defects, claims, liens, pledges, charges, taxes, rights of first refusal, encumbrances, security interests and other encumbrances with respect to the issuance thereof. Subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Note Purchasers in this Note Purchase Deed, the offer and issuance by the Issuer of the Notes is exempt from registration under the 1933 Act.

(b)
No General Solicitation . Neither the Issuer, nor any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf, has engaged in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D) in connection with the offer or sale of the Notes.

(c)
No Integrated Offering . None of the Issuer, its Subsidiaries or any of their affiliates, nor any person acting on their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would require registration of the issuance of any of the Notes under the 1933 Act, whether through integration with prior offerings or otherwise, or cause this offering of the Loan Notes to require approval of stockholders of the Issuer for purposes of the 1933 Act or under any applicable stockholder approval provisions, including, without limitation, under the rules and regulations of any exchange or automated quotation system on which any of the securities of the Issuer are listed or designated for quotation. None of the Issuer, its Subsidiaries, their affiliates nor any person acting on their behalf will take any action or steps that would require registration of the issuance of any of the Notes under the 1933 Act or cause the offering of any of the Notes to be integrated with other offerings of securities of the Issuer.
1.39
Times when representations are made

(a)
All of the representations and warranties set out in this Schedule 3 ( Representations and Warranties of the Obligors ) are deemed to be made on the dates of:

(i)
this Note Purchase Deed;

(ii)
the first Note Issuance Notice; and

(iii)
the Closing Date.

(b)
The Repeating Representations are deemed to be made on the first day of each Interest Period.
74



(c)
Each representation or warranty deemed to be made after the date of this Note Purchase Deed shall be deemed to be made by reference to the facts and circumstances existing at the date the representation or warranty is deemed to be made.



75


Schedule 4
Covenants of the Obligor
1.
Information Covenants
1.1
Undertaking to comply
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this paragraph 1 ( Information Covenants ) will be complied with throughout term of the Notes except as approved by the Note Purchasers.
1.2
Definitions
In this paragraph 1 ( Information Covenants ):
Annual Financial Statements means the financial statements for a Financial Year delivered pursuant to limb (a) of paragraph 1.3 ( Financial Statements ).
Semi-annual Financial Statements means the financial statements for the first financial half-year of each Financial Year delivered pursuant to limb (b) of paragraph 1.3 ( Financial Statements ).
1.3
Financial statements

(a)
The Issuer shall supply to the Agent as soon as the same become available, but in any event within 120 days after the end of each Financial Year (but commencing with the Financial Year ending 31 December 2018) the audited consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for that Financial Year.

(b)
The Issuer shall supply to the Agent as soon as the same become available, but in any event within 90 days after the end of the first financial half-year of each of its Financial Years (but commencing with the financial half-year ending 30 June 2019):

(i)
the unaudited (or audited if available) financial statements of the Issuer for that financial half-year; and

(ii)
the unaudited (or audited if available) consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for that financial half-year.
1.4
Provision and contents of Compliance Certificate

(a)
The Issuer shall supply a Compliance Certificate to the Agent with each set of Annual Financial Statements and each set of Semi-Annual Financial Statements, in each case, delivered pursuant to paragraph 1.3 ( Financial Statements ).
76



(b)
Each Compliance Certificate shall set out (in reasonable detail) computations as to compliance with paragraph 2 ( Financial Covenants ).

(c)
Each Compliance Certificate shall be signed by a duly authorised signatory of the Issuer.
1.5
Requirements as to financial statements

(a)
The Issuer shall procure that each set of Annual Financial Statements and Semi-annual Financial Statements includes a profit and loss account, a balance sheet and a cashflow statement and that, in addition, each set of Annual Financial Statements shall be audited by the Auditors.

(b)
Each set of financial statements delivered pursuant to paragraph 1.3 ( Financial Statements ) shall:

(i)
be prepared in accordance with GAAP; and

(ii)
fairly present, and be certified by a director of the relevant company as fairly presenting, its financial condition and operations as at the date as at which those financial statements were drawn up and, in the case of the Annual Financial Statements, shall be accompanied by any letter addressed to the management of the relevant company by the Auditors and accompanying those Annual Financial Statements; and

(iii)
in the case of Annual Financial Statements, not be the subject of any qualification in the Auditors’ opinion.
1.6
Year-end
The Issuer shall procure that each Financial Year-end of each Obligor (other than the Charterer) and each Group Member falls on the Accounting Reference Date.
1.7
Information: miscellaneous
The Issuer shall supply to the Agent:

(a)
whilst an Event of Default is continuing and as soon as practicable after the time when they are dispatched, copies of all documents dispatched by any Obligor to its creditors generally (or any class of them);

(b)
promptly upon becoming aware of them, the details of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings which are current, threatened or pending against any Obligor or other Group Member, and which, if adversely determined, might have a Material Adverse Effect;
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(c)
promptly upon becoming aware of them, the details of any judgment or order of a court, arbitral tribunal or other tribunal or any order or sanction of any governmental or other regulatory body which is made against any Obligor or other Group Member and which is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(d)
promptly upon becoming aware of them, the details of any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation with respect to Sanctions against any Obligor or any of its Affiliates or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives;

(e)
promptly, such information as the Agent or the Security Agent may reasonably require about the Charged Property and compliance of the Obligors with the terms of any Security Documents; and

(f)
promptly on request, such further information regarding the financial condition, assets and operations of any Obligor as any Finance Party through the Agent may reasonably request,
provided always that the supply of such information would not result in a breach of any confidentiality undertaking of an Obligor.
1.8
Notification of Default

(i)
The Issuer shall notify the Agent of any Default (and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it) promptly upon any Obligor becoming aware of its occurrence (unless that Obligor is aware that a notification has already been provided by another Obligor).

(ii)
Promptly upon a request by the Agent, the Issuer shall supply to the Agent a certificate signed by two of its directors certifying that no Default is continuing (or if a Default is continuing, specifying the Default and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it).
1.9
Sufficient copies
The Issuer, if so requested by the Agent, shall deliver sufficient copies of each document to be supplied under the Finance Documents to the Agent to distribute to each of the Note Purchasers.
1.10
“Know your customer” checks

(a)
If:

(i)
the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any law or regulation made after the date of this Note Purchase Deed;
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(ii)
any change in the status of an Obligor or the composition of the shareholders of an Obligor after the date of this Note Purchase Deed; or

(iii)
a proposed assignment by a Note Purchaser of any of its rights under this Note Purchase Deed to a party that is not already a Note Purchaser prior to such assignment,
obliges the Agent or any Note Purchaser (or, in the case of paragraph 1.10(a)(iii) above, any prospective new Note Purchaser) to comply with “know your customer” or similar identification procedures in circumstances where the necessary information is not already available to it, each Obligor shall within seven Business Days after the request of the Agent or any Note Purchaser supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent (for itself or on behalf of any Note Purchaser) or any Note Purchaser (for itself or, in the case of the event described in paragraph 1.10(a)(iii) above, on behalf of any prospective new Note Purchaser) in order for the Agent, such Note Purchaser or, in the case of the event described in paragraph 1.10(a)(iii) above, any prospective new Note Purchaser to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents.

(b)
Each Finance Party shall, promptly upon the request of the Agent or the Security Agent, supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent or the Security Agent (for itself) in order for it to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents.
2.
Financial Covenants
2.1
Financial definitions
In paragraphs 2.2 ( Financial condition ) and 2.3 ( Financial testing ) below:
Cash and Cash Equivalents means, at any relevant time, the aggregate of:

(a)
cash in hand or on deposit with any bank; and

(b)
any other instrument, security or investment approved by the Note Purchasers,
which are free from any Security Interest and/or restrictions (other than any restriction arising exclusively from any covenant to maintain a minimum level of free liquidity and/or for the purposes of any debt service reserve account) and to which any Group Member is beneficially entitled at that time and which are readily available to Group Members and capable of being
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applied against Financial Indebtedness, as demonstrated by the then most recent Financial Statements.
Chartered Vessel means, at any relevant time, any vessel chartered in (the charter-in commitment ) by a Group Member for a period of six months or longer and which vessel at that time has not been chartered out by such Group Member to a third party on terms at least equal to the terms of the charter-in commitment for such vessel.
Financial Statements means any of the Annual Financial Statements or the Semi-annual Financial Statements referred to and defined as such in paragraph 1.2 ( Definitions ) above.
Fleet Market Value means, as of the date of calculation, the aggregate market value of all:

(a)
Fleet Vessels; and

(b)
JV Vessels, as adjusted to reflect the relevant ownership percentage in such JV Vessels of the relevant Group Member,
in each case as most recently determined pursuant to valuations of such vessels provided to the Agent and made in accordance with the provisions of clause 27 ( Minimum security value ) of the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement which shall apply for the purposes of this definition mutatis mutandis to each Fleet Vessel and JV Vessel as if each such vessel were the “Ship” (as defined in the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement) save that such valuations may be set out in one valuation listing each one such vessel and prepared by one (1) Approved Valuer (as defined in the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement) nominated and appointed by the Issuer.
Fleet Vessels means each vessel owned or leased under a capital lease by a Group Member from time to time.
JV Vessel means each vessel owned by a Joint Venture into which a Group Member participates from time to time and Joint Vessels means all or any of them.
Measurement Period means each Financial Year and the first financial half-year of each Financial Year for which Financial Statements are to be delivered to the Agent under paragraph 1.3 ( Financial Statements ).
Total Debt means, at any time, the sum (without duplication) of:

(a)
the Group’s liabilities in respect of principal under any Financial Indebtedness (provided however that any principal under any Financial Indebtedness incurred only by the Issuer which is not secured by security provided over an asset of the Group, shall not be taken into account); and
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(b)
all liabilities of all Joint Ventures in respect of principal under any Financial Indebtedness secured by security provided over a JV Vessel, each such liability adjusted to reflect the relevant Group Member’s ownership percentage in such JV Vessel.
Total Net Debt means, at any time and in relation to any Measurement Period, Total Debt in relation to that Measurement Period minus Cash and Cash Equivalents, each as demonstrated by the then most recent Financial Statements.
2.2
Financial condition
Each Obligor who is a Party shall ensure that:

(a)
Leverage ratio: the ratio of Total Net Debt to Fleet Market Value shall, at all times during and in respect of each Measurement Period, be not higher than 0.75:1.00.

(b)
Minimum liquidity: at all times the Cash and Cash Equivalents shall not be less than the aggregate of:

(i)
$750,000 multiplied by the number of the Fleet Vessels; and

(ii)
$500,000 multiplied by the number of the Chartered Vessels.
2.3
Financial testing
The financial covenants set out in paragraph 2.2 ( Financial condition ) shall be calculated in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis and tested by reference to each of the Financial Statements delivered pursuant to, and defined as such in, paragraph 1.3 ( Financial Statements ).
3.
General undertakings
3.1
Undertaking to comply
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this paragraph 3 ( General undertakings ) will be complied with by and in respect of each Obligor throughout the term of the Notes except as approved by the Note Purchasers.
3.2
Use of proceeds
The proceeds of Notes shall be used exclusively for the purposes specified in clause 4.3 ( Use of Proceeds ).
3.3
Authorisations
Each Obligor shall promptly:
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(a)
obtain, comply with and do all that is necessary to maintain in full force and effect; and

(b)
supply certified copies to the Agent of,
any Authorisation required under any law or regulation of a Relevant Jurisdiction to:

(i)
enable it to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents;

(ii)
ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of any Transaction Document; and

(iii)
carry on its business where failure to do so has, or is reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect.
3.4
Compliance with laws
Each Obligor shall (and shall ensure that each other Group Member will), comply in all respects with all laws and regulations (including Environmental Laws) to which it may be subject. Each Obligor shall (and shall ensure that each other Group Member will), comply in all respects with all Sanctions to the extent applicable to them.
3.5
Anti-corruption law

(a)
No Obligor shall (and shall ensure that no other Group Member will) directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the Notes for any purpose which would breach the Bribery Act 2010, the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or other similar legislation in other jurisdictions.

(b)
Each Obligor shall:

(i)
conduct its businesses in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws; and

(ii)
maintain policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.
3.6
Bribery and corruption

(a)
No Obligor nor any of its agents, employees, directors or officers has engaged or shall engage (and shall ensure that none of its Affiliates nor any of its agents, employees, directors or officers has engaged or will engage) in any Relevant Jurisdiction in:

(i)
Corrupt Practices, Fraudulent Practices, Collusive Practices or Coercive Practices, including the procurement or the execution of any contract for goods or works relating to its functions;
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(ii)
Money Laundering or acted in breach of any applicable law relating to Money Laundering; or

(iii)
the Financing of Terrorism.

(b)
Without prejudice to the generality paragraph 3.6(a):

(i)
No Obligor nor any of its agents, employees, directors or officers will (and shall ensure that none of its Affiliates nor any of its agents, employees, directors or officers will) directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the Notes for any purpose which would breach the Bribery Act 2010, the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or other similar legislation in other jurisdictions;

(ii)
each Obligor shall (and shall ensure that each of its Affiliates) and any of their agents, employees, directors or officers:

(A)
conducts its businesses in compliance with the Bribery Act 2010 and the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977; and

(B)
maintains policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.

(c)
For the purposes of this paragraph 3.6 and paragraph 1.33 ( No Money Laundering ) of Schedule 3 ( Representations and Warranties of the Obligors , the following definitions shall apply:
Collusive Practice means an arrangement between two or more parties without the knowledge, but designed to improperly influence the actions, of another party.
Corrupt Practice means the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting, directly or indirectly, anything of value to improperly influence the actions of another party.
Coercive Practice means impairing or harming or threatening to impair or harm, directly or indirectly, any party or its property or to improperly influence the actions of that party.
Financing of Terrorism means the act of providing or collecting funds with the intention that they be used, or in the knowledge that they are to be used, in order to carry out terrorist acts.
Fraudulent Practice means any action, including misrepresentation, to obtain a financial or other benefit or avoid an obligation, by deception.
Money Laundering means:
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(i)
the conversion or transfer of property, knowing it is derived from a criminal offence, for the purpose of concealing or disguising its illegal origin or of assisting any person who is involved in the commission of the crime to evade the legal consequences of its actions;

(ii)
the concealment or disguise of the true nature, source, location, disposition, movement, rights with respect to, or ownership of, property knowing that it is derived from a criminal offence; or

(iii)
the acquisition, possession or use of property knowing at the time of its receipt that it is derived from a criminal offence.
3.7
Tax compliance

(a)
Each Obligor (other than the Charterer) shall (and shall ensure that each other Group Member will) pay and discharge all Taxes imposed upon it or its assets within the time period allowed without incurring penalties in excess of $500,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) in aggregate, unless and only to the extent that:

(i)
such payment is being contested in good faith;

(ii)
adequate reserves are being maintained for those Taxes and the costs required to contest them which have been disclosed in its latest financial statements delivered to the Agent under paragraph 1.3 ( Financial Statements ) above; and

(iii)
such payment can be lawfully withheld.

(b)
Except as approved by the Note Purchasers, each Obligor (other than the Charterer) shall maintain its residence for Tax purposes in its Original Jurisdiction and ensure that it is not resident for Tax purposes in any other jurisdiction.
3.8
Change of business
Except as approved by the Note Purchasers, no substantial change will be made to the general nature of the business of any Obligor (other than the Charterer) from that carried on at the date of this Note Purchase Deed.
3.9
Merger
Except as approved by the Note Purchasers, no Obligor (other than the Charterer) shall enter into any amalgamation, demerger, merger, consolidation, redomiciliation, legal migration or corporate reconstruction.
3.10
Pension exposure
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No Obligor (other than the Charterer) is liable to contribute funds to any form of pension scheme or similar arrangement except as required by applicable law (other than a scheme or arrangement where the benefits conferred by it on its members are calculated solely by reference to a payment or payments made by the relevant member or by any other person in respect of that member).
3.11
Further assurance

(a)
Each Obligor shall promptly do all such acts or execute all such documents (including assignments, transfers, mortgages, charges, notices and instructions) as the Agent may reasonably specify (and in such form as the Agent or the Security Agent may reasonably require in favour of the Security Agent or its nominee(s)):

(i)
to perfect the Security Interests created or intended to be created by that Obligor under, or evidenced by, the Security Documents (which may include the execution of a mortgage, charge, assignment or other security over all or any of the assets which are, or are intended to be, the subject of the Security Documents) or for the exercise of any rights, powers and remedies of the Security Agent and/or any other Finance Parties provided by or pursuant to the Finance Documents or by law;

(ii)
to confer on the Security Agent and/or any other Finance Parties Security Interests over any property and assets of that Obligor located in any jurisdiction equivalent or similar to the Security Interest intended to be conferred by or pursuant to the Security Documents;

(iii)
to facilitate the realisation of the assets which are, or are intended to be, the subject of the Security Documents; and/or

(iv)
to facilitate the accession by a New Note Purchaser to any Security Document following an assignment in accordance with clause 19 ( Assignment and Transfers ).

(b)
Each Obligor shall take all such action as is available to it (including making all filings and registrations) as may be necessary for the purpose of the creation, perfection, protection or maintenance of any Security Interest conferred or intended to be conferred on the Security Agent and/or any other Finance Parties by or pursuant to the Finance Documents.
3.12
Negative pledge in respect of Charged Property and Obligor shares
Except as approved by the Note Purchasers and the Security Agent and other than for Permitted Security Interests, no Obligor will grant or allow to exist any Security Interest over any Charged Property or (except for the Transaction Security) the shares in any of the Obligors (other than the Issuer or the Charterer) or any rights deriving from, or related to, such shares.
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3.13
Sanctions

(a)
Each Obligor shall, and shall procure that any Affiliate of each Obligor shall, ensure that none of their respective directors, officers, agents, employees or persons acting on behalf of the foregoing, is a Restricted Person or acts directly or indirectly on behalf of a Restricted Person.

(b)
No Obligor shall, and shall procure that none of its Affiliates shall, use any revenue or benefit derived from any activity or dealing with a Restricted Person in discharging any obligation due or owing to the Finance Parties.

(c)
Each Obligor shall not, and shall procure that each of its Affiliates will not, credit proceeds from any activity or dealing with a Restricted Person to any bank account held with any Finance Party in its name or in the name of any other person.

(d)
Each Obligor shall, and shall ensure that each of its Affiliates take measures to ensure compliance with Sanctions.

(e)
Each Obligor shall, and shall procure that each of its Affiliates shall, to the extent permitted by law, promptly upon becoming aware of them, supply to the Agent details of any claim, action, suit, proceedings or investigation against it with respect to Sanctions by any Sanctions Authority.

(f)
Without prejudice to this paragraph 3.13 and limb (s) ( Sanctions ) of the definition of Event of Default, each Obligor shall, and shall procure that each of its Affiliates and the Collateral Ship shall, not do any business relating to Iran or any Iranian owned or incorporated, unless the Agent approves so in writing.
3.14
Environmental matters

(a)
The Agent will be notified as soon as reasonably practicable of any Environmental Claim being made against any Obligor or other Group Member or any Fleet Vessel which, if successful to any extent, is reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and of any Environmental Incident which may give rise to such a claim and will be kept regularly and promptly informed in reasonable detail of the nature of, and response to, any such Environmental Incident and the defence to any such claim.

(b)
Environmental Laws (and any consents, licences or approvals obtained under them) applicable to Fleet Vessels will not be violated.
4.
Dealings with Collateral Ship
4.1
Undertaking to comply
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Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this paragraph 4 ( Dealings with Collateral Ship ) will be complied with in relation to the Collateral Ship throughout the Mortgage Period except, as otherwise approved by the Note Purchasers.
4.2
Sale or other disposal of Collateral Ship
Except with approval, the Guarantor will not sell, or agree to, transfer, abandon or otherwise dispose of the Collateral Ship or any share or interest in unless it is so permitted under the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement and the relevant Post-Delivery Finance Documents and then only in accordance with the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement and the relevant Post-Delivery Finance Documents.
4.3
Chartering
Except with approval, the Guarantor shall not enter into any charter commitment for the Collateral Ship (except for the Charter), which is:

(a)
a bareboat or demise charter or passes possession and operational control of the Collateral Ship to another person;

(b)
of a fixed duration exceeding 13 calendar months;

(c)
on terms as to payment or amount of hire which are materially less beneficial to it than the terms which at that time could reasonably be expected to be obtained on the open market for vessels of the same age and type as the Collateral Ship under charter commitments of a similar type and period; or

(d)
to another Obligor or Group Member.

(e)
Further, without prejudice to the rights of the Finance Parties under the provisions of this paragraph 4.3 and any other provisions of the Finance Documents, the Guarantor shall advise the Agent promptly of any proposed charter commitment in respect of the Collateral Ship of a fixed duration exceeding 13 calendar months, and:

(i)
deliver a copy of each such charter commitment to the Agent forthwith after it has been entered into;

(ii)
forthwith following a demand made by the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Note Purchasers):

(A)
execute a charter assignment in the form similar to the relevant Charter Assignment of any such charter commitment in favour of the Security Agent and any notice of assignment required in connection therewith; and
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(B)
procure the service of any such notice of assignment on the relevant charterer and, unless expressly freely assignable, the acknowledgement of such notice by the relevant charterer;

(iii)
deliver to the Agent such documents and evidence of the type referred to in Schedule 3 ( Conditions precedent ) of the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement, in relation to any such charter assignment or any other related matter referred to in this paragraph 4.3(e)(iii) as the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Note Purchasers in their sole discretion) shall require; and

(iv)
pay on the Agent’s demand all documented legal costs and other costs incurred by the Agent and/or any other Finance Party in connection with or in relation to any such charter assignment or any other related matter referred to in this paragraph 4.3(e)(iv).
4.4
Sharing of Earnings
Except with approval, the Guarantor shall not enter into any arrangement under which its Earnings may be shared with anyone else.
4.5
Payment of Earnings

(a)
The Guarantor’s Earnings from the Collateral Ship shall be paid in the way required by the General Assignment.

(b)
If any Earnings in respect of the Collateral Ship are held by brokers or other agents, they shall be paid to the Security Agent, if it requires this after the Earnings have become payable to it under the General Assignment.
4.6
Evidence of payments
The Agent shall be allowed proper and reasonable access to those accounting records when it reasonably requests it and, when it reasonably requires it, shall be given satisfactory evidence of the payments made by the Issuer and/or the Guarantor during the term of the Notes.
4.7
Collateral Ship’s name and registration

(a)
The Collateral Ship’s name shall only be changed with the prior written consent of the Agent.

(b)
The Collateral Ship shall be registered with the relevant Registry under the laws of its Flag State. Except with approval, the Collateral Ship shall not be registered under any other flag or at any other port or fly any other flag (other than that of its Flag State). If that registration is for a limited period, it shall be renewed at least 45 days before the date it is
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 due to expire and the Agent shall be notified of that renewal at least 30 days before that date.

(c)
Nothing will be done and no action will be omitted if that might result in such registration being forfeited or imperilled or the Collateral Ship being required to be registered under the laws of another state of registry.
4.8
Lay up
Except with approval, the Collaterals Ship shall not be laid up or deactivated.
4.9
Manager
A manager of the Collateral Ship shall not be appointed unless that manager and the terms of its appointment are approved (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld) (which approval of such manager shall not be required for as long as such manager is Central Shipping Inc.) by the Note Purchasers and that manager has delivered a duly executed Manager’s Undertaking to the Security Agent. There shall be no material change to the terms of appointment of a manager whose appointment has been approved unless such change is also approved.
4.10
Copy of Mortgage on board
A properly certified copy of the Mortgage shall be kept on board the Collateral Ship with its papers and shown to anyone having business with the Collateral Ship which might create or imply any commitment or Security Interest over or in respect of the Collateral Ship (other than a lien for crew’s wages and salvage) and to any representative of the Agent or the Security Agent.
4.11
Notice of Mortgage
Subject to the terms of the Mortgage, a framed printed notice of the Mortgage shall be prominently displayed in the navigation room and in the Master’s cabin of the Collateral Ship. Subject to the terms of the Mortgage, the notice must be in plain type and read as follows:
“NOTICE OF MORTGAGE
This Ship is subject to a second mortgage in favour of [ here insert name of mortgagee ] of [ here insert address of mortgagee ]. Under the said mortgage and related documents, neither the owner nor any charterer nor the Master of this Ship has any right, power or authority to create, incur or permit to be imposed upon this Ship any commitments or encumbrances whatsoever other than for crew’s wages and salvage”.
No-one will have any right, power or authority to create, incur or permit to be imposed upon the Collateral Ship any lien whatsoever other than for crew’s wages and salvage.
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4.12
Conveyance on default
Where the Collateral Ship is (or is to be) sold in exercise of any power conferred by the Security Documents, the Guarantor shall, upon the Agent’s request, immediately execute such form of transfer of title to the Collateral Ship as the Agent may require.
5.
Condition and operation of Collateral Ship
5.1
Undertaking to comply
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this paragraph 5 ( Condition and operation of Collateral Ship ) will be complied with in relation to the Collateral Ship throughout the Mortgage Period except as approved by the Note Purchasers.
5.2
Defined terms
In this paragraph 5 ( Condition and operation of Collateral Ship ):
applicable code means any code or prescribed procedures required to be observed by the Collateral Ship or the persons responsible for its operation under any applicable law (including but not limited to those currently known as the ISM Code and the ISPS Code).
applicable law means all laws and regulations applicable to vessels registered in the Flag State or which for any other reason apply to the Collateral Ship or to its condition or operation at any relevant time.
applicable operating certificate means any certificates, vessel response plans, or other document relating to the Collateral Ship or its condition or operation required to be in force under any applicable law or any applicable code.
5.3
Repair
The Collateral Ship shall be kept in a good, safe and efficient state of repair. The quality of workmanship and materials used to repair the Collateral Ship or replace any damaged, worn or lost parts or equipment shall be sufficient to ensure that the Collateral Ship’s value is not reduced.
5.4
Modification
Except with approval, the structure, type or performance characteristics of the Collateral Ship shall not be modified in a way which materially alters the Collateral Ship or materially reduces its value.
5.5
Removal of parts
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Except with approval, no material part of the Collateral Ship or any equipment shall be removed from the Collateral Ship if to do so would materially reduce its value (unless at the same time it is replaced with equivalent parts or equipment owned by the Guarantor free of any Security Interests except under the Security Documents).
5.6
Third party owned equipment
Except with approval, equipment owned by a third party shall not be installed on the Collateral Ship if it cannot be removed without risk of causing damage to the structure or fabric of the Collateral Ship or incurring significant expense.
5.7
Maintenance of class; compliance with laws and codes
The Collateral Ship’s class shall be the relevant Classification. The Collateral Ship and every person who owns, operates or manages the Collateral Ship shall comply with all applicable laws and the requirements of all applicable codes. There shall be kept in force and on board the Collateral Ship or in such person’s custody any applicable operating certificates which are required by applicable laws or applicable codes to be carried on board the Collateral Ship or to be in such person’s custody.
5.8
Surveys
The Collateral Ship shall be submitted to any surveys which are required for it to maintain the Classification as its class. Copies of reports of those surveys shall be provided promptly to the Agent if it so requests.
5.9
Inspection and notice of dry-docking
The Agent and/or surveyors or other persons appointed by it for such purpose shall be allowed to board the Collateral Ship at all reasonable times to inspect it without interfering with the Collateral Ship’s operation or trading and after giving reasonable advance notice to the Guarantor in writing and given all proper facilities needed for that purpose. The Agent shall be given reasonable advance notice of any intended dry-docking of the Collateral Ship (whatever the purpose of that dry-docking). The Guarantor shall bear the cost of only one such inspection per calendar year so long as there is no Event of Default which is continuing in which case, the cost of all such inspections shall be borne by the Guarantor.
5.10
Prevention of arrest
All debts, damages, liabilities and outgoings (due and payable and not contested by the Guarantor in good faith) which have given, or are reasonably expected to give, rise to maritime, statutory or possessory liens on, or claims enforceable against, the Collateral Ship, its Earnings
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or Insurances shall be paid as soon as reasonably practicable and, in any event, discharged by their respective due dates.
5.11
Release from arrest
The Collateral Ship, its Earnings and Insurances shall be released from any arrest, detention, attachment or levy, and any legal process against the Collateral Ship shall be discharged, by whatever action is required to achieve that release or discharge in each case within 5 Business Days of the occurrence of any such event.
5.12
Information about Collateral Ship
The Agent shall promptly be given any information which it may reasonably require about the Collateral Ship or its employment, position, use or operation, including details of towages and salvages, and copies of all its charter commitments entered into by or on behalf of any Obligor whose duration exceeds three months and copies of any applicable operating certificates.
5.13
Notification of certain events
The Agent shall promptly be notified of:

(a)
any damage to the Collateral Ship where the cost of the resulting repairs is reasonably likely to exceed the relevant Major Casualty Amount;

(b)
any occurrence which is reasonably likely to result in the Collateral Ship becoming a Total Loss;

(c)
any requisition of the Collateral Ship for hire;

(d)
any Environmental Incident involving the Collateral Ship and Environmental Claim being made in relation to such an incident;

(e)
any withdrawal of any applicable operating certificate;

(f)
the receipt of notification that any application for such a certificate has been refused;

(g)
any requirement or recommendation made in relation to the Collateral Ship by any insurer or the relevant Classification Society or by any competent authority which is not, or cannot be, complied with in the manner or time required or recommended; and

(h)
any arrest or detention of the Collateral Ship or any exercise or purported exercise of a lien or other claim on the Collateral Ship or its Earnings or Insurances.
5.14
Payment of outgoings
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All tolls, dues and other outgoings whatsoever in respect of the Collateral Ship and its Earnings and Insurances shall be paid promptly. Proper accounting records shall be kept of the Collateral Ship and its Earnings.
5.15
Evidence of payments
The Agent shall be allowed proper and reasonable access to those accounting records when it reasonably requests it and, when it reasonably requires it, shall be given satisfactory evidence that:

(a)
the wages and allotments and the insurance and pension contributions of the Collateral Ship’s crew are being timely and regularly paid;

(b)
all deductions from its crew’s wages in respect of any applicable Tax liability are being properly accounted for; and

(c)
the Collateral Ship’s master has no claim for disbursements other than those incurred by him or her in the ordinary course of trading on the voyage then in progress.
5.16
Repairers’ liens
The Collateral Ship shall not be put into any other person’s possession for work to be done on the Collateral Ship if the cost of that work will exceed or is likely to exceed the Major Casualty Amount for the Collateral Ship unless the Guarantor has established to the reasonable satisfaction of the Agent that it has sufficient reserves with the Account Bank to pay for such works or that person gives the Security Agent a written undertaking in approved terms not to exercise any lien on the Collateral Ship or its Earnings for any of the cost of such work.
5.17
Survey report
As soon as reasonably practicable after the Agent requests it, the Agent shall be given a report on the seaworthiness condition and/or safe operation of the Collateral Ship, from approved surveyors or inspectors appointed by the Agent. If any recommendations are made in such a report they shall be complied with in the way and by the time recommended in the report if failure to do so could result in breach of any Finance Document. The Guarantor shall bear the costs of only one such report of the Collateral Ship per calendar year unless there is an Event of Default.
5.18
Lawful use
The Collateral Ship shall not be employed:

(a)
in any way or in any activity which is unlawful under international law or the domestic laws of any relevant country;
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(b)
in carrying illicit or prohibited goods;

(c)
in a way which may make it liable to be condemned by a prize court or destroyed, seized or confiscated; or

(d)
if there are hostilities in any part of the world (whether war has been declared or not), in carrying contraband goods,
and the persons responsible for the operation of the Collateral Ship shall take all necessary and proper precautions to ensure that this does not happen, including participation in industry or other voluntary schemes available to the Collateral Ship and in which leading operators of ships operating under the same flag or engaged in similar trades generally participate at the relevant time.
5.19
War zones
The Collateral Ship shall not enter or remain in any zone which has been declared a war zone by any government entity or the Collateral Ship’s war risk insurers unless the Guarantor has satisfied any requirements of the Collateral Ship’s insurers necessary to ensure that the Collateral Ship remains properly insured in accordance with the Finance Documents (including any requirement for the payment of extra insurance premiums) and has provided to the Agent in advance a report prepared by BankServe Insurance Services Ltd. confirming that the Collateral Ship is properly insured as set out in this paragraph 5.19. The cost of such report shall be borne by the Guarantor.
6.
Insurance
6.1
Undertaking to comply
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this paragraph 6 ( Insurance ) shall be complied with in relation to the Collateral Ship and its Insurances throughout the Mortgage Period except as approved by the Note Purchasers.
6.2
Insurance terms
In this paragraph 6 ( Insurance ):
excess risks means the proportion (if any) of claims for general average, salvage and salvage charges not recoverable under the hull and machinery insurances of the Collateral Ship in consequence of the value at which the Collateral Ship is assessed for the purpose of such claims exceeding its insured value.
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Excess war risk P&I cover means cover for claims only in excess of amounts recoverable under the usual war risk cover including (but not limited to) hull and machinery, crew and protection and indemnity risks.
Hull cover means insurance cover against the risks identified in paragraph 6.3(a) below.
Minimum hull cover means an amount equal at the relevant time to 120 per cent of the Collateral Loan at the relevant time.
P&I risks means the usual risks (including liability for oil pollution, excess war risk P&I cover) covered by a protection and indemnity association which is a member of the International Group of protection and indemnity associations (or, if the International Group ceases to exist, any other leading protection and indemnity association or other leading provider of protection and indemnity insurance) (including, without limitation, the proportion (if any) of any collision liability not covered under the terms of the hull cover).
6.3
Coverage required
The Collateral Ship shall at all times be insured:

(a)
against fire and usual marine risks (including excess risks) and war risks (including war protection and indemnity risks and terrorism risks) on an agreed value basis, for at least its minimum hull cover and no less than its market value;

(b)
against P&I risks for the highest amount then available in the insurance market for vessels of similar age, size and type as the Collateral Ship (but, in relation to liability for oil pollution, for an amount of not less than $1,000,000,000);

(c)
against such other risks (excluding loss of hire) and matters which the Agent notifies it that it considers reasonable for a prudent shipowner or operator to insure against at the time of that notice (having regard to general insurance market practice and law at the time but always excluding any loss of earnings cover); and

(d)
on terms which comply with the other provisions of this paragraph 6 ( Insurance ).
6.4
Placing of cover
The insurance coverage required by paragraph 6.3 above shall be:

(a)
in the name of the Guarantor and no other person (other than the Security Agent (and any other Finance Party required by the Agent) if required by the Agent) (unless such other person is approved and, if so required by the Agent, has duly executed and delivered a second priority assignment of its interest in the Collateral Ship’s Insurances to the Security Agent (and any other Finance Party required by the Agent) in an approved
95


form and provided such supporting documents and opinions in relation to that assignment as the Agent requires);

(b)
if the Agent so requests, in the joint names of the Guarantor and the Security Agent (and any other Finance Party required by the Agent) (and, to the extent reasonably practicable in the insurance market, without liability on the part of the Security Agent or such Finance Party for premiums or calls);

(c)
in dollars or another approved currency;

(d)
arranged through approved brokers or direct with approved insurers or protection and indemnity or war risks associations;

(e)
in full force and effect; and

(f)
on approved terms and with approved insurers or associations.
6.5
Deductibles
The aggregate amount of any excess or deductible under the Collateral Ship’s hull cover shall not exceed the Major Casualty Amount.
6.6
Mortgagee’s insurance
The Guarantor shall within 5 Business Days reimburse to the Agent the cost (as conclusively certified by the Agent) of taking out and keeping in force in respect of the Collateral Ship on approved terms, or in considering or making claims under:

(a)
a mortgagee’s interest insurance and a mortgagee’s additional perils (all P&I risks) cover for the benefit of the Finance Parties for an amount up to 120 per cent of the Collateral Loan; and

(b)
any other insurance cover which the Agent reasonably requires (having regard to general insurance market practice and law at the time) in respect of any Finance Party’s interests and potential liabilities (whether as mortgagee of the Collateral Ship or beneficiary of the Security Documents).
6.7
Fleet liens, set off and cancellations
If the Collateral Ship’s hull cover also insures other vessels, the Security Agent shall either be given an undertaking in approved terms by the brokers or (if such cover is not placed through brokers or the brokers do not, under any applicable laws or insurance terms, have such rights of set off and cancellation) the relevant insurers that the brokers or (if relevant) the insurers will not:
96



(a)
set off against any claims in respect of the Collateral Ship any premiums due in respect of any of such other vessels insured; or

(b)
cancel that cover because of non-payment of premiums in respect of such other vessels,
or the Guarantor shall ensure that hull cover for the Collateral Ship is provided under a separate policy from any other vessels.
6.8
Payment of premiums
All premiums, calls, contributions or other sums payable in respect of the Insurances shall be paid punctually and the Agent shall be provided with all relevant receipts or other evidence of payment upon request.
6.9
Details of proposed renewal of Insurances
At least 14 days (or such shorter period acceptable to the Agent) before any of the Insurances are due to expire, the Agent shall be notified of the names of the brokers, insurers and associations proposed to be used for the renewal of such Insurances and the amounts, risks and terms in, against and on which the Insurances are proposed to be renewed.
6.10
Instructions for renewal
At least seven days (or such shorter period acceptable to the Agent) before any of the Insurances are due to expire, instructions shall be given to brokers, insurers and associations for them to be renewed or replaced on or before their expiry.
6.11
Confirmation of renewal
The Insurances shall be renewed upon their expiry in a manner and on terms which comply with this paragraph 6 ( Insurance ) and confirmation of such renewal given by approved brokers or insurers to the Agent at least five days (or such shorter period as may be approved) before such expiry.
6.12
P&I guarantees
Any guarantee or undertaking required by any protection and indemnity or war risks association in relation to the Collateral Ship shall be provided when required by the association.
6.13
Insurance documents
The Agent shall be provided with pro forma copies of all insurance policies and other documentation issued by brokers, insurers and associations in connection with the Insurances as soon as they are available after they have been placed or renewed and all insurance policies
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and other documents relating to the Insurances shall be deposited with any approved brokers or (if not deposited with approved brokers) the Agent or some other approved person.
6.14
Letters of undertaking
Unless otherwise approved where the Agent is satisfied that equivalent protection is afforded by the terms of the relevant Insurances and/or any applicable law and/or a letter of undertaking provided by another person, on each placing or renewal of the Insurances, the Agent shall be provided promptly with letters of undertaking in an approved form (having regard to general insurance market practice and law at the time of issue of such letter of undertaking) from the relevant brokers, insurers and associations.
6.15
Insurance Notices and Loss Payable Clauses
The interest of the Security Agent as assignee of the Insurances shall be endorsed on all insurance policies and other documents by the incorporation of a Loss Payable Clause and an Insurance Notice in respect of the Collateral Ship and its Insurances signed by the Guarantor and, unless otherwise approved, each other person assured under the relevant cover (other than the Security Agent if it is itself an assured).
6.16
Insurance correspondence
If so required by the Agent, the Agent shall promptly be provided with copies of all written communications between the assureds and brokers, insurers and associations relating to any of the Insurances as soon as they are available.
6.17
Qualifications and exclusions
All requirements applicable to the Insurances shall be complied with and the Insurances shall only be subject to approved exclusions or qualifications.
6.18
Independent report
If the Agent asks the Guarantor for a detailed report from an approved independent firm of marine insurance brokers giving their opinion on the adequacy of the Insurances then the Agent shall be provided promptly with such a report at no cost to the Agent or (if the Agent obtains such a report itself) the Guarantor shall reimburse the Agent for the cost of obtaining that report. The Guarantor shall not bear the cost of more than one such report per calendar year, unless there is an Event of Default.
6.19
Collection of claims
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All documents and other information and all assistance required by the Agent to assist it and/or the Security Agent in trying to collect or recover any claims under the Insurances shall be provided promptly (having regard to general market practice and law at the time).
6.20
Employment of Collateral Ship
The Collateral Ship shall only be employed or operated in conformity with the terms of the Insurances (including any express or implied warranties) and not in any other way (unless the insurers have consented and any additional requirements of the insurers have been satisfied).
6.21
Declarations and returns
If any of the Insurances are on terms that require a declaration, certificate or other document to be made or filed before the Collateral Ship sails to, or operates within, an area, those terms shall be complied with within the time and in the manner required by those Insurances.
6.22
Application of recoveries
All sums paid under the Insurances to anyone other than the Security Agent shall be applied in repairing the damage and/or in discharging the liability in respect of which they have been paid except to the extent that the repairs have already been paid for and/or the liability already discharged.
6.23
Settlement of claims
Any claim under the Insurances for a Total Loss or Major Casualty shall only be settled, compromised or abandoned with prior approval.
6.24
Change in insurance requirements
If the Agent gives notice to the Guarantor to change the terms and requirements of this paragraph 6 ( Insurance ) (which the Agent may only do, in such manner as it reasonably considers appropriate, as a result of changes of circumstances or practice after the date of this Note Purchase Deed), this paragraph 6 ( Insurance ) shall be modified in the manner so notified by the Agent on the date 14 days after such notice from the Agent is received.
7.
Chartering undertakings
7.1
Undertaking to comply
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this paragraph 7 ( Charter Undertakings ) will be complied with in relation to the Collateral Ship and its Charter Documents throughout the Mortgage Period except as approved by the Note Purchasers.
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7.2
Variations
Except with approval, the Charter Documents shall not be materially varied.
7.3
Releases and waivers
Except with approval, there shall be no release by the Guarantor (and the Guarantor shall procure that there will be no release by the Charterer) of any obligation of any other person under the Charter Documents (including by way of novation or assignment), no waiver of any breach of any such obligation and no consent to anything which would otherwise be such a breach.
7.4
Termination of Charter
Except with approval, the Guarantor shall not (and it shall procure that the Charterer will not) terminate or rescind any Charter Document or withdraw the Collateral Ship from service under the Charter or take any similar action.
7.5
Charter performance
The Guarantor shall (and it shall procure that the Charterer will) perform its obligations under the Charter Documents and it shall (and it shall procure that the Charterer will) use its best endeavours to ensure that each other party to them performs its obligations under the Charter Documents.
7.6
Payment of Charter Earnings
All Earnings which the Guarantor or (as the case may be) the relevant Charterer is entitled to receive under the Charter Documents shall be paid in the manner required by the relevant Security Documents in relation to the Collateral Ship.
7.7
Notice of assignment
The Guarantor shall give notice of assignment of the Charter Documents to the other parties to them in the form specified by the Charter Assignment and:

(a)
subject to paragraph 7.7(b) below, shall ensure that the Agent receives a copy of that notice acknowledged by the relevant addressee; or

(b)
if such Charter Documents are freely assignable, the Guarantor shall (and it shall procure that the Charterer will) use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the Agent receives a copy of that notice acknowledged by the relevant addressee,
in each case, in the form specified therein as soon as practically possible after the Charter Assignment has been executed.
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8.
Bank accounts
8.1
Undertaking to comply
Each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this paragraph 8 ( Bank accounts ) will be complied with throughout the term of the Notes except as approved by the Note Purchasers.
8.2
Operating Account

(a)
The Issuer and the Guarantor shall each be the holder of one Account with an Account Bank which is designated as the “Operating Account” for the purposes of the Finance Documents.

(b)
The Earnings of the Guarantor shall be paid by the persons from whom they are due to the Operating Account of the Guarantor and any dividends and capital returns payable by the Guarantor to the Issuer shall be paid to the Operating Account of the Issuer unless, in each case, required to be paid to the Security Agent under the relevant Finance Documents.

(c)
The Issuer shall not withdraw amounts standing to the credit of its Operating Account except as permitted by paragraph 8.2(e) below.

(d)
The Guarantor shall not withdraw amounts standing to the credit of its Operating Account except as permitted by paragraph 8.2(e) below.

(e)
If there is no continuing Event of Default, the Issuer may withdraw the following amounts from the relevant Operating Account for:

(i)
payments then due to Finance Parties under the Finance Documents (other than payments due in respect of a prepayment (unless it is a voluntary prepayment under clause 8.2(d) ( Optional Redemption in Full ) or 8.2(e) ( Optional Redemption in Part )); and

(ii)
payments in the ordinary course of its business which are permitted (or not prohibited) by this Note Purchase Deed and/or the other Finance Documents.

(f)
If there is no continuing Event of Default, the Guarantor may withdraw any amounts from the relevant Operating Account for any purpose which is permitted (or not prohibited) by this Note Purchase Deed and the relevant Post-Delivery Finance Documents.
8.3
Other provisions

(a)
An Account may only be designated for the purposes described in this paragraph 8 ( Bank accounts ) if:
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(i)
such designation is made in writing by the Agent and acknowledged by the relevant Account Holder(s) and specifies the name and address of the Account Bank and the number and any designation or other reference attributed to the Account;

(ii)
an Account Security has been duly executed and delivered by the relevant Account Holder(s) in favour of the Security Agent (and any other Finance Party required by the Agent);

(iii)
any notice required by the Account Security to be given to an Account Bank has been given to, and acknowledged by, the Account Bank in the form required by the relevant Account Security; and

(iv)
the Agent, or its duly authorised representative, has received such documents and evidence it may require in relation to the Account and the relevant Account Security including documents and evidence of the type referred to in clause 7 ( Conditions Precedent ) in relation to the Account and the relevant Account Security.

(b)
The rates of payment of interest and other terms regulating any Account will be a matter of separate agreement between the relevant Account Holder(s) and an Account Bank.

(c)
If an Account is a fixed term deposit account, the relevant Account Holder(s) may select the terms of deposits until the relevant Account Security has become enforceable and the Security Agent directs otherwise.

(d)
The relevant Account Holder(s) shall not close any Account or alter the terms of any Account from those in force at the time it is designated for the purposes of this paragraph 8 ( Bank accounts ) or waive any of its rights in relation to an Account except with approval.

(e)
The relevant Account Holder(s) shall deposit with the Security Agent all certificates of deposit, receipts or other instruments or securities relating to any Account, notify the Security Agent of any claim or notice relating to an Account from any other party and provide the Agent with any other information it may reasonably request concerning any Account.

(f)
Each of the Agent and the Security Agent agrees that if it is an Account Bank in respect of an Account then there will be no restrictions on creating a Security Interest over that Account as contemplated by this Note Purchase Deed and it shall not (except with the approval of the Note Purchasers) exercise any right of combination, consolidation or setoff which it may have in respect of that Account in a manner adverse to the rights of the other Finance Parties.
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9.
Business restrictions
9.1
Undertaking to comply
Except as otherwise approved the Note Purchasers, each Obligor who is a Party undertakes that this paragraph 9 ( Business restrictions ) will be complied with by and in respect of each person to which each relevant provision of this paragraph is expressed to apply throughout the term of the Notes.
9.2
General negative pledge

(a)
In this paragraph 9.2, Quasi-Security means an arrangement or transaction described in paragraph 9.3 ( Financial indebtedness ) below.

(b)
The Issuer shall not create or permit to subsist any Security Interest over any of its shares in the Guarantor.

(c)
(Without prejudice to paragraphs 9.3 ( Financial indebtedness ) and 9.7 ( Disposals ) below), the Issuer shall not:

(i)
sell, transfer, factor or otherwise dispose of any of its receivables on recourse terms;

(ii)
enter into any arrangement under which money or the benefit of a bank or other account may be applied, set-off or made subject to a combination of accounts; or

(iii)
enter into any other preferential arrangement having a similar effect,
in circumstances where the arrangement or transaction is entered into primarily as a method of raising Financial Indebtedness or of financing the acquisition of an asset.

(d)
Paragraphs 9.2(b) and 9.2(c) above do not apply to any Security Interest or (as the case may be) Quasi-Security, those granted or expressed to be granted by any of the Security Documents;
9.3
Financial Indebtedness
The Issuer shall not incur or permit to exist, any Financial Indebtedness owed by it to anyone else except:

(a)
Financial Indebtedness incurred under the Finance Documents;

(b)
Financial Indebtedness incurred under the Family Trading Facility or any other shareholders’ loan, provided always that such Financial Indebtedness:
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(i)
is not guaranteed by any Group Member (other than the Issuer) nor is it secured by means of a Security Interest over an asset of a Group Member (including a Fleet Vessel);

(ii)
is subject to a duly executed subordination agreement between the Finance Parties and the relevant creditor(s) in an agreed form;

(iii)
without prejudice to the generality of sub-paragraph (ii) above:

(A)
is fully subordinate in all respects to this Note Purchase Deed;

(B)
does not provide under its terms for any cash repayment or prepayment obligations of the relevant Group Member prior to the Final Maturity Date (other than the prepayment obligation/right set out in paragraph 9.12 ( Family Trading Facility ) below);

(C)
does not provide for the payment of interest in cash or preferred shares which provide for the payment of cash dividends, in each case prior to the Final Maturity Date; and

(D)
does not provide for its conversion into preferred shares of the Issuer or of any other Group Member on terms which provide for such preferred shares paying a cash dividend to their holders, in each case prior to the Final Maturity Date;

(iv)
Financial Indebtedness permitted under paragraph 9.4 ( Guarantees ) below; and

(v)
Financial Indebtedness permitted under paragraph 9.5 ( Loans and credit ) below.
9.4
Guarantees
The Guarantor shall not give or permit to exist, any guarantee by it in respect of indebtedness of any person or allow any of its indebtedness to be guaranteed by anyone other than in the normal course of chartering the Collateral Ship. The Issuer shall not give or permit to exist, any guarantee by it in respect of indebtedness of any person or allow any of its indebtedness to be guaranteed by anyone other than in the normal course of its business and/or in relation to financing obtained by a Group Member in connection with its Fleet Vessel.
9.5
Loans and credit
The Issuer shall not be a creditor in respect of Financial Indebtedness other than in respect of trade credit on normal commercial terms in the ordinary course of its trading activities.
9.6
Bank accounts, operating leases and other financial transactions
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The Guarantor shall not:

(a)
maintain any current or deposit account with a bank or financial institution except for the relevant Operating Account and the deposit of money, operation of current accounts and the conduct of electronic banking operations through the relevant Operating Account;

(b)
hold cash in any account (other than the relevant Operating Account) over or in respect of which any set-off, combination of accounts, netting or Security Interest exists;

(c)
enter into any obligations under operating leases relating to assets; or

(d)
be party to any transaction, whether on or off balance sheet, that is not expressly permitted under this Note Purchase Deed.
9.7
Disposals
The Guarantor shall not enter into a single transaction or a series of transactions, whether related or not and whether voluntarily or involuntarily, to sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any asset.
9.8
Contracts and arrangements with Affiliates
The Issuer shall not be party to any arrangement or contract with any of its Affiliates unless such arrangement or contract is on an arm’s length basis or has been disclosed in writing to the Agent prior to the date of this Note Purchase Deed or any cash payment due under such arrangement or contract is payable after Final Maturity Date.
9.9
Acquisitions and investments
The Guarantor shall not acquire any person, business, assets or liabilities or make any investment in any person or business or undertaking or enter into any joint-venture arrangement except:

(a)
the incurrence of liabilities in the ordinary course of its business; and

(b)
pursuant to any Finance Document.
9.10
Reduction of capital
The Issuer shall not redeem or purchase or otherwise reduce any of its equity or any other share capital or any uncalled or unpaid liability in respect of any of them or reduce the amount (if any) for the time being standing to the credit of its share premium account or capital redemption or other undistributable reserve in any manner.
9.11
Increase in capital
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The Guarantor shall not issue shares or other equity interests to anyone who is not the Issuer.
9.12
Family Trading Facility
Each time that the Issuer, after the date of this Note Purchase Deed, raises equity capital from its shareholders (other than through the conversion of debt to common or preferred shares of the Issuer, provided any such preferred shares do not provide for the payment of cash dividends prior to the Final Maturity Date) or otherwise, it shall make a prepayment of the amounts outstanding under the Family Trading Facility at the time (including for the avoidance of doubt, principal, interest and fees) in an aggregate amount in dollars equal to the lesser of (i) the aggregate of the amounts outstanding at the time under the Family Trading Facility and (ii) 25 per cent of the equity capital so raised. Furthermore, the Issuer may, at its sole discretion, further reduce the amount outstanding under the Family Trading Facility at the time by making a prepayment thereunder of an additional amount in dollars equal to 25 per cent of the equity capital so raised.
9.13
Capital Expenditures
The Issuer shall (or shall procure that its subsidiaries will) have committed financing instruments in place, readily available and unutilised to cover any capital expenditures of the Group incurred pursuant to contracts entered into after the date of this Note Purchase Deed but due for payment (to the extent due) prior to Final Maturity Date. For the avoidance of doubt:

(a)
any cash at hand of the Group accumulated over time in the ordinary course of business shall be excluded from any assessment to be made as regards the existence or not of committed financing instruments; and

(b)
an increase in the amount available under the Family Trading Facility shall be deemed to satisfy the requirement of having committed financing instruments in place.
9.14
Distributions and other payments
Neither the Issuer nor the Guarantor shall:

(a)
declare or pay (including by way of set-off, combination of accounts or otherwise) any dividend, charge, fee or other distribution (or interest on any unpaid dividend, charge, fee or other distribution) (whether in cash or in kind (other than in the form of common or preferred shares of the Issuer, provided any such common or preferred shares do not provide for the payment of cash dividends prior to Final Maturity Date)) on or in respect of its share capital (or any class of its share capital) or any warrants for the time being in issue, provided however that the Issuer shall be entitled to declare, but not to pay to its shareholders, a cash dividend for the Financial Year ending on 31 December 2019;
106



(b)
repay or distribute any dividend or share premium reserve;

(c)
pay any management, advisory or other fee to or to the order of any its shareholders, unless such fee has been disclosed in writing to the Agent prior to the date of this Note Purchase Deed;

(d)
redeem, repurchase, defease, retire or repay any of its share capital or resolve to do so; or

(e)
make any payment (including by way of set-off, combination of accounts or otherwise) by way of interest, or repayment, redemption, purchase or other payment, in respect of any shareholder loan, loan stock or similar instrument, other than in accordance with paragraph 9.3(a) ( Financial Indebtedness ),
to any other person.

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Schedule 5
Form of Deed of Accession
THIS NOTE PURCHASE DEED OF ACCESSION is made on the [•] day of [•]
BETWEEN
(1)
[(a) [●] (the New Note Purchaser );;
(a New Finance Party ); and]
(2)
[•], in its capacity as the Registrar (the Registrar ) under the Note Purchase Deed (the Note Purchase Deed ) dated 21 March 2019 and entered into between, inter alios , Top Ships Inc. as the Issuer and the Registrar.
IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
This is a Deed of Accession.
Terms defined in the Note Purchase Deed shall bear the same meaning herein.
For the purposes of this Note Purchase Deed of Accession, the Note Transferor is: [●] and the Note Transferee is: [●].
Reference is made to clauses 19.1 ( Voluntary Transfers by Note Purchasers ) and 19.2 ( Transfer Procedure ) of the Note Purchase Deed:

(f)
The Note Transferor and the Note Transferee agree to the Note Transferor transferring to the Note Transferee by novation all or part of the Note Transferor’s Commitment, rights and obligations referred to in the Schedule hereto in accordance with 19.1 ( Voluntary Transfers by Note Purchasers ) of the Note Purchase Deed.

(g)
The proposed date for the novation to take effect is: [●] .
In consideration of [the/each] New Finance Party being accepted as a Note Purchaser to the Note Purchase Deed, [the/each] New Finance Party agrees to be bound by all of the provisions of (i) the Note Purchase Deed, as a Note Purchaser thereunder and (ii) the Master Definitions and Framework Deed, as if it had been an original party thereto. [The New Note Purchaser hereby confirms it is [not] a Conduit Purchaser.]
Notice details for [the/each] New Finance Party for the purposes of clause 23 ( Notices ) are set forth on the schedule attached hereto.
This Note Purchase Deed of Accession and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Note Purchase Deed of Accession has been executed and delivered by the parties hereto as a deed on the date above mentioned.
EXECUTED AS A DEED by
)
 
 
)
 
[appropriate execution clause for the
)
 
Note Transferor] in the presence of:
   

Witness:
Name:
Address:


EXECUTED AS A DEED by
)
 
 
)
 
[appropriate execution clause for [the
)
 
/ each] New Finance Party] in the
presence of:
)
 


SIGNED as a Deed on behalf of
)
 
[●]
)
 
as the Registrar acting by its
)
 
Authorized signatory under its authority
)
 
in the presence of
)
 

Witness:
Name:
Address:
109


Schedule to Deed of Accession
[details of rights and obligations being transferred]
NOTICE DETAILS
[details to be inserted]


110


APPENDIX A
Form of Notice of Transfer
To: [●] as Registrar
[Date] Dear Sirs,
Re: TOP SHIPS INC. – Note Purchase Deed dated 21 March 2019
[We hereby give notice to you that pursuant to and subject to the terms of a Deed of Accession dated [●], the whole of the Principal Balance of the Note registered in the Register in the name of [●] (the Note Transferor ) is to be transferred to [●] (the Note Transferee ) and request that you:

(a)
[c an cel such Note Certificate representing such Note; and
(b)
issue a new Note Certificate to the Note Transferee in an amount equal to the Principal Balance of such cancelled Note Certificate and] record such transfer [and issue] on the Register (on the date of execution by you of the Deed of Accession)]
or
[We hereby give notice to you that pursuant to and subject to the terms of a Deed of Accession dated [●], [US$][●] of the Principal Balance(the Transferred Amount ) of the Note registered in the Register in the name of [●] (the Note Transferor ) is to be transferred to [●] (the Note Transferee ) and request that you:
(a)
record the new and reduced Principal Balance on the Register; [and
(b)
issue a new Note Certificate to the Note Transferee in an amount equal to the Transferred Amount and record such issue on the Register (on the date of execution by you of the Deed of Accession); ]and
(c)
record such transfer of part of the Principal Balance equal to the Transferred Amount on the Register (on the date of execution by you of the Deed of Accession).
The Note Transferor hereby confirms that it is duly authorised to make this transfer, and the Note Transferee hereby confirms that it is duly authorised to become such transferee of such Notes.
We hereby request you to register the transfer of such Notes in the Register upon execution by you of the Deed of Accession.
Terms used herein shall have the same meaning as in the Note Purchase Deed.
This Note Purchase Deed of Accession and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law.
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Please acknowledge receipt of the present letter and confirm that registration of the transfer described herein has been made in the Register by notifying the Note Transferor and the Note Transferee at the addresses specified below.
Yours faithfully
___________________________________________
[name, address and signature of the Note Transferor]

___________________________________________
 [name, address and signature of the Note Transferee]
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APPENDIX B
Form of Acknowledgement and Confirmation of Transfer
To:     [name and address of transferor]
            [name and address of transferee]
[Date]
Dear Sirs,
Re: TOP SHIPS INC – Note Purchase Deed dated 21 March 2019
We hereby acknowledge receipt of your letter dated [●] and confirm that the transfer of the Note referred to therein has been entered in the Register, so that [[●] is at the date hereof the registered holder of a new Note in an amount equal to the Principal Balance of the Note formerly held by the Note Transferor] or [[●] is at the date hereof the registered holder of a new Note in an amount equal to the Transferred Amount (as defined in the letter referred to above].
Terms used herein shall have the same meaning as used in the Note Purchase Deed.
Please find attached hereto a copy of the Register at the present date evidencing the transfer.
Yours faithfully
[●] as Registrar
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Schedule 6
Form of Compliance Certificate
To:    Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V. as Agent
From:   TOP SHIPS INC. as Issuer
Dated:   [•]
Dear Sirs
$10,500,000 Note issued pursuant to the
Note Purchase Deed dated 21 March 2019 (the Note Purchase Deed)
1
We refer to the Note Purchase Deed. This is a Compliance Certificate. Terms defined in the Note Purchase Deed have the same meaning when used in this Compliance Certificate unless given a different meaning in this Compliance Certificate.
2
We confirm that:

(a)
Leverage : the ratio of Total Net Debt to Fleet Market Value in respect of the Group was [•]:1.00, calculated as shown in [Appendix A] versus a maximum required ratio of 0.75:1.00 [attach relevant evidence] ; and

(b)
Minimum liquidity : the Group’s Cash and Cash Equivalents were   [•] calculated as shown in [Appendix B] versus a minimum required aggregate amount of (i) $750,000 per Fleet Vessel and (ii) $500,000 per Chartered Vessel [attach relevant evidence] .
3
[We confirm that no Default is continuing.] [If this statement cannot be made, the certificate should identify any Default that is continuing and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it.]
Signed by:

………………………………………….
TOP SHIPS INC.
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Schedule 7
Form of Note Certificate
Note Certificate
THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “1933 ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE NOTE NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION THEREIN MAY BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED: (I) IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE NOTE UNDER THE 1933 ACT OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS; OR (II) IN THE ABSENCE OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, IN A FORM REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE ISSUER, THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE 1933 ACT OR; (III) UNLESS SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER THE 1933 ACT OR REGULATIONS S OF THE 1933 ACT.
Serial Number: [ ]
Note Certificate
representing
up to US$ 10,500,000 Notes due 31 March 2020
issued by
TOP SHIPS INC.
(Incorporated as a company with limited liability in the Republic of the Marshall Islands and registered under number 3571) (the Issuer )
1
Note Certificate
This is a Note Certificate issued pursuant to and subject to the Note Purchase Deed entered into on 21 March 2019 (the Note Purchase Deed ) between, among others, Top Ships Inc. and Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V. as Security Agent.
This Note Certificate is in respect of a duly authorised issue of a Note, designated as specified in the title of this Note Certificate (the Certificated Note ) and constituted by the Note Purchase Deed.
2
Interpretation
Terms and expressions defined in (including by incorporation by reference) the Note Purchase Deed shall bear the same meanings when used in this Note Certificate.
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3
Certificate of Entitlement of Registered Note Purchaser
This is to certify that Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V. is the person registered in the register maintained by the Registrar in relation to the Note (the Register ) as the duly registered Note Purchaser of a Note, the outstanding principal amount (the Principal Balance ) of which is as set out in the Register. This Note Certificate is evidence of entitlement only and is not a document of title. Entitlements are determined by the Registrar by reference to the Register and only the relevant Note Purchaser is entitled to payment in respect of the Certificated Note.
4
Security and Guarantee
The payment obligations of the Issuer under this Certificated Note are secured in favour of Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V. (the Security Agent ) pursuant to the Collateral Documents and guaranteed by Astarte International Inc. pursuant to clause 14 ( Guarantee and Indemnity ) of the Note Purchase Deed.
5
Non-petition
The payment of all amounts expressed to be payable by the Issuer under and in respect of this Certificated Note is subject to certain limitations set out in the Transaction Documents. Each Note Purchaser shall be deemed to have notice of and be bound by all such limitations.
In particular, but without limitation, only the Security Agent may pursue the remedies available under the general law or under the Deed of Charge or any other Transaction Document to enforce Security and no Note Purchaser shall be entitled to begin any insolvency proceedings directly against the Issuer to enforce Security.
6
Transfer of interests in the Certified Note
Title to the Certificated Note passes only on due registration in the Register maintained by the Registrar and only the duly registered Note Purchaser or if more than one person is so registered, the first-named of such persons is entitled to payment in respect of the Certificated Note.
7
Taxes
All payments in respect of this Certificated Note will be made without withholding or deduction for or on account of any present or future taxes, duties or charges of whatsoever nature unless the Issuer is required by the law of the jurisdiction of the tax residency of the Issuer to make any payment in respect of the Certificated Note subject to any withholding or deduction for or on account of any such taxes, duties or charges. In that event, the Issuer shall make such payment after such withholding or deduction has been made and shall account to the relevant
116


authorities for the amount so withheld or deducted. The Issuer will not be obliged to make any additional payments to the Note Purchasers in respect of such withholding or deduction except as expressly provided in the Note Purchase Deed.
8
Governing Law
This Note Certificate and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it is governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Issuer has caused this Note Certificate to be signed manually or in facsimile by a person duly authorised on its behalf.
Executed by:
TOP SHIPS INC.
   
 
acting by:
   
 
By:
 
Name:
 
Director:
   
Authenticated by:
AMSTERDAM TRADE BANK N.V.
   
 
acting by:
 
By:
 
Name:
   
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Schedule 8
Definitions and Interpretation
1
Definitions
In this Note Purchase Deed and (unless otherwise defined in the relevant Finance Documents, the other Finance Documents):
1933 Act has the meaning given to it in clause 5.3(a).
Account means any bank account, deposit or certificate of deposit opened, made or established in accordance with paragraph 8 ( Bank accounts ) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ).
Account Holder means, in relation to any Account, each Obligor in whose name that Account is held.
Account Security means, in relation to an Account, a first priority (or, in the case of an Account of the Guarantor, second priority) deed or other instrument executed by the relevant Account Holder(s) in favour of the Security Agent in an agreed form conferring a Security Interest over that Account.
Accounting Reference Date means 31 December or such other date as may be approved by the Note Purchasers.
Affiliate means, in relation to any person, a Subsidiary of that person or a Holding Company of that person or any other Subsidiary of that Holding Company.
Agent includes any person who may be appointed as such under the Finance Documents.
Annual Financial Statements has the meaning given to it in paragraph 1.2 ( Definitions ) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ).
Authorisation means any authorisation, consent, concession, approval, resolution, licence, exemption, filing, notarisation or registration.
Basel II Accord means the “International Convergence of Capital Measurement and Capital Standards, a Revised Framework” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in June 2004 as updated prior to, and in the form existing on, the date of this Agreement, excluding any amendment thereto arising out of the Basel III Accord or Reformed Basel III.
Basel II Approach means, in relation to any Finance Party, either the Standardised Approach or the relevant Internal Ratings Based Approach (each as defined in the Basel II Regulations
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applicable to such Finance Party) adopted by that Finance Party (or any of its Affiliates) for the purposes of implementing or complying with the Basel II Accord.
Basel II Regulation means:

(a)
any law or regulation in force as at the date hereof implementing the Basel II Accord, (including the relevant provisions of CRD IV and CRR) to the extent only that such law or regulation re-enacts and/or implements the requirements of the Basel II Accord but excluding any provision of such law or regulation implementing the Basel III Accord; and

(b)
any Basel II Approach adopted by a Finance Party or any of its Affiliates.
Basel III Increased Cost means an Increased Cost which is attributable to the implementation or application of or compliance with any Basel III Regulation in force as at the date hereof (whether such implementation, application or compliance is by a government, regulator, Finance Party or any of its Affiliates).
Basel III Regulation means any law or regulation implementing the Basel III Accord (including the relevant provisions of CRD IV and CRR) save to the extent that such law or regulation reenacts a Basel II Regulation and excluding any such law or regulation which implements Reformed Basel III.
Break Costs means the amount (if any) by which:

(a)
the interest (excluding the Margin) which a Note Purchaser should have received for the period from the date of receipt of all or any part the Note to the last day of the current Interest Period in respect of that, had the relevant principal amount received been paid on the last day of that Interest Period;

exceeds:

(b)
the amount which that Note Purchaser would be able to obtain by placing an amount equal to the relevant principal amount received by it on deposit with a leading bank for a period starting on the Business Day following receipt or recovery and ending on the last day of that Interest Period.
Builder means, in relation to the vessels set out in Schedule 9 ( Ship Information ), the person specified as such in Schedule 9 ( Ship Information ).
Business Day means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in London, Amsterdam and New York.
Cash and Cash Equivalents has the meaning given to it in paragraph 2.1 ( Financial definitions ) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ).
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Certificated Note means a Note represented by a Note Certificate.
Charged Property means all of the assets of the Obligors which from time to time are, or are expressed or intended to be, the subject of the Transaction Security.
Charter means the charter commitment for the Collateral Ship details of which are provided in Schedule 9 ( Ship Information ).
Charter means the charter commitment for the Collateral Ship details of which are provided in Schedule 9 ( Ship Information ).
Charter Assignment means a second priority assignment by the Guarantor of its interest in the Charter Documents in favour of the Security Agent in the agreed form.
Charter Documents means the Charter, any documents supplementing it and any guarantee or security given by any person to the Guarantor for the Charterer’s obligations under it.
Chartered Vessel has the meaning given to it in paragraph 2.1 ( Financial definitions ) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ).
Charterer means the entity details of which are provided in Schedule 9 ( Ship Information ) as charterer of the Collateral Ship.
Classification means the classification specified in respect of the Collateral Ship in Schedule 9 ( Ship Information ) or another classification approved by the Note Purchasers as its Classification Society, at the request of the Guarantor.
Classification Society means the classification society specified in respect of the Collateral Ship in Schedule 9 ( Ship Information ) or another classification society approved by the Note Purchasers as its Classification Society, at the request of the Guarantor.
Closing Date means the date specified as such in the Note Issue Notice or such other date agreed by the Issuer and Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V.
Code means the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Coercive Practices has the meaning given to it in paragraph 3.6(c) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ).
Collateral Documents means, together the Mortgage, the General Assignment, the Account Security by the Guarantor, the Charter Assignment, the Share Security and the Manager’s Undertaking.
Collateral Ship means the vessel described as such Schedule 9 ( Ship Information ) and owned by the Guarantor.
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Collusive Practices has the meaning given to it in paragraph 3.6(c) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ).
Compensating Sum has the meaning given to it in clause 9.4(b).
Compliance Certificate means a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule 6 ( Form of Compliance Certificate ) or otherwise approved.
Confidential Information means all information relating to an Obligor (other than the Charterer), the Group, the Finance Documents or the Notes of which a Finance Party becomes aware in its capacity as, or for the purpose of becoming, a Finance Party or which is received by a Finance Party in relation to, or for the purpose of becoming a Finance Party under, the Finance Documents or the Notes from either:

(a)
any member of the Group or any of its advisers; or

(b)
another Finance Party, if the information was obtained by that Finance Party directly or indirectly from any member of the Group or any of its advisers,
in whatever form, and includes information given orally and any document, electronic file or any other way of representing or recording information which contains or is derived or copied from such information but excludes:
(i)     information that:

(A)
is or becomes public information other than as a direct or indirect result of any breach by that Finance Party of clause 0 ( Confidential Information ); or

(B)
is identified in writing or orally if given orally at the time of delivery as non-confidential by any member of the Group or any of its advisers; or

(C)
is known by that Finance Party before the date the information is disclosed to it in accordance with paragraphs (a) or (b) above or is lawfully obtained by that Finance Party after that date, from a source which is, as far as that Finance Party is aware, unconnected with the Group and which, in either case, as far as that Finance Party is aware, has not been obtained in breach of, and is not otherwise subject to, any obligation of confidentiality; and (ii)any Funding Rate.
Constitutional Documents means, in respect of an Obligor (other than the Charterer), such Obligor’s articles of incorporation, bye-laws or other constitutional documents including as referred to in any certificate relating to an Obligor delivered pursuant to clause 7 ( Conditions Precedent ).
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Corrupt Practices has the meaning given to it in paragraph 3.6(c) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ).
CRD IV means the directive 2013/36/EU of the European Union on access to the activity of credit institutions and the prudential supervision of credit institutions and investment firms.
CRR means the regulation 575/2013 of the European Union on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms.
Day Count Convention means the actual number of days elapsed divided by 360 or, in any case where the practice in the Interbank Market differs, in accordance with that market practice.
Deed of Accession means the a deed of accession substantially in the form as set out in Schedule 5 ( Form of Deed of Accession ).
Default means an Event of Default or any event or circumstance specified in the definition Event of Default which would (with the expiry of a grace period, the giving of notice, the making of any determination under the Finance Documents or any combination of any of the foregoing) be an Event of Default.
Delegate means any delegate, agent, attorney, additional trustee or co-trustee appointed by the Security Agent under the terms of the Finance Documents.
Determination Date means the date which is 10 Business Days following the immediately preceding Interest Payment Date.
Discharged Rights and Obligations has the meaning given to it in clause 19.2(b).
Dispute has the meaning given to it in clause 28.1 ( Jurisdiction of English courts ).
Disruption Event means either or both of:

(a)
a material disruption to those payment or communications systems or to those financial markets which are, in each case, required to operate in order for payments to be made in connection with the Notes (or otherwise in order for the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents to be carried out) which disruption is not caused by, and is beyond the control of, any of the Parties; or

(b)
the occurrence of any other event which results in a disruption (of a technical or systems-related nature) to the treasury or payments operations of a Party preventing that, or any other Party:

(i)
from performing its payment obligations under the Finance Documents; or
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(ii)
from communicating with other Parties in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents,
and which (in either such case) is not caused by, and is beyond the control of, the Party whose operations are disrupted.
Earnings means:

(a)
in relation to the Issuer, all money at any time payable to the Issuer for or in relation to its operation or otherwise including dividends or damages for breach and payments for termination or variation of any contractual commitment or otherwise; and

(b)
in relation to the Collateral Ship and a person, all money at any time payable to that person for or in relation to the use or operation of the Collateral Ship, including freight, hire and passage moneys, money payable to that person for the provision of services by or from the Collateral Ship or under any charter commitment, requisition for hire compensation, remuneration for salvage and towage services, demurrage and detention moneys and damages for breach and payments for termination or variation of any charter commitment.
Eco California Ship means the vessel described as such Schedule 9 ( Ship Information ).
Eco Marina Del Ray Ship means the vessel described as such Schedule 9 ( Ship Information ).
Environmental Claim means:

(a)
enforcement, clean-up, removal or other governmental or regulatory action or orders or claims instituted or made pursuant to any Environmental Laws or resulting from a Spill; or

(b)
any claim made by any other person relating to a Spill.
Environmental Incident means any Spill from any vessel in circumstances where:

(a)
any Fleet Vessel or its owner, operator or manager is liable for Environmental Claims arising from the Spill (other than Environmental Claims arising and fully satisfied before the date of this Note Purchase Deed); and/or

(b)
any Fleet Vessel is arrested or attached in connection with any such Environmental Claim.
Environmental Laws means all laws, regulations and conventions concerning pollution or protection of human health or the environment.
Event of Default means each of the events or circumstances set out below:
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(a)
Non payment : an Obligor does not pay on the due date any amount payable pursuant to a Finance Document at the place at and in the currency in which it is expressed to be payable unless:

(i)
its failure to pay is caused by administrative or technical error or by a Disruption Event; and

(ii)
payment is made within three (3) Business Days of its due date.

(b)
Financial covenants : the Obligors do not comply with paragraph 2 of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ).

(c)
Other obligations :

(i)
An Obligor does not comply with any provision of the Finance Documents (other than those referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) above, and the other provisions of this definition “ Event of Default ”).

(ii)
No Event of Default under paragraph (i) above will occur if the Agent considers that the failure to comply is capable of remedy and the failure is remedied within five Business Days of the earlier of (A) the Agent giving notice to the Issuer and (B) the Issuer or any other Obligor becoming aware of the failure to comply.

(d)
Misrepresentation : any representation or statement made or deemed to be made by an Obligor in the Finance Documents or any other document delivered by or on behalf of any Obligor under or in connection with any Finance Document is or proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed to be made.

(e)
Cross default :

(i)
Any Financial Indebtedness of any Obligor (other than the Charterer) is not paid when due nor within any originally applicable grace period.

(ii)
Any Financial Indebtedness of any Obligor (other than the Charterer) is declared to be or otherwise becomes due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (however described).

(iii)
Any commitment for any Financial Indebtedness of any Obligor (other than the Charterer) is cancelled or suspended by a creditor of that Obligor as a result of an event of default (however described).

(iv)
The counterparty to a Treasury Transaction entered into by the Issuer becomes entitled to terminate that Treasury Transaction early by reason of an event of default (however described).
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(v)
An Event of Default will only occur under this paragraph (e) if the aggregate amount of Financial Indebtedness or commitment for Financial Indebtedness falling within this paragraph (e) is more than $5,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency).

(vi)
Any creditor of any Obligor (other than the Charterer) becomes entitled to declare any Financial Indebtedness of that Obligor due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (however described).

(f)
Insolvency :

(i)
An Obligor:

(A)
is unable or admits inability to pay its debts as they fall due;

(B)
is deemed to, or is declared to, be unable to pay its debts under applicable law;

(C)
suspends without the consent of the affected creditor(s) or threatens to suspend making payments on any of its debts; or

(D)
by reason of actual or anticipated financial difficulties, commences negotiations with one or more of its creditors (excluding any Finance Party in its capacity as such) with a view to rescheduling all or substantially all of its Financial Indebtedness.

(ii)
The value of the assets of any Obligor (other than the Charterer) is less than its Total Debt.

(iii)
A moratorium is declared in respect of any indebtedness of any Obligor exceeding $1,500,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) in aggregate.

(g)
Insolvency proceedings :

(i)
Any corporate action, legal proceedings or other procedure or step is taken in relation to:

(A)
the suspension of payments, a moratorium of any indebtedness, winding-up, dissolution, administration or reorganisation (by way of voluntary arrangement, scheme of arrangement or otherwise) of any Obligor;

(B)
a composition, compromise, assignment or arrangement with any creditor of any Obligor;
125



(C)
the appointment of a liquidator, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator, compulsory manager or other similar officer in respect of any Obligor or any of its assets (including the directors of any Obligor requesting a person to appoint any such officer in relation to it or any of its assets); or

(D)
enforcement of any Security Interest over any assets of any Obligor (having in the case of the Issuer a value in excess of $1,500,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) in aggregate),
or any analogous procedure or step is taken in any jurisdiction.

(ii)
Paragraph (i) above shall not apply to any winding-up petition (or analogous procedure or step) which is frivolous or vexatious and is discharged, stayed or dismissed within seven days of commencement or, if earlier, the date on which it is advertised.

(h)
Creditors’ process :

(i)
Any expropriation, attachment, sequestration, distress, execution or any other analogous process or enforcement action (including enforcement by a landlord) affects any asset or assets of any Obligor (other than the Charterer) (having in the case of the Issuer a value in excess of $1,500,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) in aggregate) and is not discharged within seven days.

(ii)
Any judgment or order is made against any Obligor (other than the Charterer) or any other Group Member and is not stayed or complied with within fifteen days.

(i)
Unlawfulness and invalidity :

(i)
It is or becomes unlawful for an Obligor to perform any of its obligations under the Finance Documents or any Transaction Security ceases to be effective.

(ii)
Any obligation or obligations of any Obligor under any Finance Documents are not (subject to the Legal Reservations) or cease to be legal, valid, binding or enforceable and the cessation individually or cumulatively materially and adversely affects the interests of the Note Purchasers under the Finance Documents.

(iii)
Any Finance Document or any Transaction Security ceases to be in full force and effect or ceases to be legal, valid, binding, enforceable or effective or is alleged by a party to it (other than a Finance Party) to be ineffective for any reason.

(iv)
Any Security Document does not create legal, valid, binding and enforceable security over the assets charged under that Security Document or the ranking or priority of such security is adversely affected.
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(j)
Cessation of business : any Obligor suspends or ceases to carry on (or threatens to suspend or cease to carry on) all or a material part of its business unless, in the case of the manager of the Collateral Ship from time to time, such manager is substituted by another manager approved in accordance with paragraph 4.9 ( Manager ) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ).

(k)
Ownership of the Guarantor : the Guarantor is not or ceases to be a wholly-owed direct Subsidiary of the Issuer.

(l)
Expropriation : the authority or ability of any Obligor or any other Group Member to conduct its business is limited or wholly or substantially curtailed by any seizure, expropriation, nationalisation, intervention, restriction or other action by or on behalf of any governmental, regulatory or other authority or other person in relation to any Obligor or any other Group Member or any assets of any Obligor or any other Group Member unless, in the case of the manager of the Collateral Ship from time to time, such manager is substituted by another manager approved in accordance with paragraph 4.9 ( Manager ) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ).

(m)
Repudiation and rescission of the Finance Documents : an Obligor rescinds or purports to rescind or repudiates or purports to repudiate a Finance Document or any of the Transaction Security or evidences an intention to rescind or repudiate a Finance Document or any Transaction Security.

(n)
Litigation : Either:

(i)
any litigation, alternative dispute resolution, arbitration or administrative, governmental, regulatory or other investigations, proceedings or disputes are commenced or threatened; or

(ii)
any judgment or order of a court, arbitral tribunal or other tribunal or any order or sanction of any governmental or other regulatory body is made,
in relation to any Transaction Document or the transactions contemplated in the Transaction Documents or against any Obligor or any of its assets, rights or revenues which has or might have a Material Adverse Effect.

(o)
Material Adverse Effect : any event or circumstance (including any change of law) occurs which the Note Purchasers reasonably believe has, or is reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

(p)
Security enforceable : any Security Interest (other than a Permitted Maritime Lien) in respect of Charged Property becomes enforceable.
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(q)
Political risk :

(i)
Either (1) any Relevant Jurisdiction of an Obligor becomes involved in hostilities or civil war or (2) there is a seizure of power in any such Relevant Jurisdiction by unconstitutional means and (in either such case) in the opinion of the Agent such event or circumstance, has or is reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

(ii)
No Event of Default under paragraph (i) above will occur if:

(A)
in the opinion of the Agent it is practicable for action to be taken by the Issuer to prevent the relevant event or circumstance having a Material Adverse Effect; and

(B)
the Issuer takes such action to the Agent’s satisfaction within 14 days of notice from the Agent (specifying the relevant action to be taken) to do so.

(r)
Post-Delivery Event : a Post-Delivery Event occurs.

(s)
Sanctions :

(i)
Any of the Obligors or any Affiliate of any of them or any of their respective directors, officers, agents, employees or other persons acting on behalf of the foregoing, becomes a Restricted Person or becomes owned or controlled by, or acts directly or indirectly on behalf of, a Restricted Person or any of such persons becomes the owner or controller of a Restricted Person; or

(ii)
Any proceeds of the Loan are made available, directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of a Restricted Person or otherwise is, directly or indirectly, applied in a manner or for a purpose prohibited by applicable Sanctions; or

(iii)
Any Obligor or any of their respective Affiliates or any of their respective directors, officers, agents, employees or other persons acting on behalf of the foregoing, is not in compliance with all applicable Sanctions.

(t)
Insurance :

(i)
The Insurances of the Collateral Ship are not placed and kept in force in the manner required by paragraph 6 (Insurance) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ).

(ii)
Any insurer either: (A) cancels any such Insurances; or (B) (ii) disclaims liability under them or asserts that its liability under them is or should be reduced by reason of any mis-statement or failure or default by any person.
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(u)
De-listing or suspension of trading : the shares of the Issuer are de-listed from, or suspended from trading (whether permanently or temporarily for a period of at least five (5) consecutive days) on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange.

(v)
Total Loss or sale : the Collateral Ship is sold or becomes a Total Loss.
Existing Loan Facility means the loan facility made to the Issuer as “Borrower” by Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V. as “Lender” in accordance with the terms set out in the facility agreement dated 28 January 2019.
Facility Office means:

(a)
in respect of a Note Purchaser, the office or offices notified by that Note Purchaser to the Agent in writing on or before the date it becomes a Note Purchaser (or, following that date, by not less than five Business Days’ written notice) as the office or offices through which it will perform its obligations under this Note Purchase Deed; or

(b)
in respect of any other Finance Party, the office in the jurisdiction in which it is resident for tax purposes.
Family Trading Facility means the term loan agreement dated 23 December 2015 (as amended, supplemented and/or restated from time to time) made between the Issuer and Family Trading Inc. for an amount not less than $25,000,000.
FATCA means:

(a)
sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code or any associated regulations;

(b)
any treaty, law or regulation of any other jurisdiction, or relating to an intergovernmental agreement between the US and any other jurisdiction, which (in either case) facilitates the implementation of any law or regulation referred to in paragraph (a) above; or

(c)
any agreement pursuant to the implementation of any treaty, law or regulation referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b) above with the US Internal Revenue Service, the US government or any governmental or taxation authority in any other jurisdiction.
FATCA Deduction means a deduction or withholding from a payment under a Finance Document required by FATCA.
FATCA Exempt Party means a Party that is entitled to receive payments free from any FATCA Deduction.
Final Maturity Date means 31 March 2020 or such other date as agreed by the Issuer and Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V.
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Finance Documents means the Notes, this Note Purchase Deed, the Security Documents, the Subordination Deed and any deed of accession supplemental to it and any other document designated as such by the Agent and the Issuer.
Finance Party means the Agent, the Security Agent, or a Note Purchaser.
Financial Indebtedness means any indebtedness for or in respect of:

(a)
moneys borrowed and debit balances at banks or other financial institutions;

(b)
any amount raised under any acceptance under any acceptance credit or bill discounting facility (or dematerialised equivalent);

(c)
any amount raised pursuant to any note purchase facility or the issue of bonds, notes, debentures, loan stock or any similar instrument;

(d)
the amount of any liability in respect of any lease or hire purchase contract which would, in accordance with GAAP be treated as a finance or capital lease;

(e)
receivables sold or discounted (other than any receivables to the extent they are sold on a non-recourse basis and meet any requirement for de-recognition under GAAP);

(f)
any Treasury Transaction (and, when calculating the value of that Treasury Transaction, only the marked to market value (or, if any actual amount is due as a result of the termination or close-out of that Treasury Transaction, that amount) shall be taken into account);

(g)
any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a guarantee, indemnity, bond, standby or documentary letter of credit or any other instrument issued by a bank or financial institution;

(h)
in respect of the Issuer only, any amount raised by the issue of shares which are redeemable (other than at the option of the issuer) before the Final Maturity Date or are otherwise classified as borrowings under GAAP);

(i)
any amount of any liability under an advance or deferred purchase agreement if (i) one of the primary reasons behind entering into the agreement is to raise finance or to finance the acquisition or construction of the asset or service in question or (ii) the agreement is in respect of the supply of assets or services and payment is due more than 180 days after the date of supply;

(j)
any amount raised under any other transaction (including any forward sale or purchase, sale and sale back or sale and leaseback agreement) of a type not referred to in any
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other paragraph of this definition having the commercial effect of a borrowing or otherwise classified as borrowings under GAAP; and

(k)
the amount of any liability in respect of any guarantee or indemnity for any of the items referred to in paragraphs (a) to (j) above.
Financial Statements has the meaning given to it in paragraph 1.2 ( Definitions ) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ).
Financial Year means the annual accounting period of the Issuer ending on the Accounting Reference Date in each year.
Financing of Terrorism has the meaning given to it in paragraph 3.6(c) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ).
Flag State means the country specified in respect of the Collateral Ship in Schedule 9 ( Ship Information ) or such other state or territory as may be approved by the Note Purchasers, at the request of the Guarantor, as being the “Flag State” of the Collateral Ship for the purposes of the Finance Documents.
Fleet Market Value has the meaning given to it in paragraph 2.1 ( Financial definitions ) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ).
Fleet Vessel means the Collateral Ship, the vessels listed in Schedule 9 ( Ship Information ) and any other vessel owned by any Group Member.
Fraudulent Practices has the meaning given to it in paragraph 3.6(c) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ).
Funding Rate means any individual rate notified by a Note Purchaser to the Agent pursuant to clause 8.1(f)(iii) ( Cost of funds ).
GAAP means general accounting principles and standards as applying in the United States of America from time to time.
General Assignment means a second priority assignment of, and/or (as the case may be) a second priority deed of covenant in relation to the Insurances, Earnings of the Collateral Ship and Requisition Compensation by the Guarantor in favour of the Security Agent in the agreed form.
Group means the Issuer and its Subsidiaries for the time being and, for the purposes of paragraphs 1.3 ( Financial statements ) and 2 ( Financial covenants) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ), any other entity required to be treated as a subsidiary in its consolidated accounts in accordance with GAAP and/or any applicable law.
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Group Member means any Obligor and any other entity which is part of the Group.
Guarantor means Astarte International Inc., a company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, registered number 89977, whose registered office is at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH9696.
Holding Company means, in relation to a person, any other person in respect of which it is a Subsidiary.
Increased Costs has the meaning given to it in clause 10.1(b).
Indemnified Person means:

(a)
each Finance Party, each Receiver, any Delegate and any attorney, agent or other person appointed by them under the Finance Documents;

(b)
each Affiliate of those persons; and

(c)
any officers, directors, employees, advisers, representatives or agents of any of the above persons.
Indemnity Sum has the meaning given to it in clause 9.4(b).
Information Package has the meaning given to it in paragraph 1.7(e) of Schedule 3 ( Representations and Warranties of the Obligors ).
Insolvency Event in relation to any entity means that the entity:

(a)
is dissolved (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger);

(b)
becomes insolvent or is unable to pay its debts or fails or admits in writing its inability generally to pay its debts as they become due;

(c)
makes a general assignment, arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of its creditors;

(d)
institutes or has instituted against it, by a regulator, supervisor or any similar official with primary insolvency, rehabilitative or regulatory jurisdiction over it in the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organisation or the jurisdiction of its head or home office, a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or a petition is presented for its winding-up or liquidation by it or such regulator, supervisor or similar official;

(e)
has instituted against it a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting
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creditors’ rights, or a petition is presented for its winding-up or liquidation, and, in the case of any such proceeding or petition instituted or presented against it, such proceeding or petition is instituted or presented by a person or entity not described in paragraph (d) above and:

(i)
results in a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or the entry of an order for relief or the making of an order for its winding up or liquidation; or

(ii)
is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained in each case within 30 days of the institution or presentation thereof;

(f)
has a resolution passed for its winding-up, official management or liquidation (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger);

(g)
seeks or becomes subject to the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all its assets (other than, for so long as it is required by law or regulation not to be publicly disclosed, any such appointment which is to be made, or is made, by a person or entity described in paragraph (d) above);

(h)
has a secured party take possession of all or substantially all its assets or has a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other enforcement action or legal process levied, enforced, taken or sued on or against all or substantially all its assets and such secured party maintains possession, or any such process is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained, in each case within 30 days thereafter;

(i)
causes or is subject to any event with respect to it which, under the applicable laws of any jurisdiction, has an analogous effect to any of the events specified in paragraphs (a) to (h) above; or

(j)
takes any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing acts.
Insurances means:

(a)
all policies and contracts of insurance; and

(b)
all entries in a protection and indemnity or war risks or other mutual insurance association,
in the name of the Guarantor or the joint names of the Guarantor and any other person in respect of or in connection with the Collateral Ship and/or its Earnings and includes all benefits thereof (including the right to receive claims and to return of premiums).
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Insurance Notice means a notice of assignment in the form scheduled to the General Assignment or in another approved form.
Interest Amount has the meaning given to it in clause 8.1(d)(ii).
Interest Payment Date means the last day of each Interest Period.
Interest Period means each period determined in accordance with clause 8.1(b) ( Interest Periods ).
Interest Rate has the meaning given to it in clause 8.1(c) ( Interest Rate ).
Interpolated Screen Rate means, in relation to LIBOR for an Interest Period with respect to any Note, the rate (rounded to the same number of decimal places as the two relevant Screen Rates) which results from interpolating on a linear basis between:

(a)
the applicable Screen Rate for the longest period (for which that Screen Rate is available)
which is less than the relevant Interest Period; and

(b)
the applicable Screen Rate for the shortest period (for which that Screen Rate is available) which exceeds the relevant Interest Period,
each as of 11:00 a.m. on the relevant Quotation Day.
Issuer means Top Ships Inc., a company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, registered number 3571, whose registered office is at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH9696.
Interbank Market means the London interbank market.
Joint Venture means any joint venture entity, whether a company, unincorporated firm, undertaking, association, joint venture or partnership or any other entity.
JV Vessel has the meaning given to it in paragraph 2.1 ( Financial definitions ) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ).
Joint Vessels has the meaning given to it in paragraph 2.1 ( Financial definitions ) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ).
Legal Opinion means any legal opinion delivered to the Agent under clause 7.1(b)
Legal Reservations means:
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(a)
the principle that equitable remedies may be granted or refused at the discretion of a court and the limitation of enforcement by laws relating to insolvency, reorganisation and other laws generally affecting the rights of creditors;

(b)
the time barring of claims under the Limitation Act 1980 and the Foreign Limitation Periods Act 1984, the possibility that an undertaking to assume liability for, or indemnify a person against, non-payment of UK stamp duty may be void and defences of set-off or counterclaim; and

(c)
similar principles, rights and defences under the laws of any Relevant Jurisdiction.
LIBOR means, in relation to any Note:

(a)
the applicable Screen Rate as of 11:00 a.m. on the relevant Quotation Day for a period equal in length to the Interest Period of that Note; or

(b)
as otherwise determined pursuant to clause 8.1(f)(i) ( Unavailability of Screen Rate ),
and if, in either case, that rate is less than zero, LIBOR shall be deemed to be zero.
LMA means the Loan Market Association.
Loss Payable Clause means the provisions concerning payment of claims under the Collateral Ship’s Insurances in the form scheduled to the General Assignment or in another approved form.
Losses means any costs, expenses, payments, charges, losses, demands, liabilities, claims, actions, proceedings, penalties, fines, damages, judgments, orders or other sanctions.
Major Casualty means any casualty to the Collateral Ship for which the total insurance claim, inclusive of any deductible, exceeds or is reasonably expected to exceed the Major Casualty Amount.
Major Casualty Amount means the amount specified as such against the name of the Collateral Ship in Schedule 9 ( Ship Information ) or the equivalent in any other currency.
Manager’s Undertaking means a second priority undertaking by any manager of the Collateral Ship to the Security Agent in the agreed form pursuant to paragraph 4.9 ( Manager ) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ).
Margin means 6 per cent. per annum.
Material Adverse Effect means, in the reasonable opinion of the Note Purchasers, a material adverse effect on:
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(a)
the business or financial condition of an Obligor; or

(b)
the ability of an Obligor to perform its obligations under the Finance Documents; or

(c)
the legality, validity or enforceability of, or the effectiveness or ranking of any Security Interest granted or purporting to be granted pursuant to any of, the Finance Documents or the rights or remedies of any Finance Party under any of the Finance Documents.
Measurement Period has the meaning given to it in paragraph 2.1 ( Financial definitions ) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ).
Money Laundering has the meaning given to it in paragraph 3.6(c) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ).
Mortgage means a second preferred or (as the case may be) a second priority mortgage of the Collateral Ship in the agreed form by the Guarantor in favour of the Security Agent and/or the Finance Parties.
Mortgage Period means the period from the date the Mortgage is executed and registered until the date such Mortgage is released and discharged or, if earlier, its Total Loss Date.
Note means a note issued pursuant to and in accordance with the conditions of this Note Purchase Deed.
Note Acceleration Notice means the note acceleration notice given pursuant to clause 15.1(a).
Note Certificate means a note certificate in a form substantially similar to that set out in Schedule 7 ( Form of Note Certificate ).
Note Issue Notice means the note acceleration notice given pursuant to clause 4.1 ( Note Issuance ) and in a form substantially similar to that set out in Schedule 2 ( Form of Note Issue Notice ).
Note Purchaser means the entities set out in Schedule 1 ( the Note Purchasers ), together with any other person to whom a Note Purchaser assigns all or any portion of its Notes in accordance with clause 19 ( Assignment and Transfers ) of this Note Purchase Deed].
Note Transferee has the meaning given to it in clause 19.1 ( Voluntary Transfers by Note Purchasers ).
Note Transferor has the meaning given to it in clause 19.1 ( Voluntary Transfers by Note Purchasers ).
Obligors means the parties to the Finance Documents (other than the Finance Parties) and Obligor means any one of them.
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Operating Account means any Account designated as an “ Operating Account ” under paragraph 8 ( Bank accounts ) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ).
Original Jurisdiction means, in relation to an Original Obligor, the jurisdiction under whose laws that Obligor is incorporated as at the date of this Note Purchase Deed or, in the case of any other Obligor, as at the date on which that Obligor becomes an Obligor.
Original Obligor means each party to this Note Purchase Deed and the Original Security Documents (other than a Finance Party).
Original Security Documents means:

(a)
the Share Security;

(b)
the Account Security in relation to each Operating Account;

(c)
the Mortgage;

(d)
the General Assignment;

(e)
the Charter Assignment; and

(f)
any Manager’s Undertaking if required under paragraph 4.9 ( Manager ) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ).
Participating Member State means any member state of the European Union that has the euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Union relating to Economic and Monetary Union.
Party means a party to this Note Purchase Deed.
Payment Mechanics means the Pre-Enforcement Payment Mechanics and the Post-Enforcement Payment Mechanics.
Permitted Maritime Lien means:

(a)
any ship repairer’s or outfitter’s possessory lien in respect of the Collateral Ship for an amount not exceeding the Major Casualty Amount;

(b)
any lien on the Collateral Ship for master’s, officer’s or crew’s wages outstanding in the ordinary course of its trading;

(c)
any lien on the Collateral Ship for salvage or general average; and

(d)
any other lien on the Collateral Ship arising by operation of law for claims incurred in the ordinary course of the operation, repair or maintenance of the Collateral Ship and which
137




are outstanding for not longer than thirty (30) days or for an aggregate amount not exceeding the Major Casualty Amount.
Permitted Security Interests means, in relation to, any Security Interest over the Collateral Ship which is:

(a)
granted by the Finance Documents; or

(b)
approved by the Note Purchasers; or

(c)
a Permitted Maritime Lien; or

(d)
granted by the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement and any Post-Delivery Finance Documents.
Pollutant means and includes crude oil and its products, any other polluting, toxic or hazardous substance and any other substance whose release into the environment is regulated or penalised by Environmental Laws.
Post-Delivery Event means each one of the events described in clauses 7.1 ( Illegality ), 7.7 ( Total Loss ), 7.9 ( Mandatory Cancellation ) and 31 ( Events of Default ) of the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement.
Post-Delivery Facility Agreement means the facility agreement dated 5 September 2017 (as amended and/or supplemented from time to time) between (among others) the Guarantor as borrower, the financial institutions listed therein as lenders and Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V. as agent and security agent in respect of a loan of up to $23,500,000.
Post-Delivery Finance Documents has the meaning given to “Finance Documents” in the Post-Delivery Facility Agreement.
Post-Enforcement Payment Mechanics means the priority of payment set out in paragraph 2 ( Post-Enforcement Payment Mechanics) of Schedule 10 ( Payment Mechanics ).
Pre-Enforcement Payment Mechanics means the payment mechanics set out in paragraph 1 ( Pre-Enforcement Payment Mechanics) of Schedule 10 ( Payment Mechanics ).
Principal Balance means, with respect to any Note, the original principal amount of such Note, as such amount may be reduced from time to time by principal payments on such Note paid from distributions made pursuant to the Payment Mechanics; provided that if such Principal Balance shall have been reduced by any distribution and thereafter all or a portion of such distribution is rescinded or must otherwise be returned for any reason, such Principal Balance shall be increased by the amount of such rescinded or returned distribution, as though it had not been received in respect of such Note.
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Protected Party has the meaning given to it in clause 9.1 ( Definitions ).
Quasi-Security has the meaning given to it in paragraph 9.2 ( General negative pledge ) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ).
Quotation Day means, in relation to any period for which an interest rate is to be determined, two Business Days before the first day of that period unless market practice in the Interbank Market differs, in which case the Quotation Day shall be determined by the Agent in accordance with market practice in the Interbank Market (and if quotations would normally be given on more than one day, the Quotation Day will be the last of those days).
Receiver means a receiver or receiver and manager or administrative receiver of the whole or any part of the Charged Property appointed under any Security Document.
Recipient has the meaning given to it in clause 9.6 ( Value added tax ).
Recoveries has the meaning given to it in paragraph 2 ( Post-Enforcement Payment Mechanics) of Schedule 10 ( Payment Mechanics ).
Reformed Basel III means the agreements contained in “Basel III: Finalising post-crisis reforms” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in December 2017, as amended, supplemented or restated.
Reformed Basel III Increased Cost means an Increased Cost which is attributable to the implementation or application of or compliance with any other law or regulation which implements Reformed Basel III (whether such implementation, application or compliance is by a government, regulator, Finance Party or any of its Affiliates).
Register has the meaning given to it in clause 21.1(a).
Register Entry has the meaning given to it in clause 21.1(a)(i).
Registrar includes any person who may be appointed as such under the Finance Documents.
Registry means such registrar, commissioner or representative of the relevant Flag State who is duly authorised and empowered to register the Collateral Ship, the Guarantor’s title to the Collateral Ship and the Mortgage under the laws of its Flag State.
Regulation has the meaning given to it in paragraph 1.10 ( Centre of main interests and establishments ) of Schedule 3 ( Representations and Warranties of the Obligors ).
Regulation D has the meaning given to it in 5.3(a) ( Representations by the Note Purchaser ).
Related Fund in relation to a fund (the first fund), means a fund which is managed or advised by the same investment manager or investment adviser as the first fund or, if it is managed by a
139


different investment manager or investment adviser, a fund whose investment manager or investment adviser is an Affiliate of the investment manager or investment adviser of the first fund.
Relevant Beneficiary has the meaning given to it in 11.5(b) ( Third Parties Act ).
Relevant Documents has the meaning given to it in 7.1(a)(ii)(A).
Relevant Jurisdiction means, in relation to an Obligor:

(a)
its Original Jurisdiction;

(b)
any jurisdiction where any Charged Property owned by it is situated;

(c)
any jurisdiction where it conducts its business; and

(d)
any jurisdiction whose laws govern the perfection of any of the Security Documents entered into by it.
Repeating Representations means the representations set out in paragraphs 1.1 to 1.10 of Schedule 3 ( Representations and Warranties of the Obligors ).
Representative means any delegate, agent, manager, administrator, nominee, attorney, trustee or custodian.
Requisition Compensation means any compensation paid or payable by a government entity for the requisition for title, confiscation or compulsory acquisition of the Collateral Ship.
Restricted Person means a person that:

(a)
is listed on any Sanctions List (whether designated by name or by reason of being included in a class of person) or otherwise a target of Sanctions;

(b)
is domiciled, registered as located or having its main place of business in, or is incorporated under the laws of or, such country or territory which is, or whose government is, subject to Sanctions broadly prohibiting dealings with such government, country or territory;

(c)
is directly or indirectly owned by or controlled by a person referred to in (a) and/or (b) above; or

(d)
owns or controls a person referred to in (a) and/or (b) above.
Sanctions means any economic sanctions laws, sanctions regulations, embargoes or restrictive measures administered enacted or enforced by:
140



(a)
the United States of America;

(b)
the United Nations Security Council;

(c)
the United Kingdom;

(d)
the European Union or any of its member states;

(e)
any country to which any Obligor or any Affiliate of any of them is bound; or

(f)
the respective governmental institutions and agencies of any of the foregoing, including without limitation, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of Treasury ( OFAC ), the United States Department of State and Her Majesty’s Treasury ( HMT ) (each a Sanctions Authority and together Sanctions Authorities ).
Sanctions List means the “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” list issued by OFAC, the “Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets and Investment Ban List” issued by HMT, the “Consolidated Sanctions List” (including the “Sectoral Sanctions Identifications” list) both issued by OFAC, or any similar list issued or maintained or made public by any of the Sanctions Authorities.
Screen Rate means the London interbank offered rate administered by ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (or any other person which takes over the administration of that rate) for dollars and the relevant period displayed (before any correction, recalculation or republication by the administrator) on pages LIBOR01 or LIBOR02 of the Thomson Reuters screen (or any replacement Thomson Reuters page which displays that rate), or on the appropriate page of such other information service which publishes that rate from time to time in place of Thomson Reuters. If such page or service ceases to be available, the Agent may specify another page or service displaying the relevant rate with the agreement of the Issuer and each Note Purchaser.
SEC has the meaning given to it in has the meaning given to it in 5.3(a) ( Representations by the Note Purchaser ).
Secured Liabilities means all indebtedness and obligations at any time of any Obligor to any Finance Party (whether for its own account or as agent or trustee for itself and/or other Finance Parties) under, or related to, the Finance Documents.
Secured Obligations means all the Secured Liabilities and all other indebtedness and obligations at any time due, owing or incurred by each Obligor to any Finance Party under the Finance Documents.
Security Agent includes any person as may be appointed as such under the Finance Documents.
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Security Documents means:

(a)
the Original Security Documents; and

(b)
any other document as may be executed to guarantee and/or secure any amounts owing to the Finance Parties under this Note Purchase Deed or any other Finance Document.
Security Interest means a mortgage, charge, pledge, lien, assignment, trust, hypothecation or other security interest of any kind securing any obligation of any person or any other agreement or arrangement having a similar effect.
Security Property means:

(a)
the Transaction Security expressed to be granted in favour of the Security Agent as trustee for the Finance Parties and all proceeds of that Transaction Security;

(b)
all obligations expressed to be undertaken by any Obligor to pay amounts in respect of the Secured Liabilities to the Security Agent as trustee for the Finance Parties and secured by the Transaction Security together with all representations and warranties expressed to be given by an Obligor in favour of the Security Agent as trustee for the Finance Parties; and

(c)
any other amounts or property, whether rights, entitlements, choses in action or otherwise, actual or contingent, which the Security Agent is required by the terms of the Finance Documents to hold as trustee on trust for the Finance Parties.
Semi-annual Financial Statements has the meaning given to it in paragraph 1.2 ( Definitions ) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ).
Share Security means the document constituting a second Security Interest executed by the Issuer in favour of the Security Agent in the agreed form in respect of all of the shares in the Guarantor.
Spill means any actual or threatened spill, release or discharge of a Pollutant into the environment.
Subordination Deed means the subordination agreement between (inter alios) the Finance Parties and Family Trading Inc. dated 28 January 2019 and as amended from time to time.
Subject Party has the meaning given to it in clause 9.6(b).
Subsidiary of a person means any other person:

(a)
directly or indirectly controlled by such person; or
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(b)
of whose dividends or distributions on ordinary voting share capital such person is beneficially entitled to receive more than 50 per cent,
and a person is a “ wholly-owned Subsidiary ” of another person if it has no members except that other person and that other person’s wholly-owned Subsidiaries or persons acting on behalf of that other person or its wholly-owned Subsidiaries.
Supplier has the meaning given to it in clause 9.6(b).
Tax or Taxes means any tax, levy, impost, duty or other charge or withholding of a similar nature (including any penalty or interest payable in connection with any failure to pay or any delay in paying any of the same).
Tax Deduction has the meaning given to it in clause 9.1 ( Definitions ).
Third Party Claim has the meaning given to it in clause 11.5(b).
Third Parties Act has the meaning given to it in paragraph 4 below.
Total Debt has the meaning given to it in paragraph 2.1 ( Financial definitions ) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ).
Total Loss means, in relation to the Collateral Ship, its:

(a)
actual, constructive, compromised or arranged total loss; or

(b)
requisition for title, confiscation or other compulsory acquisition by a government entity; or

(c)
hijacking, theft, condemnation, capture, seizure, arrest or detention for more than 90 days or in the case of piracy for more than 180 days.
Total Loss Date means:

(a)
in the case of an actual total loss, the date it happened or, if such date is not known, the date on which the Collateral Ship was last reported;

(b)
in the case of a constructive, compromised, agreed or arranged total loss, the earliest of:

(i)
the date notice of abandonment of the Collateral Ship is given to its insurers; or

(ii)
if the insurers do not admit such a claim, the date later determined by a competent court of law to have been the date on which the total loss happened; or

(iii)
the date upon which a binding agreement as to such compromised or arranged total loss has been entered into by the Collateral Ship’s insurers;
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(c)
in the case of a requisition for title, confiscation or compulsory acquisition, the date it happened; and

(d)
in the case of hijacking, theft, condemnation, capture, seizure, arrest or detention, the date 90 days after the date upon which it happened or in the case of piracy, the date falling 180 days after the date it happened.
Total Net Debt has the meaning given to it in has the meaning given to it in paragraph 2.1 ( Financial definitions ) of Schedule 4 ( Covenants of the Obligors ).
Transaction Document means:

(a)
each of the Finance Documents; and

(b)
each Charter Document.
Transaction Security means the Security Interests created or evidenced or expressed to be created or evidenced under or pursuant to the Security Documents.
Transferred Amount has the meaning given to it in clause 19.2(b).
Treasury Transaction means any derivative transaction entered into in connection with protection against or benefit from fluctuation in any rate or price.
US means the United States of America.
US Dollars means the lawful currency of the US.
US Tax Obligor means:

(a)
the Issuer if it is resident for tax purposes in the US; or

(b)
an Obligor some or all of whose payments under the Finance Documents are from sources within the US for US federal income tax purposes.
VAT means:

(a)
any tax imposed in compliance with the Council Directive of 28 November 2006 on the common system of value added tax (EC Directive 2006/112); and

(b)
any other tax of a similar nature, imposed in a member state of the European Union in substitution for, or levied in addition to, such tax referred to in paragraph (a) above, or imposed elsewhere.
2
Construction
144



(a)
Unless a contrary indication appears, a reference in any of the Finance Documents to:

(i)
Sections, clauses and Schedules are to be construed as references to the Sections and clauses of, and the Schedules to, the relevant Finance Document and references to a Finance Document include its Schedules;

(ii)
a Finance Document or any other agreement or instrument is a reference to that Finance Document or other agreement or instrument as it may from time to time be amended, restated, novated or replaced, however fundamentally;

(iii)
words importing the plural shall include the singular and vice versa;

(iv)
a time of day is to London time;

(v)
any person includes its successors in title, permitted assignees or transferees;

(vi)
a document in agreed form means:

(A)
where a Finance Document has already been executed by all of the relevant parties, such Finance Document in its executed form;

(B)
prior to the execution of a Finance Document, the form of such Finance Document separately agreed in writing between the Agent and the Issuer as the form in which that Finance Document is to be executed or another form approved at the request of the Issuer or, if not so agreed or approved, is in the form specified by the Agent;

(vii)
assets includes present and future properties, revenues and rights of every description;

(viii)
charter commitment means, in relation to a vessel, any charter or contract for the use, employment or operation of that vessel or the carriage of people and/or cargo or the provision of services by or from it and includes any agreement for pooling or sharing income derived from any such charter or contract;

(ix)
control of an entity means:

(A)
the power (whether by way of ownership of shares, proxy, contract, agency or otherwise) to:

(i)
cast, or control the casting of, more than 50 per cent of the maximum number of votes that might be cast at a general meeting of that entity; or
145



(ii)
appoint or remove all, or the majority, of the directors or other equivalent officers of that entity; or

(iii)
give directions with respect to the operating and financial policies of that entity with which the directors or other equivalent officers of that entity are obliged to comply; or

(B)
the holding beneficially of more than 50 per cent of the issued share capital of that entity (excluding any part of that issued share capital that carries no right to participate beyond a specified amount in a distribution of either profits or capital) (and, for this purpose, any Security Interest over share capital shall be disregarded in determining the beneficial ownership of such share capital);
and controlled shall be construed accordingly;

(x)
the term disposal or dispose means a sale, transfer or other disposal (including by way of lease or loan but not including by way of loan of money) by a person of all or part of its assets, whether by one transaction or a series of transactions and whether at the same time or over a period of time, but not the creation of a Security Interest;

(xi)
the equivalent of an amount specified in a particular currency (the specified currency amount ) shall be construed as a reference to the amount of the other relevant currency which can be purchased with the specified currency amount in the London foreign exchange market at or about 11 a.m. on the date the calculation falls to be made for spot delivery, as conclusively determined by the Agent (with the relevant exchange rate of any such purchase being the Agent’s spot rate of exchange );

(xii)
a government entity means any government, state or agency of a state;

(xiii)
a guarantee means (other than in clause 14 ( Guarantee and indemnity )) any guarantee, letter of credit, bond, indemnity or similar assurance against loss, or any obligation, direct or indirect, actual or contingent, to purchase or assume any indebtedness of any person or to make an investment in or loan to any person or to purchase assets of any person where, in each case, such obligation is assumed in order to maintain or assist the ability of such person to meet its indebtedness;

(xiv)
indebtedness includes any obligation (whether incurred as principal or as surety) for the payment or repayment of money, whether present or future, actual or contingent;
146



(xv)
an obligation means any duty, obligation or liability of any kind;

(xvi)
something being in the ordinary course of business of a person means something that is in the ordinary course of that person’s current day-to-day operational business (and not merely anything which that person is entitled to do under its Constitutional Documents);

(xvii)
pay or repay in the Payment Mechanics includes by way of set-off, combination of accounts or otherwise;

(xviii)
a person includes any individual, firm, company, corporation, government entity or any association, trust, joint venture, consortium, partnership or other entity (whether or not having separate legal personality);

(xix)
a regulation includes any regulation, rule, official directive, request or guideline (whether or not having the force of law but if not having the force of law, one with which a person habitually complies) of any governmental, intergovernmental or supranational body, agency, department or regulatory, self-regulatory or other authority or organisation and, in relation to any Note Purchaser, includes (without limitation) any Basel II Regulation or Basel III Regulation or any law or regulation which implements Reformed Basel III, in each case which is applicable to that Note Purchaser;

(xx)
right means any right, privilege, power or remedy, any proprietary interest in any asset and any other interest or remedy of any kind, whether actual or contingent, present or future, arising under contract or law, or in equity;

(xxi)
trustee , fiduciary and fiduciary duty has in each case the meaning given to such term under applicable law;

(xxii)
(i) the liquidation , winding up , dissolution , or administration of person or (ii) a receiver or administrative receiver or administrator in the context of insolvency proceedings or security enforcement actions in respect of a person shall be construed so as to include any equivalent or analogous proceedings or any equivalent and analogous person or appointee (respectively) under the law of the jurisdiction in which such person is established or incorporated or any jurisdiction in which such person carries on business including (in respect of proceedings) the seeking or occurrences of liquidation, winding-up, reorganisation, dissolution, administration, arrangement, adjustment, protection or relief of debtors; and

(xxiii)
a provision of law is a reference to that provision as amended or re-enacted.

147



(b)
The determination of the extent to which a rate is “ for a period equal in length ” to an Interest Period shall disregard any inconsistency arising from the last day of that Interest Period being determined pursuant to the terms of this Note Purchase Deed.

(c)
Where in this Note Purchase Deed a provision includes a monetary reference level in one currency, unless a contrary indication appears, such reference level is intended to apply equally to its equivalent in other currencies as of the relevant time for the purposes of applying such reference level to any other currencies.

(d)
Section, clause and Schedule headings are for ease of reference only.

(e)
Unless a contrary indication appears, a term used in any other Finance Document or in any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document has the same meaning in that Finance Document or notice as in this Note Purchase Deed.

(f)
A Default is continuing if it has not been remedied or waived.

3
Currency symboils and definitions

$ , USD and dollars denote the lawful currency of the United States of America.
  Third party rights

(a)
Unless expressly provided to the contrary in a Finance Document for the benefit of a Finance Party or another Indemnified Person, a person who is not a party to a Finance Document has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 (the Third Parties Act ) to enforce or enjoy the benefit of any term of the relevant Finance Document.

(b)
Any Finance Document may be rescinded or varied by the parties to it without the consent of any person who is not a party to it (unless otherwise provided by this Note Purchase Deed).

(c)
An Indemnified Person who is not a party to a Finance Document may only enforce its rights under that Finance Document through a Finance Party and if and to the extent and in such manner as the Finance Party may determine.
          Finance Documents
Where any other Finance Document provides that this paragraph 5 shall apply to that Finance Document, any other provision of this Note Purchase Deed which, by its terms, purports to apply to all or any of the Finance Documents and/or any Obligor shall apply to that Finance Document as if set out in it but with all necessary changes.
  Conflict of documents
148


The terms of the Finance Documents (other than as relates to the creation and/or perfection of security) are subject to the terms of this Note Purchase Deed and, in the event of any conflict between any provision of this Note Purchase Deed and any provision of any Finance Document (other than in relation to the creation and/or perfection of security) the provisions of this Note Purchase Deed shall prevail.
  Business Days

(a)
Interest Periods: If an Interest Period would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day, that Interest Period will instead end on the next Business Day in that calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not).

(b)
In the event that any date for payment (including, without limitation, an Interest Payment Date) or calculation date (including, without limitation, a Determination Date) would otherwise be on a day which is not a Business Day, such date will instead be on the next Business Day in that calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not).


149


Schedule 9
Ship Information
Eco California Ship
Owner:
PCH77 SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED
Builder:
Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co., Ltd.
Hull Number:
8218
Scheduled Delivery Date:
31 January 2019
IMO Number:
9843780

Eco Marina Del Ray Ship
Owner:
PCH Dreaming Inc.
Builder:
Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co., Ltd.
Hull Number:
8242
Scheduled Delivery Date:
13 March 2019
IMO Number:
9798349

Eco Bel Air Ship
Owner:
South California Inc.
Builder:
Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
Hull Number:
S874
Scheduled Delivery Date:
5 April 2019
IMO Number:
9794056

Eco Beverly Hills Ship
Owner:
Malibu Warrior Inc.
Builder:
Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
Hull Number:
S875
Scheduled Delivery Date:
2 May 2019
IMO Number:
9794068
150


Collateral Ship
Owner:
Astarte International Inc.

Name of Ship:
Eco Palm Desert

Flag State:
The Republic of the Marshall Islands

Charter description:
“SHELLTIME 4” time charter dated 28 September 2017 made between Central Tankers Chartering Inc. ( CTC ) as disponent owner and the Charterer, as time charterer as novated by CTC in favour of the Owner by means of a novation agreement dated 1 December 2018 made between the Owner, CTC and the Charterer

Charterer:
Shell Tankers Singapore Private Limited

Classification:
+100A1, Double Hull Oil and Chemical Tanker, Ship Type 2 and Ship Type 3, ESP, CSR, +LMC, UMS, *IWS, LI, SRM4, ECO (IHM, P), NAV1, IGS, ShipRight (CM, ACS(B)) with descriptive notes COW(LR), ETA, ShipRight (BWMP(S)), SERS, SCM, VECS)

Classification Society:
Lloyds Register of Shipping

Major Casualty Amount:
$500,000


151


Schedule 10
Payment Mechanics
1
Pre-Enforcement Payment Mechanics
Prior to the delivery of a Note Acceleration Notice, the Parties shall make payments in accordance with this paragraph 1.

(a)
Payments to the Agent

(i)
On each date on which an Obligor or a Note Purchaser is required to make a payment under a Finance Document, that Obligor or Note Purchaser shall make the same available to the Agent (unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document) for value on the due date at the time and in such funds specified by the Agent as being customary at the time for settlement of transactions in the relevant currency in the place of payment.

(ii)
Payment shall be made to such account in the principal financial centre of the country of that currency (or, in relation to euro, in a principal financial centre in such Participating Member State or London, as specified by the Agent) and with such bank as the Agent, in each case, specifies.

(b)
Distributions by the Agent
Each payment received by the Agent under the Finance Documents for another Party shall, subject to paragraphs 1(c) ( Distributions to an Obligor ) and 1(d) ( Clawback and pre-funding ) below, be made available by the Agent as soon as practicable after receipt to the Party entitled to receive payment in accordance with this Agreement (in the case of a Note Purchaser, for the account of its Facility Office), to such account as that Party may notify to the Agent by not less than five Business Days’ notice with a bank specified by that Party in the principal financial centre of the country of that currency (or, in relation to euro, in the principal financial centre of a Participating Member State or London, as specified by that Party).

(c)
Distributions to an Obligor
The Agent may (with the consent of the Obligor or in accordance with clause 25.5 ( Set-off )) apply any amount received by it for that Obligor in or towards payment (on the date and in the currency and funds of receipt) of any amount due from that Obligor under the Finance Documents or in or towards purchase of any amount of any currency to be so applied.

(d)
Clawback and pre-funding
152



(i)
Where a sum is to be paid to the Agent under the Finance Documents for another Party, the Agent is not obliged to pay that sum to that other Party (or to enter into or perform any related exchange contract) until it has been able to establish to its satisfaction that it has actually received that sum.

(ii)
Unless paragraph (iii) below applies, if the Agent pays an amount to another Party and it proves to be the case that the Agent had not actually received that amount, then the Party to whom that amount (or the proceeds of any related exchange contract) was paid by the Agent shall on demand refund the same to the Agent together with interest on that amount from the date of payment to the date of receipt by the Agent, calculated by the Agent to reflect its cost of funds.

(iii)
If the Agent has notified the Note Purchasers that it is willing to make available amounts for the account of the Issuer before receiving funds from the Note Purchasers then if and to the extent that the Agent does so but it proves to be the case that it does not then receive funds from a Note Purchaser in respect of a sum which it paid to the Issuer:

(A)
the Agent shall notify the Issuer of that Note Purchaser’s identity and the Issuer shall on demand refund it to the Agent; and

(B)
the Note Purchaser by whom those funds should have been made available or, if that Note Purchaser fails to do so, the Issuer, shall on demand pay to the Agent the amount (as certified by the Agent) which will indemnify the Agent against any funding cost incurred by it as a result of paying out that sum before receiving those funds from that Note Purchaser.

(e)
Partial Payments

(i)
If the Agent receives a payment for application against amounts due in respect of any Finance Documents that is insufficient to discharge all the amounts then due and payable by an Obligor under those Finance Documents, the Agent shall apply that payment towards the obligations of that Obligor under the Finance Documents in the following order:

(A)
first, in or towards payment pro rata of any unpaid amount owing to the Agent or the Security Agent for their own account under those Finance Documents;

(B)
secondly, in or towards payment to the Note Purchasers pro rata of all other amounts due to them but unpaid under the Finance Documents; and
153



(C)
thirdly, in or towards payment pro rata of any other sum due but unpaid under the Finance Documents.

(ii)
The Agent shall, if so directed by all the Note Purchasers and with prior written notice to the Obligors, vary the order set out in paragraphs (B) to (C) of paragraph (i) above.

(iii)
Paragraphs (i) and (ii) above will override any appropriation made by an Obligor.

(f)
No set-off by Obligors
All payments to be made by an Obligor under the Finance Documents shall be calculated and be made without (and free and clear of any deduction for) set-off or counterclaim.

(g)
Business Days

(i)
Any payment under the Finance Documents which is due to be made on a day that is not a Business Day shall be made on the next Business Day in the same calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not).

(ii)
During any extension of the due date for payment of any principal under this Agreement interest is payable on the principal at the rate payable on the original due date.

(h)
Currency of account

(i)
Subject to paragraphs (i) and (ii) below, dollars is the currency of account and payment for any sum due from an Obligor under any Finance Document.

(ii)
A repayment of all or part of a Note and each payment of interest shall be made in dollars on its due date.

(iii)
Each payment in respect of the amount of any costs, expenses or Taxes or other losses shall be made in dollars and, if they were incurred in a currency other than dollars, the amount payable under the Finance Documents shall be the equivalent in dollars of the relevant amount in such other currency on the date on which it was incurred.

(iv)
All moneys received or held by the Security Agent or by a Receiver under a Security Document in a currency other than dollars may be sold for dollars and the Obligor which executed that Security Document shall indemnify the Security Agent against the full cost in relation to the sale. Neither the Security Agent nor such Receiver will have any liability to that Obligor in respect of any loss resulting from any fluctuation in exchange rates after the sale.
154



(i)
Change of currency

(i)
Unless otherwise prohibited by law, if more than one currency or currency unit are at the same time recognised by the central bank of any country as the lawful currency of that country, then:

(A)
any reference in the Finance Documents to, and any obligations arising under the Finance Documents in, the currency of that country shall be translated into, or paid in, the currency or currency unit of that country designated by the Agent (after consultation with the Issuer); and

(B)
any translation from one currency or currency unit to another shall be at the official rate of exchange recognised by the central bank for the conversion of that currency or currency unit into the other, rounded up or down by the Agent (acting reasonably).

(ii)
If a change in any currency of a country occurs, this Agreement will, to the extent the Agent (acting reasonably and after consultation with the Issuer) specifies to be necessary, be amended to comply with any generally accepted conventions and market practice in the Interbank Market and otherwise to reflect the change in currency.

(j)
Disruption to payment systems etc.
If either the Agent determines (acting reasonably) that a Disruption Event has occurred or the Agent is notified by the Issuer that a Disruption Event has occurred:

(i)
the Agent may, and shall if requested to do so by the Issuer, consult with the Issuer with a view to agreeing with the Issuer such changes to the operation or administration of the Notes as the Agent may deem necessary in the circumstances;

(ii)
the Agent shall not be obliged to consult with the Issuer in relation to any changes mentioned in paragraph (i) above if, in its reasonable opinion, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances and, in any event, shall have no obligation to agree to such changes;

(iii)
the Agent may consult with the Finance Parties in relation to any changes mentioned in paragraph (i) above but shall not be obliged to do so if, in its opinion, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances;

(iv)
any such changes agreed upon by the Agent and the Issuer shall (whether or not it is finally determined that a Disruption Event has occurred) be binding upon the
155


 Parties as an amendment to (or, as the case may be, waiver of) the terms of the Finance Documents notwithstanding the provisions of clause 25.1 ( Amendments and Waivers );

(v)
the Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever (including, without limitation for negligence, gross negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Agent) arising as a result of its taking, or failing to take, any actions pursuant to or in connection with this paragraph 1(j); and

(vi)
the Agent shall notify the Finance Parties of all changes agreed pursuant to paragraph (iv) above.
  Post-Enforcement Payment Mechanics
Following the delivery of a Note Acceleration Notice, all amounts from time to time received or recovered by the Security Agent pursuant to the terms of any Finance Document or in connection with the realisation or enforcement of all or any part of the Transaction Security (the Recoveries ) shall be held by the Security Agent on trust to apply them at any time as the Security Agent (in its discretion) sees fit, to the extent permitted by applicable law (and subject to the provisions of clause 16 ( Application of Proceeds )), in the following order:

(a)
in discharging any sums owing to the Security Agent, any Receiver or any Delegate;

(b)
in discharging all costs and expenses incurred by any Finance Party in connection with any realisation or enforcement of the Transaction Security taken in accordance with the terms of this Note Purchase Deed;

(c)
in payment or distribution to the Agent on its own behalf and on behalf of the other Finance Parties;

(d)
if none of the Obligors is under any further actual or contingent liability under any Finance Document, in payment or distribution to any person to whom the Security Agent is obliged to pay or distribute in priority to any Obligor; and

(e)
the balance, if any, in payment or distribution to the relevant Obligor.

156

Exhibit 4.119


EXECUTION VERSION
ADDENDUM NO. 1
to MOA dated
29 June 2018 in respect of Hull No. 8242
This addendum no. 1 (the “ Addendum ”) is made on 12 March 2019 by and among:

1.
Cargill International SA , a company incorporated under the laws of Switzerland and having its registered office at 14 chemin de-Normandie, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland (the “ Buyer ”);

2.
PCH Dreaming Inc. , a corporation duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and having its registered address at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands, MH 96960 (the “ Seller ”); and

3.
Top Ships Inc. , a company duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and having its registered address at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands, MH 96960 (the “ Guarantor ”),
(the Buyer, the Seller and the Guarantor, each a “ Party ” and together, the “ Parties ”).
WHEREAS:

(A)
By a shipbuilding contract dated 9 January 2018 between the Seller and Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co., Ltd. (“ Builder ”), the Builder agreed to construct, or procure the construction of, the product / chemical tanker named or, as the case may be, to be named, “ECO MARINA DEL REY”, constructed, or, as the case may be, under construction, by the Builder with Builder’s Hull No. 8242 and with IMO number 9798349 (“ Vessel ”) and the Seller agreed to buy the Vessel (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, including by an agreement dated 28 March 2018 and an Addendum No.1 dated 14 May 2018, the “ Shipbuilding Contract ”).

(B)
By a memorandum of agreement dated 29 June 2018 (“ MOA ”) and entered into among the Buyer, the Seller and the Guarantor in respect of the Vessel, the Buyer agreed to buy, and the Seller agreed to sell, the Vessel.

(C)
The Parties now wish to make various amendments to the MOA, such amendments in the terms set out in this Addendum.

NOW THEREFORE for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged and agreed by the Parties, the Parties AGREE AS FOLLOWS :
1.
Unless otherwise specified, capitalised terms and the interpretation of other terms used in this Addendum (including in its recitals) shall have the meanings and interpretations specified in the MOA and such terms shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to this Addendum, as if set out in full herein.
2.
As and with effect from the date of this Addendum:

2.1
The following new definitions shall be added to the ‘Definitions’ section of the MOA:

2.1.1
“‘ Alpha Bank ’ means Alpha Bank A.E., with its registered address at 40 Stadiou Street, Athens, Greece.”;

2.1.2
“‘ CISA Payment Undertaking ’ means an undertaking in the form and substance of the undertaking at Appendix K to be provided by the Buyer to Alpha Bank to pay to Alpha Bank an amount equal to the Net Sales Proceeds upon receipt by the Buyer of a fully executed copy of the Notice of Re-Assignment and the Vessel having been delivered to, and accepted by, the Delivery Entity under this Agreement or at such other time as provided for in the undertaking.”;

2.1.3
“‘ Deed of Assignment ’ means the deed of assignment entered into between the Seller and Alpha Bank dated 12 July 2018 pursuant to which the Seller agreed to, inter alia, assign its rights under the Shipbuilding Contract to Alpha Bank.”; and

2.1.4
“‘ Notice of Re-Assignment ’ means a notice of re-assignment entered into, or, as the case may be, to be entered into by Alpha Bank as regards the re-assignment to the Seller by Alpha Bank of, inter alia, the rights assigned to Alpha Bank under the Deed of Assignment, in a form and on terms acceptable to Alpha Bank and the Delivery Entity.”

2.2
The following definitions in the ‘Definitions’ section of the MOA shall be deleted in their entirety:

2.2.1
“‘ Seller’s Account ’ means the following account at the Seller’s Bank: NL20 ABNA 0627 7819 69 (or such other account as the Seller may nominate and the Buyer may approve (the Buyer’s approval always at the Buyer’s sole discretion) prior to the Time of Delivery).”

2.2.2
“‘ Seller’s Bank ’ means ABN AMRO BANK, BIC/SWIFT: ABNANL2A or such other bank or financial institution as the Seller may nominate and the Buyer may approve in writing (the Buyer’s approval always at the Buyer’s sole discretion) prior to the Time of Delivery.”;
2


2.3
The definition of “Shipbuilding Contract Payment Amount” in the ‘Definitions’ section of the MOA shall be deleted in its entirety and be replaced with “‘ Shipbuilding Contract Payment Amount ’ means an amount equal to United States Dollars Twenty Two Million Two Hundred and Sixty Six Thousand Five Hundred (US$22,266,500).”;

2.4
The definition of “Transaction Fees Amount” in the ‘Definitions’ section of the MOA shall be deleted in its entirety and be replaced by:
“‘ Transaction Fees Amount ’ means an amount equal to United States Dollars Five Hundred and Fourteen Thousand Seven Hundred and Twenty (US$271,720) representing the aggregate of:
(A)   an amount equal to United States Dollars Fifty Thousand (US$50,000) representing the legal fees payable by the Buyer to the Financier pursuant to the Agreement to Acquire in connection with, inter alia, the preparation, negotiation, execution and delivery of the Agreement to Acquire;
(B)   an amount equal to United States Dollars One Hundred and Twenty Nine Thousand Six Hundred (US$129,600), representing the Upfront Fee payable by the Buyer to the Financier pursuant to the Agreement to Acquire;
(C)   an amount equal to United States Dollars Forty Two Thousand One Hundred and Twenty (US$42,120), representing the Commitment Fee payable by the Buyer to the Financier pursuant to the Agreement to Acquire;
(D)   an amount equal to United States Dollars Fifty Thousand (US$50,000), representing the Buyer’s legal fees in connection with, inter alia, the preparation, negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement.”;

2.5
The words “United States Dollars thirty-two million four hundred thousand only (US$32,400,000)” in Clause 1 of the MOA shall be deleted in their entirety and replaced by “United States Dollars thirty-two million three hundred and eighty six thousand five hundred only (US$32,386,500)”;

2.6
Clause 2.7 of the MOA shall be deleted in its entirety and be replaced by:
“2.7 Save as otherwise agreed by the Buyer (such agreement in the Buyer’s sole discretion), and subject always to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Time of Delivery, the Buyer shall:
2.7.1 deliver to the Seller a dated original Release Instruction executed by the Buyer; and
2.7.2 release to Alpha Bank a fully executed copy of the CISA Payment Undertaking.”;
3


2.7
Clause 2.8 of the MOA shall be deleted in its entirety and be replaced by:
“2.8 Save as otherwise agreed by the Buyer (such agreement in the Buyer’s sole discretion), delivery to the Seller of a dated original Release Instruction executed by the Buyer pursuant to Clause 2.7.1 and release to Alpha Bank of the fully executed copy of the CISA Payment Undertaking pursuant to Clause 2.7.2 shall constitute the full performance of the Buyer’s obligation to pay the Purchase Price under this Agreement.”;

2.8
Clause 2.9 of the MOA shall be deleted in its entirety and be replaced by:
“2.9 Notwithstanding Clause 2.2, any costs and/or expenses (including, without limitation, any fees or charges of the Builder’s Bank) incurred by the Buyer by reason of:
2.9.1 the remittance of the Shipbuilding Contract Payment Amount to the Builder’s Bank pursuant to Clause 2.5 (or pursuant to such other mechanism as the Buyer may agree (such agreement in the Buyer’s sole discretion)); and / or
2.9.2 the payment by the Buyer of the Net Sales Proceeds pursuant to the CISA Payment Undertaking,
shall be for the Seller’s account.”;

2.9
Clause 6.1.13 of the MOA shall be deleted in its entirety and be replaced by: “6.1.13 Two (2) originals of the Builder Protocol of Delivery and Acceptance duly executed by an authorised signatory of the Builder and the Delivery Entity as the Seller’s nominee under the Shipbuilding Contract”;

2.10
Clause 6.1.15 (c) of the MOA shall be deleted in its entirety and be replaced by “the Protocol of Stores of Consumable Nature issued by the Builder”;

2.11
Clause 6.1.23 of the MOA shall be deleted in its entirety and be replaced by “6.1.23 Any such additional documents which may be required by the Delivery Entity to register the Vessel under the flag of the Buyer’s Nominated Flag State and/or to transfer ownership of and title to the Vessel to the Delivery Entity; and”

2.12
A new Clause 6.1.24 shall be added to the MOA: “6.1.24 a copy of the dated Notice of Re-Assignment duly executed by Alpha Bank, and which Notice of Re-Assignment shall be fully effective at the time at which it is provided to the Buyer.”

2.13
The following words in Clause 6.4 of the MOA shall be deleted in their entirety “ten (10) Banking Days prior to the intended date of delivery of the Vessel to the Delivery Entity under this Agreement as notified by the Seller pursuant to Clause 4.1, (failing which the Buyer may cancel this Agreement with immediate effect upon written notice to the Seller and without liability whatsoever on the part of the Buyer)” and be replaced by “one (1) Banking Day prior to the Definite Delivery Date as notified by the Seller pursuant to
4

Clause 4.1, (failing which the Buyer may cancel this Agreement with immediate effect upon written notice to the Seller and without liability whatsoever on the part of the Buyer):”

2.14
Clause 6.4.13 of the MOA shall be deleted in its entirety and be replaced by:
“6.4.13 (A) an original of a letter signed by an authorised signatory of the Seller setting out the details of the Seller’s account at Alpha Bank to which the payment of the Net Sales Proceeds is to be made (such payment subject always to Clause 2 and to the terms of the CISA Payment Undertaking) and confirming the contact details of an individual (for example a named individual from the Seller’s accounting department) duly authorised by the Seller, who can be contacted by the Buyer by telephone to confirm the details of such account, in a form and on terms satisfactory to the Buyer (such satisfaction always at the Buyer’s sole discretion); and (B) an original of a letter signed by an authorised signatory of Alpha Bank setting out the details of the account at Alpha Bank to which the payment of the Net Sales Proceeds is to be made (such payment subject always to Clause 2 and to the terms of the CISA Payment Undertaking) and confirming the contact details of an individual duly authorised by Alpha Bank, who can be contacted by the Buyer by telephone to confirm the details of such account, in a form and on terms satisfactory to the Buyer (such satisfaction always at the Buyer’s sole discretion); and”

2.15
Clause 6.4.14 of the MOA shall be deleted in its entirety and Clause 6.4.15 of the MOA shall be renumbered to be Clause 6.4.14 of the MOA;

2.16
Clause 6.7.1 of the MOA shall be deleted in its entirety and be replaced by: “ 6.7.1 any additional documents required by the Buyer to enable payment of the Net Sales Proceeds to the account set out in the CISA Payment Undertaking (such payment subject always to the provisions of Clause 2 and to the terms of the CISA Payment Undertaking); and ”;

2.17
Clause 6.8 of the MOA shall be deleted in its entirety and be replaced by: “ 6.8 The Buyer shall notify the Seller of any such additional documents required by the Buyer, or, as the case may be, the Financier pursuant to Clause 6.7 no later than one (1) Banking Day prior to the Definite Delivery Date (as determined by the five (5) Banking Day definite notice of the Definite Delivery Date as notified by the Seller pursuant to Clause 4.1) ”;

2.18
the copy of the Sub-Bareboat Charter attached at Appendix B to the MOA shall be deleted and replaced in its entirety by the document at Annex 1 to this Addendum and all references in the MOA to the Sub-Bareboat Charter shall be read and construed accordingly;

2.19
the copy of the Vessel specifications attached at Appendix F to the MOA shall be deleted and replaced in their entirety by the documents at Annex 2 to this Addendum and all references in the MOA to the Specifications shall be read and construed accordingly; and
5


2.20
the document at Annex 3 to this Addendum shall be appended to the MOA in a new Appendix K.
3.
This Addendum shall be an integral part of the MOA and shall be an amendment and supplement thereto and as and with effect from the date of this Addendum, the MOA shall be read and construed subject to and in accordance with the terms of this Addendum. Save those altered and changed pursuant to this Addendum, all other terms and/or conditions of the MOA, including Clause 25 ( Guarantee ) of the MOA, shall remain unaltered and are, and shall remain, in full force and effect.
4.
Each Party hereby represents and warrants to the other Parties that its execution of this Addendum has been duly authorised and this Addendum constitutes its legal and valid obligations binding on it in accordance with the terms of this Addendum.
5.
This Addendum may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which when executed shall constitute an original of this Addendum, but all the counterparts shall together constitute the same agreement. No counterpart shall be effective until each Party has executed at least one counterpart. A signed copy received in .pdf format shall be deemed to be an original.
6.
This Addendum and any non-contractual obligations arising out of, or in connection with, it shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, English law. Any disputes arising out of, or in connection with, this Addendum shall be settled in accordance with Clause 27 of the MOA which shall apply, mutatis mutandis , to this Addendum, as if set out in full herein.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Parties have caused this Addendum to be duly executed by their duly authorised officers and to be effective on the date and year first above written.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY]
6



Annex 1 – Sub-Bareboat Charter
ANNEX 1 TO MOA ADDENDUM NO.1
BAREBOAT CHARTER AGREEMENT HULL NO. 8242
Dated as of [●] 2019
Between
CARGILL INTERNATIONAL SA
as Owner,
and
PCH DREAMING INC.
as Charterer





EXECUTION VERSION
ADDENDUM NO. 1
to MOA dated
29 June 2018 in respect of Hull No. 8242
This addendum no. 1 (the “ Addendum ”) is made on 12 March 2019 by and among:

1.
Cargill International SA , a company incorporated under the laws of Switzerland and having its registered office at 14 chemin de-Normandie, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland (the “ Buyer ”);

2.
PCH Dreaming Inc. , a corporation duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and having its registered address at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands, MH 96960 (the “ Seller ”); and

3.
Top Ships Inc. , a company duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and having its registered address at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands, MH 96960 (the “ Guarantor ”),
(the Buyer, the Seller and the Guarantor, each a “ Party ” and together, the “ Parties ”).
WHEREAS:

(A)
By a shipbuilding contract dated 9 January 2018 between the Seller and Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co., Ltd. (“ Builder ”), the Builder agreed to construct, or procure the construction of, the product / chemical tanker named or, as the case may be, to be named, “ECO MARINA DEL REY”, constructed, or, as the case may be, under construction, by the Builder with Builder’s Hull No. 8242 and with IMO number 9798349 (“ Vessel ”) and the Seller agreed to buy the Vessel (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, including by an agreement dated 28 March 2018 and an Addendum No.1 dated 14 May 2018, the “ Shipbuilding Contract ”).

(B)
By a memorandum of agreement dated 29 June 2018 (“ MOA ”) and entered into among the Buyer, the Seller and the Guarantor in respect of the Vessel, the Buyer agreed to buy, and the Seller agreed to sell, the Vessel.

(C)
The Parties now wish to make various amendments to the MOA, such amendments in the terms set out in this Addendum.


NOW THEREFORE for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged and agreed by the Parties, the Parties AGREE AS FOLLOWS :
1.
Unless otherwise specified, capitalised terms and the interpretation of other terms used in this Addendum (including in its recitals) shall have the meanings and interpretations specified in the MOA and such terms shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to this Addendum, as if set out in full herein.
2.
As and with effect from the date of this Addendum:

2.1
The following new definitions shall be added to the ‘Definitions’ section of the MOA:

2.1.1
“‘ Alpha Bank ’ means Alpha Bank A.E., with its registered address at 40 Stadiou Street, Athens, Greece.”;

2.1.2
“‘ CISA Payment Undertaking ’ means an undertaking in the form and substance of the undertaking at Appendix K to be provided by the Buyer to Alpha Bank to pay to Alpha Bank an amount equal to the Net Sales Proceeds upon receipt by the Buyer of a fully executed copy of the Notice of Re-Assignment and the Vessel having been delivered to, and accepted by, the Delivery Entity under this Agreement or at such other time as provided for in the undertaking.”;

2.1.3
“‘ Deed of Assignment ’ means the deed of assignment entered into between the Seller and Alpha Bank dated 12 July 2018 pursuant to which the Seller agreed to, inter alia, assign its rights under the Shipbuilding Contract to Alpha Bank.”; and

2.1.4
“‘ Notice of Re-Assignment ’ means a notice of re-assignment entered into, or, as the case may be, to be entered into by Alpha Bank as regards the re-assignment to the Seller by Alpha Bank of, inter alia, the rights assigned to Alpha Bank under the Deed of Assignment, in a form and on terms acceptable to Alpha Bank and the Delivery Entity.”

2.2
The following definitions in the ‘Definitions’ section of the MOA shall be deleted in their entirety:

2.2.1
“‘ Seller’s Account ’ means the following account at the Seller’s Bank: NL20 ABNA 0627 7819 69 (or such other account as the Seller may nominate and the Buyer may approve (the Buyer’s approval always at the Buyer’s sole discretion) prior to the Time of Delivery).”

2.2.2
“‘ Seller’s Bank ’ means ABN AMRO BANK, BIC/SWIFT: ABNANL2A or such other bank or financial institution as the Seller may nominate and the Buyer may approve in writing (the Buyer’s approval always at the Buyer’s sole discretion) prior to the Time of Delivery.”;

2


2.3
The definition of “Shipbuilding Contract Payment Amount” in the ‘Definitions’ section of the MOA shall be deleted in its entirety and be replaced with “‘ Shipbuilding Contract Payment Amount ’ means an amount equal to United States Dollars Twenty Two Million Two Hundred and Sixty Six Thousand Five Hundred (US$22,266,500).”;

2.4
The definition of “Transaction Fees Amount” in the ‘Definitions’ section of the MOA shall be deleted in its entirety and be replaced by:
“‘ Transaction Fees Amount ’ means an amount equal to United States Dollars Five Hundred and Fourteen Thousand Seven Hundred and Twenty (US$271,720) representing the aggregate of:
(A)   an amount equal to United States Dollars Fifty Thousand (US$50,000) representing the legal fees payable by the Buyer to the Financier pursuant to the Agreement to Acquire in connection with, inter alia, the preparation, negotiation, execution and delivery of the Agreement to Acquire;
(B)   an amount equal to United States Dollars One Hundred and Twenty Nine Thousand Six Hundred (US$129,600), representing the Upfront Fee payable by the Buyer to the Financier pursuant to the Agreement to Acquire;
(C)   an amount equal to United States Dollars Forty Two Thousand One Hundred and Twenty (US$42,120), representing the Commitment Fee payable by the Buyer to the Financier pursuant to the Agreement to Acquire;
(D)   an amount equal to United States Dollars Fifty Thousand (US$50,000), representing the Buyer’s legal fees in connection with, inter alia, the preparation, negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement.”;

2.5
The words “United States Dollars thirty-two million four hundred thousand only (US$32,400,000)” in Clause 1 of the MOA shall be deleted in their entirety and replaced by “United States Dollars thirty-two million three hundred and eighty six thousand five hundred only (US$32,386,500)”;

2.6
Clause 2.7 of the MOA shall be deleted in its entirety and be replaced by:
“2.7 Save as otherwise agreed by the Buyer (such agreement in the Buyer’s sole discretion), and subject always to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Time of Delivery, the Buyer shall:
2.7.1 deliver to the Seller a dated original Release Instruction executed by the Buyer; and
2.7.2 release to Alpha Bank a fully executed copy of the CISA Payment Undertaking.”;

3


2.7
Clause 2.8 of the MOA shall be deleted in its entirety and be replaced by:
“2.8 Save as otherwise agreed by the Buyer (such agreement in the Buyer’s sole discretion), delivery to the Seller of a dated original Release Instruction executed by the Buyer pursuant to Clause 2.7.1 and release to Alpha Bank of the fully executed copy of the CISA Payment Undertaking pursuant to Clause 2.7.2 shall constitute the full performance of the Buyer’s obligation to pay the Purchase Price under this Agreement.”;

2.8
Clause 2.9 of the MOA shall be deleted in its entirety and be replaced by:
“2.9 Notwithstanding Clause 2.2, any costs and/or expenses (including, without limitation, any fees or charges of the Builder’s Bank) incurred by the Buyer by reason of:
2.9.1 the remittance of the Shipbuilding Contract Payment Amount to the Builder’s Bank pursuant to Clause 2.5 (or pursuant to such other mechanism as the Buyer may agree (such agreement in the Buyer’s sole discretion)); and / or
2.9.2 the payment by the Buyer of the Net Sales Proceeds pursuant to the CISA Payment Undertaking,
shall be for the Seller’s account.”;

2.9
Clause 6.1.13 of the MOA shall be deleted in its entirety and be replaced by: “6.1.13 Two (2) originals of the Builder Protocol of Delivery and Acceptance duly executed by an authorised signatory of the Builder and the Delivery Entity as the Seller’s nominee under the Shipbuilding Contract”;

2.10
Clause 6.1.15 (c) of the MOA shall be deleted in its entirety and be replaced by “the Protocol of Stores of Consumable Nature issued by the Builder”;

2.11
Clause 6.1.23 of the MOA shall be deleted in its entirety and be replaced by “6.1.23 Any such additional documents which may be required by the Delivery Entity to register the Vessel under the flag of the Buyer’s Nominated Flag State and/or to transfer ownership of and title to the Vessel to the Delivery Entity; and”

2.12
A new Clause 6.1.24 shall be added to the MOA: “6.1.24 a copy of the dated Notice of Re-Assignment duly executed by Alpha Bank, and which Notice of Re-Assignment shall be fully effective at the time at which it is provided to the Buyer.”

2.13
The following words in Clause 6.4 of the MOA shall be deleted in their entirety “ten (10) Banking Days prior to the intended date of delivery of the Vessel to the Delivery Entity under this Agreement as notified by the Seller pursuant to Clause 4.1, (failing which the Buyer may cancel this Agreement with immediate effect upon written notice to the Seller and without liability whatsoever on the part of the Buyer)” and be replaced by “one (1) Banking Day prior to the Definite Delivery Date as notified by the Seller pursuant to

4

Clause 4.1, (failing which the Buyer may cancel this Agreement with immediate effect upon written notice to the Seller and without liability whatsoever on the part of the Buyer):”

2.14
Clause 6.4.13 of the MOA shall be deleted in its entirety and be replaced by:
“6.4.13 (A) an original of a letter signed by an authorised signatory of the Seller setting out the details of the Seller’s account at Alpha Bank to which the payment of the Net Sales Proceeds is to be made (such payment subject always to Clause 2 and to the terms of the CISA Payment Undertaking) and confirming the contact details of an individual (for example a named individual from the Seller’s accounting department) duly authorised by the Seller, who can be contacted by the Buyer by telephone to confirm the details of such account, in a form and on terms satisfactory to the Buyer (such satisfaction always at the Buyer’s sole discretion); and (B) an original of a letter signed by an authorised signatory of Alpha Bank setting out the details of the account at Alpha Bank to which the payment of the Net Sales Proceeds is to be made (such payment subject always to Clause 2 and to the terms of the CISA Payment Undertaking) and confirming the contact details of an individual duly authorised by Alpha Bank, who can be contacted by the Buyer by telephone to confirm the details of such account, in a form and on terms satisfactory to the Buyer (such satisfaction always at the Buyer’s sole discretion); and”

2.15
Clause 6.4.14 of the MOA shall be deleted in its entirety and Clause 6.4.15 of the MOA shall be renumbered to be Clause 6.4.14 of the MOA;

2.16
Clause 6.7.1 of the MOA shall be deleted in its entirety and be replaced by: “ 6.7.1 any additional documents required by the Buyer to enable payment of the Net Sales Proceeds to the account set out in the CISA Payment Undertaking (such payment subject always to the provisions of Clause 2 and to the terms of the CISA Payment Undertaking); and ”;

2.17
Clause 6.8 of the MOA shall be deleted in its entirety and be replaced by: “ 6.8 The Buyer shall notify the Seller of any such additional documents required by the Buyer, or, as the case may be, the Financier pursuant to Clause 6.7 no later than one (1) Banking Day prior to the Definite Delivery Date (as determined by the five (5) Banking Day definite notice of the Definite Delivery Date as notified by the Seller pursuant to Clause 4.1) ”;

2.18
the copy of the Sub-Bareboat Charter attached at Appendix B to the MOA shall be deleted and replaced in its entirety by the document at Annex 1 to this Addendum and all references in the MOA to the Sub-Bareboat Charter shall be read and construed accordingly;

2.19
the copy of the Vessel specifications attached at Appendix F to the MOA shall be deleted and replaced in their entirety by the documents at Annex 2 to this Addendum and all references in the MOA to the Specifications shall be read and construed accordingly; and

5


2.20
the document at Annex 3 to this Addendum shall be appended to the MOA in a new Appendix K.
3.
This Addendum shall be an integral part of the MOA and shall be an amendment and supplement thereto and as and with effect from the date of this Addendum, the MOA shall be read and construed subject to and in accordance with the terms of this Addendum. Save those altered and changed pursuant to this Addendum, all other terms and/or conditions of the MOA, including Clause 25 ( Guarantee ) of the MOA, shall remain unaltered and are, and shall remain, in full force and effect.
4.
Each Party hereby represents and warrants to the other Parties that its execution of this Addendum has been duly authorised and this Addendum constitutes its legal and valid obligations binding on it in accordance with the terms of this Addendum.
5.
This Addendum may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which when executed shall constitute an original of this Addendum, but all the counterparts shall together constitute the same agreement. No counterpart shall be effective until each Party has executed at least one counterpart. A signed copy received in .pdf format shall be deemed to be an original.
6.
This Addendum and any non-contractual obligations arising out of, or in connection with, it shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, English law. Any disputes arising out of, or in connection with, this Addendum shall be settled in accordance with Clause 27 of the MOA which shall apply, mutatis mutandis , to this Addendum, as if set out in full herein.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Parties have caused this Addendum to be duly executed by their duly authorised officers and to be effective on the date and year first above written.
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6



Annex 1 – Sub-Bareboat Charter




7

ANNEX 1 TO MOA ADDENDUM NO.1
BAREBOAT CHARTER AGREEMENT HULL NO. 8242
Dated as of [●] 2019
Between
CARGILL INTERNATIONAL SA
as Owner,
and
PCH DREAMING INC.
as Charterer



TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
     
1.
CONDITION PRECEDENT
 2
     
2.
TIME CHARTER
 2
     
3.
CHARTER TERM
 2
     
4.
DELIVERY; REDELIVERY
3
 
(a)
Delivery
 3
 
(b)
Redelivery
 4
 
(c)
Survey, Inventory and Inspection
 4
 
(d)
Redelivery – Condition
 6
 
(e)
Redelivery – Certificates
 8
 
(f)
Redelivery – Access
 8
 
(g)
Redelivery Inventory
 8
 
(h)
Documentation
 8
       
5.
CHARTER HIRE
8
     
 
(a)
Charter Hire
8
 
(b)
Hell or High Water Charter Obligation
9
       
6.
USE; OPERATIONS
 10
     
7.
MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION
15
 
(a)
Charterer’s Control and Expenses
 15
 
(b)
Maintenance and Repairs
 15
 
(c)
Reports and Rights of Inspections
 16
 
(d)
Lay-up
 17
       
8.
ALTERATIONS
 17
 
(a)
Structural Modifications
 17
 
(b)
Alterations and Restoration
18
 
(c)
Replacements
 18
 
(d)
Required Modifications
 18
 
(e)
Title to Modifications
 18
 
(f)
Removal of Property
19
 
(g)
Contest of Requirements of Law
 19
       
9.
INSURANCE -GENERAL
19
 
(a)
Form of Insurance; Indemnity
 20
 
(b)
Proof of Insurance
21
 
(c)
Forced Insurance
 21
 
(d)
Termination Due To Loss
 21
 
(e)
Payments in Event of Total Loss
 21
 
(f)
Limitation of Liability
 22
 
(g)
Wreck Removal
 22
 
(h)
Requisition
 22
       
10.
LIENS
 23





11.
MORTGAGES; FINANCING; SUBORDINATION
24
     
12.
END OF CHARTER AND OTHER OPTIONS
25
     
13.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; OWNER COVENANTS
29
     
 
(a)
Charterer’s Representations
29
 
(b)
Owner’s Representations and Covenants
29
       
14.
ASSIGNMENT; SUB-BAREBOAT CHARTER
30
     
15.
LOGO AND VESSEL NAMES
30
     
16.
NOTICES
30
     
17.
DEFAULTS; REMEDIES
31
 
(a)
Events of Default
31
 
(b)
Remedies
34
       
18.
INDEMNIFICATION, WITHHOLDING AND CERTAIN AGREEMENTS
36
 
(a)
Owner’s Indemnification of the Charterer
36
 
(b)
Charterer’s Indemnification of the Owner
37
 
(c)
Charterer’s Withholding
37
 
(d)
Survival
38
 
(e)
No Limitation
38
 
(f)
Consequential Damages
38
       
19.
INCOME TAX
40
       
20.
LAW AND JURISDICTION
40
 
(a)
Governing Law
40
 
(b)
Venue
40
 
(c)
Jury Trial Waiver
40
 
(d)
Service of Process
40
       
21.
SALVAGE
41
     
22.
WAR
41
     
23.
ASSIGNMENT OF INSURANCES
42
 
(a)
Collateral
42
 
(b)
No Obligation to Perform
42
       
24.
CHANGE OF THE OWNERSHIP
42
     
25.
WAIVER
42
     
26.
NO REMEDY EXCLUSIVE
43
     
27.
ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT
43
     
28.
COUNTERPARTS
43



29.
SEVERABILITY
43
     
30.
CAPTIONS
43
     
31.
BINDING EFFECT
43
     

Exhibits
Exhibit A - Basic Charter Hire
Exhibit A-1 - Loss Value, Purchase Price and Profit Share Price Schedule
Exhibit B – Notice of Assignment of Insurances
Exhibit C – Agreed form of Time Charter


BAREBOAT CHARTER AGREEMENT HULL NO. 8242
This Bareboat Charter Agreement “Hull No. 8242” (the “ Charter ”) is made the [●] day of [●] , 2019 by and between Cargill International SA, a company incorporated pursuant to the laws of Switzerland (the “ Owner ”), and PCH Dreaming Inc., a company incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (the “ Charterer ”).
(The Owner and the Charterer, each a “ Party ” and together, the “ Parties ”) RECITALS
WHEREAS, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co., Ltd. (as builder, “Builder”) and the Seller (as defined below) (as buyer) have entered into a shipbuilding contract dated 9 January 2018 (as amended by the agreement dated 28 March 2018 relating to the installation of a scrubber and by an Amendment No. 1 dated 14 May 2018 and as otherwise amended, modified and supplemented from time to time, the “Shipbuilding Contract”) whereby the Builder has agreed to construct and the Seller has agreed to purchase one (1) 50,000 dwt MR product/chemical tanker Hull No. 8242 named, or, as the case may be, to be named M/T “ECO MARINA DEL REY” with IMO number 9798349 (the “ Vessel ”) from the Builder under the terms and conditions set forth therein [and pursuant to which the Seller has nominated CFT Investments 1 LLC (the “Head Owner”) (as the nominee of the Seller) pursuant to a [nomination notice] dated [ ] 201[9] to acquire title to, and take delivery of, the Vessel thereunder] 1 .
WHEREAS, inter alios , the Charterer (as seller, the “ Seller ”) and the Owner (as buyer) have entered into a memorandum of agreement dated [ ] 2018 (as amended, modified and supplemented from time to time, the “MOA”) whereby the Owner has agreed to purchase the Vessel from the Seller under the terms and conditions set forth therein and pursuant to which the Owner has nominated the Head Owner (as the nominee of the Owner) pursuant to a nomination notice dated [ ] 2019 to acquire title to, and take delivery of, the Vessel thereunder.
WHEREAS, the Owner, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and the Head Owner, have entered into an Agreement to Acquire and Charter “Hull No. 8242” dated as of [ ] 2018 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Agreement to Acquire ”) whereby the Head Owner has agreed to acquire the Vessel and bareboat charter the Vessel to the Owner and the Owner has agreed to cause title to the Vessel to be transferred directly to the Head Owner.
WHEREAS, the Owner, the Head Owner, the Time Charterer (as defined below) and the Charterer have entered into a multipartite agreement dated as of [●] 2019 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Multipartite Agreement ”)   whereby, inter alia, the Charterer agrees this Charter shall be subordinated to the Head Owner’s interests under the Bareboat Charter (as defined below).
WHEREAS, immediately subsequent to delivery of the Vessel under this Charter, the Vessel will be duly documented in the name of the Head Owner as owner thereof under the




1   TBC by Owner
1


laws and flag of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (the “ Flag State ”) under Official No. 8150.
WHEREAS, the Head Owner has agreed to bareboat charter the Vessel to the Owner after its delivery on terms agreed between them (the “ Bareboat Charter ”) on the date of this Charter.
WHEREAS, upon delivery of the Vessel to the Owner under the Bareboat Charter, the Owner and the Charterer desire for the Owner to sub-bareboat charter the Vessel to the Charterer to be used to carry oil and oil and chemical products.
WHEREAS, the Owner and the Charterer desire for the Charterer to let the Vessel out on hire under a time charter dated as of [●] 2019 in the form appended at Exhibit C hereto (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Time Charter ”) to the Owner as time charterer (in such capacity, the “Time Charterer”) upon taking delivery of the Vessel hereunder, the Time Charter to be of equal duration to this Charter.
WHEREAS, as security for the due and punctual performance of, inter alia , the Charterer’s obligations under this Charter, Top Ships Inc. a company incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (the “ Guarantor ”), has guaranteed, inter alia , the obligations of the Charterer under this Charter pursuant to a guarantee dated [●] 2019 in favour of the Owner (as may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Guarantee ”). The Guarantee and any Additional Security (as defined in Section 17(b)(viii)) together, the “ Charter Security ”). This Charter, the Multipartite Agreement and the Guarantee, together the “ Transaction Documents .
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants and conditions contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Owner and the Charterer agree as follows:
1.
Condition Precedent
It shall be a condition precedent to this Charter that the Head Owner shall have accepted and taken delivery of the Vessel under the MOA, and that the Owner shall have accepted and taken delivery of the Vessel under the Bareboat Charter failing which any and all obligations hereunder of either Party toward the other shall be null and void and of no effect.
2.
Time Charter .
It is hereby agreed between the Parties that, upon the Owner’s confirmation to the Charterer of the delivery of the Vessel to the Owner under the Bareboat Charter, and the delivery of the Vessel hereunder, the Charterer and the Owner automatically without further action by either the Charterer or the Owner shall be deemed to have entered into the Time Charter.
3.
Charter Term .

(a)
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Charter, the Owner hereby charters and demises to the Charterer and the Charterer hereby hires, and takes on demise, from the Owner, the Vessel. Except as otherwise provided in this Charter, the term of this Charter (the “ Charter Term ”) shall continue from (x) the date of delivery of the Vessel to the Head Owner as nominee of the Owner by the Builder and delivery by
2


the Owner to the Charterer hereunder in accordance with the terms of Section 4(a) (the date of such occurrence being herein called the “Delivery Date”) up to and through (y) the date falling sixty (60) months following the Delivery Date.

(b)
There shall be no extension of this Charter beyond the initial sixty (60) month term described in Section 3(a).
4.
Delivery; Redelivery .

(a)
Delivery .
(i)   Delivery of the Vessel under this Charter will take place simultaneously with delivery of the Vessel by the Head Owner to the Owner under the Bareboat Charter. Delivery of the Vessel to the Owner by the Head Owner under the Bareboat Charter shall be deemed to constitute (i) full performance by the Owner of its obligations to deliver the Vessel to the Charterer hereunder (including, without limitation, in relation to the condition and/or class of the Vessel at delivery) and (ii) acceptance by the Charterer of the same. The Vessel shall be delivered to the Charterer with all documentation relating to the operation of the Vessel and its equipment that the Owner receives from the Seller pursuant to the MOA and/or the Builder pursuant to the Shipbuilding Contract and/or from the Head Owner pursuant to the Bareboat Charter, including, to the extent received by the Owner, technical and operating manuals, construction drawings, specifications, repair records, sea trial reports, classification reports, regulatory inspection records and approvals (collectively, the “ Technical Documents ”). During the Charter Term, the Charterer shall be entitled to possession of the Technical Documents; provided , however , that the Owner and its designees shall be allowed reasonable access to and may make copies of the Technical Documents.
(ii)   The Owner has been assigned all of the rights and interests (but not title) of the Owner (as buyer) with respect to the Vessel under the MOA (the “ Owner’s Assigned Interests ”). In addition, the Owner has been assigned all of the Seller’s rights and interests (but not title) from time to time arising under the Shipbuilding Contract (the “ Seller’s Assigned Interests ”) (the Owner’s Assigned Interests and the Seller’s Assigned Interests, together, the “ Assigned Interests ”). The Owner hereby assigns to the Charterer such rights and interests (but not title) as the Owner may have in the Assigned Interests and such assignment shall be co-extensive with the Charter Term. The Charterer shall use due diligence to assert and enforce all such rights and interests. Upon termination or expiration of this Charter (unless the Charterer acquires the Vessel pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 12 of this Charter or, as the case may be, the Charterer (or, as the case may further be, the Charterer’s nominee) acquires the Vessel pursuant to the terms and conditions of clause 5.1 of the Multipartite Agreement), the Charterer shall be deemed to have automatically re-assigned all its rights, title and interest in the Assigned Interests to the Owner. The Charterer hereby re-assigns to the Owner any amounts payable to the Charterer by or for the account of the Seller as a result of the assignment made in the third sentence of this Section 4(a) (ii), all of which amounts shall be paid to the Owner, provided that any sums the Charterer shall have paid or agreed to pay third
3


parties for correcting damage, defects or deficiencies in the Vessel shall be excluded from such reassignment and such sums shall be paid to the Charterer.
(iii)   Without prejudice to Section 4(c), on the Delivery Date, the Vessel shall, or be deemed to, be in class without conditions or recommendations (other than as noted in the confirmation of class (or equivalent) delivered to the Owner and the Head Owner on the Delivery Date (for the avoidance of doubt, the Charterer agrees and acknowledges that such confirmation of class (or equivalent) shall be the same declaration of class or class maintenance certificate as delivered by the Seller to the Head Owner pursuant to clause 6.1.19 of the MOA) and notwithstanding any such conditions or recommendations of class that may exist on the Delivery Date) and shall be classed with DNV GL (“Classification Society”). During the Charter Term, the Vessel shall remain classed with the Classification Society or, with the prior written consent of the Owner, which consent shall not be withheld unreasonably, another classification society that is a member of the International Association of Class Societies, and in the event that the Owner gives such written consent, as from the date of the change in classification society all references to ‘Classification Society’ in this Charter shall be read and construed as meaning the Vessel’s new classification society as consented to by the Owner in such written consent.
(iv)   THE OWNER HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, TITLE OR THE DESIGN, CONDITION, MERCHANTABILITY, SEAWORTHINESS OF OR THE QUALITY OF THE MATERIAL, EQUIPMENT, OR WORKMANSHIP IN THE VESSEL, AS TO ITS FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR ANY PARTICULAR TRADE, OR AS TO THE ABSENCE OF LATENT OR OTHER DEFECTS, WHETHER OR NOT DISCOVERABLE, AND THE OWNER FURTHER DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER LIABILITIES (AT COMMON LAW OR IN CONTRACT OR IN ADMIRALTY OR TORT OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, STRICT LIABILITY OR NEGLIGENCE IN ANY DEGREE). THE VESSEL IS DELIVERED BY THE OWNER TO THE CHARTERER “AS IS, WHERE IS” AND WITH ALL FAULTS.

(b)
Redelivery. The provisions respecting redelivery of the Vessel as set forth in Sections 4 (b), 4 (c)(ii), 4 (d), 4 (e), 4 (f) and 4 (g) shall not be applicable in the event that the Charterer acquires the Vessel pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 12 (a) or 12 (b), as the case may be, and/or clause 5 of the Multipartite Agreement.
The Charterer shall, at its own cost and expense, following the termination of this Charter in accordance with Section 17(b)(i), redeliver the Vessel to the Owner at a location designated by the Owner. Such location shall be an easily accessible location recognised as a safe port within the following ranges, dropping last outward sea pilot USAC, USG, Caribbean, UK/Continent, Mediterranean, AG-Japan with such location never to be within a Prohibited Country and always within International Navigation Limits. The Charterer shall redeliver all Technical Documents to the Owner with the Vessel. The

4

Charterer shall also provide to the Owner prior to redelivery evidence of the most recent drydocking, inspection and related repairs required by this Charter, together with written confirmation by the Charterer that to the best of its knowledge and belief there has been no subsequent damage, grounding, collision or other similar material event subsequent to such drydocking (or providing the details of any of such events that may have occurred).
Commencing upon a determination pursuant to Section 17 that the Vessel will be redelivered, and through the completion of redelivery, the Charterer will (x) keep the Owner regularly apprised of the movements of the Vessel and its scheduled ports of call, and (y) allow for and assist in making the Vessel available for inspection at ports of call thereafter by potentially interested purchasers or charterers of the Vessel, as requested by the Owner. Any such inspection shall be without interference with or delay of the Vessel’s operations and without interference with the Vessel’s crew.

(c)
Survey, Inventory and Inspection .
(i)   On, or in the Owner’s option, prior to, the Delivery Date, the Charterer shall do a survey, at its own cost and expense, of the Vessel and its inventory. The Owner agrees to accept such survey (the “ On-hire Survey ”) as the benchmark for the condition of the Vessel and the amount of inventory on the Vessel at the commencement of the Charter Term. The Charterer hereby unconditionally agrees that the Vessel’s condition will be acceptable to it in all respects and in accordance with the terms of this Charter and the Charterer will have no claim against the Owner whatsoever in respect of any defects, damage or deficiencies and/or other items and/or matters resulting in and/or which are the subject of any recommendation or condition of class (“ Deficiencies ”) on the Delivery Date or otherwise identified during any UWI (as defined in Section 4 (c)(iv)) (which, for the purposes of the On-hire Survey, the Parties shall ignore) during and/or after the Charter Term and/or following purchase of the Vessel by the Charterer. If requested by the Owner, and at the Charterer’s expense, an underwater survey may be performed as part of the On-hire Survey. Purchase of bunkers and fuel oil on board the Vessel at the time of delivery will be made in accordance with the terms of the Time Charter.
(ii)   Following the termination of this Charter in accordance with Section 17(b)(i), the Owner shall appoint an independent marine surveyor, who is reasonably acceptable to the Charterer, for the purpose of determining and agreeing in writing the condition of the Vessel at the time of redelivery hereunder (the “ Off-hire Survey ”) as well as a plan to implement any correction of any deficiencies construed by the surveyor to exceed normal wear and tear. The expenses for the independent surveyor for such survey shall be paid by the Charterer. Such survey will include, but not be limited to, an inventory of all consumables, stores, spare parts and equipment on board the Vessel and ashore; a monetary valuation of such inventory; a general condition survey of the Vessel including photographic or videotape records; an inspection of class records; and an inspection of maintenance records. If requested by the Owner, and at the Charterer’s own cost and expense, an underwater survey may be performed as part of the Off-hire Survey.
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(iii)   The On-hire Survey report and the Off-hire Survey report (if any), when agreed, shall be deemed to be incorporated into this Charter by reference.
(iv)   At the request of the Owner, the Charterer shall at its own cost and expense arrange for an underwater inspection of the Vessel (the “UWI”) to be performed by a diver approved by the Classification Society prior to the Delivery Date at a place at which conditions are suitable for such underwater inspection (as determined by the Owner or the Classification Society). The UWI shall be carried out in the presence of a Classification Society surveyor arranged for by the Charterer and paid for by the Charterer. The Owner’s and the Head Owner’s representative(s) shall have the right to be present at the UWI as observer(s) only without interfering with the work or decisions of the Classification Society surveyor. The extent of the UWI and the conditions under which it is performed shall be to the satisfaction of the Classification Society. Any Deficiencies discovered during the UWI shall be rectified by the Charterer pursuant to Section 7(b). If the Vessel’s rudder, propeller, bottom or other underwater parts are found broken, damaged or defective (but excluding any fouling or marine growth) during the UWI and such breakage, damage or defects do not constitute Deficiencies, the Charterer shall at the Charterer’s own cost and expense promptly remedy such breakage, damage or defect to the Owner’s and the Head Owner’s satisfaction (such satisfaction at the Owner’s and the Head Owner’s sole discretion) but without unreasonably interfering with the Time Charterer’s use or operation of the Vessel. If any fouling of and/or marine growth on the Vessel’s rudder, propeller, bottom or other underwater parts is discovered during the UWI, and the extent of such fouling and/or marine growth is greater than would reasonably be expected to have accumulated on a hull of similar type, size and age to the Vessel’s hull up to the date of the UWI, the Charterer shall, at the Charterer’s own cost and expense but without unreasonably interfering with the Time Charterer’s use or operation of the Vessel, promptly (and in all events at the next drydocking of the Vessel or such earlier date as required by the Classification Society and/or United States Coast Guard (as applicable and as the case may be)) clean such fouling and/or marine growth to the Owner’s and the Head Owner’s satisfaction (such satisfaction at the Owner’s and the Head Owner’s sole discretion).
(v)   During the Charter Term and without prejudice to Section 6, the Charterer shall take all prudent and necessary steps and actions to procure the Vessel’s, the Charterer’s and the Vessel manager’s compliance with the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (“ OCIMF ”) SIRE and CDI (where applicable) inspection requirements and “Tanker Management Self-Assessment” program as well as the SIGTTO guidelines. The Charterer shall at all times provide for and allow the Owner access to Q88 information for the Vessel (allowing the Owner to review SIRE reports of OCIMF in relation to it) and the SIRE report for the Vessel.

(d)
Redelivery – Condition .
(i)   The Charterer agrees that on redelivery of the Vessel, the Vessel, its tackle, apparel, equipment and other appurtenances shall be clean, suitable, and in the same or as good order and condition and in class as when
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delivered, fair wear and tear excepted, not affecting class excepted, and in all respects shall be seaworthy. For the avoidance of doubt, any Deficiencies shall be rectified and made good in all respects by the Charterer as required by the Classification Society and in any event prior to the date of redelivery of the Vessel by the Charterer to the Owner and the Vessel shall be redelivered to the Owner in class without any recommendation or condition affecting class. The Charterer further agrees that on redelivery of the Vessel (A) the Vessel will be re-delivered cargo free with tanks and storage places cargo-free, clean, gas-free and ready to load cargo, (B) the Vessel shall be capable of carrying the highest possible quality cargo according to class and Vessel specifications, (C) all food storage and preparation areas will be cleaned, sanitized, dry and ready for immediate operation, and (D) the Vessel shall be capable of operating for its intended use as a vessel of its type, size and age and subject to any subsequent alterations as provided by Section 8.
(ii)   The Charterer agrees that upon redelivery of the Vessel (A) the Vessel shall have all valid trading, class and class related certificates in place and up to date, which shall have a minimum of eighteen (18) months’ remaining validity (B) there shall be not less than eighteen (18) months remaining prior to the next special survey and dry dockings of the Vessel as required by the Classification Society, such eighteen (18) month period being without any consideration to any extension granted by the Classification Society, (C) the Vessel shall have installed thereon all spares required by the Classification Society and by all regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the Vessel, (D) the Vessel shall be accepted by each of the Oil Majors (as defined below) and be in compliance with all vetting requirements and (E) the Vessel shall be in full compliance with OCIMF SIRE and CDI (where applicable) inspection requirements and “Tanker Management Self-Assessment” program as well as the SIGTTO guidelines. The Charterer further agrees that in the event of the redelivery of the Vessel by the Charterer to the Owner, it is understood and agreed that the Vessel shall be redelivered after having successfully completed a five (5) year special survey prior to such redelivery and with her ballast water treatment system and scrubber installed and maintained in full compliance with the requirements of the Flag State, the Classification Society, any other applicable classification societies and/or certifying authorities, and/or any regulatory or governmental agencies or authorities having jurisdiction over the Vessel and its equipment (or the area where the Vessel is operating from time to time), including, if applicable, the United States Coast Guard. The Charterer further agrees that upon redelivery, the Vessel shall be in full compliance with all applicable International Maritime Organization rules and regulations, including all applicable sulfur emissions standards, with which the Vessel is required to comply at the time of redelivery.
(iii)   Without prejudice to the remedies available to the Owner pursuant to Section 17(b), the Charterer further agrees that upon redelivery of the Vessel by the Charterer to the Owner following the termination of this Charter in accordance with Section 17(b)(i), the Charterer shall fully indemnify the Owner against, and reimburse the Owner for, and the Charterer shall pay no later than fourteen (14) days after the Owner’s demand, the Owner for any and all costs incurred by the Owner (including, if applicable,

7

the resolution of any Deficiencies) in connection with: (A) the Vessel’s five (5) year special survey; and (B) the Vessel’s ballast water treatment system and scrubber to the extent that either or both does not comply with the requirements specified under Section 4(d)(ii) above.
(iv)   The Charterer agrees that upon re-delivery, the functional and operating integrity of all machinery and equipment of the Vessel shall be verified and approved by an independent marine surveyor designated by the Owner.

(e)
Redelivery – Certificates . The Charterer agrees that upon redelivery the Vessel will meet the complete requirements of, and be certificated at, RightShip 3-star level or any replacement thereof.

(f)
Redelivery – Access . Following the termination of this Charter in accordance with Section 17(b)(i), the Charterer shall permit access to the Vessel at reasonable times to the Owner and to persons designated by the Owner, and shall permit the inspection of the Vessel by such persons.

(g)
Redelivery Inventory . The Charterer shall redeliver the Vessel with the same amount of unbroached provisions, paints, oils, ropes, spare parts and equipment, and other unused consumable stores as are on board and ashore at the commencement of the Charter Term as determined pursuant to the inventory conducted as part of the On-hire Survey. In the event consumable stores are greater at redelivery than at delivery, the Charterer may remove the excess. Notwithstanding any term or condition of the Time Charter, all bunkers and fuel oil onboard the Vessel at the time of redelivery shall remain the property of the Owner. Title to lubricants on board the Vessel at the time of redelivery shall be deemed to transfer to the Owner at the time of redelivery and the Owner shall not be obliged to pay for such lubricants.

(h)
Documentation . The Parties agree that on the Delivery Date, the Vessel shall be duly documented in the name of the Head Owner as owner thereof under the laws and flag of the Flag State. The Owner shall be responsible for such registration and the Charterer shall promptly provide all assistance required by the Owner for the purposes of such registration. The Charterer shall be responsible for naming the Vessel and for paying for initial Flag State documentation and maintaining such due documentation throughout the Charter Term, at the Charterer’s own cost and expense, provided , the Owner agrees that the Owner will reasonably cooperate with the Charterer in establishing and maintaining such Flag State documentation. The Charterer shall also pay all the Flag State fees associated with initial documentation and any annual Flag State fees required to maintain documentation or the Head Owner’s foreign maritime entity status. The Charterer shall not suffer or permit anything to be done which might injuriously affect the entitlement of the Vessel to be documented under the laws and regulations of the Flag State.
5.
Charter Hire .

(a)
Charter Hire .
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(i)   Basic Charter Hire . The Charterer shall pay to the Owner charter hire for the Vessel during the Charter Term (“ Basic Charter Hire ”) at the applicable rate per day set forth in Exhibit A hereto (“ Daily Charter Hire Rate ”) on (y) each Charter Hire Payment Date; and (z) any other date as provided for under this Charter.
(ii)   Additional Hire . All amounts (other than Basic Charter Hire) to be paid by the Charterer to the Owner under this Charter, and all indemnities, fees, costs and other expenses whatsoever incurred by: (A) the Owner under, or in connection with, the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby; and (B) by the Head Owner under, or in connection with, this Charter, the Bareboat Charter, the Multipartite Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, shall be deemed “ Additional Hire ”. Basic Charter Hire and Additional Hire are collectively called “ Charter Hire ”.
(iii)   Partial Months . If the Charterer is required by the terms of this Charter to pay Charter Hire to the Owner on a date other than a Charter Hire Payment Date defined in Section 5(a)(iv) below, the Charter Hire payable for the period from the immediately preceding Charter Hire Payment Date through such date shall be payable at a daily rate equal to the Daily Charter Hire Rate multiplied by the actual number of days for which Charter Hire is payable.
(iv)   Charter Hire Payments . Payments of Charter Hire shall be paid in United States currency to such account and in such manner as may be designated in writing by the Owner from time to time. Basic Charter Hire shall be paid monthly in arrears on the day numerically corresponding to the day of the Delivery Date occurring in each month during the Charter Term following the month in which the Delivery Date occurs (each, a “ Charter Hire Payment Date ”); and provided further that if the Charter Hire Payment Date does not fall on a day on which banks are open for business in London, New York, Geneva and Athens (a “ Business Day ”), the applicable Charter Hire Payment Date shall be the next following Business Day (unless that day would be in the next calendar month in which case it shall fall on the preceding Business Day).
(v)   Default Interest . In the event that any Basic Charter Hire or Additional Hire payable by the Charterer is not paid on the due date thereof, interest shall accrue on such unpaid amount from and including the due date thereof to and excluding the date of payment thereof at the Default Rate (as defined below). Any such accrued interest shall be Additional Hire and shall be payable upon demand.

(b)
Hell or High Water Charter Obligation . This Charter may not be cancelled or terminated, except in accordance with the express provisions of this Charter and the Multipartite Agreement, for any reason whatsoever. The Charterer shall have no right to be released, relieved or discharged from any obligation or liability hereunder except as set forth in explicit provisions of this Charter. Except as hereinafter provided, the Charterer's obligation to pay Charter Hire hereunder shall be absolute during the term of this Charter irrespective of any contingency whatsoever, including, but not limited to (i) any set-off,

9

counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which either Party may have against the other; (ii) any failure of the Vessel to meet the required condition of delivery under the MOA and/or the Shipbuilding Contract or any failure of the Vessel to meet any operational standards set forth in the MOA and/or the Shipbuilding Contract; (iii) any damage to, destruction or taking of the Vessel, any requisition of use, any inability of the Vessel to trade in any particular trade, any temporary unavailability of the Vessel by reason of any damage to the Vessel, any lay-up of the Vessel, any failure of the Vessel to be duly documented in the Flag State, or any defect in the Owner's title to the Vessel; (iv) any failure on the part of any Party, whether with or without fault on its part, in performing or complying with any of the terms or covenants hereunder; (v) any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, readjustment of debt, dissolution, liquidation or similar proceeding by or against the Charterer or the Guarantor or any other person; (vi) any invalidity or unenforceability, or lack of due authorization of or defect in the execution, of this Charter; (vii) any War Risks; (viii) any event of force majeure or frustration, and (ix) any other reason whatsoever. Nothing contained in this Section 5(b) shall be deemed to hinder or prevent the Charterer from pursuing any claim the Charterer may have against the Owner for damages for the Owner's breach of its express obligations under this Charter.
For the purposes of this Charter:
Default Rate ” shall mean, for any day, a rate of interest per annum equal to the lesser of (i) LIBOR in effect on such day plus eight and one-half percent (8.5 %) and (ii) the maximum rate permitted by applicable law.
LIBOR ” shall mean, as of any day, (i) the applicable 30-day London interbank offered rate per annum for deposits in U.S. Dollars appearing on Bloomberg LIBO Page as of 11:00 a.m., London time on such day for deposits in U.S. dollars or (ii) if such Bloomberg LIBO Page rate is not available at such time for any reason, or if the Bloomberg LIBO Page is not available, the applicable 30-day London interbank offered rate per annum for deposits in U.S. Dollars appearing on pages LIBOR01 or LIBOR02 of the Thomson Reuters screen (or any replacement Thomson Reuters page which displays that rate on the appropriate page of such other information service which publishes that rate from time to time in place of Thomson Reuters) as of 11:00 a.m., London time on such day for deposits in U.S. dollars. If such Thomson Reuters page or service ceases to be available or if such rate ceases to be available, the Owner may specify another page or service displaying the relevant rate or, as the case may be, a replacement rate after consultation with the Charterer. If LIBOR for any day determined pursuant to the preceding sentences is less than zero, LIBOR for that day shall be deemed to be zero.
6.
Use; Operations

(a)
Subject to the provisions of Section 6(m), the Charterer may operate the Vessel worldwide, provided: (i) the Charterer shall only use the Vessel in the territorial waters of nations which recognize the rights of vessels registered in the Flag State; (ii) the Vessel shall be used only in locations where the Vessel’s operating specifications allow it to operate safely; (iii) the Vessel shall be employed only in lawful activities under the laws of the United States

10

and any authority having jurisdiction over the Vessel; and (iv) the Vessel shall always be operated within its technical capacities and certification, manufacturer’s warranties, and within the limits of its insurance coverage.

(b)
The Charterer shall comply with and satisfy (and to the extent required, have on board certificates evidencing its compliance with) all provisions of any applicable law, treaty, convention, regulation, proclamation, rule or order applicable to the Vessel, its use, operation, maintenance, repair or condition, including, but not limited to, any financial responsibilities imposed on the Charterer or the Vessel with respect to pollution by any state or nation or political subdivision thereof and shall maintain all certificates or other evidence of financial responsibility and a vessel spill response plan required under United States law approved by the relevant authority and evidence of their approval by the appropriate United States government entity (including, but not limited to, the United States Coast Guard) as may otherwise be required by any such law, treaty, convention, regulation, proclamation, rule or order with respect to the operations and trading in which the Vessel is from time to time engaged.

(c)
The Charterer (including by its Vessel managers) shall have sole responsibility as owner and as technical and commercial operator under all Environmental Laws, and under certificates of financial responsibility and vessel spill response plans.

(d)
Without prejudice to the generality of Section 6(b) above, the Charterer and the Vessel shall comply with all Environmental Laws including but not limited to all requirements of the United States Coast Guard (as amended from time to time).

(e)
If at any time during the Charter Term the Vessel is rejected by any Oil Major, the Charterer shall inform the Owner immediately in writing, and the Charterer shall have forty-five (45) days in which to restore the Vessel’s Acceptability provided that the Vessel’s trading patterns and the relevant Oil Major’s rules permit a re-inspection (if required).

(f)
The Charterer shall use its best endeavours for the Vessel at all times to comply with each of the Oil Majors’ crew matrix requirements.

(g)
As at the Delivery Date the Charterer shall have:
(i)     completed the BP new build questionnaire on line;
(ii)  made its best efforts to obtain a three (3) month approval Acceptability letter from BP Shipping;
(iii)   subject to Shell or Statoil (as the case may be) agreeing to inspect the Vessel and the availability of a SIRE inspector, made its best efforts to arrange for Shell or Statoil to inspect the Vessel at the Vessel’s first (first in time after the Delivery Date) load port; and
(iv)   ensured there is no unreasonable delay in answering and addressing any SIRE inspector’s comments and requested from the

11

inspecting entity under (iii) above that its report will be entered into the SIRE system promptly.

(h)
The Charterer shall procure that a valid SIRE report will be registered on the SIRE system at all times throughout the Charter Term, provided that it is agreed and understood that a full OCIMF SIRE inspection cannot be undertaken until the Vessel reaches her first (first in time after the Delivery Date) discharge port. Accordingly, and subject to the suitability of the Vessel’s first (first in time after the Delivery Date) discharge port for carrying out OCIMF SIRE inspections and the availability of SIRE inspectors at such port, the Charterer shall, unless the Owner otherwise requests that the OCIMF SIRE inspection be carried out at the Vessel’s first (first in time after the Delivery Date) loading port (and in the event of such request, the Charterer agrees to use best efforts to procure that such inspection be carried out at such loading port), procure that an OCIMF SIRE inspection of the Vessel is completed at the Vessel’s first (first in time after the Delivery Date) discharge port. For the purposes of this Charter, a SIRE report will be deemed to be valid if:

(i)
the SIRE report does not contain any finding or observation that BP Shipping would require one of its inspectors to report the Vessel as being “BP High risk”, including but not limited to, the observations contained in the BP Shipping Vessel Vetting Service “High Risk” Observations List issued on 21 June 2007 (and as the same may be updated from time to time);
(i)   the SIRE report is no more than six (6) months old;
(ii)  the Vessel’s “Technical Manager” listed in the SIRE report must not have changed;
(iii)   none of the “Certification and Documentation” listed in chapter 2 of the SIRE report will be/ have become out of date; and
(iv)   no Oil Major has rejected or not accepted the Vessel since the OCIMF SIRE inspection leading to the report, unless the Oil Major rejecting or not accepting the Vessel inspects the Vessel or otherwise rejects it or does not accept it for reasons other than detailed in the latest report held on the SIRE system.
The Charterer will arrange and pay for the cost of only one (1) OCIMF SIRE inspection every six (6) months. In case the Owner requires more than one (1) OCIMF SIRE inspection in each six (6) month period, then the Charterer will arrange such OCIMF SIRE inspection and the Owner will reimburse the Charterer’s costs for the cost of the inspection.
(v)  The Charterer shall further procure that:
(vi)   subject to Section 6 (j), the Vessel shall from the date falling six (6) months after the Delivery Date (or such later date as the Owner may agree if trading patterns and availability of OCIMF SIRE inspectors have not permitted at least one OCIMF SIRE inspection to have taken place within

12

such six (6) month period) and at all times thereafter throughout the Charter Term have Acceptability from at least three (3) Oil Majors; and
(vii)   No later than the date falling six (6) months after the Delivery Date, the Vessel has effective eligibility to be vetted by the remaining Oil Majors and subject to Section 6 (j), shall maintain the same throughout the Charter Term;

(j)
If the Charterer becomes aware that the Vessel is unacceptable to any Oil Major or becomes aware of any information that could or does make the Vessel unacceptable to any Oil Major including without limitation any incidents/accidents/casualties/structural problems/fleet holds, the Charterer shall advise the Owner immediately in writing. If the Charterer has become aware that the Vessel is unacceptable to any Oil Major, or has become aware of any information as referred to above in this Section 6 (j) the Charterer must reinstate or ensure the Acceptability of the Vessel within forty-five (45) days from the date on which the Charterer became aware of such unacceptability or information, as the case may be, provided that the Vessel’s trading patterns and/or the Oil Major’s rules permit a re-inspection, if required.

(k)
If, in order to obtain any Acceptability, it is necessary for an Oil Major to carry out an inspection of the Vessel, the cost of such an inspection plus any time lost in order to effect, and as a result of, such inspection shall, for the avoidance of doubt, be for the Charterer’s account.

(l)
In the event of any disagreement between the Owner and the Charterer as to whether the Vessel has an Acceptability from any entity, the Charterer shall immediately provide the Owner on its request with all correspondence exchanged with such entity, provided such entity agrees to the same. Any communication from such entity shall be deemed not to be an Acceptability if the relevant entity issuing it states in writing that it needs to carry out its own physical inspection of the Vessel for it to give an Acceptability, unless the Vessel is conditionally accepted and the Charterer has demonstrated that such conditions have been met. A communication by the relevant entity that it will refer to the registered valid SIRE report is, if such communication is in writing, evidence that such a physical inspection is not required but is not evidence that the Vessel is acceptable to the relevant entity. However, is it not evidence that the Vessel is unacceptable to such entity either.
An Acceptability shall be considered no longer effective after the expiry of any period stated in it or in any communication as to the Acceptability from the relevant entity or the passing of any date stated in any communication as the date when the entity issuing the communication would need to make further enquiries with regard to the Vessel.
An Acceptability shall not be deemed effective if following the date of the Acceptability or any communication as to the Acceptability (or the date of any physical inspection by the entity issuing the communication upon which the Acceptability was based) the technical management or Class of the Vessel has changed (any such change in Class subject always to the terms of this Charter), or the Vessel has been involved in any collision, or any accident causing damage requiring to be reported to Class, or general average is

13

declared for any reason ,or had any condition of Class imposed upon her that even if lifted would require the Vessel to be re-inspected, or been detained by any Port State Control.

(m)
The Charterer covenants and agrees that the Vessel will not (i) be chartered (or sub-chartered) to a Prohibited Person unless authorized under a specific license issued by the U.S. Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control (“ OFAC ”), (ii) make voyages to or from any Prohibited Country unless authorized under a specific license issued by OFAC, or (iii) be allowed to carry any cargo from or destined to a Prohibited Country unless authorized under a specific license issued by OFAC.

(n)
The Charterer covenants and agrees that it will conduct its businesses and manage its properties (including, but not limited to its operation of the Vessel) in compliance with all applicable anti-money laundering laws, rules and regulations.
For the purposes of this Charter:
Acceptability ” means a communication from an Oil Major (or other oil company, or terminal operator, or other major user of tonnage similar to the Vessel) which is reasonably understood to indicate that the Vessel is not unacceptable to the relevant entity issuing the communication;
" Environmental Claim " means (a) enforcement, clean-up, removal or other governmental or regulatory action or orders or claims instituted or made pursuant to any Environmental Laws or resulting from a Spill; or (b) any claim, proceeding, formal notice or investigation by any other person in respect of any Environmental Law or relating to a Spill;
" Environmental Incident " means any Spill from any vessel in circumstances where (a) the Vessel or its owner, operator or manager may be liable for Environmental Claims arising from the Spill (other than Environmental Claims arising and fully satisfied before the date of this Charter); or (b) the Vessel may be arrested or attached in connection with any such Environmental Claim;
" Environmental Law " means all laws, regulations and conventions concerning pollution or protection of human health or the environment (including without limitation, International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, the United States Oil Pollution Act of 1990, United States Comprehensive Environmental Responses, Compensation and Liability Act and any comparable United States federal laws or laws of the individual States of the United States of America);
Oil Major ” means BP, Chevron, Exxon Mobil, Statoil, Shell and Total.
Prohibited Country ” means (a) any state, country or jurisdiction which is subject to any United Nations Security Council Resolution, European Union Decision, United States or United Kingdom or other applicable law which would have the effect of prohibiting the sale, lease, charter, or voyage of the Vessel to or from such country or otherwise cause the Head Owner, the Owner or the Charterer, to be in contravention of any applicable law to which such party is subject; (b) any country to which voyages are not covered under the insurances required to be maintained by the Charterer herein; or (c) any country which the Owner determines now or in the future due to a change in law or circumstances that voyages to such

14

country would materially prejudice the Owner’s ability to repossess the Vessel, or enforce the remedies or realize the benefit of the liens and rights established under this Charter. The Owner hereby designates Cuba, Iran, Syria, Sudan and North Korea as Prohibited Countries, as of the date of this Charter.
Prohibited Person ” means any individual or entity: (a) with whom the Head Owner or the Owner is prohibited or restricted in engaging in transactions or exporting goods or services to under applicable law; (b) who is a resident of, or organized under the laws of or doing business in any Prohibited Country; (c) who is designated on any United Nations Security Council Resolution or any European Union or United States or United Kingdom list, order, or other published designation of terrorists, narcotics traffickers, proliferators of weapons of mass destruction or other lists of barred or restricted entities or individuals including without limitation the U.S. Treasury Specially Designated Nationals List.
Rejection ” means a nomination of the Vessel to an Oil Major by the Charterer or any sub-charterer and the Oil Major reviewing the Vessel by either a physical inspection or a report on the SIRE system or otherwise and rejecting the Vessel, and references to a company "not accepting" the Vessel shall be interpreted similarly.
Spill ” means the leakage, spillage or discharge of oil or cargo.
7.
Maintenance and Operation .

(a)
Charterer’s Control and Expenses . During the Charter Term, the Charterer shall have exclusive control of the Vessel and shall be solely responsible for the maintenance and operation of the Vessel and, subject to the terms of this Charter, will operate, navigate, man and victual the Vessel at its own cost and expense. The Charterer shall pay all charges and expenses of every kind and nature whatsoever incident to the use and operation of the Vessel under this Charter throughout the Charter Term. Such costs and expenses shall include, but not be limited to, those relating to (w) customs duties, bonds, work permits, fees, licenses, clearances, pilotage fees, wharfage fees, canal fees and costs, or similar charges incurred in connection with the importation, exportation, operation or navigation of the Vessel by the Charterer, (x) maintaining all the Vessel’s trading certificates necessary for its operations and all other certificates required by the Flag State (or other governmental agencies or regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the Vessel (or the area where the Vessel is operating from time to time) including, if applicable, the United States Coast Guard), (y) maintaining the Vessel, the Vessel’s machinery, appurtenances and spare parts in the condition required under Section 7(b) and the requirements of any applicable classification societies and other regulatory agencies having authority over the Vessel, and (z) supervision, management, victualing (including catering), supplies, parts service companies, port charges, dockage and wharfage, fuelling and lubrication.

(b)
Maintenance and Repairs . During the Charter Term, the Charterer, at its own cost and expense, will maintain the Vessel as necessary to keep the Vessel in class, clean, painted and in good running order, repair and condition in accordance with good commercial practices, and in any event, in a manner that a prudent ship owner of vessels similar in age, type and trade to the Vessel

15

would do, so that the Vessel shall be, insofar as due diligence can make it so, tight, staunch, strong and well and sufficiently tackled, apparelled, furnished, equipped and in every respect seaworthy and in as good condition as when delivered hereunder, ordinary wear and tear excepted. In addition, the Charterer shall, at the earlier of the next dry docking of the Vessel or such earlier date as required by the Classification Society and / or the United States Coast Guard (as applicable and as the case may be) and at its own cost and expense, take all actions necessary to correct any Deficiencies. For the avoidance of doubt and notwithstanding any other term of this Charter, any and all costs and/or expenses whatsoever associated with satisfying and/or remedying any conditions or recommendations of class shall always be for the Charterer’s account. During the Charter Term, the Charterer will provide and pay for all such repairs, replacement parts, labor and materials as shall be necessary to keep and maintain the Vessel in such condition. The Charterer additionally will maintain the Vessel’s machinery in compliance with the requirements of any classification societies or regulatory agencies having authority over the Vessel and its equipment. Upon the written request of the Owner, the Charterer will inform the Owner of the location of the maintenance records for the Vessel which are not kept on the Vessel. The Charterer will notify the Owner and the Head Owner immediately of any accident involving the Vessel estimated to require repairs the cost of which will exceed United States Dollars Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand (US$250,000). The Charterer shall also notify the Owner in advance of any drydocking of the Vessel required by any classification society or regulatory agency having jurisdiction over the Vessel. The Owner may, at its sole risk and expense (but at the Charterer’s sole risk and expense if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing) designate up to two persons to be present at any such drydocking, and the Charterer shall cooperate with the Owner to provide such persons reasonable access to the Vessel while in drydock. The Charterer agrees to deliver to the Owner and the Head Owner annually at the Charterer’s own cost and expense a certificate issued by the Classification Society confirming the Vessel remains in class.

(c)
Reports and Rights of Inspections . The Charterer will keep proper books of record and account in which full and correct entries will be made of all dealings or transactions of, or in relation to, the business and affairs of the Charterer respecting the Vessel in accordance with US GAAP consistently applied on a consistent basis, and will furnish to the Owner or cause to be furnished to the Owner:
(i)   Financial Statements of the Guarantor and the Charterer . The Charterer will cause the Guarantor to deliver the consolidated profit and loss statements, reconciliation of retained earnings statements and consolidated statements of funds flow of the Guarantor and its consolidated subsidiaries, including the Charterer. The Charterer agrees to furnish to the Owner (x) within one hundred and twenty (120) days after the close of each fiscal year, beginning with the close of the fiscal year 2017, the year-end audited consolidated financial statements of the Guarantor including balance sheet and related profit and loss and surplus statements certified by its auditors; (y) within ninety (90) days after the close of each fiscal half year, the unaudited semi-annual financial statements of the Guarantor containing profit and loss

16

statements and a balance sheet and certified by the Responsible Officer, subject to year-end audits for the Guarantor by the Guarantor’s auditors and for the Charterer by the Charterer’s auditors; and (z) such other financial or other information as the Owner may from time to time reasonably request relating to the financial condition of the Guarantor and the Charterer. Such financial statements shall be prepared in accordance with US GAAP, consistently applied on a consistent basis. For the purposes of this Section 7(c)(i), "Responsible Officer" shall mean an officer, the chief financial officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer or controller of the Guarantor.
For the purposes of this Charter, “ US GAAP ” shall mean U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
(ii)   Inspection Rights – Vessel . The Owner or any persons designated by the Owner shall have the right at any reasonable time, but will be under no obligation, to inspect (and make extracts from) all records maintained by the Classification Society respecting the Vessel and to inspect the Vessel to ascertain its condition, to satisfy itself that the Vessel is being properly maintained and repaired, and to otherwise confirm that the Charterer is in compliance with this Charter; provided, that prior to any such inspection the persons inspecting the Vessel shall execute a release of the Charterer, releasing the Charterer from liability for any personal claims arising during such inspection of the Vessel. The cost of such inspection shall be borne by the Owner if no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and otherwise such cost shall be borne by the Charterer.
(iii)   Inspection Rights – Generally . The Charterer will, upon request, furnish to the Owner such information as the Owner may reasonably request with respect to the condition, maintenance or insurance of the Vessel or its employment, position, use or operation and copies of any certificates or other documents relating to the Vessel or its condition or operation required to be in force under any applicable law or regulation, including, but not limited to copies of classification certificates and any certificates issued by the Flag State, and will permit the Owner or its representative at any reasonable time or times during normal business hours to inspect, audit and examine the books or records of the Vessel or of the Charterer relating to the condition, maintenance or insurance of the Vessel and to take extracts therefrom. The cost of any such inspection, audit, examination or copying shall be borne by the Owner if no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and otherwise such cost shall be borne by the Charterer.

(d)
Lay-up . The Charterer shall be responsible for laying the Vessel up in a safe and acceptable condition and location during such a time as the Vessel is not employed or seeking employment. During any such lay-up period, the Charterer shall ensure that the Vessel is adequately supervised and manned at all times. The costs and expenses in any way related to such lay-up or any reactivation shall be paid by the Charterer.
8.
Alterations .

(a)
Structural Modifications . The Charterer will not make any material structural or other changes in the Vessel (a “ Modification ”) without the prior written

17

consent of the Head Owner and the Owner, which consent of the Head Owner and the Owner shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided that such Modification does not in the Owner’s reasonable opinion diminish (i) the fair market value of the Vessel or (ii) the useful economic life of the Vessel. No repairs or maintenance to the Vessel required by Section 7(b) above or 8(d) below shall constitute a Modification for the purposes of this Section 8. For the avoidance of doubt, all Modifications will be made at the expense of the Charterer.

(b)
Alterations and Restoration . Subject to the maintenance provisions of this Charter, the Charterer may at any time alter or remove items of equipment, or may fit additional items of equipment required to render the Vessel available for a customer’s purpose; provided the Charterer absorbs the cost and time of such alterations and the Charterer restores prior to redelivery of the Vessel any items so altered or removed as the case may be. Such changes shall not be made without the appropriate approval of the Classification Society and certifying authorities.

(c)
Replacements . The Charterer shall from time to time during the Charter Term, at its own cost and expense, replace such items of equipment on the Vessel as shall be so damaged or worn as to be unfit for use. Any replacement items of equipment, to the extent they replace items of equipment owned by the Owner or the Head Owner, shall without further action become property of the Owner or the Head Owner, as the case may be.

(d)
Required Modifications . Subject to Section 8(g) below, the Charterer, at its own cost and expense, shall make all Modifications required by any applicable law or required by any governmental agency having jurisdiction over the Vessel, including, if applicable, the United States Coast Guard, or required by the Classification Society.

(e)
Title to Modifications . Title to each Modification shall vest as follows:
(i)   in the case of each Modification which cannot be readily removed from the Vessel without causing material diminishment to the value, utility or remaining useful life of the Vessel (a “ Nonseverable Modification ”) whether or not the Owner shall have provided or arranged financing (in whole or in part) of the cost of such Modification, the Head Owner shall, without further act, effective on the date such Modification shall have been incorporated into the Vessel, acquire title to such Nonseverable Modification;
(ii)   in the case of each Modification which can be readily removed from the Vessel without causing material diminishment to the value, utility or remaining useful life of the Vessel (a “ Severable Modification ”) that is not required by applicable law or required by any governmental agency having jurisdiction over the Vessel or required by the Classification Society, the Charterer shall retain title to such Severable Modification;
(iii)   in the case of Severable Modifications required by applicable law or required by any governmental agency having jurisdiction over the Vessel or required by the Classification Society, title to such Modifications shall immediately vest in the Head Owner at no cost to the Head Owner and

18

without further action by the Charterer; provided, however, that the Charterer shall take such actions as may be reasonably required by the Owner and/or the Head Owner to evidence the transfer of title.
Immediately upon title to a Modification vesting in the Head Owner pursuant to subparagraphs (i) or (iii) of this Section 8(e), such Modification shall, without further act, become subject to this Charter and be deemed part of the Vessel for all purposes of this Charter. Modifications, title to which remains in the Charterer pursuant to subparagraph (ii) of this Section 8(e), shall not be deemed a part of the Vessel.

(f)
Removal of Property . Subject to compliance, in all material respects, with applicable law and so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Charterer may remove any Severable Modification to which the Head Owner does not have title, and any other property to which the Charterer shall have title as provided in this Section 8, provided that the Charterer, at its own cost and expense and prior to the end of the Charter Term, shall repair any damage to the Vessel (or any part thereof) caused by such removal.

(g)
Contest of Requirements of Law . If, with respect to requirement of applicable law or governmental agency having jurisdiction over the Vessel or requirement of the Classification Society (i) the Charterer is contesting diligently and in good faith by appropriate proceedings such requirement or (ii) compliance with such requirement shall have been excused or exempted by a valid non-conforming use permit, waiver, extension or forbearance exempting the Charterer from such requirement or (iii) the Charterer shall be making a good faith effort and shall be diligently taking the appropriate steps to comply with such requirement, then the failure by the Charterer to comply with such requirement shall not constitute an Event of Default hereunder; provided , however , that such contest or non-compliance does not involve (A) any danger of criminal liability being imposed on the Head Owner or the Owner or (B) any material risk of (1) the imminent arrest or sale of, or the creation of any lien (other than a Permitted Lien) on, the Vessel or (2) material civil liability being imposed on the Owner or the Head Owner. The Charterer agrees to give prompt written notice to the Owner in detail sufficient to enable the Owner and the Head Owner to ascertain whether such contest may have any material adverse effect of the type described in the above proviso.
9.
Insurance-General .
Subject to Section 23, below, the Charterer shall, at its own cost and expense, keep the Vessel insured against hull and machinery risks, protection and indemnity risks, pollution risks and war risks, in the forms and in the amounts (including deductibles) and with underwriters, companies or clubs, as are reasonably acceptable to the Owner and the Head Owner during the Charter Term or, where applicable, in such minimum amounts (including deductibles) as specified in this Charter. The Vessel hull and machinery insurance will be in an amount not less than the greater of (x) the full commercial value of the Vessel and (y) the Loss Value (as set forth in Exhibit A-1 hereto) then in effect. The Charterer shall also keep the Vessel entered into a Protection and Indemnity Club (“P&I Club”) that is a member of the International Association of Protection and Indemnity Clubs under standard P&I Club rules.

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Pollution liability coverage shall be not less than United States Dollars One Billion (US$1,000,000,000). The Owner, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (“ Sumitomo ”) and the Head Owner shall also be joint members of the P&I Club in respect of the Vessel, and the Charterer agrees to pay or reimburse the Owner, Sumitomo and the Head Owner, respectively, the costs of such entry, including any premium, club calls or assessments in connection therewith. In addition, the Charterer shall, at its own cost and expense, place innocent owner’s insurance , in form and in amount (including deductibles) and with underwriters, companies or clubs, as are reasonably acceptable to the Owner and/or the Head Owner (for the avoidance of doubt, such innocent owner’s insurance to name both the Owner and the Head Owner) during the Charter Term and, if the Charterer is unable to place such innocent owner’s insurance because insurance industry practice requires that the Owner or the Head Owner do so, the Owner or the Head Owner may place innocent owner’s insurance, in form and in amount (including deductibles) and with underwriters, companies or clubs, as are reasonably acceptable to the Owner or the Head Owner during the Charter Term. If the Owner or the Head Owner places innocent owner’s insurance in accordance with the foregoing, the Charterer agrees to pay or reimburse the Owner or the Head Owner, as applicable, the costs thereof, upon receipt of a demand accompanied by copies of the relevant invoices or other similar evidence of such costs.

(a)
Form of Insurance; Indemnity . All insurance required under this Section shall be in such form and with such underwriters, companies or clubs as the Owner and the Head Owner shall reasonably approve. All insurance contracts shall (i) provide that the insurer’s right of subrogation against the Owner and/or Sumitomo and/or the Head Owner shall be waived; (ii) provide that such insurance shall be primary and without right of contribution from any other insurance which is carried by the Owner and/or Sumitomo and/or the Head Owner; and (iii) be issued by underwriters or insurers with an A.M. Best Co. insurance rating upon issuance of the policy of “A-” (or higher), which underwriters or insurers may not be an affiliate of the Owner or Charterer or any sub-bareboat charterer. The Owner (and if applicable, the Owner’s bank as mortgagee of the Vessel), Sumitomo and the Head Owner (and if applicable the Head Owner’s bank as mortgagee of the Vessel), in the case of protection and indemnity coverage, shall be named as named assureds on all insurance required under this Section, but where commercially available without liability for premiums; and the Owner (and if applicable, the Owner’s bank as mortgagee of the Vessel) and the Head Owner (and if applicable the Head Owner’s bank as mortgagee of the Vessel) in respect of hull and machinery insurance, shall be named as additional named assured and the loss payee(s); provided , however , that unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the underwriters may pay any claims under such hull and machinery insurance not in excess of United States Dollars Five Hundred Thousand (US$500,000) directly to the Charterer for the repair of the Vessel.
All policies shall provide that the Owner (and if applicable, the Owner’s bank as mortgagee of the Vessel) and the Head Owner (and if applicable the Head Owner’s bank as mortgagee of the Vessel) and the Charterer will be given at least fourteen (14) days’ notice of cancellation, non-renewal or material alteration, or such shorter notice period (if any) as may be available under relevant market or standard insurance practice and/or terms, where such

20

practice and/or terms do not provide for cancellation with such minimum fourteen (14) days’ notice, or such shorter notice period (if any) as may be available under relevant market or standard insurance practice and/or terms, where such practice and/or terms do not provide for cancellation with such minimum fourteen (14) days’ notice. Deductibles up to a maximum of United States Dollars Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand (US$250,000) are permitted without the prior written consent of the Owner. Any deductibles (save for deductibles in respect of innocent owner’s insurance) under such policies shall always be for the account of the Charterer. The Charterer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Owner and / or Sumitomo and/or the Head Owner (and if applicable the Head Owner’s bank as mortgagee of the Vessel) from and against any liability imposed on or incurred by the Owner, Sumitomo and/or the Head Owner (and if applicable the Head Owner’s bank as mortgagee of the Vessel) for any premiums, club calls or assessments with respect to any insurance required under this Section. For the avoidance of doubt, the Charterer’s indemnification obligations under Section 18 shall, subject to Section 18, include (i) all Claims (as defined below) and (ii) any Claim made against the Head Owner, the Owner and/or Sumitomo by the underwriters of the insurance required hereunder pursuant to rights of subrogation.

(b)
Proof of Insurance . The Charterer shall furnish the Owner and the Head Owner on the Delivery Date and, at such other times on request, and in any event at least annually, with copies of certificates of insurance (certificates of entry for Protection and Indemnity) evidencing all insurance policies and showing the Owner, Sumitomo and the Head Owner as Joint Members on the Protection and Indemnity Insurance and the Owner and the Head Owner as loss payees (as set forth in the Attachments to Exhibit B hereto) on the Hull & Machinery Coverage and cover notes or other documents evidencing the creation, renewal, amount and payment of the insurance maintained on the Vessel and for which period the insurance premiums are paid.

(c)
Forced Insurance . In the event the Charterer fails to procure and maintain insurance in accordance with this Section 9, the Owner and/or the Head Owner may, but shall not be obligated to, effect and maintain the insurance or entries in a P&I Club (including on behalf of Sumitomo) as required herein and to pay the premiums therefor and, upon the Owner’s giving written notice to the Charterer of the amounts of premiums and costs so incurred by either the Owner and/or the Head Owner, the Charterer shall reimburse the Owner and/or the Head Owner, as applicable, for such amounts, together with interest thereon from the date of payment by the Owner and/or the Head Owner to the date of reimbursement, at the Default Rate, not later than fifteen (15) days after such notice.

(d)
Termination Due To Loss . This Charter shall be terminated due to a total or constructive total loss of the Vessel as determined by underwriters (“Total Loss”), and Charter Hire pursuant to Section 5 shall be payable until the date on which underwriters make a determination that the event occurred which gave rise to the Total Loss (the “ Loss Termination Date ”). Termination shall occur only upon payment of all amounts due under Section 9(e) below.

(e)
Payments in Event of Total Loss . In the event of Total Loss of the Vessel, the Owner, in lieu of any and all other claims and damages, shall receive from the
21


Charterer, and the Charterer shall pay to the Owner, an amount equal to the sum of (i) any accrued and unpaid Charter Hire payable in accordance with Section 5 calculated through and, if applicable, including, the Loss Termination Date; (ii) the Loss Value of the Vessel as of the date on Exhibit A-1 hereto that immediately precedes the Loss Termination Date (or, if the Loss Termination Date is a Charter Hire Payment Date, the Loss Value of the Vessel as of such Loss Termination Date as set out in Exhibit A-1); provided however , if the event that gives rise to a Total Loss of the Vessel occurs prior to the first date listed on Exhibit A-1, the Loss Value shall be the amount listed for the first date on such Exhibit A-1, (iii) interest on the amount referred to in Section 9(e)(ii) above from the Loss Termination Date until the date such amount is actually paid to, and received by, the Owner at the Default Rate, and (iv) any Additional Hire then due and owing. The Charterer’s obligation to pay amounts set forth in (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above shall be absolute and shall be due to the Owner upon the earlier of the Charterer’s receipt of insurance proceeds and one hundred and ten (110) days following the Loss Termination Date. The Owner may, subject to the Charterer’s consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, and at the Owner’s own expense, place additional total loss only coverage. Any proceeds paid under such additional total loss only insurance shall be paid directly by insurers to the Owner and shall not be included in the calculation set forth above. The Charterer, subject to the Owner's consent, may place, at the Charterer’s own cost and expense and as a separate policy from any insurances otherwise placed (or to be placed) in accordance with this Charter, Increased Value insurance (subject to the Owner's prior consent, and subject to such Increased Value insurance in no way prejudicing in any way whatsoever the recovery by the Head Owner and/or the Owner of any amount that would otherwise be payable under any other insurances placed in accordance with this Charter), the proceeds of which shall be paid directly by insurers to the Charterer and shall not be included in the calculation set forth above.

(f)
Limitation of Liability . Nothing in this Charter shall be construed or held to deprive the Owner, Sumitomo, the Charterer or the Vessel of any right to claim limitation of liability against third parties (other than the Head Owner) provided by any applicable statute of any jurisdiction.

(g)
Wreck Removal . In the event the Vessel becomes a wreck or obstruction to navigation, the Charterer shall, if required by applicable law, remove such wreck or obstruction and shall indemnify the Owner and the Head Owner against any sums whatsoever which the Owner and the Head Owner shall become liable to pay or shall pay in consequence of the Vessel becoming a wreck or obstruction to navigation.

(h)
Requisition . In the event that the Vessel shall be requisitioned for hire, or otherwise taken by any governmental agency on the basis of a bareboat or time charter (other than a requisition of title or a taking which constitutes a Total Loss), during the Charter Term, the Charterer will continue to pay Charter Hire and will collect and retain the compensation, reimbursements or awards for such requisition, or other taking of the Vessel received. If the Owner receives the compensation, reimbursements or awards, then, provided no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Owner agrees that it will turn over forthwith to the Charterer all compensation,
22


reimbursements or awards for such requisition or other taking of the Vessel received by the Owner. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Owner receives the compensation, reimbursements or awards and an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, then the compensation, reimbursements or awards shall be applied in accordance with Section 17.
10.
Liens .

(a)
Neither the Charterer nor any of its employees shall have any right, power or authority to create, incur or permit to be imposed upon the Vessel any lien whatsoever during the Charter Term, except for (i) crew’s wages (including the master of the Vessel), or wages of stevedores when employed directly by the Charterer, any sub-charterer or the master or agent of the Vessel, (ii) damages arising out of maritime tort, (iii) general average and salvage (including contract salvage), (iv) liens for taxes not yet due (provided that the Charterer has established appropriate reserves for the payment of such taxes), (v) other maritime liens arising in the ordinary course of the Charterer’s business provided , such other maritime liens shall be permitted only to the extent such amounts are not more than twenty five (25) days past due unless such amounts are being contested in good faith by appropriate legal proceedings diligently pursued and for which appropriate reserves are established, and (vi) any mortgage executed by the Owner and/or the Head Owner (collectively, “ Permitted Liens ”). The Charterer shall carry a copy of this Charter with the Vessel’s papers, and on demand will exhibit the same to any person having business with the Vessel which might give rise to any lien thereon, other than liens for crew’s wages, general average and salvage. The Charterer will place and keep prominently displayed in the chart room and the captain’s cabin on the Vessel in a conspicuous place, a notice, framed under glass, printed in plain type of such size that the paragraph of reading material shall cover a reasonable space acceptable to the Owner reading as follows:
“THIS VESSEL IS OWNED BY CFT INVESTMENTS 1 LLC AND IS UNDER CHARTER TO CARGILL INTERNATIONAL SA PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF THE BAREBOAT CHARTER AGREEMENT DATED [●] 2019 (THE “CHARTER”) AND IS UNDER SUB-CHARTER TO PCH DREAMING INC. PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF THE SUB-BAREBOAT CHARTER DATED [●] 2019 (THE “SUB-CHARTER”). UNDER THE TERMS OF THE CHARTER, WHICH IS A FINANCING CHARTER PURSUANT TO A SUPPLEMENT TO BAREBOAT CHARTER AGREEMENT DATED AS OF [●] 2019 (NEW YORK TIME) UNDER THE MARITIME LAWS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS, AND THE SUB-CHARTER, NEITHER THE HEAD CHARTERER, THE SUB-CHARTERER NOR ANY OTHER SUB-CHARTERER, NOR THE MASTER, NOR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS THE RIGHT, POWER OR AUTHORITY TO CREATE, INCUR OR PERMIT TO BE PLACED OR IMPOSED UPON THIS VESSEL ANY LIEN WHATSOEVER OTHER THAN PERMITTED LIENS AS DEFINED IN THE CHARTER.”

(b)
With respect to any claims and demands made by any person against the Owner or the Head Owner or the Vessel, except if the claim or demand has been brought about as a result of an action or omission of the Owner or the Head Owner (as the case may be), the Charterer hereby agrees as follows:

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(i)   the Charterer shall warrant and defend title to and possession of the Vessel and every part thereof;
(ii)   the Charterer shall pay and discharge, and forthwith remove or cause to be removed, any lien (other than a Permitted Lien) which shall be filed against or otherwise attach to the Vessel; provided , however , that, subject to subsection (c) of this Section, the Charterer need not pay and discharge or remove any lien that is being contested by the Charterer in good faith by appropriate legal proceedings being diligently pursued, and with respect to which the Charterer has posted an appropriate bond with a good and sufficient surety, or has deposited in escrow with the Owner cash in the amount claimed by the holder of such lien, to secure the payment thereof.

(c)
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 10, if a libel shall be filed against the Vessel, or if the Vessel shall be seized, arrested, levied upon and taken into custody or detained in any proceeding in any court or tribunal or by any government or under colour of authority, the Charterer shall forthwith give notice of such arrest and taking or detention to the Owner and (except in connection with any taking or requisition of the title or use of the Vessel by any governmental authority or as a result of any action or omission of the Owner) cause the Vessel to be released therefrom within twenty five (25) days from the date of such seizure, arrest or detention, or within such lesser time as may be necessary to avoid prejudice to the interests of the Owner with respect to the Vessel. Without limiting the Charterer’s obligations under Section 18 of this Charter, the Charterer shall hold harmless, defend and indemnify the Owner, the Head Owner and the Vessel from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, claims, actions, suits, judgments, costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, of whatsoever kind and nature, imposed on, incurred by or claimed against the Owner, the Head Owner or the Vessel, in any way relating to or arising out of the assertion of a lien against the Vessel, including, without limitation, a Permitted Lien (but excluding any lien claimed by any person claiming the same by, through or under the Owner or as a result of any action or omission of the Owner).
11.
Mortgages; Financing; Subordination .

(a)
The Charterer hereby agrees that should the Owner and/or the Head Owner wish to mortgage the Vessel or assign this Charter in connection with any financing arrangements of the Owner and/or the Head Owner, the Charterer shall agree to post notices of the mortgage and the Charter as reasonably required, execute such documents reasonably acknowledging the terms and existence of the mortgage, and the assignment of charter, and otherwise cooperate reasonably with the Owner and/or the Head Owner and any mortgagee in respect of such financing. Any such mortgage shall provide that the Charterer shall have the right of quiet enjoyment in its use of the Vessel so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under this Charter and further that such mortgage shall not impede (if applicable) any purchase option of the Charterer under the Multipartite Agreement (which will be confirmed in a separate letter of quiet enjoyment in favour of the Charterer), and that notice of any event of default under such mortgage shall be promptly given to the Charterer. Any reasonable costs and expenses associated with such activity will be borne by the Owner. Any mortgagee of the Vessel shall be qualified under applicable law and regulations to hold a mortgage on the Vessel without jeopardizing the Vessel’s

24

registration with the Flag State. Any additional insurance costs arising from or related to any mortgage placed on the Vessel by the Owner and/or the Head Owner shall be the responsibility of the Owner.

(b)
The Charterer hereby agrees that its right to use the Vessel and other rights related thereto, shall, in all respects, be subject, subordinate and junior to the lien of any preferred mortgage or other security agreement created by the Owner and/or the Head Owner, and to the rights of the holder thereof, whether executed heretofore or hereafter (subject to the Charterer’s rights of quiet enjoyment under this Section 11 and its further rights set forth in Sections 12 and 14). After notice of default in payment or performance under any such mortgage or security agreement, subject always to the Charterer’s continued right of quiet enjoyment in its use of the Vessel, the Charterer may perform or pay Charter Hire for the Vessel to the holder of such security, and the same, to the extent of such payment, shall constitute payment of Charter Hire as if it had been made to the Owner.

(c)
The Owner agrees and confirms that, so long as no Event of Default hereunder has occurred and is continuing, the Charterer shall have exclusive possession, control, and quiet enjoyment in its use of the Vessel during the Charter Term, subject to the conditions of this Charter, without hindrance or molestation by the Owner, or any other person claiming by, through or under the Owner.
12.
End of Charter and Other Options .

(a)
On the last day of the Charter Term, unless an Event of Default or a failure to pay the whole or part of any Charter Hire on the due date thereof shall have occurred and be continuing, the Charterer shall purchase the Vessel for the respective Purchase Price as set forth below in Section 12(d) plus (w) Basic Charter Hire due through and including the date of purchase, (x) any applicable taxes (other than any taxes based upon or measured by the income of the Owner), (y) expenses of sale (including the Owner’s and the Head Owner’s reasonable counsel fees), and (z) any Additional Hire then due hereunder;

(b)
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 12, upon written notice from the Charterer to the Owner (with a copy to the Head Owner) setting forth the Charter Hire Payment Date on which the Charterer wishes to purchase the Vessel and pay to the Owner the Early Purchase Amount (as such term is defined below) (the “ Purchase Option Notice ”) (such Purchase Option Notice to be given not less than one hundred and thirty (130) days prior to the Charter Hire Payment Date during the Charter Term on which the Charterer wishes to purchase the Vessel), the Charterer shall have the option to, unless an Event of Default or a failure to pay the whole or part of any Charter Hire on the due date thereof shall have occurred and be continuing, purchase the Vessel on the Charter Hire Payment Date set forth in the Purchase Option Notice for (v) the respective Purchase Price set forth below in Section 12(d) plus (w) Charter Hire due through and including the date of purchase (x) any applicable taxes (other than any taxes based upon or measured by the net income (however denominated) of the Owner) (y) expenses of sale (including the Owner’s and the Head Owner’s reasonable counsel fees) and (z) either (i) plus any Arrangements Credit (as defined in Section 12(j)), or (ii) less any Arrangements Debit (as defined in Section 12(j)) and (zz) the amount due

25

under clause 108 of the Time Charter (the aggregate total of (v), (w), (x), (y), (z) and (zz), the “ Early Purchase Amount ”).

(c)
Not less than one hundred and seventy (170) days prior to the end of the Charter Term, the Charterer shall provide the Owner with irrevocable written confirmation of its purchase of the Vessel pursuant to Section 12(b). Should the Charterer fail to provide such confirmation or a notice pursuant to Section 12(b), the Charterer shall be obliged to purchase the Vessel in accordance with Section 12(a).

(d)
If the Charterer:
(i)  is obliged under this Charter to purchase the Vessel at the end of the Charter Term pursuant to Section 12(a); or
(ii)   elects to purchase the Vessel pursuant to Section 12(b),
the purchase price of the Vessel at the relevant time (the " Purchase Price ") shall be as is set forth in the “Purchase Price” column of Exhibit A-1 of this Charter for the relevant time.

(e)
ANY SALE OF THE VESSEL TO THE CHARTERER (OR AS THE CHARTERER MAY DIRECT, A NOMINEE) PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION 12 SHALL BE MADE WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES BY THE OWNER OR THE HEAD OWNER WHATSOEVER, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, EXCEPT THAT THE OWNER, OR, AS THE CASE MAY BE, THE HEAD OWNER, SHALL WARRANT THAT THE VESSEL IS FREE AND CLEAR OF ANY LIENS OR ENCUMBRANCES CREATED BY OR THROUGH THE OWNER, OR, AS THE CASE MAY BE, THE HEAD OWNER AND ITS PREDECESSORS IN TITLE EXCEPT FOR THE BUILDER, THE SELLER OR THE CHARTERER (OR ANY SUBSIDIARY OR AFFILIATE THEREOF) AND THAT THE OWNER, OR, AS THE CASE MAY BE, THE HEAD OWNER, IS TRANSFERRING WHATEVER TITLE IT ORIGINALLY RECEIVED. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, ANY SUCH SALE SHALL BE ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS” BASIS WITH NO WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO TITLE (EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE PREVIOUS SENTENCE) OR THE DESIGN, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, SEAWORTHINESS OR CONDITION OF THE VESSEL, OR ELIGIBILITY OF THE VESSEL TO ENGAGE IN ANY PARTICULAR TRADE. ALL SUCH WARRANTIES SHALL BE EXPRESSLY WAIVED BY THE CHARTERER AT THE TIME OF SUCH SALE. ALL SALES, USE AND OTHER TAXES WHICH MAY BECOME DUE AS A RESULT OF THE SALE SHALL BE FOR THE SOLE ACCOUNT OF THE CHARTERER. UPON ITS RECEIPT IN GOOD COLLECTED FUNDS OF THE AMOUNT PAYABLE PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(A) OR, AS THE CASE MAY BE, SECTION 12(B), THE OWNER AGREES TO EXECUTE AND DELIVER (OR, AS THE CASE MAY BE, PROCURE THAT THE HEAD OWNER EXECUTES AND DELIVERS) TO THE CHARTERER OR THE CHARTERER'S NOMINEE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY THE LAW OF THE FLAG STATE FOR THE PURPOSE OF RE-REGISTERING THE VESSEL IN

26

THE NAME OF THE CHARTERER (OR AS THE CHARTERER MAY DIRECT), INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, A BILL OF SALE COVERING THE VESSEL IN FAVOR OF THE CHARTERER (OR AS THE CHARTERER MAY DIRECT, A NOMINEE) TRANSFERRING WHATEVER TITLE THE OWNER, OR AS THE CASE MAY BE, THE HEAD OWNER, HAS, WITHOUT ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY WHATSOEVER EXCEPT AS SET OUT IN THIS SECTION 12(E).

(f)
For the purposes of establishing the Market Value (as such term is defined in Section 12(g) below) of the Vessel:
(A)   if the Charterer does not exercise its early purchase option under Section 12(b), then no later than ninety (90) days prior to the last day of the Charter Term; or
(B)   if the Charterer exercises its early purchase option under Section 12(b), then no later than five (5) days after the date of the Purchase Option Notice,
the Charterer and the Owner shall appoint a “ Panel of Approved Brokers ” in accordance with this Section 12(f):
(i)   Each of the Charterer and the Owner shall appoint an Approved Broker (as such term is defined below) to be included on the Panel of Approved Brokers, and the Approved Brokers so appointed by the Charterer and the Owner (each an “ Appointed Broker ”) shall jointly select a third Approved Broker (the “ Third Broker ”).
(ii)  In the event that either the Charterer or the Owner fails to appoint an Approved Broker on or before the date: in the case of (A) above, seventy (70) days prior to the last day of the Charter Term; or, in the case of (B) above, ten (10) days following the date on which the Purchase Option Notice is served, the Panel of Approved Brokers shall be comprised solely of the Approved Broker appointed by the Charterer or the Owner (as the case may be).
(iii)   Subject to Section 12(f)(iv), each of the Charterer and the Owner shall bear the cost and expense of their respective Appointed Broker, and the costs and expenses of the Third Broker shall be borne equally by the Charterer and the Owner.
(iv)   In the event that that Panel of Approved Brokers is constituted of a single Approved Broker in accordance with Section 12(f)(ii) above, the costs and expenses of the valuation made by such Approved Broker shall be shared equally between the Charterer and the Owner.

(g)
Subject to Section 12(f)(ii), each of the Charterer and the Owner shall instruct their respective Appointed Broker, and shall jointly instruct the Third Broker, to consider the market value of the Vessel:
(A) if the Panel of Approved Brokers has been appointed pursuant to Section 12 (f)(A) on the date thirty (30) days prior to the last day of the Charter Term based on the then actual condition of the Vessel, on an arm’s length basis and free of charters,

27

and the average of the said valuations shall be the “Market Value” (as such term is used in this Section 12); and
(B) if the Panel of Approved Brokers has been appointed pursuant to Section 12(f)(B) on the date twenty (20) days after the date of the Purchase Option Notice, based on the then actual condition of the Vessel, on an arm’s length basis and free of charters, and the average of the said valuations shall be the “Market Value” (as such term is used in this Section 12).

(h)
In the event that the Market Value is greater than the Purchase Price, the Charterer shall pay to the Owner an amount equal to twenty five per cent (25%) of the difference between the Market Value and the Profit Share Price (the “ Profit Share Amount ”). Any amount payable by the Charterer to the Owner pursuant to this Section 12(h) shall become due and be paid concurrently with the amounts payable by the Charterer to the Owner pursuant to Section 12(a) or, as the case may be, Section 12(b), above, including, but not limited to, the Purchase Price. For the avoidance of doubt, the Profit Share Amount shall be calculated without regard to any Arrangements Credit or Arrangements Debit or to any amount due under clause 108 of the Time Charter.
For the purposes of this Section 12, the “Profit Share Price” shall mean the value as is set forth in the “Profit Share Price” column of Exhibit A-1 hereto applicable for the date on which the Panel of Approved Brokers considers the market value of the Vessel in accordance with Section 12 (g)(A), or, as the case may be, 12 (g)(B).

(i)
For the purposes of this Section 12, the “Approved Brokers” shall be deemed to mean:
(1)   Arrow Shipbroking Group;
(2)   Braemar ACM Shipbroking;
(3)   Clarksons Platou;
(4)   Howe Robinson & Co. Ltd.;
(5)   Galbraith’s Limited;
(6)   Fearnleys AS; and
(7)   such other internationally recognised shipbrokers as may be mutually agreeable to both the Charterer and the Owner,
(and each of the Approved Brokers, an “ Approved Broker ”).

(j)
If the Charterer exercises its early purchase option under Section 12(b) or if the Owner, by written notice to the Charterer, declares the Charterer in default hereunder pursuant to Section 17 and the Event of Default in question is an Event of Default under the Bareboat Charter, and the Charterer is entitled to purchase the Vessel pursuant to the terms of clause 5 of the Multipartite Agreement and the Vessel is to be acquired by the Charterer pursuant to such

28

terms, no later than three (3) Business Days before the date of transfer of ownership of the Vessel to the Charterer, the Owner shall notify the Charterer of such amount as the Owner certifies that, as a result of the exercise by the Charterer of its early purchase option under Section 12(b) or the exercise by the Charterer of its option in accordance with clause 5 of the Multipartite Agreement, the Owner shall either be: (i) in credit (“ Arrangements Credit ”) or (ii) in debit (“ Arrangements Debit ”), as a result (including all the Owner’s losses, damages, liabilities, expenses and costs incurred by the Owner in association therewith) of terminating, reversing or unwinding any interest rate swap arrangements from or with other persons (including, but not limited to, the Head Owner).

(k)
Unless and until all the applicable foregoing payments and performance set forth in this Section 12 have been made and/or performed in full by the Charterer, the Charterer's obligations under this Charter, including, without limitation, the obligation to pay Charter Hire for the Vessel, shall continue in full force and effect.
13.
Representations and Warranties; Owner Covenants .

(a)
Charterer’s Representations . The Charterer represents, warrants, covenants, and agrees to and with the Owner that: (i) the Charterer is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, has the power to own its property and assets, and is duly qualified in each jurisdiction where the nature of its operations requires such qualification, (ii) the execution, delivery, and performance of this Charter are within the Charterer’s power, have been duly authorized by all necessary limited liability company action, do not contravene the Charterer’s certificate of organization or regulations, or similar documents, or violate any judgment, order or decree applicable to the Charterer, and do not contravene any law, any order of any court or other agency of government, or any agreement or instrument or contractual restriction binding on or affecting any of its property, or constitute a default thereunder, and (iii) this Charter constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Charterer enforceable against the Charterer in accordance with its terms.

(b)
Owner’s Representations and Covenants . The Owner represents, warrants, covenants, and agrees to and with the Charterer that (i) the Owner is a company organized, existing, and in good standing under the laws of the Switzerland, (ii) the Owner has the requisite limited liability company power and authority to hold title to the Vessel and to enter into and carry out the transactions contemplated and to execute, deliver and perform under this Charter; (iii) the execution, delivery, and performance of this Charter do not contravene the provisions of the certificate of organization or regulations, or similar documents, of the Owner, or violate any judgment, order or decree applicable to the Owner or result in any violation of, or conflict with, or constitute a default under, or subject the Vessel to any lien of, any indenture, contract, agreement or other instrument applicable to the Owner, (iv) this Charter constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Owner enforceable against the Owner in accordance with its terms, and (v) the Owner will not create or permit to exist, any lien or encumbrance on or against the Vessel that arises out of the express action or omission of the Owner, other
29


than a mortgage permitted under Section 11 (and the Owner will have sole responsibility for any such Mortgage).
14.
Assignment; Sub-bareboat Charter .

(a)
The Charterer does not have the right to, and shall not, assign, pledge, or hypothecate this Charter (by operation of law or otherwise), in whole or in part, or any interest herein, or any right, duty or obligation hereunder (collectively, an “u”) without the prior written consent of the Owner, which consent is subject to the consent of the Head Owner, in their absolute discretion, and any purported Assignment without the Owner’s and the Head Owner’s prior written consent shall be void and unenforceable against the Owner and the Head Owner. The Owner will exercise reasonable endeavours to obtain such consent from the Head Owner. The Charterer shall remain primarily liable under this Charter and the Guarantor will remain primarily liable under the Guarantee in the event of any permitted Assignment, which will in no event be considered a novation of this Charter unless the Owner expressly agrees to the contrary in writing.

(b)
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Charterer agrees that it shall not further sub-bareboat or sub-time charter or otherwise let or charter the Vessel to any person without the prior written consent of the Owner and the Head Owner, except under the Time Charter. In the case of any permitted sub-bareboat charter of the Vessel, such sub-bareboat charter (i) shall state it is subject and subordinate to the rights of the Owner and the Head Owner hereunder, (ii) shall not contain any terms and conditions which would prevent the Charterer from fulfilling its obligations under this Charter, (iii) shall include an express prohibition against any further sub-bareboat charters without the prior written consent of the Owner and the Head Owner, and (iv) shall contain an acknowledgement by the sub-bareboat charterer stating that it acknowledges the existence of this Charter and the Bareboat Charter and their priority over all of the terms of the sub-bareboat charter.
15.
Logo and Vessel Names .
The Owner agrees that the Charterer may display the Charterer’s logo and the Charterer’s designated name on the Vessel during the Charter Term. If the Owner retains ownership of the Vessel after the Charter Term, it agrees to change the Vessel’s name and not to display the Charterer’s logo. If the Owner sells the Vessel after the Charter Term it will require the purchaser to agree not to use the Charterer’s name or logo in connection with the Vessel.
16.
Notices .
All notices and other communications required under this Charter shall be by email, by personal delivery or by international courier service, to each Party at its address stated below or such other address as it may declare from time to time pursuant to this notice provision. Any such notice or communication shall be deemed effective on the date of delivery, if by personal delivery, or on the second Business Day after deposit with an international courier service (all delivery fees prepaid) if sent by international courier service. If sent by email or other electronic means, notices shall be effective upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return email or other written acknowledgement), provided, that if such notice or communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such
30

notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient.
All notices and other communications to be sent to the Owner shall be sent by the Charterer as follows, unless the Owner shall give notice to the contrary:
Address:

Cargill International SA
14 chemin de Normandie
1206 Geneva, Switzerland

Tel: +41-22-703-2111

Email: George_wells@cargill.com
Ann_shazell@cargill.com
Bernd_Bachmann@cargill.com
Keith_dawe@cargill.com
olivier_josse@cargill.com
james_ryder@cargill.com

All notices and other communications to be sent to the Charterer shall be sent by the Owner as follows, unless the Charterer shall give notice to the contrary:
Address: PCH Dreaming Inc. c/o Top Ships Inc,

1 Vass Sofias, Marousi, 151 24 Greece

Tel: +30 2108128180/ +30210 8128180

Email: atsirikos@topships.org

louka@loukapartners.com

17.
Defaults; Remedies .

(a)
Events of Default . Any one or more of the following is an Event of Default (“Event of Default”) by the Charterer:
(i)   the Charterer shall fail to pay the whole or part of any Basic Charter Hire specified in Section 5 on the due date thereof and such failure shall continue for five (5) Business Days following the due date thereof;
(ii)  the Charterer shall fail to pay when due the whole or any part of the Loss Value of the Vessel in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Charter;
(iii)   the Charterer shall fail to carry and maintain insurance on or with respect to the Vessel in accordance with the provisions of Section 9;

31

(iv)   the Charterer shall fail to perform or comply with the covenants contained in Sections 4(h), 6(a) (with the exception of Section 6(a)(ii)), 10 (c) (except in connection with any seizure, arrest, or detention of the Vessel that arises solely as a result of any express act or omission on the part of the Owner and / or the Head Owner (as the case may be)) or 14(a);
(v)   the Charterer shall fail to perform or comply in any material respect with any other covenant, condition, or agreement to be performed or observed by it hereunder or under the Multipartite Agreement, and the Charterer shall fail to cure such failure to perform or comply within ten (10) Business Days after the Owner shall have demanded in writing the cure thereof;
(vi)   any material representation or warranty made by the Charterer herein or under the Multipartite Agreement or by the Guarantor in the Guarantee shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect as of the date on which made, or any material statement, report, schedule, notice, certificate or other writing furnished by the Charterer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor to the Owner in connection with this Charter or under the Multipartite Agreement or the Guarantee, as the case may be, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect as of the date on which the facts set forth therein are stated or certified, and, if in the reasonable opinion of the Owner such is capable of being cured, the Charterer or the Guarantor shall fail to cure such defect within ten (10) Business Days after the Owner shall have demanded in writing the cure thereof;
(vii)   the Charterer or the Guarantor shall become insolvent or bankrupt or shall cease paying or providing for the payment of its debts generally; the Charterer or the Guarantor, shall be dissolved, shall be adjudged a bankrupt by a court of competent jurisdiction, shall make a general assignment of all or substantially all of its assets for the benefit of its creditors, or shall lose its charter by forfeiture or otherwise; or a petition for an arrangement or for reorganization of the Charterer or the Guarantor under the bankruptcy laws of the relevant jurisdiction shall be filed by the Charterer or the Guarantor, or such petition shall be filed by creditors and the same shall be approved by a court of competent jurisdiction;
(viii)   an arrangement or reorganization of the Charterer or the Guarantor under the bankruptcy laws of the relevant jurisdiction shall be approved by a court, whether proposed by a creditor, a stockholder or any other party or person whatsoever; or a receiver or receivers of any kind whatsoever, whether appointed in admiralty, bankruptcy, common law or equity proceedings, shall be appointed by a decree of a court of competent jurisdiction with respect to the Vessel or all or substantially all of the property of the Charterer or the Guarantor;
(ix)   (A) the Guarantor shall fail to pay when due the whole or any part of any amount payable by it under the Guarantee; or (B) the Guarantor shall fail to perform or comply in any material respect with any other covenant, condition or agreement to be performed or observed by it under the Guarantee; or (C) the Guarantor shall repudiate the Guarantee; or (D) a breach by the Guarantor of the Guarantee shall occur;

32

(x)    the Charterer shall (A) enter into any transaction of merger or consolidation (unless the Charterer is the surviving entity thereof), (B) sell or transfer all, substantially all or any substantial portion of its assets to any other person or enter into a leveraged buyout, (C) dissolve, liquidate or cease or suspend the conduct of business, or cease to maintain its existence, or (D) change the form of organization of its business and such change either adversely affects the rights of the Owner or has the effect of modifying, lessening, impairing or altering in any away adverse to the Owner the duties and obligations of the Charterer hereunder;
(xi)   a default shall occur with respect to any Debt owed by the Charterer or the Guarantor (as the case may be) to the Owner or any of its affiliates or to any third person in excess of United States Dollars Two Million Five Hundred Thousand (US$2,500,000), for which the Charterer or the Guarantor (as the case may be) fails to make any payment when due exceeding United States Dollars Five Hundred Thousand (US$500,000) or to perform any obligation thereunder, which default is not cured within any applicable grace period, and in any event within no more than twenty (20) Business Days;
(xii)  without prejudice to Section 14(a) of this Charter, the Charterer shall assign and/or purport to assign any and/or all of its rights and/or interests in or arising under this Charter without having first received the prior written consent of the Owner in accordance with Section 14(a) of this Charter;
(xiii)   the Charterer or the Guarantor (as the case may be) shall fail to pay for more than thirty (30) days after it is due, any final, non-appealable judgment in excess of United States Dollars One Million (US$1,000,000) entered against the Charterer or the Guarantor (as the case may be) by any court having jurisdiction over the Charterer or the Guarantor (as the case may be) or the property of the Charterer or the Guarantor (as the case may be);
(xiv)  the Charterer fails to pay to the Owner any amount due under clause 108 of the Time Charter;
(xv)   the Charterer fails to provide Additional Security (as defined in Section 17(b)(viii) below) within five (5) days of the Owner’s request;
(xvi)  any Charter Security and/or Additional Security ceases to be in full force and effect or ceases to be legal, valid, binding, enforceable, or effective or is alleged by a party to it (other than the Owner) to be ineffective;
For the purposes of this Section 17(a), “Debt” means as to any person at any time (without duplication): (i) all obligations of such person for borrowed money, (ii) all obligations of such person evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures, or other similar instruments, (iii) all obligations of such person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services, except trade accounts payable of such person arising in the ordinary course of business which are not past due by more than ninety (90) days, (iv) all obligations of such person under any lease which, in conformity with US GAAP, is required to be capitalized for balance sheet purposes, (v) all obligations of such person under guaranties, endorsements (other than for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business), assumptions or other contingent obligations, in

33

respect of, or to purchase or otherwise acquire, any obligation or indebtedness of any other person, or any other obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such person directly or indirectly protecting the holder of any obligation or indebtedness of any other person against loss (whether by partnership arrangements, agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities, or services, to take-or-pay or otherwise), (vi) all obligations secured by a lien existing on property owned by such person, whether or not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed by such person or are non-recourse to the credit of such person, (vii) all reimbursement obligations of such person (whether contingent or otherwise) in respect of letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances, surety or other bonds and similar instruments, (viii) all liabilities of such person in respect of unfunded vested benefits under any employee benefit plan, and (ix) any other liability of such person that is classified as debt under US GAAP.

(b)
Remedies . At any time that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Owner, by written notice to the Charterer, may declare the Charterer in default hereunder, in which case the Owner shall be entitled to pursue all remedies available at law or in equity or in admiralty, including, without limitation, the following remedies:
(i)   By notice to the Charterer, the Owner may terminate this Charter, whereupon the Charterer will redeliver the Vessel to the Owner within ten (10) Business Days of receipt of such notice in accordance with the provisions of Sections 4(b)-4(g) above.
(ii)   The Owner or the Head Owner may re-take the Vessel wherever found, whether upon the high seas or at any port, harbour or other place and irrespective of whether the Charterer, any sub-charterer or any other person is in possession of the Vessel, all without prior demand and without legal process, the Charterer HEREBY WAIVING ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO PRIOR NOTICE AND A JUDICIAL HEARING WITH RESPECT TO THE REPOSSESSION OF THE VESSEL BY THE OWNER, and for that purpose the Owner or the Head Owner or their respective agents may enter upon any dock, pier or other premises where the Vessel is and may take possession thereof, without the Owner or its agent incurring any liability by reason of such re-taking, whether for the restoration of damage to property caused by such re-taking or for damages of any kind for any reason to the Charterer or any person claiming under the Charterer.
(iii)   Recover from the Charterer, in addition to any Basic Charter Hire or Additional Hire due up to the date of default, the Loss Value amount calculated as of the Charter Hire Payment Date preceding the date that the event which resulted in the Event of Default occurred, as liquidated damages for loss of a bargain and not as a penalty.
(iv)   The Owner or the Head Owner may sell or otherwise dispose of the Vessel at public auction or by private sale, without prior notice to the Charterer, at such time or times and upon such terms as the Owner or the Head Owner (as applicable) may determine, for cash or credit, at such price as the Owner or the Head Owner shall deem fair, with the Vessel in its then condition or following any commercially reasonable preparation, or otherwise dispose of, hold, use, lay-up, operate, charter to others the Vessel, in a commercially reasonable manner, all free and clear of any rights of the
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Charterer, including any right of redemption, and without any duty to account to the Charterer with respect to such action or inaction or for any proceeds with respect hereto; any disposition or holding of the Vessel shall not be deemed a retention by the Owner in satisfaction of the Charterer’s obligations under this Charter. Nothing contained herein shall require the Owner to sell or charter the Vessel at any time or take any action in mitigation of the Owner’s damages.
(v)   The Owner may, but shall not be required to, proceed by appropriate action for collection from the Charterer of all costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, court costs, and other expenses, incurred by the Owner in connection with the enforcement of this Charter and the exercise of remedies hereunder. Further, in addition to any other amounts to which the Owner may be entitled, the Charterer shall be liable for all costs and expenses incurred by the Owner, which shall include all insurance premiums, all demurrage, dockage, and anchorage charges, all legal fees, and all other costs and expenses whatsoever incurred by the Owner by reason of the occurrence of an Event of Default or by reason of the exercise by the Owner of any remedy hereunder, including, without limitation, any cost or expense incurred by the Owner in connection with any re-taking of the Vessel or putting the Vessel in the condition required herein.
(vi)   The proceeds of any sale, charter or other disposition of the Vessel received by the Owner, if any, pursuant to this Section 17(b) shall be applied in the following order of priority:

(1)
to pay all of the Owner’s and the Head Owner’s costs, charges and expenses incurred in taking, moving, laying-up, holding, repairing, selling, chartering or otherwise disposing of the Vessel;

(2)
to the extent not previously paid by the Charterer, to pay the Owner all sums (including the Loss Value as provided in Section 17(b)(iii) above) due by the Charterer under this Charter;

(3)
to reimburse the Charterer for any Loss Value previously paid by the Charterer to the Owner in accordance with Section 17(b)(iii) above; and

(4)
any sums remaining shall be retained by the Owner.
The Charterer shall pay to the Owner any deficiency in (1) and (2) above.
(vii)   The Owner may recover from the Charterer any amount due under clause 108 of the Time Charter.
(viii)   If an Event of Default occurs in relation to the Charter Security or part thereof (as more particularly described at Section 17(a)(ix), (xv) and/or (xvi) above), the Owner may (but shall not be obliged to) request the Charterer to provide, and in which case the Charterer shall be obliged to

35

provide, such other additional security in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Owner which (in the opinion of the Owner) has a net realisable value (on an aggregate basis) equal to or greater than the applicable shortfall or deficiency in the Charter Security including, without limitation, a deposit of cash to such account as the Owner may nominate in an amount equivalent to the amount of any shortfall or deficiency in respect of the Charter Security (“ Additional Security ”).
No remedy referred to in this Section 17(b) is intended to be exclusive, but each remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to, and may be exercised concurrently with, any other remedy which is referred to herein or which may otherwise be available to the Owner at law, in equity or in admiralty.

(c)
Multipartite Agreement . If the Owner, by written notice to the Charterer, declares the Charterer in default under this Charter pursuant to this Section 17 and the Event of Default in question is a Relevant Event of Default (as defined below), and the Charterer is entitled to purchase the Vessel pursuant to the terms of clause 5 of the Multipartite Agreement and the Vessel is to be acquired by the Charterer pursuant to such terms, then prior to the Charterer’s purchase of the Vessel pursuant to the terms of clause 5 of the Multipartite Agreement the Charterer shall pay to the Owner (v) Charter Hire due through and including the date of purchase, (w) any applicable taxes (other than any taxes based upon or measured by the net income (however denominated) of the Owner), (x) expenses of sale (including the Owner’s and the Head Owner’s reasonable counsel fees), (y) the amount due under clause 108 of the Time Charter and (z) either (i) plus any Arrangements Credit (as defined in Section 12(j)), or (ii) less any Arrangements Debit (as defined in Section 12(j)). For the purposes of this Charter, a “Relevant Event of Default” means an Event of Default under the Bareboat Charter which was caused in whole or in part by the act or omission of the Charterer.

(d)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter, in the event that this Charter is terminated pursuant to the terms of clause 4.6 of the Multipartite Agreement, the Parties unconditionally and irrevocably agree that the following Sections shall survive (or as the case may be shall be deemed to survive) such termination of this Charter and are expressly made for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, the Owner, its successors and assigns: Section 16 (Notices); Section 17 (Defaults; Remedies); Section 19 (Income Tax); Section 20 (Law and Jurisdiction); Section 25 (Waiver); and Section 26 (No Remedy Exclusive).
18.
Indemnification, Withholding and Certain Agreements .

(a)
Owner’s Indemnification of the Charterer . The Owner agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Charterer from all damages or costs arising as a result of (i) the Owner’s violation of any law or regulation of the jurisdiction in which the Owner is organized or maintains its principal office (other than a violation that would not have occurred but for the use, operation or presence of the Vessel or any part thereof in the relevant jurisdiction or the failure of the Charterer to perform its obligations under this Charter or any act or omission of the Charterer), (ii) the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of the Owner unless such gross negligence or wilful misconduct is imputed to the

36

Owner as a result of any act or omission of the Charterer or any failure of the Charterer to perform its obligations under this Charter, or (iii) the failure of the Owner to pay any taxes which the Owner is required by law to pay.

(b)
Charterer’s Indemnification of the Owner and the Head Owner . The Charterer hereby assumes liability for, and shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Indemnified Parties (for the purposes of this Section 18, “ Indemnified Parties ” means: the Owner, the Head Owner and any of their affiliates and any mortgagee of the Vessel, whose identity the Owner has notified the Charterer of, and each of their respective successors and assigns, and the directors, officers, employees, representatives, agents and servants of any of the foregoing, and each an “Indemnified Party”) from and against any and all Claims (as hereinafter defined) which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any of the Indemnified Parties or the Vessel (whether or not also indemnified against pursuant to any other agreement or by any other person), regardless of when asserted (whether after or during the Charter Term) and in any way relating to or arising out of any of the following: the documentation, registry, possession, use, operation, lay-up, chartering, subchartering, condition, maintenance, repair, each Acceptability, inspection, compliance with Environmental Laws and return of the Vessel. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Charterer shall not be obligated to indemnify any Indemnified Party in respect of any act or omission constituting gross negligence by such Indemnified Party, or its agents or representatives. The Charterer agrees to further indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Indemnified Party and the Vessel from and against all liens created and imposed on the Vessel other than those caused by Owner's or, as the case may be, the Head Owner’s own actions, and in the event of the seizure of the Vessel under legal process to enforce such lien or asserted lien, the Charterer shall secure the prompt release of the Vessel by payment of same or otherwise as may be appropriate. The Owner's right to Charter Hire as provided for in Section 5 of this Charter shall not be suspended during any time when the Vessel is under seizure by legal process as a result of such liens or asserted liens. As used herein, "Claims" shall mean any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, claims, actions, suits, costs, expenses, fines, penalties and disbursements (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees, litigation expenses and investigatory fees and disbursements) of whatsoever kind and nature, including, without limitation, (i) claims or penalties arising from any violation of the laws or regulations of any authority or country or political subdivision thereof, (ii) claims as the result of latent, patent or other defects, whether or not discoverable by the Owner, the Head Owner or the Charterer, (iii) Environmental Claims, and (iv) tort claims of any kind, including, without limitation, claims for injury or damage caused by leakage, discharge or spillage of oil or cargo, refuse or any hazardous substance, but excluding Taxes (as such term is defined in Section 18 (c) below).

(c)
Charterer’s Withholding . Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Bareboat Charter to the contrary, the Charterer hereby covenants and agrees that it shall make all payments of Charter Hire and other amounts payable by the Charterer under this Charter to the Owner or any Indemnified Party or any Tax Indemnitee (for the purposes of this Section 18, “ Tax Indemnitee ” means any

37

of: the Owner and each of its affiliates that is included with the Owner in a consolidated, combined, unitary or other group Tax return) free and clear from, and without deduction or withholding of or by reason of, any taxes (including income, gross receipts, sales or use taxes), money transfer fees or other charges or withholdings of any nature whatsoever except to the extent that deduction or withholding of any Tax (for the purposes of this Section 18, “Tax” means all taxes (including income taxes, gross receipts taxes, sales taxes, use taxes, value added taxes, ad valorem taxes and other taxes), fees, duties, charges, assessments, and withholdings of whatever nature, imposed, assessed, levied or asserted by any governmental authority or other taxing authority (and any and all penalties, fines, interest and other charges relating thereto)) is required by law, in which event the Charterer shall (i) notify the person entitled to receive the payment (the “Payee”) of such requirement, (ii) make such deduction or withholding, (iii) if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax (as defined in Section 18(g)), pay on an after-Tax basis pursuant to Section 18(f) such additional amount as is necessary so that the Payee receives, after such deduction or withholding (including any deduction or withholding with respect to such additional amount) an amount equal to the amount that the Payee would have received if such deduction or withholding had not been made, (iv) pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the appropriate taxing authority in accordance with applicable law, and (v) deliver to the Payee promptly after making such payment an original receipt (or certified copy thereof) or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Payee evidencing payment of the tax withheld to the appropriate taxing authority.

(d)
Survival . The obligations of the Owner and the Charterer under this Section 18 shall survive the expiration or earlier termination or cancellation of this Charter and are expressly made for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, the party to which the obligations are owed, and its successors and assigns.

(e)
No Limitation . Except as otherwise limited herein, it is the intent of the Parties that all indemnity obligations or liabilities assumed by the Parties under this Charter be without limit and without regard to the cause or causes thereof (including pre-existing conditions), the unseaworthiness of any vessel, strict liability or the negligence of any party or parties, whether such negligence be sole, joint or concurrent, active or passive.

(f)
Consequential Damages . Neither Party shall be liable to the other Party for any consequential or special damages, arising out of, resulting from or relating in any way to this Charter, irrespective of the negligence or fault of any party.
Each payment or indemnity payable by the Charterer to or for the benefit of an Indemnified Party or a Tax Indemnitee pursuant to this Section 18 shall be paid on an after-Tax basis, which means that the Charterer must pay, in addition to such payment or indemnity, such additional amount or amounts as will, in the reasonable good faith determination of such Indemnified Party or Tax Indemnitee, leave such Indemnified Party or Tax Indemnitee and its affiliates (if any) in the same economic position as they would be in if such payment or indemnity were not subject to taxation, taking into account any Tax costs resulting from the such Indemnified Party’s or Tax Indemnitee’s actual or constructive receipt or accrual of the Charterer’s payment or indemnity and any Tax saving realized by such Indemnified Party or Tax
38


Indemnitee and its affiliates (if any) as a result of the allowance of any Tax credit, deduction or other Tax benefit for the Tax, liability or expense incurred by such Indemnified Party or Tax Indemnitee that gave rise to the Charterer’s obligation to pay such payment or indemnity pursuant to this Section 18.

(g)
For the purposes of this Section 18, an “ Indemnified Tax ” means all Taxes, regardless of how or when such Taxes are imposed, incurred or asserted (whether imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Vessel or the Owner or the Charterer or otherwise) arising out of, in connection with or otherwise relating to the Vessel or this Charter or any of the transactions contemplated in or done pursuant to this Charter (including the Owner’s chartering of the Vessel from the Head Owner, and chartering of the Vessel during the term of this Charter), provided that the Charterer shall have no obligation under this Section 18 to indemnify a Tax Indemnitee for the following Taxes (“ Excluded Taxes ”):
(i)   any Tax imposed on or calculated by reference to the overall net income, overall gross income, overall profits, overall gains, capital or net worth of such Tax Indemnitee, provided that the exclusion in this Section 18 (g) (i) shall not apply to any Tax to the extent such Tax would not have been payable in the absence of the documentation, registry, delivery, use, presence or other connection of the Vessel or any part thereof or with, or any act or omission or other connection of the Charterer or any affiliate, agent, representative or contractor of the Charterer or any other person (other than the Owner, unless an Event of Default is continuing) using or having possession, custody or control of the Vessel or any part thereof in or with, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax;
(ii)  any ad valorem Tax assessed on or with respect to the Vessel arising from the presence of the Vessel in the jurisdiction imposing the Tax after the Charterer has redelivered the Vessel to the Owner in accordance with the provisions of this Charter and has performed all of its obligations under the Charter, unless the Vessel is redelivered as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default;
(iii)   any Tax imposed on or with respect to any sale or other transfer by the Owner of any of the Owner’s interest in the Vessel or the Charter to any person other than the Charterer, provided that the exclusion in this Section 18 (g)(iii) shall not apply to any such sale or transfer that occurs (1) in connection with or as a result of an Event of Default, an Event of Loss, or any maintenance, repair, overhaul, pooling, interchange, exchange, removal, replacement, substitution, modification, improvement, or alteration of the Vessel or any part thereof or (2) at the Charterer’s request or (3) pursuant to a requirement in this Charter;
(iv)   any Tax to the extent resulting from any act or event occurring after the Charterer has returned the Vessel and all Technical Documents to the Owner in compliance with the terms of this Charter and has performed all its obligations under this Charter (the “ Return Compliance Time ”), provided that the exclusion in this Section 18 (g) (iv) shall not apply to any Tax that (1) arises from any act, event or circumstance (or relates to any period of time)

39

occurring at or before the Return Compliance Time or (2) is imposed with respect to any payment by the Charterer pursuant to Charter or (3) is incurred in connection with the exercise of any rights or remedies of the Owner after the occurrence of an Event of Default;
(v)  any Tax if and to the extent that such Tax would be payable by such Tax Indemnitee in the absence of the transactions contemplated in this Charter;
(vi)   any Tax if and to the extent that such Tax is caused by, and would not be payable but for, (1) any gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Tax Indemnitee or (2) the inaccuracy or breach of any representation, warranty or covenant of the Owner in this Charter.
19.
Income Tax
The Charterer agrees to take no tax position inconsistent with the fact that the Owner is the owner of the Vessel for tax purposes.
20.
Law and Jurisdiction

(a)
Governing Law . This Charter is governed by and interpreted in accordance with the general maritime laws of the United States and, to the extent they are not applicable, the internal laws of the State of New York (without regard to New York’s conflict of laws provisions).

(b)
Venue . All judicial actions by any Party to enforce any provision of this Charter shall, if requested by the Owner, be brought in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York or the state court of general jurisdiction sitting in the County of New York in the State of New York. Each Party consents to the jurisdiction of such courts and hereby irrevocably waives any objection, including any objection to the laying of venue or based on the grounds of forum non-conveniens, which it may now or hereafter have to the bringing of any such action or proceedings in such court.

(c)
JURY TRIAL WAIVER . EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY TO EVERY ACTION, SUIT, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM OF ANY KIND ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS CHARTER.

(d)
Service of Process . Service of process may be made on the Charterer or the Guarantor by mailing or delivering a copy of such process to the Charterer c/o the Guarantor at the Guarantor’s address listed below (with a copy to the Charterer at its address identified in or in accordance with Section 16), or to any new address of the Guarantor of which the Owner has been notified by the Charterer. The Charterer hereby irrevocably authorises and directs the Guarantor to accept such service on its behalf at such address. As an alternative method of service, the Charterer also irrevocably consents to the service of any and all process, postage prepaid, in any such action or proceeding by mailing a copy of such process to the Guarantor with a copy to the Charterer at its address identified in or in accordance with Section 16.

40

Nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law.
Guarantor’s address:
 
Address:
Top Ships Inc.
1. Vass. Sofias, Marousi 15124
Greece
     
 
Attention:
Alexandros Tsirikos
 
Tel. No:
0030 210 8128180
 
E-Mail:
atsirikos@topships.org

Service of process may be made on the Owner by mailing or delivering a copy of such process to the Owner at the Owner’s address identified in or in accordance with Section 16.
21.
Salvage .
All salvage and towage performed by the Vessel shall be for the Charterer’s benefit and the cost of repairing damage occasioned thereby shall be borne by the Charterer.
22.
War .

(a)
For the purpose of this Charter, the words “War Risks” shall include any war (whether actual or threatened), act of war, civil war, hostilities, revolution, rebellion, civil commotion, warlike operations, the laying of mines (whether actual or reported), acts of piracy, acts of terrorists, acts of hostility or malicious damage, blockades (whether imposed against all vessels or imposed selectively against vessels of certain flags or ownership, or against certain cargoes or crews or otherwise howsoever), by any person, body, terrorist, pirate or political group, or the government of any state whatsoever, which may be dangerous or are likely to be or to become dangerous to the Vessel, her cargo, crew or other persons on board the Vessel.

(b)
The Charterer shall have the liberty:
(i)   to comply with all orders, directions, recommendations or advice as to departure, arrival routes, sailing in convoy, ports of call, stoppages, destinations, discharge of cargo, delivery, or in any other way whatsoever, which are given by the government of the Flag State, or any other government, body or group whatsoever acting with the power to compel compliance with their orders or directions;
(ii)  to comply with the orders, directions or recommendations of any war risks underwriters who have the authority to give the same under the terms of the war risks insurance;
(iii)   to comply with the terms of any resolution of the Security Council of the United Nations, any directives of the European Union, the

41

effective orders of any other supranational body which has the right to issue and given the same, and with national laws aimed at enforcing the same to which the Owner or the Charterer are subject, and to obey the orders and directions of those who are charged with their enforcement.
23.
Assignment of Insurances .

(a)
Collateral . In order to secure all obligations of the Charterer owing to the Owner under this Charter, the Charterer hereby assigns to the Head Owner with first priority and to the Owner with second priority, all of the Charterer’s right, title and interest in and to all policies and contracts of insurance, including, without limitation, all entries in any protection and indemnity or war risks association or club, which are from time to time taken out in respect of the Vessel, her hull, machinery, freight, disbursements, profits or otherwise, and all the benefits thereof, including, without limitation, all claims of whatsoever nature arising under such policies, as well as all amounts due from underwriters under any such insurance whether as payment of losses, or as return premiums, or otherwise (collectively, the “Insurances”), and any proceeds of any of the foregoing. No later than the Delivery Date the Charterer shall give each underwriter notice of the assignment of insurances contained herein in the form and terms attached as Exhibit B to this Charter (or in such other form and terms as the Owner may reasonably require) and procure that the loss payable clauses as attached to Exhibit B to this Charter (or loss payable clauses otherwise in a form and terms satisfactory to the Owner and the Head Owner) shall have been duly endorsed on the insurances.

(b)
No Obligation to Perform . The Charterer hereby agrees and covenants that, notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 23, neither the Owner nor the Head Owner shall have any of the Charterer’s obligations under any Insurances.
24.
Change of Ownership .
The Charterer acknowledges and agrees that the Head Owner may transfer its ownership of the Vessel to another entity during the term of this Charter.
Following the receipt by the Charterer of a notice from the Owner stating that the Head Owner intends to transfer the ownership of the Vessel to another entity (the “Transferee”) as of the date of the transfer set forth in such notice, (i) reference to ‘the Head Owner’ in Section 9 and Section 23 of this Charter shall be deemed to refer to the Transferee (ii) as of such date of transfer, the Charterer shall procure that the insurances over the Vessel are updated to reflect the Transferee’s ownership of the Vessel and (iii) as of such date of transfer, the Charterer shall provide updated notices of assignment of insurances and loss payable clauses to each underwriter substantially in the form attached at Exhibit B to this Charter (or otherwise in a form and terms satisfactory to the Owner and the Transferee) logically amended to show the Transferee as the ‘the Owner’.
25.
Waiver . No waiver by either Party of any breach by the other of any obligation, agreement or covenant hereunder shall be deemed to be a waiver of that or any subsequent breach of the same or any other covenant, agreement or obligation nor shall any forbearance by any Party to seek a remedy for any breach by the other Party

42

may be deemed a waiver by such Party of its rights or remedies with respect to such breach, unless such waiver is in each case in writing duly executed by such Party.
26.
No Remedy Exclusive . Each and every right, power and remedy given to the Owner in this Charter shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right, power and remedy herein or therein given now or hereafter existing at law, in equity, in admiralty, by statute or otherwise. Each and every right, power and remedy whether given therein or otherwise existing may be exercised from time to time as often and in such order as may be determined by the Owner, and neither the failure or delay in exercising any power or right nor the exercise or partial exercise of any right, power or remedy shall be construed to be a waiver of or acquiescence in any default therein; nor shall the acceptance of any security or of any payment of or on account of any loan, promissory note, advance, obligation, expense, interest or fees maturing after an Event of Default or of any payment on account of any past default shall be construed to be a waiver of any right to take advantage of any future default or of any past default not completely cured thereby.
27.
Entire Agreement; Amendment . This Charter and its exhibits and schedules constitute the entire agreement between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Charter and supersedes all prior agreements and undertakings of the Parties, whether oral or written, in connection herewith. No amendment of this Charter shall be valid unless made in writing and signed by each of the Parties and consented to by the Head Owner.
28.
Counterparts . This Charter may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. It is the express intent of the Parties to be bound by the exchange of signatures on this Charter via Portable Document Format (PDF), which the Parties agree shall constitute an original writing for all legal purposes.
29.
Severability . The Owner and the Charterer agree that with respect to any specific provision of this Charter that is held by any court or other constituted legal authority to be void or otherwise unenforceable in any particular manner, the Parties consider and permit this Charter to be amended in such manner as may be required in order to cause said provision and all other terms of this Charter to remain binding and enforceable against the Owner and the Charterer.
30.
Captions . The captions in this Charter are for convenience and reference only and shall not define or limit any of the terms or provisions, or otherwise affect the construction, of this Charter.
31.
Binding Effect . Subject to Section 14, this Charter shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the Parties and their respective successors and assigns.
32.
Interpretation . References to “Sections” in this Charter are sections of this Charter. The words “include(s)” and “including” shall be construed as being followed by the words “without limitation”.

 [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

43

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Charter as of the date first written above.
OWNER
 
   
CARGILL INTERNATIONAL SA
 
     
By:
   
Name:
   
Title:
   
     
     
CHARTERER
 
     
PCH DREAMING INC.
 
     
By:
   
Name:
   
Title:
   
     






[Signature Page – Sub-Bareboat Charter “Hull No. 8242”]


B-44



EXHIBIT A
Basic Charter Hire

Basic Charter Hire (payable monthly in arrears)
Basic Charter Hire
US$8,600 per day


B-45

EXHIBIT A-1


Loss Value, Purchase Price and Profit Share Price Schedule

Original Vessel Cost: US$32,386,500

Payment Number
Payment Date / Relevant Purchase Price Date
Loss Value $
Loss Value as a % of Original Vessel Cost
Purchase Price $
Profit Share Price $
0
       
36,000,000
1
       
35,825,000
2
       
35,650,000
3
       
35,475,000
4
       
35,300,000
5
       
35,125,000
6
       
34,950,000
7
       
34,775,000
8
       
34,600,000
9
       
34,425,000
10
       
34,250,000
11
       
34,075,000
12
       
33,900,000
13
       
33,725,000
14
       
33,550,000
15
       
33,375,000
16
       
33,200,000
17
       
33,025,000
18
       
32,850,000
19
       
32,675,000
20
       
32,500,000
21
       
32,325,000
22
       
32,150,000
23
       
31,975,000
24
       
31,800,000
25
       
31,625,000
26
       
31,450,000
27
       
31,275,000
28
       
31,100,000
29
       
30,925,000
30
       
30,750,000
31
       
30,575,000
32
       
30,400,000
33
       
30,225,000
34
       
30,050,000
35
       
29,875,000

B-46



36
       
29,700,000
37
       
29,525,000
38
       
29,350,000
39
       
29,175,000
40
       
29,000,000
41
       
28,825,000
42
       
28,650,000
43
       
28,475,000
44
       
28,300,000
45
       
28,125,000
46
       
27,950,000
47
       
27,775,000
48
       
27,600,000
49
       
27,425,000
50
       
27,250,000
51
       
27,075,000
52
       
26,900,000
53
       
26,725,000
54
       
26,550,000
55
       
26,375,000
56
       
26,200,000
57
       
26,025,000
58
       
25,850,000
59
       
25,675,000
60
       
25,500,000

Stipulated loss values are due in addition to any advance or arrears rent due on the same date.


B-47

EXHIBIT B
NOTICE OF ASSIGNMENT OF INSURANCE
TO:
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE:
(1)   That by an assignment of Insurances contained in a Sub-Bareboat Charter Agreement dated as of [●] 2019 made by PCH DREAMING INC. (the “Sub-Charterer”) to CARGILL INTERNATIONAL SA, (together with its successors and assigns, “Head Charterer”), the Sub-Charterer has collaterally assigned to the registered owner of the Vessel (as defined below), CFT INVESTMENTS 1 LLC and its successors and assigns (the “ Owner ”) as first priority and to the Head Charterer as second priority all of the Sub-Charterer’s rights, title and interests in, to and under all policies and contracts of insurance, including the Sub-Charterer’s rights under all entries in any protection and indemnity or war risk association or club, which are from time to time taken out by the Sub-Charterer in respect of M/T “ECO MARINA DEL REY” (Hull No. 8242) with IMO 9798349 (the “ Vessel ”), her hull, machinery, freight, disbursements, profits or otherwise, and all the benefits thereof, including, without limitation, all claims of whatsoever nature arising under such policies, as well as all amounts due from underwriters under any such insurance whether as payment of losses, or as return premiums, or otherwise (collectively, the “ Insurances ”).
(2)   That you are hereby irrevocably authorized and instructed to pay from the date hereof all payments under:
(a)   all Insurances, except entries in protection and indemnity associations or clubs or insurances effected in lieu of such entries, relating to the Vessel in accordance with the loss payable clause in Attachment 1 to this Notice; and
(b)   all entries in protection and indemnity associations or clubs or insurances effected in lieu of such entries relating to the Vessel in accordance with the loss payable clause in Attachment 2 to this Notice.
(3)   That you are hereby instructed to endorse the assignment, notice of which is given to you herein, on all policies or entries relating to the Vessel.

PCH DREAMING INC.
 
CARGILL INTERNATIONAL SA
     
     
By:
   
By:
 
Name:
   
Name:
 
Title:
   
Title:
 


Dated as of the ____ day of [●] 2019.
B-48



ATTACHMENT 1

LOSS PAYABLE AND NOTICE OF CANCELLATION CLAUSE


(A)
Until CFT INVESTMENTS 1 LLC (together with its successors and assigns, the “Owner”) shall have notified underwriters to the contrary,

(1)
Except as provided in subsection (2) of this Clause (A), any claim under the insurance policy in respect of the M/T “ECO MARINA DEL REY” (Hull No. 8242) with IMO No. 9798349 (the “ Vessel ”) (other than in respect of a total loss), up to and including the amount of United States Dollars Five Hundred Thousand (US$500,000) shall be paid:

i.
directly for the repair, salvage or other charges involved; or

ii.
if Cargill International SA (the “ Charterer ”) shall have first fully repaired the damage or paid all of the salvage or other charges, to the Charterer as reimbursement therefor as its interests may appear; or

iii.
if PCH Dreaming Inc. (the “ Sub-Charterer ”) shall have first fully repaired the damage or paid all of the salvage or other charges, to the Sub-Charterer as reimbursement therefor as its interests may appear,
save that, without prejudice to subsection (2) of this Clause (A), if the Charterer and/or the Owner has provided the insurers with notice of an Event of Default by the Sub-Charterer under the sub-bareboat charter agreement (between the Charterer and the Sub- Charterer) with respect to the Vessel, no payment shall be made to the Sub-Charterer under subsection (1)(iii) of this Clause (A), but instead shall be paid in accordance with subsection (1)(i) of this Clause (A) or subsection (1)(ii) of this Clause (A) only.

(2)
Any claim in respect of a total loss, and any claim of any nature (whether on account of the loss of or damage to the Vessel, on account of return premiums, or otherwise) in excess of United States Dollars Five Hundred Thousand (US$500,000) or during the continuance of an Event of Default:

i.
by the Charterer under the bareboat charter agreement (between the Owner and the Charterer) with respect to the Vessel (notice of which Event of Default shall be provided by the Owner to the insurers); and/or

ii.
by the Sub-Charterer under the sub-bareboat charter agreement (between the Charterer and the Sub- Charterer) with respect to the Vessel (notice of which Event of Default shall be provided by the Owner and/or the Charterer to the insurers),
shall be paid directly to the Owner or otherwise as the Owner may consent.

(B)
The underwriters agree to advise the Owner and the Charterer:

(1)
If any insurer cancels or gives notice of cancellation of any insurance (other than war risks) or entry at least fourteen (14) days before such cancellation is

B-49

to take effect, unless the insurer cancels such insurance because of nonpayment of premium, in which case the insurer shall give Owner and the Charterer at least ten (10) days’ notice before such cancellation is to take effect; and

(2)
Of any material change in the terms and conditions of the aforesaid insurance policies or non-renewal at least fourteen (14) days before such change or non-renewal is to take effect.
The foregoing shall not apply to war risk insurance.

B-50

ATTACHMENT 2
FORM OF LOSS PAYABLE ENDORSEMENT
PROTECTION & INDEMNITY
--------------
M/T “ECO MARINA DEL REY” (Hull No. 8242) IMO No. 9798349
Payment of any recovery to which PCH Dreaming Inc. (the “Sub-Bareboat Charterer”), is entitled to make out of the funds of the Association in respect of any liability, costs or expenses incurred by the Sub-Bareboat Charterer, shall be made to the Sub-Bareboat Charterer or to its order, unless and until the Association receives:
i)   subject always to paragraph ii), below, notice from CFT Investments 1 LLC (the “Owner”) and/or Cargill International SA (“Bareboat Charterer”) that the Sub-Bareboat Charterer is in default under the Sub-Bareboat Charter Agreement dated [●] 2019 between the Bareboat Charterer and the Sub-Bareboat Charterer respecting the Vessel, in which event all recoveries shall thereafter be paid to the Bareboat Charterer or to its order; provided that no liability whatsoever shall attach to the Association, its Managers or their agents for failure to comply with the latter obligation until and after the expiry of two (2) clear business days from the receipt of such notice;
ii)   notice from the Owner that the Bareboat Charterer is in default under the Bareboat Charter Agreement dated [●] 2019 between the Owner and the Bareboat Charterer respecting the Vessel, in which event all recoveries shall thereafter be paid to the Owner or to its order; provided that no liability whatsoever shall attach to the Association, its Managers or their agents for failure to comply with the latter obligation until and after the expiry of two (2) clear business days from the receipt of such notice.
The Association undertakes:
(a)   to inform the Owner and the Bareboat Charterer if the Association gives the Sub-Bareboat Charterer of the above ship notice that his insurance in the Association in respect of such ship is to cease at the end of the then current Policy Year; and
(b)   to give the Owner and the Bareboat Charterer fourteen (14) days’ notice of the Association’s intention to cancel the insurance of the Sub-Bareboat Charterer by reason of this failure to pay, when due and demanded any sum due from Sub-Bareboat Charterer to the Association.
All notices to the Owner shall be made to the following address:
CFT Investments 1 LLC
c/o SMBC Leasing and Finance, Inc.
277 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10172
Attn: Carl Marcantonio
B-51



Tel: (212) 224-5278
Email:
cmarcantonio@smbc-lf.com
Amickens@smbc-lf.com
Morgan_Feuerhake@smbcgroup.com
smbclfleaseaccountinggroup@smbclf.com

All notices to the Bareboat Charterer shall be made to the following address:

Cargill International SA
14 chemin de Normandie
1206 Geneva, Switzerland
Tel: +41-22-703-2111

Email: George_wells@cargill.com
      Ann_shazell@cargill.com
      Bernd_Bachmann@cargill.com
      Keith_Dawe@cargill.com

B-52

EXHIBIT C

Agreed form of Time Charter



C-1




Annex 2 - Specifications





8
















































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Annex 3 – CISA Payment Undertaking






[TO BE PRINTED ON HEADED PAPER OF CARGILL INTERNATIONAL SA]
TO : Alpha Bank A.E.
40 Stadiou Street Athens
Greece
March 2019
Dear Sirs,
Payment Letter – Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co., Ltd. new build vessel M/T “ECO MARINA DEL REY” with Hull No. 8242 and IMO No. 9798349 (“Vessel”)
We hereby undertake to you that upon (A) receipt by us of an original of the fully executed and dated notice of re-assignment (relating to the deed of assignment dated 12 July 2018 and entered into between you and PCH Dreaming Inc. (“ PCH ”)), such notice of re-assignment in the form and on the terms set out in Appendix 1, duly executed by duly authorised representatives of Alpha Bank A.E.; and (B) the Vessel being delivered to, and accepted by, CFT Investments 1 LLC, as evidenced by the timed and dated protocol of delivery and acceptance in respect of the Vessel and executed by us, CFT Investments 1 LLC and PCH (the time and date set out in such protocol of delivery and acceptance, the “ Time of Delivery ”), we shall remit (such remittance to be irrevocable and unconditional) the sum of United States Dollars Nine Million Eight Hundred and Forty Eight Thousand Two Hundred and Eighty (US$9,848,280) (the “ Funds ”) immediately after the Time of Delivery (provided that if the Time of Delivery falls at a time that is on a day that is not a Banking Day or falls at a time that is after 2.30 pm Geneva time on a Banking Day, then we shall remit (such remittance to be irrevocable and unconditional) with same day value, to you the Funds on the next Banking Day following the date on which the Time of Delivery falls), in freely available funds, free of all bank charges and without set-off to you, Alpha Bank A.E., as follows:
Beneficiary:
PCH DREAMING INC.
Beneficiary Bank:
ALPHA BANK A.E.
Full address of Beneficiary Bank:
AKTI MIAOULI 93, 185 38 PIRAEUS
SWIFT Code:
CRBAGRAAXXX
CORRESPONDENT BANK:
CITIBANK N.A.
Full address of correspondent bank:
NEW YORK, 399 Park Avenue, New York N.Y. 10022 U.S.A.
SWIFT Code of Correspondent Bank;
CITIUS33XXX
   
IBAN:
GR38 0140 9600 9600 1500 6030 697
Payment reference:
HULL NO. 8242 – IMO 9798349

This letter and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by and construed in all respects in accordance with English law and the English courts are to have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any disputes which may arise out of or in connection with this letter or any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it.
In this letter “ Banking Day ” means a day on which banks are open for business in London, New York, Geneva, Athens and Piraeus.
Yours faithfully,
................................................
Signed for and on behalf of Cargill International SA
By: George Wells Title:
Assistant Vice President


[TO BE PRINTED ON HEADED PAPER OF CARGILL INTERNATIONAL SA]
APPENDIX 1 – form and terms of notice of re-assignment


EXECUTION PAGE — ADDENDUM NO. 1 TO MOA IN RESPECT OF HULL NO. 8242 DATED 29 JUNE 2018

For and on behalf of
Cargill International SA
By:  /s/ Keith Dawe
Name:  Keith Dawe
Title: Proxy Holder


For and on behalf of
PCH Dreaming Inc.
By:  /s/ Dimitra S. Karkaletsi
Name:  Dimitra S. Karkaletsi
Title:  Attorney-in-fact


For and on behalf of
Top Ships Inc.
By:  /s/ Dimitra S. Karkaletsi
Name:  Dimitra S. Karkaletsi
Title:  Attorney-in-fact




Exhibit 8.1


Subsidiaries as of March [26], 2019
Country of Incorporation
Top Ships Inc.
Marshall Islands
Top Tanker Management Inc.
Marshall Islands
Mytikas Shipping Company Limited
Marshall Islands
Lyndon International Co
Marshall Islands
Monte Carlo One Shipping Company Limited
Marshall Islands
Monte Carlo Seven Shipping Company Limited
Marshall Islands
Monte Carlo 37 Shipping Company Limited
Marshall Islands
Monte Carlo 39 Shipping Company Limited
Marshall Islands
Monte Carlo LAX Shipping Company Limited
Marshall Islands
Monte Carlo 71 Shipping Company Limited
Marshall Islands
Gramos Shipping Company Inc.
Marshall Islands
Style Maritime Ltd.
Marshall Islands
Jasmin Finance Limited
Marshall Islands
Astarte International Inc.
Marshall Islands
PCH77 Shipping Company Limited
Marshall Islands
Eco Seven Inc.
Marshall Islands
PCH Dreaming Inc.
Marshall Islands
South California Inc.
Marshall Islands
Malibu Warrior Inc.
Marshall Islands



Exhibit 12.1

CERTIFICATION OF THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

I, Evangelos J. Pistiolis, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Top Ships Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The company's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the company and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the company's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The company's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the company's auditors and the audit committee of the company's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: March 26, 2019


_________________________
 
Evangelos J. Pistiolis
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Exhibit 12.2

CERTIFICATION OF THE PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER

I, Alexandros Tsirikos, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Top Ships Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The company's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the company and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the company's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The company's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the company's auditors and the audit committee of the company's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: March 26, 2019

 
______________________
Alexandros Tsirikos
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Exhibit 13.1

PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER CERTIFICATION

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350



In connection with this Annual Report of Top Ships Inc. (the "Company") on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2018 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on or about the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Evangelos J. Pistiolis, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

     (1)  The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

     (2)  The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

A signed original of this written statement has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the SEC or its staff upon request.

Date: March 26, 2019

 

____________________
Evangelos J. Pistiolis
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

Exhibit 13.2

PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER CERTIFICATION

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350



In connection with this Annual Report of Top Ships Inc. (the "Company") on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2018 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on or about the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Alexandros Tsirikos, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

     (1)  The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

     (2)  The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

A signed original of this written statement has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the SEC or its staff upon request.

Date: March 26, 2019

 

______________________
Alexandros Tsirikos
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)


Exhibit 15.1


CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No. 333-215577 on Form F-3 of our report dated March 27, 2019, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Top Ships Inc. and subsidiaries appearing in this Annual Report on Form 20-F of Top Ships Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2018.



/s/  Deloitte Certified Public Accountants S.A.
Athens, Greece
March 27, 2019