UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
                                                        
 
FORM 8-K
 
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  September 21, 2007
 
               
 
GENCO SHIPPING & TRADING LIMITED
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Republic of the Marshall Islands
000-28506
98-043-9758
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of incorporation)
(Commission File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

299 Park Avenue
20th Floor
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
 
10171
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (646) 443-8550
 
r Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions ( see General Instruction A.2. below):

r Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
r Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
r Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
r Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 

 


 
Item 1.01.                      Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
 
Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (“Genco”) is entering into an Amendment and Supplement No. 1 to Senior Secured Credit Agreement (the “Amendment”) with the lenders party thereto and DNB NOR Bank ASA, New York Branch, as Administrative Agent (“DNB”).  Among other things, the Amendment will implement the following modifications to the terms of Genco’s $1.4 billion credit facility which Genco entered into as of July 20, 2007 (the “Credit Facility”):
 
·  
The Lenders will permit Genco to transfer securities owned by Genco to a subsidiary.
 
·  
Genco will no longer be required to make a prepayment from Net Cash Flow (as defined in the Credit Agreement) following the quarter ending September 30, 2007.  For subsequent quarters, Genco instead will be required to make prepayments of $6,250,000 prior to the declaration of any dividend, subject to the same provisions as were originally applicable to the prepayments from Net Cash Flow.
 
·  
The Applicable Margin to be added to the London Interbank Offered Rate to calculate the rate at which Genco’s borrowings bear interest will be increased by 0.10% to 0.90% per annum for the first five years of the new credit facility and 0.95% thereafter.  Similarly, if Genco’s ratio of Total Debt to Total Capitalization (each as defined in the Credit Agreement) is less than 70%, the Applicable Margin will decrease to 0.85% and 0.90%, respectively.
 
A copy of the Amendment is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference to such exhibit.  The foregoing description of the Amendment does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibit.
 
Genco and DNB are also parties to eight interest rate swap transactions for an aggregate notional amount of $631,233,000 as described in Genco’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed on August 9, 2007 and subsequent current reports on Form 8-K.
 
Item 2.03.
Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
 
The information set forth above under Item 1.01 is incorporated into this Item 2.03 by reference.
 
Item 5.02
Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
 
Genco is entering into a letter agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) with John C. Wobensmith, who serves as Genco’s Chief Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer, Secretary and Treasurer, effective as of September 21, 2007, with a term continuing through September 20, 2009.  The Employment Agreement provides for automatic renewal for additional one year terms, unless either party terminates the Employment Agreement on at least 90 days’ notice.  The Employment Agreement provides for a base salary per annum of $300,000 as well as discretionary bonuses as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors in its sole discretion.  Mr. Wobensmith will also be eligible to receive restricted stock and other equity grants from time to time pursuant to Genco’s 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, or any successor employee stock incentive or option plan.
 
In the event of termination of Mr. Wobensmith’s employment due to his death or disability, Genco will pay him, or his estate, a pro rata bonus for the year of termination and one year’s salary and, in the case of disability, to provide medical coverage for him and his eligible dependents for a period of one year.
 
 



If Mr. Wobensmith is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason, Genco will pay him a pro rata bonus for the year of termination, plus a lump sum equal to double the average of his prior three years’ annual incentive awards , plus double his annualized base salary, and provide medical, dental, long-term disability, and life insurance benefit plan coverage for him and his eligible dependents for a period of two years.  For these purposes, Genco will treat Mr. Wobensmith as having received an annual incentive award of not less than $500,000 for each of 2005 and 2006.  If a termination without cause or resignation for good reason occurs within two years of a change in control, the amounts that are doubled above become tripled, and the coverage period of two years becomes three years.  Mr. Wobensmith’s annual incentive award for a given year is his cash bonus earned for that year and, if a termination without cause or resignation for good reason occurs within two years of a change in control, the grant date value of any equity awards granted for such year.
 
If a payment to Mr. Wobensmith under his Employment Agreement or otherwise after a change of control causes him to owe excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, Genco will fund the amount of this tax on a fully “grossed-up” basis, intended to ensure that after payment of the excise tax and any related taxes and penalties, Mr. Wobensmith retains the full amount of the payment that gave rise to the excise tax liability.
 
Under the Employment Agreement, Genco will pay for life insurance and long-term disability insurance for Mr. Wobensmith at a cost of no more than $20,000 per annum.
 
A copy of the Employment Agreement is attached as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference to such exhibit.  The foregoing description of the Amendment does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibit.
 
Item 7.01                      Regulation FD Disclosure.
 
Genco disclosed the following additional information today:
 
Q3 2007 Estimated Quarterly Break-Even Levels (1)

Estimated Daily Expenses by Category
 
Net Income
 
Direct Vessel Operating(2)
  $
3,800
 
General & Administrative(3)
   
1,779
 
Management Fees(4)
   
243
 
Interest Expense (5)
(Breakeven figures include a non-cash $3.6 million deferred financing charge related
  to the retirement of Genco’s previous credit facility)
   
5,639
 
Depreciation(6)
   
4,460
 
Estimated Daily Break-Even(7)
  $
15,921
 
 
(1)  
Calculations for breakeven levels are based on an average number of vessels of 19.84 vessels for the third quarter of 2007.
 
(2)  
Direct Vessel Operating Expenses is based on management’s estimates and budgets submitted by our technical managers.  Genco believes DVOE are best measured for comparative purposes over a 12-month period.  Genco expects higher crewing costs, lube-oil costs and drydocking costs.
 
 
 

 
 
 (3)
General & Administrative amounts are based on a budget and may vary, including as a result of actual employee incentive compensation.
 
(4)  
Management Fees are based on the contracted monthly rate per vessel for the technical management of our fleet.
 
(5)  
Interest Expense is based on our debt level as of June 30, 2007 of $206.2 million outstanding, unused commitment fees, and amortization of deferred financing costs. Of the outstanding amount of $720.1 million, $106.2 million is calculated based on our fixed swap rate of 4.485% plus the applicable margin, $50 million is calculated based on our fixed swap rate of 5.25% plus the applicable margin, and the remaining is calculated based on an assumed LIBOR rate of 5.44% plus the applicable margin. Additionally, there was a drawdown of $178.25 million on July 24, 2007 related to the deposits on the 9 Capesize vessel acquisition, a drawdown of $225 million for the payment of 90% of the price for the Genco Augustus, and Genco Tiberius, the two vessels delivered during the third quarter of 2007and the drawdown of $33.6 million on August 14, 2007 for the deposit of the Evalend 6 vessel acquisition. Interest expense for the additional drawdowns is calculated at LIBOR plus the applicable margin.  Additionally, Genco pays a commitment fee for the unused portion of the credit facility.  Genco also entered into a new credit facility in July 20, 2007 under which if Total Debt to Total Capitalization is below 70%, then margins over LIBOR would be 0.75% and 0.80% if it is over 70%.  From and after September 21, 2007, the applicable margins over LIBOR under this test will be 0.85% and 0.90%, respectively.  Prior to the new credit facility, the margin was 0.95%.  Genco incurred a non-cash expense of $3.6 million due to the write-off of deferred financing costs in the third quarter of 2007 for the retirement of the previous credit facility. Any interest expense associated with the deposits on new-building vessels will be capitalized as part of the vessel acquisition.
 
(6)  
Depreciation is based primarily on the purchase price of the current fleet and amortization of dry docking costs.
 
(7)  
The amounts shown will vary based on actual results.
 
Revenue Recognition for Vessels Acquired with Time Charter
 
Vessel Type
Vessel Name
DWT
Yard
Delivery (1)
Year Built (1)
Charterer
Duration/
Expiration
Cash
Daily
Rate (2)
Revenue Daily Rate
Capesize
Genco Augustus
180,000
Imabari
Aug 17 2007
2007
Cargill
35 to 39 Mos
45,263
62,750
Genco Tiberius
175,000
Universal
Aug 17 2007
2007
Cargill
35 to 39 Mos
45,263
62,750
Genco London
177,000
SWS
Sep 28 2007
2007
SK Shipping
35 to 39 Mos
57,500
64,250
Genco Titus
177,000
SWS
Q4 2007
2007
Cargill
48 to 62 Mos
45,000(4)
46,250
Supramax
Genco Predator
55,435
Nantong
Q4 2007
2005
Intermare Transport GMBH
January 2008
22,500
41,000(3)
 
(1)  
Built dates and delivery dates for vessels delivering in the future are estimates based on guidance from the sellers and respective shipyards.
 
(2)  
Time charter rates presented are the gross daily charterhire rates before the payments of brokerage commissions ranging from 2.50% to 5.00% to third parties.  In a time charter, the charterer is responsible for voyage expenses such as bunkers, port expenses, agents’ fees and canal dues.
 
(3)  
Since this vessel was acquired with an existing time charter at a below-market rate, we allocated the purchase price between the vessel and an intangible liability for the value assigned to the below-market charterhire.  This intangible liability is amortized as an increase to voyage revenues over the minimum remaining term of the charter.  The net income daily rate recognized as revenues is displayed in the column named “Net Income Rate” and is net of any third-party commissions.  For cash flow purposes, we will continue to receive the rate presented in the “Cash Rate” column until the charter expires.
 
 (4)
The charter includes a 50% capesize index-based profit sharing component which is not included in the base presented and is described in Genco’s Form 8-K filed on September 6, 2007.
 
 



 
“Safe Harbor” Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
 
The information set forth in this Item 7.01 contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and observations. Included among the factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward looking statements contained in the Exhibit are the following:  (i) changes in demand or rates in the drybulk shipping industry; (ii) changes in the supply of or demand for drybulk products, generally or in particular regions; (iii) changes in the supply of drybulk carriers including newbuilding of vessels or lower than anticipated scrapping of older vessels; (iv) changes in rules and regulations applicable to the cargo industry, including, without limitation, legislation adopted by international organizations or by individual countries and actions taken by regulatory authorities; (v) increases in costs and expenses including but not limited to: crew wages, insurance, provisions, repairs, maintenance and general and administrative expenses; (vi) the adequacy of our insurance arrangements; (vii) changes in general domestic and international political conditions; (viii) changes in the condition of Genco’s vessels or applicable maintenance or regulatory standards (which may affect, among other things, our anticipated drydocking or maintenance and repair costs) and unanticipated drydock expenditures; (ix) the number of offhire days needed to complete repairs on vessels and the timing and amount of any reimbursement by our insurance carriers for insurance claims including offhire days; (x) Genco’s acquisition or disposition of vessels; (xi) the fulfillment of the closing conditions under Genco’s agreement to acquire the remaining seven drybulk vessels from companies within the Metrostar Management Corporation group; (xii) the fulfillment of the closing conditions under Genco’s agreement to sell the Genco Commander; (xiii) the fulfillment of the closing conditions under the Genco’s agreements to acquire the six drybulk vessels from affiliates of Evalend Shipping Co. S.A.; and other factors listed from time to time in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, without limitation, the Genco’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and its reports on Form 8-K and 10-Q.
 
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
(d)   Exhibits
 
Exhibit No .       Description
 
10.1
Amendment and Supplement No. 1 to Senior Secured Credit Agreement, dated as of September 21, 2007, among Genco Shipping & Trading Limited, the lenders party thereto, and DNB NOR Bank ASA, New York Branch, as Administrative Agent.
 
10.2
Letter Agreement, dated September 21, 2007, between Genco Shipping & Trading Limited and John C. Wobensmith.
 
 
 




SIGNATURE
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Genco Shipping & Trading Limited has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 
                       GENCO SHIPPING & TRADING LIMITED
 
                       DATE:  September 21, 2007
 
 
                        /s/John C. Wobensmith               
                       John C. Wobensmith
               Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer
               (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
      




 
EXHIBIT INDEX
 
 
Exhibit No.      Description
 
10.1
Amendment and Supplement No. 1 to Senior Secured Credit Agreement, dated as of September 21, 2007, among Genco Shipping & Trading Limited, the lenders party thereto, and DNB NOR Bank ASA, New York Branch, as Administrative Agent.
 
10.2
Letter Agreement, dated September 21, 2007, between Genco Shipping & Trading Limited and John C. Wobensmith.
 
 
 
 
 
 


Exhibit 10.1

AMENDMENT AND SUPPLEMENT NO. 1 TO
SENIOR SECURED CREDIT AGREEMENT
 
THIS AMENDMENT AND SUPPLEMENT NO. 1 TO SENIOR SECURED CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “ Amendment ”) is made as of September 21, 2007, by and among (1) GENCO SHIPPING & TRADING LIMITED, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of Marshall Islands (the “ Borrower ”), (2) the banks and financial institutions acceptable to the Borrower and Mandated Lead Arranger (as defined below) as are signatories hereto, as lenders (the “ Lenders ”), and (3) DnB NOR BANK ASA, acting through its New York branch (“ DnB ”) as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”), mandated lead arranger (in such capacity, the “ Mandated Lead Arranger ”), as bookrunner (in such capacity, the “ Bookrunner ”), as security trustee and as collateral agent under the Security Documents (in such capacity, the “ Collateral Agent ”) and amends and is supplemental to the Senior Secured Credit Agreement dated as of July 20, 2007 (the “ Original Agreement ”), made by and among the parties. All capitalized terms used herein and defined in Section 11 are used herein as therein defined.
 
W I T N E S S E T H :
 
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Original Agreement, the Lenders made available to the Borrower a senior secured credit facility in the amount of US$1,377,000,000 (the “ Facility ”);
 
WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders permit the Borrower to transfer the Pledged Securities in Jinhui to Genco Investments LLC, a Marshall Islands limited liability company (“ Genco Investments ”);
 
WHEREAS, the Lenders have agreed to permit the Borrower to transfer the Pledged Securities in Jinhui to Genco Investments provided the Borrower satisfies the requirements of this Amendment, including but not limited to Genco Investments (i) establishing a Deposit Account (as defined in Section 9 of this Amendment), (ii) executing a Guaranty under the Original Agreement, as supplemented hereby, and (iii) executing a Pledge and Security Agreement over the Pledged Securities in Jinhui; and
 
WHEREAS, the Lenders and the Borrower have agreed to certain other amendments to the Original Agreement.
 
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and such other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties, it is hereby agreed as follows:
 
1.    Definitions .  Unless otherwise defined herein, words and expressions defined in the Original Agreement have the same meanings when used herein, including in the recitals hereto.
 
 

 
 
2.    Representations and Warranties .  The Borrower hereby reaffirms, as of the date hereof, each and every representation and warranty made thereby in the Original Agreement, the Note and the Security Documents (updated mutatis mutandis). In addition, the Borrower represents and warrants that it is the owner of one hundred percent (100%) of the ownership interest of Genco Investments.
 
3.    No Defaults .  The Borrower hereby represents and warrants that as of the date hereof no Event of Default or event which, with the passage of time, giving of notice or both would become an Event of Default, has occurred.
 
4.    Performance of Covenants .  The Borrower hereby reaffirms that it has duly performed and observed the covenants and undertakings set forth in the Original Agreement, the Note and the Security Documents, on its part to be performed, and the Borrower covenants and undertakes to continue duly to perform and observe such covenants and undertakings so long as the Original Agreement, as the same is amended hereby and may hereafter be amended or supplemented, shall remain in effect.
 
5.    Amendment to the Original Agreement .  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Amendment, the Original Agreement is hereby amended and supplemented as follows:
 
(a)    All references to “this Agreement” shall be deemed to refer to the Original Agreement, as further amended and supplemented hereby.
 
(b)    The first paragraph on page one shall be revised to replace “11” with “13”.
 
(c)    The last sentence of Section 4.02(b) shall be replaced in its entirety with the following sentence:
 
“In addition, in the event of a sale of any Pledged Securities in Jinhui by Genco Investments, the Borrower shall ensure that within one Business Day after the day the proceeds of each such sale are converted from Norwegian Kroner into United States Dollars (and received by the Borrower or Genco Investments LLC after termination of the relevant swap in relation thereto), prepay the outstanding Loans in an aggregate amount up to Seventy Seven Million United States Dollars (US$77,000,000), together with customary breakage costs, if applicable.   In addition, in the event of a sale of any other Pledged Securities by Genco Investments, Genco Investments shall ensure that the proceeds of the sale shall be used to prepay the outstanding Loans (if any), in an amount equal to the Loans made with respect to the acquisition of the Pledged Securities and at the time that shall be agreed between Genco Investments and the Agent at the time of the acquisition of the Equity Investment.  Finally, in the event that the Borrower or Genco Investments shall desire to exchange the Pledged Securities
 
 
 
2

 
 
 
for Vessels to be acquired from the issuer of such Pledged Securities, then the Borrower or Genco Investments, as the case may be, shall be permitted to make such exchange and such Vessels, valued in an aggregate amount equal to Seventy Seven Million United States Dollars (US$77,000,000) in the case of Jinhui, or the amount the Loans made to acquire such Equity Investment, in connection with other Equity Investments, shall be subject to Section 8.02 hereof,”;

(d)    The text of Section 4.03 shall be amended by (1) renaming the Section “ Required Repayments and Application of Net Cash Flow ”, (2)  replacing the words “Commencing with” in the first line thereof with the words “For”, (3) adding the following as a new second sentence: “In addition, commencing with the quarter ending December 31, 2007, the Borrower shall repay Six Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand United States Dollars (US$6,250,000) on the last day of each quarter and prior to the declaration of any Dividend (the “Required Repayments”).” and (4) amending the final sentence of the Section by adding the words “Required Repayments or” before “required payments with respect to Net Cash Flows”.
 
(e)    Section 7.03 shall be revised to replace “the Borrower” in the ninth line of such Section with “Genco Investments”.
 
(f)    Section 10.01(i) shall be amended by deleting the word “Borrowing” from the second line thereof.
 
(g)    Section 11.02 shall be amended by adding the phrase “or Genco Investments” after “Subsidiary Guarantor” in the introductory paragraph.
 
(h)    Section 11.02(iv) shall be amended by adding a parenthentical “(A)” prior to the text on the first line thereof and then adding the following new text as subparagraph “(B)”:
 
“(B)           Genco Investments may sell all or any part of its assets provided that (x) all proceeds from such Collateral Disposition have been applied to the repayment of the Loans to the extent required in Section 4.02 of this Agreement and (y) if all of the assets of Genco Investments shall have been sold, the Genco Investments may dissolve provided that (i) all of the proceeds of such dissolution shall be paid only to the Borrower and (ii) no Event of Default is continuing unremedied at the time of such dissolution; and”
 
(i)    Section 11.02 shall be amended by adding the phrase “or Genco Investments” after “Guarantor” in the second line of the first paragraph thereof.
 
(j)    Section 11.04(a)(i) shall be amended by the addition of the phrase “or Genco Investments” in the parenthetical expression in the first line thereof.
 
 
 
3

 
 
(k)    Section 11.04(b) shall be amended by adding the phrase “nor Genco Investments” after “Subsidiary Guarantor” in the second line thereof.
 
(l)    Section 11.12 shall be amended by adding the phrase “or Genco Investments” after “Subsidiary Guarantor” in each instance where “Subsidiary Guarantor” appears in subparagraphs “(a)” and “(b)” thereof.
 
(m)    Section 11.16 shall be amended by adding the phrase “or Genco Investments” after “Subsidiary Guarantor” in the first line thereof.
 
(n)    Section 12.08 shall be amended by adding the phrase “or Genco Investments” after “Subsidiary Guarantor” at the end of the second and third line thereof and in the sixth line thereof.
 
(o)    The definition of “ Applicable Margin ” in Section 13 shall be amended  to read as follows:
 
shall mean 0.90% per   annum until the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date, and thereafter shall be 0.95% per   annum; provided however, that if at any time the Borrower’s Consolidated Indebtedness falls below 70% of its Consolidated Total Capitalization, then during such period the Applicable Margin will be 0.85% per annum until the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date, and thereafter shall be 0.90%.
 
(p)    The definition of “Collateral Disposition” in Section 13 shall be modified to add, after “Mortgaged Vessel”, “or, in the case of Genco Investments, its Investments,”.
 
(q)    The definition of “Credit Documents” in Section 13 shall be amended to include the following at the end thereof “and, for the avoidance of doubt shall include any and all documents executed by Genco Investments pursuant to the terms of this Agreement as amended”.
 
(r)    The definition of “Genco Investments” shall be inserted in the appropriate alphabetical place in Section 13 as follows: “means Genco Investments LLC, a Marshall Islands limited liability company.”
 
(s)    The definition of “Jinhui Pledge” in Section 13 shall be revised to replace the word “Borrower” with “Genco Investments” and the reference to Section 7.04 shall be changed to Section 7.03.
 
(t)    The definition of “Required Repayments” will be added to Section 13 and such definition shall read ““ Required Repayments ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.03.”
 
(u)    The definition of “Subsidiary Guarantor” shall be amended by the insertion of the following “(other than Genco Investments)” immediately after “Borrower” in the second line thereof.
 
 
 
4

 
 
6.    Fees and Expenses .  The Borrower shall pay promptly to the Lenders all costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) of the Lenders in connection with the preparation and execution of this Amendment and each of the Guaranty and the Pledge and Security Agreement to be executed by Genco Investments.
 
7.    No Other Amendment .  All other terms and conditions of the Original Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and the Original Agreement shall be read and construed as if the terms of this Amendment were included therein by way of addition or substitution, as the case may be.
 
8.    Other Documents .  By the execution and delivery of this Amendment, each of the parties hereby consents and agrees that all references in the Note and the Security Documents to the Original Agreement shall be deemed to refer to the Original Agreement as amended and supplemented by this Amendment. By the execution and delivery of this Amendment, the Borrower hereby consents and agrees that the Security Documents and any other documents that have been or may be executed as security for the Facility and any of its obligations under the Original Agreement, the Note or any Security Document shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the amendments contemplated hereby.
 
9.    Conditions Precedent .  The effectiveness of this Amendment shall be expressly subject to the following conditions precedent:
 
(a)    Corporate Documents .  The Lenders shall have received such evidence as it may reasonably require as to the authority of the officers or attorneys-in-fact of the Borrower executing this Amendment and the officers or attorneys-in-fact of Genco Investments executing the Guaranty and the Pledge and Security Agreement relating to the Pledged Securities in Jinhui;
 
(b)    Amendment, Guaranty and Pledge and Security Agreement .  The Borrower shall have executed and delivered to the Lenders this Amendment and each of the Guarantors shall have consented hereto, the Borrower shall have executed a supplement to its Pledge and Security Agreement or a new Pledge and Security Agreement in respect of its shares in Genco Investments and Genco Investments shall have executed and delivered to the Lenders a Guaranty and the Pledge and Security Agreement relating to, inter alia, the Pledged Securities in Jinhui, together with any and all related documents required in connection therewith to the satisfaction of the Lenders;
 
(c)    Depository Account .  The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence to the satisfaction of the Lenders that Genco Investments has established a Norwegian Central Securities Depository Account (the “ Depository Account ”);
 
(d)    No Event of Default .  The Lenders shall be satisfied that no Event of Default or event which, with the passage of time, giving of notice or both would become an Event of Default have occurred and be continuing and the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in the Original Agreement and this Amendment, shall be true on and as of the date of this Amendment; and
 
 
 
5

 
 
(e)    Opinion of Counsel .  The Administrative Agent shall have received relevant and satisfactory legal opinions from (i) Wikborg, Rein & Co., special Norwegian counsel to the Agent and Lenders, an opinion addressed to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders, (ii) Reeder & Simpson, Marshall Islands counsel to the Borrower and Genco Investments, (iii) Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP, special New York counsel to the Borrower and Genco Investments and (iv) such other legal opinions as the Administrative Agent may require.
 
10.    Governing Law .  This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
 
11.    Further Assurances .  The Borrower hereby consents and agrees that if this Amendment or any of the Security Documents shall at any time be deemed by the Lenders for any reason insufficient in whole or in part to carry out the true intent and spirit hereof or thereof, it will execute or cause to be executed such other and further assurances and documents as in the reasonable opinion of the Lenders may be reasonably required in order more effectively to accomplish the purposes of this Amendment or any of the Security Documents.
 
12.    Counterparts .  This Amendment may be executed in as many counterparts as may be deemed necessary or convenient, and by the different parties hereto on separate counterparts each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed to be an original but all such counterparts shall constitute but one and the same agreement.
 
13.    Headings; Amendment .  In this Amendment, section headings are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall be ignored in the interpretation of this Amendment.  This Amendment cannot be amended other than by written agreement signed by the parties hereto.
 
 

 
6


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has executed this Amendment by its duly authorized representative on the day and year first above written.
 
           BORROWER:

           GENCO SHIPPING & TRADING LIMITED , as Borrower


           By_________________________________
            Name:
            Title:

            Address :
                 
           299 Park Avenue, 20th floor
           New York, NY     10171
           Telephone:
           Facsimile:
 

 


7

 

 
           DNB NOR BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH , as Administrative Agent,
           Collateral Agent, Mandated Lead Arranger, Bookrunner and a Lender



           By_________________________________
            Name:
            Title:



           By_________________________________
            Name:
            Title:
 
 

 

8

 
 
 
 


Exhibit 10.2
 

 
[Genco Shipping Letterhead]
 
 
 
                                         September 21, 2007
 
Mr. John C. Wobensmith
Genco Shipping & Trading Limited
299 Park Avenue, 20th Floor
New York, NY  10171
 
Dear Mr. Wobensmith:
 
The purpose of this letter is to set forth the agreement (this "Agreement") with respect to the terms of your continued employment by Genco Shipping & Trading Limited. (“Genco” or the “Company”).  As used in this Agreement, the term “Genco Group” means and includes the Company and each of its subsidiaries and controlled affiliates and joint ventures from time to time.  It is agreed as follows:
 
1.    Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Genco agrees to continue to employ you and you agree to continue to be employed by Genco, effective September 21, 2007 (the “Effective Date”).
 
2.    Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, your employment with Genco shall be for an initial term of two (2) years from the date of this Agreement (the “Term”).  Unless either party provides at least ninety (90) days written notice to the other prior to the expiration of the Term of its intent not to extend this Agreement, the Term shall be automatically extended for a period of one-year, and the same procedure shall apply each year successively.   The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall remain in force during the Term.  Any failure to renew this Agreement on the Company’s part shall be a termination without Cause and the terms of Section 6(c) below shall apply.
 
3.    During the Term, your titles shall be Chief Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer, Secretary and Treasurer and/or such other titles of a senior executive nature as the Board of Directors may assign to you.  You shall report to the Board of Directors.  You shall have such specific duties, responsibilities and authority (including without limitation service as an officer, director or equivalent position of any subsidiary, affiliated company or venture of the Genco  Group, without additional compensation) as may be assigned to you by the Board of Directors of Genco, and in the absence of such assignment, such duties, responsibilities and authority as are customary to your positions.
 
4.    During your employment, you shall devote your full business time, attention, energy and best efforts to the business and affairs of Genco (and the members of the Genco Group to the extent requested pursuant to Section 3 above).  You shall abide by all applicable policies of the Company and the Genco Group from time to time in effect known to you or provided to you
 
 

 
 
electronically or in writing.  You agree that you shall not engage in or be interested in any capacity in any activity that is contrary to the interest of Genco, or that is reasonably deemed by Genco to be harmful to Genco’s business interests, unless such activity is fully disclosed and approved in writing prior to the undertaking by the Board of Directors of Genco.   To the extent consistent with your duties and responsibilities hereunder, you may (a) engage in charitable, educational and community affairs, including serving on the board of directors of any charitable, educational or community organization, (b) manage your own passive investments, (c) upon approval of the Board of Directors of the Company or a committee thereof, serve as a director of another company and (d) engage in activities approved by the Board of Directors.
 
5.       (a)      In consideration of your services, you shall be paid an annualized base salary of $300,000 during your employment (“Base Salary”), payable in accordance with Genco’s normal payroll practices.  Your Base Salary shall be reviewed annually by Genco’s Compensation Committee, and may be subject to increase, but not decrease, during the Term.
 
(b)       In addition, you shall be eligible to receive annual discretionary bonus compensation.  The amount of such bonus, if any, shall be in the Compensation Committee’s sole discretion.
 
(c)       You shall be eligible to receive Restricted Stock and other equity grants from time to time pursuant to the Company’s 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time, or any successor employee stock incentive or option plan in accordance with the terms and conditions thereof.
 
(d)       You shall be entitled to four (4) weeks paid vacation per calendar year.  You shall also be entitled to employee benefits on the same basis as those benefits are made available to other Genco employees in comparable positions.  Genco will also bear the cost, up to $20,000 per annum during the Term, of long-term disability coverage and life insurance for your benefit .
 
(e)      Genco will reimburse you, in accordance with its standard policies from time to time in effect, for such reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket business expenses as may be incurred by you during your employment in the performance of your duties and responsibilities for any member of the Genco Group.  You will provide documentation of such expenses as reasonably required under standard Company policies from time to time.
 
(f)      Genco will also reimburse you for reasonable legal fees incurred by you in the negotiation of this Agreement up to $25,000.
 
(g)      All salary and other payments by Genco are subject to all required withholdings and such deductions as you may instruct Genco to take.
 
6.       (a)      Genco may immediately terminate your employment for Cause (as defined herein).  In such event, or if you resign (other than for Good Reason or Disability (as defined below)) or retire as an employee of Genco, the obligations of Genco shall cease immediately and you shall not be entitled to any further payments of any kind except for (i) an amount equal to your accrued but unpaid Base Salary through the Termination Date (as defined below in Section
 
 
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6(e)); (ii) any amounts owing to you but not yet paid, including without limitation, any bonus payments awarded for any performance period that has ended and any business expenses required to be reimbursed under Section 5(e), and (iii) other payments entitlements and benefits, if any, in accordance with applicable plans, programs, arrangements of, or any agreement, including this Agreement, with the Company or any affiliate.  For purposes of this Agreement, Cause shall include:
 
(i)  
any act or failure to act by you involving fraud, material theft or embezzlement;
 
(ii)  
conviction of (or a plea of nolo contendere to) a crime that constitutes a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude, in either case within the meaning of applicable law;
 
(iii)  
in carrying out your duties for the Company, you engage in conduct that constitutes willful gross neglect or willful gross misconduct resulting, in either case, in material economic harm to the Company; or
 
(iv)  
failure or refusal to perform or observe any of your material duties, responsibilities or obligations set forth in this Agreement or your failure to follow the directions of an officer of Genco to whom you report or of the Board of Directors.
 
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, your employment shall not be terminated for Cause under Section 6(a)(i), (iii) or (iv) above unless you are given notice by the Company of circumstances constituting the basis for such termination and, if such circumstances are curable, for thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice you have failed to cure them.
 
(b)           In the event of your death, or termination of your employment due to Disability (as defined below), the Company will pay to you (or your estate or legal representative, as the case may be) in a lump sum within thirty (30) days after the Termination Date, an amount equal to the sum of (i) Base Salary plus a Pro-rata Bonus (as defined below in Section 6(c)) through the Termination Date and (ii) one year’s Base Salary and shall provide you and your eligible dependents in the case of Disability continued medical, dental, long-term disability and life insurance at the Company’s cost, for a period of twelve (12) months from the Termination Date to the extent available under the Company’s applicable plans or programs.  In addition, the Company agrees that your rights under COBRA to continued medical and dental coverage shall be deemed to commence after the expiration of the 12-month period described above, so long as the Company’s policies allow such a commencement.  Finally, you (or your estate or legal representative, as the case may be) shall be entitled to any amounts owing to you but not  yet paid, including without limitation, any bonus payments awarded for any performance period that has ended and any business expenses required to be reimbursed under Section 5(e) as well as any payments, entitlements and benefits, if any, in accordance with applicable plans, programs, arrangements, or any agreement, including this Agreement, with, the Company or any affiliate.
 
 
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For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean your inability to perform your duties and responsibilities as contemplated under this Agreement for a period of more than 180 consecutive days, or for a period aggregating more than 240 days, whether or not continuous, during any 360-day period, due to physical or mental incapacity or impairment as determined in accordance herewith.  A determination of Disability will be made by a physician satisfactory to both you and the Company; provided that if you and the Company cannot agree as to a physician, then each will select a physician and these two together will select a third physician, whose determination as to Disability will be binding on you and the Company.  You, your legal representative or any adult member of your immediate family shall have the right to present to the Company and such physician such information and arguments on your behalf as you or they deem appropriate, including the opinion of your personal physician.  Should your employment be terminated due to Disability, all base salary and other compensation otherwise due to you hereunder shall be continued through the date on which your employment is terminated for Disability.
 
(c)           In the event of your resignation for Good Reason, or in the event that your employment is terminated by Genco, other than in accordance with Section 6(a) or (b), you shall be entitled to receive (i) your Base Salary through the Termination Date; (ii)  a lump sum payment equal in amount to double your annualized base salary, as determined on the Termination Date, less all deductions and withholdings; (iii) a lump sum payment equal to double the average of your three (3) prior years’ Annual Incentive Award (or, if applicable, such lesser period that you were employed by the Company) payable within twenty (20) days of your termination date and (iv) a pro-rata Bonus for the year in which the Termination Date occurs equal to the amount by which (x) the amount determined by multiplying the average Annual Incentive Award granted to you during the three years preceding the year in which the Termination Date occurs (or, if applicable, such lesser period that you were employed by the Company) by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days you were employed by the Company during the year of termination and the denominator of which is 365 exceeds (y) the value of any Annual Incentive Award granted or paid to you in respect of the year of termination (“Pro-rata Bonus”) payable within twenty (20) days of your termination date.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Annual Incentive Award” for any year shall mean the cash bonus earned by you for such year, including any amounts deferred.  In addition, with respect to a termination of your employment by you for Good Reason or by the Company without Cause (other than due to your death or Disability) upon or within two years of a Change of Control, Annual Incentive Award shall also include the value on the date of grant of any equity awards granted to you for such year which for stock options shall be the Black-Sholes value.  For the avoidance of doubt, your Annual Incentive Award for 2005 shall not include the grant of 32,262 shares of restricted stock made to you on October 31, 2005.  In any event, for purposes of this Section 6(c), your Annual Incentive Award for 2005 and 2006 shall be deemed to be not less than $500,000 for each of 2005 and 2006; and your restricted stock awards for 2005 and 2006 (exclusive of the initial grant of 32, 262 shares), which were 15,000 shares for 2005 and 20,000 shares for 2006, shall each be deemed to be valued at not less than $475,000.  In addition, you shall be entitled to any amounts owing to you but not yet paid, including without limitation, any bonus payments awarded for any performance period that has ended and any business expenses required to be reimbursed under Section 5(e), as well as any other payments, entitlements and benefits, if any, in accordance with applicable plans, programs, arrangements of, or any agreement, including this Agreement, with, the Company or any affiliate, payable within twenty (20) days of  your termination.  Additionally, Genco shall provide you with coverages under any Genco Group medical, dental,
 
 
 
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long-term disability or life insurance benefit plan or program in which you participated immediately prior to such termination or any replacement plan or program (so long as such coverage is available under the Company’s applicable plans or programs) for a period of 24 months following the Termination Date.  Finally, the Company agrees that your rights under COBRA to continued medical and dental coverage shall be deemed to commence after the expiration of such 24-month period, so long as the Company’s policies allow such a commencement.
 
(d)           Your resignation shall be deemed to be for “Good Reason” if the Company: (i) materially diminishes your authority, duties or responsibilities; (ii) materially diminishes your annualized Base Salary below $300,000 during the Term;  (iii)  materially changes the location of your office and such new location is outside of the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York; or (iv) materially breaches this Agreement.  You will give the Company written notice of your intention to terminate your employment within thirty (30) days of the occurrence of any event constituting Good Reason, and the Company shall have thirty (30) days from the receipt of such notice to cure such event.  Your termination of employment on account of such event must be effective no later than thirty (30) days after the expiration of such cure period.
 
(e)           For purposes of this Agreement, “Termination Date” shall mean: (i) if your employment is terminated by Genco for Cause, the date of the notice of termination from the Company, provided that if the termination is for Cause pursuant to Section 6(a)(i), (iii) or (iv) of the definition of Cause, then the Termination Date shall be the date on which the applicable cure period lapses if you have not cured; (ii) if your employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by you without Good Reason (other than for Disability), the date set forth in the notice of termination (which no event shall be earlier than the date such notice is effective); (iii) if your employment is terminated by reason of death, the date of death; (iv) if your employment is terminated upon Disability, 30 days after notice is given by the Company; and (v) if your employment is terminated by you for Good Reason, 30 days after such notice is given unless the Company has cured the grounds for such termination within the applicable cure period.
 
7.     (a)           Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if (i) a Change in Control occurs; and (ii) upon the Change in Control or within 2 years thereafter you terminate your employment for Good Reason as defined above or the Company terminates your employment without Cause, you shall be entitled to all the payments, benefits and entitlements as of the Termination Date as set forth in Section 6(c) provided that the multiple in Section 6(c)(ii) and (iii)  shall be triple (not double) and the time period in Section 6(c) shall be 36 months, not 24 months.
 
For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Change of Control" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following:
 
(i)  
any person or "group" (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”), other than Oaktree Capital Management, LLC and its related entities or Peter C. Georgiopoulos, acquiring "beneficial ownership" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act), directly or indirectly, of (A) thirty percent (30%) or more of the aggregate voting power of the capital stock ordinarily entitled to elect directors of Genco within a 12-month period or (B) more than fifty percent (50%) of such aggregate voting power or of the value of the Genco capital stock; or
 
 
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(ii)  
the sale of all or substantially all of Genco's assets in one or more related transactions within a 12-month period to any person, other than such a sale to (x) a subsidiary of Genco which does not involve a change in the equity holdings of Genco or (y) to an entity which Oaktree Capital Management, LLC or Peter C. Georgiopoulos directly or indirectly controls; or
 
(iii)  
any merger, consolidation, reorganization or similar event of Genco or any of its subsidiaries, as a result of which the holders of the voting stock of Genco immediately prior to such merger, consolidation, reorganization or similar event do not directly or indirectly hold at least fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate voting power of the capital stock of the surviving entity; or
 
(iv)  
a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of Genco is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of Genco’s Board of Directors before the date of such appointment or election.
 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for each award subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, a Change in Control shall be deemed to occur under this Plan with respect to such award only if a change in the ownership or effective control of Genco or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of Genco shall also be deemed to have occurred under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.
 
(b)    Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event it shall be determined (as hereafter provided) that any payment, benefit or distribution to you or for your benefit, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (a “Payment”), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) (or any successor provision thereto), or any interest or penalties with respect to such excise tax (other than interest or penalties payable solely as a result of action or inaction by you other than any action or inaction which is at the direction of, or results from a determination by, the inaction which is at the direction of, or results from a determination by, the Firm (as defined below) or the Company) (such tax, together with any such interest and penalties, hereafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then you shall be entitled to receive an additional payment or payments (a “Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount such that, after payment by you of all taxes (excluding any interest or penalties payable solely as a result of action or inaction by you other than any action or inaction which is at the direction of, or results from a determination by, the Firm or the Company), including any Excise Tax, imposed upon the
 
 
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Gross-Up Payment, you retain an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments (disregarding any Payments made pursuant to this Section 7(b).  For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up Payment, you shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest marginal rate of federal income taxation applicable to individuals in the calendar year in which the Gross-Up Payment is to be made and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rates of taxation applicable to individuals as are in effect in the state and locality of your residence in the calendar year in which the Gross-Up Payment is to be made, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes that can be obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes, taking into account any limitations applicable to individuals subject to federal income tax at the highest marginal rates.
 
All determinations required to be made under this Section 7(b), including whether an Excise Tax is payable by you, the amount of such Excise Tax, whether a Gross-Up Payment is required, and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment, shall be made by an independent auditor (the “Firm”) selected by you and reasonably acceptable to the Company.  The Firm shall be a nationally-recognized United States public accounting firm which has not, during the two years preceding the date of its selection, acted in any way for the Company or any affiliate thereof.  Either the Company or you may request that a determination be made.  The Firm shall submit its determination and detailed supporting calculations to you and the Company as promptly as practicable.  If the Firm determines that any Excise Tax is payable by you and that a Gross-Up Payment is required, the Company shall pay you the required Gross-Up Payment (i) within thirty (30) days of receipt of such determination and calculations or (ii) if later, upon the earlier of (x) the payment to you of any Payment that gives rise to an Excise Tax or (y) the imposition upon you or payment by you of any Excise Tax.  In no event shall the Gross-Up Payment be paid later than December 31 of the year following the year in which you pay the applicable Excise Tax.  If the Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by you, it shall, at the same time it makes such determination, furnish you with an opinion that you have substantial authority not to report any Excise Tax on your federal income tax return.  Any determination by the Firm as to the amount of the Gross-Up Payment shall be binding upon you and the Company.
 
As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code (or any successor provision thereto) at the time of the initial determination by the Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made (an “Underpayment”).  If you thereafter are required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment (if any) that has occurred and submit its determination and detailed supporting calculations to you and the Company as promptly as possible.  Any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to you, or for your benefit, within thirty (30) days of receipt of such determination and calculations but in no event later than December 31 of the year following the year in which you pay such Excise Tax.
 
In the event that the Internal Revenue Service makes any claim, gives notice of any potential claim or institutes a proceeding against you asserting that any Excise Tax or additional Excise Tax is due in respect of the Payments, you shall promptly give the Company notice of any such claim, potential claim or proceeding.  The Company shall have the right to conduct all discussions, negotiations, defenses, actions and proceedings, solely to the extent relating to any Excise Tax payable in respect of the Payments, and you shall cooperate with and assist the
 
 
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Company, at the Company’s expense, in any such discussions, negotiations, defenses, actions and proceedings, to the extent reasonably requested by the Company.  You will not settle any claim or proceeding relating solely to the Excise Tax payable in respect of the Payments without the consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.  You shall file, at the Company’s expense, all requests for refunds of the Gross-Up Amount, or any portion thereof, paid to any taxing authority as shall be reasonably requested by the Company and shall pay over to the Company (net of any tax payable thereon) any such refunds, together with any interest thereon, when and as such refunds and interest are received by you.  All fees and expenses for services in connection with the determinations and calculations contemplated by this Section 7(b), including without limitation the reasonable costs of your own counsel, shall be borne by the Company and shall be paid not later than December 31 of the year following the year in which any such audit is completed or there is a final and nonappealable settlement or other resolution.
 
8.    You shall have no duty to mitigate the amounts payable to you in the event of the termination of your employment under Sections 6 and 7 or any other amounts, benefits or entitlements payable to you hereunder or otherwise, and such amounts, benefits and entitlements shall not be subject to reduction, offset or repayment for any compensation received by you from employment in any capacity or other source following the termination of your employment with  Genco or on account of any claim the Company or any member of the Genco Group may have against you.
 
9.    Within fifteen (15) days after the effective date of a merger, consolidation, sale or similar transaction, Genco shall obtain in writing from any successor entity an assumption in writing of Genco’s obligation to perform this Agreement and any other any agreement between you and Genco.
 
10.    You represent and warrant as follows:
 
(a)           You are not in breach of any agreement requiring you to preserve the confidentiality of any information, client lists, trade secrets or other confidential information or any agreement not to compete or interfere with any prior employer, and that neither the execution of this letter nor the performance by you of your obligations hereunder will conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute a default under, any agreement to which you are a party or to which you may be subject;
 
(b)           You have not taken and will not take any confidential information from any prior employer and will not use any such information in performing your obligations hereunder, but instead will rely on your generalized knowledge and skill in performing your services hereunder; and
 
(c)    You are not the subject of any investigation by any prior employer; and you are not a party in any litigation or arbitration proceeding related in any way to your current or prior employment.
 
11.    The Company represents and warrants that as of the date hereof (i) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company has been fully and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action, (ii) the officer signing this Agreement on behalf of the
 
 
 
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Company is duly authorized to do so, (iii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement does not violate any applicable law, regulation, order, judgment or decree or any agreement, plan or corporate governance document to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound and (iv) upon execution and delivery of this Agreement by the parties, it shall be a valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally.
 
12.    All notices and consents required or permitted hereunder will be given in writing.  Notices shall be given by personal delivery; by express delivery via any reputable express courier service; or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, in each case addressed to the parties at the respective addresses set forth above or at such other address as may be designated in writing by either party to the other in the manner set forth herein.  Notices which are delivered personally, or by courier as aforesaid, will be effective on the date of delivery.  Notices delivered by mail will be deemed effectively given upon the fifth calendar day subsequent to the postmark date thereof.
 
13.    (a)           The Genco Group owns and has developed and compiled, and will own, develop and compile, certain techniques, information, and materials tangible or intangible, relating to itself, its customers, suppliers and others, which are secret, proprietary and confidential, and which have great value to its business (referred to in this Agreement, collectively, as “Confidential Information”). Confidential Information shall not in any event include information which (i) was generally known or generally available to the public or within the relevant trade or industry prior to its disclosure to you or (ii) becomes generally known or generally available to the public or within the relevant trade or industry subsequent to disclosure to you other than due to your breach of your obligations.  Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to, information contained in manuals, documents, computer programs, compilations of technical, financial, legal or other data, specifications, designs, business or marketing plans, forecasts, financial information, work in progress, and other technical or business information.
 
(b)    You acknowledge and agree that in the performance of your duties hereunder the Genco Group will from time to time disclose to you and entrust you with Confidential Information. You also acknowledge and agree that the unauthorized disclosure of Confidential Information obtained by you during your employment, among other things, may be prejudicial to the interests of the Genco Group’s interests and an improper disclosure of trade secrets. Unless Genco otherwise consents, you agree that during the Term hereunder and for three years thereafter you shall not, except as otherwise provided herein, directly or indirectly, use, make available, sell, disclose or otherwise communicate to any corporation, partnership, individual or other third party, other than in the ordinary course of your employment, any Confidential Information.  Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the provisions of this Section 13 shall not apply (x) when disclosure is required by law or by any court, arbitrator, mediator or administrative or legislative body (including any committee thereof) with actual or apparent jurisdiction to order you to disclose or make accessible any information or (y) to the extent reasonably necessary to enforce or defend your rights pursuant to this Agreement or any other agreement between you and Genco (provided that in the case of clause (x), unless otherwise prohibited by law, you provide the Company with prior notice of the contemplated disclosure and reasonably cooperate with the Company at the Company’s expense in seeking a protective order or other appropriate protection of such information).
 
 
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(c)    Upon termination of your employment, you shall not retain or take with you any Confidential Information in a Tangible Form (defined below), and you shall as promptly as possible deliver to Genco any Confidential Information in a Tangible Form that you then control, as well as all other Genco Group property, including equipment, documents or other things, that was issued to you or otherwise received or obtained during your employment with Genco that you then control. “Tangible Form” includes information or materials in written or graphic form, on a computer disk or other medium, or otherwise stored in or available through electronic or other form.  Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, you shall be entitled to retain (i) papers and other materials of a personal nature, including, but not limited to, photographs, personal correspondence, personal diaries, personal calendars and Rolodexes, personal files and phone books, (ii) information showing your compensation or relating to reimbursement of expenses, (iii) information that you reasonably believe may be needed for tax purposes and (iv) copies of plans, programs relating to your employment, or termination thereof, with Genco, provided that you shall provide Genco with a list and, to the extent related to the Genco Group’s business, copies of the foregoing upon request (in which event Genco will keep your confidential personal information confidential in accordance with its customary business practice).
 
(d)    The provisions of this Section 13 shall survive the termination of the Term.
 
14.    As part of the consideration for the compensation and benefits paid to you under this Agreement; and to protect the confidential and proprietary information that will be disclosed and entrusted to you, the business good will of the Genco Group that exists and will be developed, and the business opportunities that will be disclosed or entrusted to you by the Genco Group; and as an additional incentive for Genco to enter into this Agreement, the parties agree as follows:
 
(a)           During the period of your employment, and for two (2) years thereafter, (the “Non-Competition Period”), you agree that you will not, directly or indirectly, have any interest in, manage, operate or be employed in any capacity by any person, firm, corporation, partnership or business (whether as an employee, director, officer, partner, investor, advisor, consultant or otherwise) that engages in the leasing, sale, or chartering of ocean going drybulk vessels.
 
(b)           During the period of your employment, and for two (2) years thereafter, you agree not to:
 
(i)  
with respect to deals or transactions under consideration at the time you leave the employ of Genco, solicit, induce or encourage any existing or potential client or counterparty of the Genco Group to forego the proposed deal or transaction or to consummate the deal or transaction instead with another firm, company, business, partnership or enterprise, whether you are employed by that entity or not;
 
 
 
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(ii)  
solicit, or induce or encourage any customer of the Genco Group  which accounted for more than 5% of its revenues during the preceding fiscal year to cease doing business with the Genco Group or reduce the amount of business it does with the Genco Group;

(iii)  
hire, solicit, recruit, induce, procure or attempt to hire, solicit, recruit, induce or procure, directly or indirectly, any person who is an employee of the Genco Group or who was such an employee at any time during the final year of your employment;

(iv)  
assist in hiring any such person by any other individual, sole proprietorship, firm, company, business, partnership, or other enterprise; or

(v)  
encourage any such person to terminate his or her employment, without the express written consent of Genco.

(c)    You acknowledge that the foregoing limitations are reasonable under the circumstances and you represent that your fulfillment of the obligations set forth in this Section shall not cause you any substantial economic hardship or render you unemployable within the applicable industry.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, it is agreed that the provisions of Section 14(a) shall not be effective in the event of (i) a Change of Control or (ii) a termination of your employment by the Company without Cause or by you for Good Reason.
 
(d)    The provisions of this Section 14 shall survive the termination of the Term.
 
15.    You acknowledge that the Company would sustain irreparable injury in the event of a violation by you of any of the provisions of Sections 13 or 14 hereof, and by reason thereof you consent and agree that if you violate any of the provisions of said Sections 13 or 14, in addition to any other remedies available, the Company shall be entitled to a decree specifically enforcing such provisions, and shall be entitled to a temporary and permanent injunction restraining you from committing or continuing any such violation, from any arbitrator duly appointed in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or any court of competent jurisdiction, without the necessity of proving actual damages, posting any bond, or seeking arbitration in any forum.
 
16.    You agree that, during the Term, the Genco Group will have the right to obtain and maintain life insurance on your life, at its expense, and for its benefit, subject to such aggregate coverage limitation as you and the Company shall agree, your consent not to be unreasonably withheld. You agree to cooperate fully with the Genco Group in obtaining such life insurance, to sign any necessary consents, applications and other related forms or documents and to take any required medical examinations..
 
 
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17.    (a)           The Company agrees that if you are made a party to, are threatened to be made a party to, receive any legal process in, or receive any discovery request or request for information in connection with, any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”), by reason of the fact that you are or were a director, officer, employee, consultant or agent of the Company or are or were serving at the request of, or on behalf of, the Company or any member of the Genco Group as a director, officer, member, employee, consultant or agent of another corporation, limited liability corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans and service with respect to any member of the Genco Group, whether or not the basis of such Proceeding is your alleged action in an official capacity while serving as a director, officer, member, employee, consultant or agent of the Company, any other member of the Genco Group, or other entity, you shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company and any other member of the Genco Group to the fullest extent permitted by such entities’ corporate documents, including but not limited to, the Company’s articles of incorporation or by-laws in effect as of the Effective Date (provided that you shall have the benefit of any amendments to such documents after the Effective Date that are favorable to you) and applicable law, against any and all costs, expenses, liabilities and losses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees reasonably incurred, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and any reasonable costs and fees incurred in enforcing your rights to indemnification or contribution) incurred or suffered by you in connection therewith, and such indemnification shall continue as to you even though you have ceased to be a director, officer, member, employee, consultant or agent of the Company, any other member of the Genco Group or other entity and shall inure to the benefit of your heirs, executors and administrators.  The Company shall advance to you all costs and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) reasonably incurred by you in connection with any Proceeding within 20 business days after receipt by the Company of a written request for such reimbursement and appropriate documentation associated with these expenses.  Such request shall include an undertaking by you to repay the amount of such advance to the extent required by law.
 
(b)           Neither the failure of the Company (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any Proceeding concerning payment of amounts claimed by you under Section 17(a) above that indemnification of you is proper because you have met the applicable standard of conduct, nor a determination by the Company (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or stockholders) that you have not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption or inference that you have not met the applicable standard of conduct.
 
 (c)          The Company agrees to continue and maintain a directors’ and officers’ liability  insurance policy covering you at a level, and on terms and conditions, no less favorable to you than the coverage the Company provides other similarly-situated executives  so long as such coverage is available from the carrier and does not increase the cost of such policy by more than 10% per annum until the fifth anniversary of the Termination Date.
 
 (d)          Nothing in this Section 17 shall be construed as reducing or waiving any right to indemnification, or advancement of expenses, you would otherwise have under the corporate documents of the Company or any affiliate, including, but not limited to, the Company’s articles of incorporation or by-laws, or under applicable law.
 
 
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18.    Subject to your other personal and business commitments and to the extent not inconsistent with your legal position, you agree that both during and after your employment you shall, at the request of the Company, render all reasonable and lawful assistance and perform all reasonable and lawful acts that the Company considers necessary or advisable in connection with any litigation, investigation, proceeding, claim or dispute involving the Company or any director, officer, employee, shareholder, agent, representative, consultant, client or vendor of the Company (“Claims”) to the extent such Claim arose during your employment and relates to the Company.  The Company agrees to reimburse you for your reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable travel expenses and attorneys’ fees if you reasonably determine that the matter is of a nature which indicates that you should have separate representation).
 
19.    This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.  If any dispute should arise concerning this Agreement, the interpretation of the terms of the Agreement or otherwise relating in any way to the terms and conditions of your employment or its termination, including any claim of statutory discrimination, the parties agree to submit the dispute to arbitration before a panel of three (3) neutral arbitrators at the American Arbitration Association (the “AAA”) in New York, New York, except that in the event of any controversy relating to any violation or alleged violation of any provision of Section 13 or 14 hereof, the Company in its sole discretion shall be entitled to seek injunctive relief from a court of competent jurisdiction in accordance with Section 15 hereof without any requirement to seek arbitration for such injunction.   For injunctive relief, it is agreed that any court of competent jurisdiction also may entertain an application by either party.  The parties further agree that no demand for punitive damages shall be made in any such arbitration proceeding and that the arbitrators shall not have the power to award punitive damages in any such proceeding.  Any award of the arbitrators shall be final and binding, subject only to such right of review as may be provided under applicable law.   The parties hereto agree that any arbitral award may be enforced against the parties to an arbitration proceeding or their assets wherever they may be found.  The Company consents to the personal jurisdiction of the Courts of the State of New York (including the United States District Court of New York) for purpose of enforcing any arbitral award and the Company further agrees not to interpose any objection for improper venue in any such proceeding.  In the event that you prevail in any claim or proceeding between you and the Company or any affiliate in relation to this Agreement, the Company shall reimburse you for your reasonable costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by you in pursuing such claim or proceeding.
 
20.    No failure by either party at any time to give notice of any breach by the other party, or to require compliance with any condition or provision of this Agreement shall be deemed a waiver of a similar or dissimilar provision or condition at the time or at any prior or subsequent time.  Any waiver to be effective must be in writing and be signed by the party against whom it is being enforced.
 
21.    Upon the expiration of the Term, the respective rights and obligations of the parties shall survive such expiration pursuant to the express terms of this Agreement and to the extent necessary to carry out the intentions of the parties as embodied in such rights and obligations. 
 
 
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This Agreement shall continue in effect until there are no further rights or obligations of the parties outstanding hereunder or until terminated by the consent of both parties.
 
22.    Each of the covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement are separate and independent covenants, each of which has been separately bargained for and the parties hereto intend that the provisions of each such covenant shall be enforced to the fullest extent permissible.  Should the whole or any part or provision of any such separate covenant be held or declared invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not in any way affect the validity of any other such covenant or of any part or provision of the same covenant not also held or declared invalid. If any covenant shall be found to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction but would be valid if some part thereof were deleted or the period or area of application reduced, then such covenant shall apply with such minimum modification as may be necessary to make it valid and effective.
 
23.    You agree to keep this Agreement confidential and not to disclose its terms to any third parties unless required to do so by law or regulation, without the prior written consent of Genco.  You may, however, disclose the details of your employment and compensation arrangements to your immediate family and to your tax, accounting and legal advisors, provided that you receive their assurance in advance that they will not disclose those matters to any third party.  Nothing in this Agreement, however, shall preclude you from disclosing to potential subsequent employers the existence of this Agreement and the restrictions set forth in Sections 13 and 14.
 
24.    This Agreement and all rights and obligations hereunder shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of your heirs, executors, representatives and administrators and any successors in interest which may acquire or succeed to all or substantially all of the business and assets of Genco by any means or its assigns.  In that regard, you understand that this Agreement may subsequently be assigned by Genco.  Because of the personal nature of the services to be rendered by you, you may not assign, transfer, pledge, or hypothecate your rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Genco, except that your rights to compensation and benefits may be transferred by will, operation of law, in accordance with applicable law or any applicable plan, policy, program or agreement of the Company or any other member of the Genco Group or in accordance with this Section 24.  In the event of your death or a judicial determination of your incompetence, the compensation, entitlements and benefits due you under this Agreement or otherwise shall be paid to your estate or legal representative or your designated beneficiary or beneficiaries.
 
25.    This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the parties on the subjects covered herein and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements and understandings, whether written or oral.  You represent that you have not relied on any statements, oral or written, not contained in this Agreement.  This Agreement may not be amended or otherwise changed orally, but only in a writing signed by both parties.
 
26.    This Agreement may be signed in separate counterparts, both of which together shall constitute an original instrument.  The parties agree to accept a signed facsimile counterpart of this Agreement as a fully binding original.
 
27.    You understand that the terms and conditions of your employment by Genco are governed by standard Genco policies.
 

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Please indicate your acceptance of this Agreement by signing and returning a copy of this letter to the undersigned.
 
                 
                 Very truly yours,
 

 
                 GENCO SHIPPING & TRADING LIMITED
 

                 By:          ___________________________________________  
                 Robert Gerald Buchanan
                 President
 
 
ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO:
 
_____________________________________
John C. Wobensmith
 
 
 
_____________________________________
Date
 
 
 
 
 
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